The Spotlight Podcast

Championing Diversity with the Diverse Squad

Why diversity is important in the entertainment industry, and more information about M·A·C Cosmetics’ exciting collaboration with Spotlight and the Diverse Squad.

In this episode, we speak to agents Mildred Yuan and Sara Sehdev (Core MGMT), who are also members of the PMA Diverse Squad, about:

• What the Diverse Squad is, and how they were formed.
• The difference between authentic casting and ‘tokenism’.
• What changes we need to see in the industry.
• The barriers faced by diverse performers.
• The work the Diverse Squad does to address these issues.
• Details about the 'Inclusive Complexion Edit' (in collaboration with Spotlight, M·A·C and the Diverse Squad) to incentivise the industry to provide the right colours for all actors in the make-up chair, regardless of skin tone.
• The benefits of Spotlight's 'Ethnicity or Heritage' tool.

 

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.

Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more! 

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.

Getting Into Drama School

What you need to know before applying for drama school, including different types of training, advice for auditioning and the importance of inclusivity.

In the first of this two-part instalment about all things drama school, we talk to Charleen Qwaye (Fourth Monkey), Stewart Nicholls (Guildford School of Acting), Geoff Brumlik (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Helen Mackay (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Christabel Clark (MetFilm School) about:

• The difference between conservatoire training and studying at university, and the benefits of these different training styles.
• How you can know if drama school is the right path for you.
• What can be done to ensure there's more inclusivity in drama schools.
• Advice for successfully auditioning for and getting into drama school.
• Alternative routes for breaking into the industry if you don't get into drama school.

 

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.

Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more! 

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.

The Gamification of Cinema: Working in Interactive Film

We explore what interactive content is, what work opportunities exist for actors in this exciting new genre and what skills are needed if you want to audition for a role in an interactive, multi-narrative film.

We’re joined by Harry Chadwick and Grace Chadwick, the sibling founders of INTERFLIX Media to talk about the gamification of cinema and their work in the world of interactive film. Together they create films and commercials with an interactive narrative and have just released their latest film featuring a 40-strong cast.

We catch up with them to find out about:

• Interactive content and what it is.
• The process of creating films with an interactive narrative.
• Opportunities for actors in the genre.
• How to get an audition.
• What the casting process looks like.
• Their new film, The Isle Tide Hotel.

 

 

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

 

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us

Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.

Tips for Self-Represented Performers

How to navigate the world of performing when you don’t have an agent, and how to make the most of Spotlight as a self-represented performer.

We’re joined by Spotlight’s Customer Success Manager, Mel Brown, who has a wealth of knowledge about the performing arts industry and runs some of our career advice sessions for performers. 

Mel will be chatting with us about:

• How to best use Spotlight if you don’t have an agent.
• How to put yourself forward for roles if you’re self-represented.
• Tips to make your Spotlight profile the best it can be.
• Advice for headshots, showreels and voice reels.
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Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

 

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us

Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.

Inclusion and Representation in Performing Arts with Zoë Alba Farrugia

Zoë Alba Farrugia shares her story about moving to the UK as a Maltese performer to follow her acting dream, the challenges she faced and how they inspired her to co-found female-led theatre company Prickly Pear Productions.

Prickly Pear Productions champions underrepresented stories and artists and we discuss how that work comes about and the importance of telling stories that are inspired by different cultures and human experiences.

In this hour-long episode, we also talk about:

• Who Creative Edinburgh are and what they do within the creative community
• The importance of the artistic community
• Opportunities for creatives in Scotland
• Creating a theatre company and making work
• Representation and opportunities for women, particularly migrant women, in the performing arts industry
• How the industry can be more inclusive and open itself up to better represent different nationalities and cultures
• The similarities and differences of actors' experiences across the world.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.

Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, career advice, events, discounts and more! 

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!