The Spotlight Podcast

Spotlight is producing a series of podcasts to provide our members with useful career advice in bite-size pieces.

Each episode is under 10 minutes long and explores one particular subject or question.

We're planning to release new podcasts regularly. As well as covering general career advice, we'll be interviewing industry professionals on their top tips and advice for performers.

We're also keen to hear from our members which other topics you'd like us to cover - please post suggestions in the Spotlight Performers Facebook group.

To get the latest episodes automatically, subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast in iTunes.

Or to download individual podcasts, use the links below:

• The casting director's advice on commercial castings
  How should an actor prepare when auditioning for a commercial and how do they differ from a standard casting? Get advice on how you can impress in a commercial audition from casting director Thom Hammond (Hammond Cox Casting).
• Approaching children's TV castings
  Find out how children's television casting works with tips and advice from CBBC casting director Kerrie Mailey.
• Children's castings for theatre
  What do parents and young performers need to know when auditioning for stage productions? Casting director Jessica Ronane (Matilda The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical) shares her advice for children's castings.
• Audition advice for television in America
  Casting director Suzanne Smith (Band Of Brothers, House) discusses what actors need to know when auditioning for TV and productions in the US.
• The casting director's advice for Shakespeare auditions
  Head of casting at Shakespeare's Globe Charlotte Bevan shares her advice on how to master Shakespeare's language and characters for auditions.
• Selling yourself with your online CV
  Spotlight's Emma Dyson talks us through ways to make your Spotlight CV shine online, with tips on everything from picking headshots to keeping your credits up to date.
• How to secure and work with your agent
  Agent Kevin Francis (Susan Angel & Kevin Francis Ltd) gives his advice on how a performer can secure an agent, and what tips you need to know to have a long and successful partnership with your agent.
• Casting director Dan Hubbard's advice for actors
  Listen to Dan Hubbard from Hubbard Casting's advice on everything from showreels to agents - and how to impress a casting director in an audition.
• Top tips for succeeding as a TV presenter
  Liz Ekberg - former producer, director and reporter and now agent at Waring & Kenna - gives her top tips on how to break into television presenting and succeed in the industry.
• Essential tips for musical theatre performers
  Neil Rutherford, head of casting for the Ambassador Theatre Group, gives his advice on how to succeed in musical theatre, both in auditions and on stage.
• Agent Daphne Waring's advice for actors
  Daphne Waring, director of leading agency Waring & McKenna, gives her advice on how graduates and performers seeking representation can catch the eye of an agent.
• How to approach Shakespeare auditions
  Experienced Shakespeare actors Bill Buckhurst and Tam Williams give their tips on how to master the Bard and land that Shakespearean role.
• How to audition for commercials
  Actors Tam Williams and Andrew Greenough - both seasoned commercials performers - share their top tips and do's and dont's to impress when auditioning for commercials.
• Top tips for UK actors wanting to work in Los Angeles
  Actors and former LA residents Tam Williams and Alexandra Boyd give their dos and don'ts for actors considering moving to Los Angeles to work - includes important practical advice, as well as the subtleties between US and UK casting.
• How to approach auditions - the casting directors' advice
  Casting directors Lucinda Syson (W.E., X-Men, Kick Ass), Reg Poerscout-Edgerton (Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla) and Karen Lindsay-Stewart (The Other Boleyn Girl, Submarine, Marie Antionette give their advice on how actors should approach auditions. This podcast was recorded after Spotlight's London Film Festival Casting Symposium 2011.
• The Actor's Survival Kit
  Things you will need to run yourself as an actor in today's industry. Good for people just starting out or coming back to the business after a break.
• The Actor's CV
  Information and advice on the standard layout of an actor's CV in the UK.
• Photographs
  Actor photographs are of primary importance - this podcast offers some basic do's and don'ts that'll stop you going wrong.
• Audition Tips
  In this podcast we offer tips on how to prepare for that all-important acting audition.
• How to Write to Casting Directors
  In this edition we look at the format, style and content of your covering letter, which is sent with photographs and a CV to casting directors.
• How to Suggest Yourself via the Spotlight Link
  If you are a c/o Spotlight performer and suggest yourself for roles via the Spotlight Link, here are some invaluable tips on how to do it and what to tell the casting director.
• Face-to-Face Networking
  Face-to-face networking can really improve a performer's chances of gaining employment. Here are some tips on how to bite the bullet and make those all-important industry contacts.
• The Science of Showreels
  Online showreels are becoming increasingly popular with casting directors. Here are some handy hints to help you present your screen work in the best possible light.
• Uploading Multimedia to YourSpotlightProfile
  Showreels and voice clips can really make or break a performer's online profile. Joe Bates, Spotlight's technical manager, provides some advice on uploading your materials and the range of editing services Spotlight offers.
• What Makes a Good Portfolio Photograph?
  Spotlight members can upload up to 15 portfolio photographs to their online CV, but what makes a good one and what makes a bad one? Jaime Robb, Spotlight's resident portfolio photograph expert, gives advice on all things portfolio.
• Expert tips on how to become a presenter
  John Byrne, career adviser to 'The Stage' newspaper, and Kathryn Wolfe, senior lecturer in media performance at the University of Bedfordshire and author of 'So You Want To Be a TV Presenter?', give their top tips on how to start a career as a presenter.
• Michael Duff (Troika) - Agent Tips for Final Year Drama Students
  Michael discusses the protocol of securing agent representation whilst you are in your final year of study.
• Sooki McShane CDG and Lucy Jenkins CDG - Theatre Audition Tips for Final Year Drama Students
  Sooki and Lucy suggest four pieces of advice when auditioning for theatre productions.
• Toby Whale's top three tips for performers
  Casting director Toby Whale shares his wealth of casting experience with Spotlight Graduates.

• Andy Morgan's Top Tips for Graduates
  Casting director Andy Morgan (Law & Order UK, Luther) gives his top five tips for graduating actors, including advice on optimising your Spotlight CV (accents, playing age, video footage, responding to Link Board posts) and preparing for auditions.