Top five career tips for aspiring presenters

Are you an actor or dancer looking to branch into presenting?  Or perhaps you've been watching television and thought I could do better than that?  To help you on your way here are our top five tips:

1. Be specific about what type of presenter you are - are you entertainment, factual or both?  If you have an expertise, capitalise on it.  Agents, commissioning editors and heads of development all need to be able to place you immediately, don't make it hard for them.
   
2. When seeking representation, you need a showreel to send to agents.  It doesn't need to be professionally shot and edited and should be no longer then three and a half minutes.  In terms of content, you should consider a piece to camera about something you're interested in, a piece walking and talking and an interview (which doesn't need to be with anyone famous).  Avoid a musical montage at the start, it wastes time and agents may not have the patience to wait until it's over. 
   
3. Presenter photos are another important tool of the trade - they can be b&w or colour, a head shot or full length but most importantly they should be a true representation of who you are.  In this sense they are different to traditional actor-style photos - presenter photos can even be a holiday snap! 
   
4. Research the industry - it's so important to know what companies are producing what and who the commissioning editors and heads of development are.  The way to do this is to read trade magazines such as Broadcast and start watching the credits at the end of TV shows.  Once you have familiarised yourself with these names then you can target them and send them your details.
   
5. Networking - hugely important, keep your ear to the ground, go to networking events, be seen and get around, meeting someone face to face is what it's all about so maximise those chances by getting out there.  If you're going to an event – search on Google Images for the people you are likely to meet there.  That way you'll introduce yourself to the right person and avoid time-wasting and embarrassments.  Remember who you meet and follow up by sending them your details. 

For more details on the benefits of joining Spotlight Presenters Emerging Talent section click here.

posted on 12th March 2010

Spotlight Prize nominees announced

We are pleased to announce the names of the 22 drama students who have been nominated for the annual Spotlight Prize in 2010.

Each nominee has been selected by their CDS drama school as the best actor from their graduating year. The nominees will now perform at the prestigious Spotlight Showcase on 20 July 2010, to an exclusive VIP audience of agents, casting professionals and others.

A panel of industry experts will award two prizes based on the performances:

• Best Actor/Actress (£2,000)
• Highly Commended Actor/Actress (£1,500)

The prizes will be announced on 20 July 2010.

All nominated students also win a free year’s membership of Spotlight, and a free ticket to the Spotlight Student Summer Ball on 30 May. All nominees will also be appearing in the upcoming showcases and performances given by CDS drama schools. To view a calendar of forthcoming events, visit the Spotlight Performance Calendar.

Congratulations to all of the nominees, who are pictured above: Hayley Roberts (ALRA), Fleur Keith (Arts Ed London School of Acting), Jane Horn (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Andy Rush (Birmingham School of Acting), Vivienne Bell (Central), Lil Davis (Cygnet Training Theatre), Beth Park (Drama Centre London), Olivia Vinall (Drama Studio London), Jesse Briton (East 15 Acting School), Louis Maskell (Guildford School of Acting), Patrick Osborne (Guildhall), Lewis Hart (Italia Conti), Ellie Jacob (LAMDA), Herman Gambhir (LIPA), Katie Jacobs (Manchester Metropolitan), Matthew Seadon-Young (Mountview), Andrew Gower (Oxford School of Drama), Luke McConnell (QMU), Seline Hizli (RADA), Oliver Mott (Rose Bruford College), Leon Vickers (RSAMD) and Rosie Wyatt (RWCMD).

posted on 10th March 2010

How to succeed at commercial castings

2010 has got off to a great start at Spotlight Studios with numerous film and television projects using our facilities.

Just recently feature film directors Roland Emmerich (2012, The Day After Tomorrow) and Taylor Hackford (Ray, Proof of Life) were in casting for their latest projects. It’s pilot season too which means plenty of actors have been in to tape their auditions for American casting directors.

Commercial castings include Orange, John Lewis, McDonalds, Shell and Nintendo.

To help you with landing that commercial, here are some top tips:

1. Check that you’ve received any relevant script or information in advance.
2. Always know the product and the casting director when you arrive at the casting.
3. Always read the script first, fill in the casting forms later.
4. Be prepared to wait (and pleasantly surprised if you don’t have to). Commercial sessions invariably run late, so don’t let it affect your audition.
5. Expect to be asked to improvise: approach this with a positive attitude and try not to look nervous even if you are.
6. Remember you’re in front of a camera, not on stage – less is more when it comes to your performance.
7. Listen carefully to the instructions the casting director gives you and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
8. Be aware of where the camera is and make sure your face is clearly visible – don’t look straight at the camera though.
9. Don’t try and be wacky or different to stand out.

For more information on our studios, including a studio tour, click here.

For more tips and advice from Spotlight and our guest experts, click here.

posted on 10th March 2010

Success at commercial castings – free workshop for Graduates

Spotlight’s next Graduates Programme event, on Monday 8 March, aims to give students a crash course in the world of commercial castings - debunking myths, telling you what to expect and how to prepare for the castings you’re most likely to encounter as a graduate entering the industry.

The free workshop will be hosted by Thom Hammond, who manages Spotlight’s busy casting studios and brings experience as a freelance casting assistant and an actor to this informal, interactive session.

Some places are still available at the event, which is open to students graduating from CDS drama schools in their final year.

Visit Spotlight Graduates to book a place.

posted on 4th March 2010

Spotlight at Launch 2010

Spotlight enjoyed a successful day at Launch 2010, the annual event that brings together dance graduates and industry professionals.

Last weekend’s event was packed full of seminars and advice on how to kick start your career and start thinking about your future. Seminars included ‘Managing Finance and Tax’ with Tim Tubbs, ‘Arts Administration’ with Isabel Tamen (former dancer and executive director of Richard Alston Dance Company), ‘Education in Dance’ with Veronica Jobbins (head of education and community department at LABAN) as well as an in-depth CV tune-up session with Kiki Gale (artistic director of East London Dance).

There was also the opportunity to ask Drew McOnie (So You Think You Can Dance, New Adventures), leading dance photographer Chris Nash, freelance dancer Sarah Storer (Henri Oguike, Raphael Bonachela), Ben Duke (Lost Dog), Darren Ellis (artistic director of Darren Ellis Dance, Richard Alston Dance Company, New Adventures), Akosua Boakye (ADAD Trailblazer, head of dance at Kensington & Chelsea College) and Etta Murfitt (associate director for New Adventures Production Company) questions and advice about how to launch your dance career in the Chat Show at the end of the day.

Drew McOnie said his advice to students is: “Find out exactly what it is that makes you happy and follow it. It’s not going to be easy but if you can see it you can get it!"

Hosted by Dance UK and The Place, the day offered opportunities to network with leading choreographers, performers, teachers and delegates from all areas of dance. There was a chance to speak to exhibitors including Equity, Dancers Career Development (DCD), City University, Pilates Foundation, and Jo Baker (Dance Science), as well as Spotlight.

You can view a full set of photos from the event on our Facebook page. (Photos by Sanna Ryg.)

We look forward to seeing you again next year!

posted on 4th March 2010

Promote your graduate show on the Spotlight Calendar

Calling all graduate actors, dancers, child artists and young performers! Did you know that the Spotlight Performance Calendar allows you to advertise your final year performances and showcases to the entire casting industry?

Used by casting directors, agents, producers and directors throughout the UK, the details, dates and locations of your show are accessible from all areas of our website. Furthermore, for drama and dance graduate performances, each posting has a cast list which can link directly through to your Spotlight CV and photo. 

This is a completely free service open to:

• All drama students who are graduating from a CDS drama school or an NCDT accredited course;
• All dance students who are graduating from dance schools and colleges which are either accredited by the Council for Dance Education and training (CDET), Ofsted approved or eligible for DADA awards;
• All child artists and young performers and child agencies who appear in Spotlight Children and Young Performers directory.

Numerous schools and colleges are already posting their details on the Performance Calendar - make sure your showcase performance receives maximum exposure via the Spotlight website!

For more information visit www.spotlight.com/calendar/.

posted on 3rd March 2010

Spotlight Actresses – renew your membership now

It’s that time of year when our actress members need to renew their Spotlight membership or confirm their details.

This year is gearing up to be an exciting one for Spotlight’s directories, website services and outreach work, with lots more planned in the coming months  - you don’t want to miss out!

To renew visit www.spotlight.com/renew.

Paper forms are also being sent to actress members in the post, but please note that it will take longer for us to update your CV and/or photo if you choose to complete these. The deadline is 15 April 2010.

To renew your membership online you need:

• Your Spotlight Update PIN: in the format XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
• A debit or credit card: membership is just £137 for a whole year in Spotlight, and you can pay online using our secure online server
• A high-resolution digital copy of your new photo, if you wish to change it

If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact us on questions@spotlight.com or call 020 7437 7631.

posted on 1st March 2010

How to be a professional actor – top five tips

Spotlight hosted its latest Graduates Programme event last night, aimed at supporting performers during the tricky transition from drama student to full-time actor.

Students from various CDS-accredited drama schools, including Central School of Speech and Drama, Guildford School of Acting and Drama Studio London, attended the seminar, entitled ‘How To Be A Professional Actor’ and hosted by Pippa Harrison and Will Davies.

Topics discussed included choosing photographs, running yourself as a business and how best to approach casting directors and agents. 

Here are our top five tips on how to be a professional actor:

1. Mobile phone and email are the two main ways in which potential employers will try to contact you – make sure your voicemail message is personalised, state your name and if possible when you will be checking your messages. Have a sensible email address which ideally incorporates your full stage names. Obscure, ‘fun’ email addresses seem unprofessional.
2. Your photograph is all-important and should be a true representation of what you look like in real life.  Spend as much money as you can afford and don’t look overly ‘glamorous’. More advice and tips on photo choice can be found at

   www.spotlight.com/artists/multimedia/photoguidelines/BookPhoto.html

3. Keep a record of every industry professional you meet and everything you see, and ideally who cast it.  This will increase your knowledge of the industry and will be something you can refer to throughout your career.
4. Always keep your CV credits up-to-date.  As soon as you have completed a job, add it to your CV.  Casting directors find it very embarrassing promoting performers to directors and producers when their CV is missing vital information.
5. When sending casting directors and agents your details, on the whole it is still the norm to send them a hard copy through the post.  This means a professionally taken 10 x 8 photo, a one-page CV and a cover letter.  If you have a showreel/voice reel uploaded to your Spotlight page it’s also a good idea to mention this on the CV and letter. 

The Spotlight Graduates Programme of seminars and workshops runs until June. Events are held at Spotlight’s casting rooms in central London and are open to students graduating from CDS drama schools in their final year. Places are free but allocated on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or to book a place, visit Spotlight Graduates.

For more tips and advice from Spotlight and our guest experts, click here.

posted on 23rd February 2010

Top television audition tips from BBC casting executive

Julia Crampsie, casting executive at the BBC, was guest speaker at a Spotlight Graduate Programme event last week.

The seminar was an amazing opportunity for the graduates to meet Julia and to hear all about casting at the BBC.

Julia’s top tips:

1. Always prepare your script – you must be familiar with all the text
2. Practise sight reading to camera – record yourself and learn from your mistakes
3. If you are not sure about anything in an audition, ask
4. Keep your Spotlight CV and credits up to date
5. Be proactive but don’t be a pest – only write when you have something to say

The Spotlight Graduate Programme of seminars and workshops runs until June and aims to support all students graduating from CDS drama schools in their final year. For information on upcoming events, visit www.spotlight.com/graduates.

For more tips and advice from Spotlight and our guest experts, click here.

posted on 23rd February 2010

Mark Goodier’s advice for aspiring radio and TV presenters

Mark Goodier, broadcaster and owner of Wise Buddah, was recently a guest speaker at Spotlight’s second presenters seminar. Will Davies, Spotlight Agent and Casting Liaison, hosted the event and picked five top tips:

1. When starting out, get involved in the industry as much as you can, whether as a researcher, runner or assistant - even work experience. You never know when your presenting skills might be called upon - sometimes it is a case of being in the right place at the right time.
2. Make contacts and network - they are of paramount importance. Work with your agent if you have one, and keep a record of who you’ve met and the advice they gave you - you can refer to this throughout your career.
3. Be passionate and specific about what type of presenter you want to be - whether it's music, health, business or fashion. This will help you focus your CV, reel and networking.
4. However, don’t stop educating yourself on other issues and make sure you live a little – you never know when you might be called upon to draw on these experiences.
5. Sometimes standing out from the norm is what will get your demo listened to - don’t be afraid to be cheeky, within reason!

You can find out more about membership of Spotlight’s Presenters database here.

posted on 19th February 2010