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Articles tagged with tips

The Spotlight podcast: Dan Hubbard CDG's advice for actors

The latest Spotlight podcast features advice for performers on all areas of castings and the industry from Dan Hubbard of Hubbard Casting. Dan talks us through how graduates can get noticed, the importance of agents to casting directors, what he looks for in photos and showreels, and his top tips for impressing in the industry. Hubbard Casting is a family-owned business and has cast some of the biggest films in recent years, including The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, and Harry Brown. We spoke to Dan ahead of the latest Spotlight Graduate event to tap into his wealth of...

posted on 9th February 2012 Read full article >>

How to sell yourself as a performer on Facebook

Facebook is changing your personal profiles – and this presents a great opportunity for performers to market themselves on the social network, but it also comes with risks and considerations. Spotlight’s social media expert, Gary Andrews, talks you through how to sell yourself on Facebook, and what issues you need to be aware of. You may not have wanted it, but if you have a personal profile on Facebook then you’ll soon be forced to convert to their Timeline – Facebook’s new, compulsory way of displaying your life’s history, not just your current thoughts on the latest film or...

posted on 8th February 2012 Read full article >>

The Spotlight podcast: Top tips for succeeding as a TV presenter

What are the vital skills you need to succeed as a presenter? How can you gain these skills, and use them to impress producers? And what’s the best way for performers to break into the world of presenting? These are just some of the questions Liz Ekberg answers in the latest Spotlight podcast. Liz is a former producer, director, and reporter, having worked for Barry Norman’s film review programme, The Wide Awake Club, Newsround and CBBC. She now works as a Junior Talent Agent for leading agency Waring and McKenna. We spoke to Liz at our recent Spotlight Presenters’ seminar to get...

posted on 2nd February 2012 Read full article >>

Musical theatre: What I’ve learnt from my audition experiences

Musical theatre is a competitive industry, with many specific skills and considerations, and no matter how much training you have, there’s no substitute for learning on the job. Here, Spotlight member Jonathan Vickers shares his experiences and advice from the past few years, as he made the transition from graduate to musical theatre performer. Some of his auditions may have been unconventional, but he’s always found a way to make the best of any situation, in or out of work... It’s been two-and-a-half years since that sunny August day in 2009 when I graduated from the...

posted on 31st January 2012 Read full article >>

Advice for Spotlight members on submitting your tax return

Tax returns may not be the first thing on performers’ minds, but with many Spotlight members self-employed, sorting out your finances is a necessity, especially as the deadline for filing your returns is less than 48 hours away. Ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, James Pickford from TWD Accountants has the following advice for Spotlight members looking to get to grips with their tax returns. Over to you, James. Q. Can I claim for pre-trading training? No. Because it was your choice to become a sole trader, the training costs prior to actually trading are not...

posted on 30th January 2012 Read full article >>

The Spotlight podcast: Essential tips for musical theatre performers

What’s the best way to break into musical theatre? What are the most important musical theatre skills to keep topped up? How can you impress a casting director? And what should you do if you stumble over a dance or song in an audition? We discuss all this and more with casting director Neil Rutherford in our latest Spotlight podcast. Neil is head of casting at the Ambassador Theatre Group and has cast many West End shows and tours, such as Legally Blonde, Spamalot, South Pacific, West Side Story, and Guys and Dolls, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience...

posted on 26th January 2012 Read full article >>

Casting director Annelie Powell’s top tips for Spotlight Graduates

CDS students were busy making new contacts and catch up with old ones last Sunday at the first networking event for final year drama students (below) – plus casting director Annelie Powell stopped by to give her top tips for the graduating students. But if you couldn’t make this fabulous afternoon of networking – or you networked a little too hard to remember - with Annelie’s kind permission, here are her top 10 tips for those of our members about to graduate or just starting out as a performer. Make sure you research...

posted on 24th January 2012 Read full article >>

How to: Audition for Shakespeare

Auditioning for Shakespeare is a different art from other auditions, as it comes with well-known characters, plays and very specific language. If you plan to perform the Bard in 2012, there’s plenty you can do to help prepare for you audition. We asked Charlotte Bevan, head of casting at Shakespeare’s Globe to share her advice on how actors should approach Shakespeare auditions. It is very important when auditioning for a Shakespeare play to remember the character first and foremost as it is very easy to speak the lines beautifully without communicating any meaning at all. ...

posted on 9th January 2012 Read full article >>

How to: Promote your Spotlight CV on your website

Are you looking to freshen up your online profile in 2012? One of the best ways you can promote yourself is by linking direct to your Spotlight CV on your website or blog. We’ve created a set of easily-embeddable Spotlight buttons you can add to your website. They’re simple to add into your site’s template and are a great way to help market yourself online. It’s easy to install this distinctive and recognisable button, which highlights not just your Spotlight membership, but makes it easy for people to see your credits, headshot and representation in one easy click....

posted on 4th January 2012 Read full article >>

The Spotlight podcast: How to approach Shakespeare auditions

What does an actor need to know when preparing for a Shakespeare audition? If you’re looking to get on board with the Bard in 2012, then prepare with some advice from the experts in our latest Spotlight podcast. We spoke to Tam Williams, a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Edward Hall’s all-male Shakespeare company Propeller, and Bill Buckhurst, who has directed and performed at Shakespeare’s Globe and is the former director of the Stafford Festival Shakespeare. Tam and Bill gave us their tips ahead of the most recent Spotlight professional development seminar, and covered how to master the language and...

posted on 21st December 2011 Read full article >>

Spotlight’s weekly news roundup: 9 December

Welcome to Spotlight’s weekly news roundup, where we highlight the news and blogs we’ve enjoyed and want to share with our members and others within the industry. So kick back and read what’s snagged our interest this week. Approaching theatre from a different angle As we move towards the end of the year, there’s plenty of reflective thought from the performing arts industry. At The Arts Desk, Mike Kenny from the West Yorkshire Playhouse tells us why he believes there’s more to children’s theatre than just pantomime. On a similar theme, The Guardian profiles some of 2011’s...

posted on 9th December 2011 Read full article >>

The Spotlight vodcast: Approaching Shakespeare auditions

If you’re auditioning for a role in Shakespeare, then prepare for your audition by getting some tips from the experts in our first Spotlight vodcast. Ahead of the last of Spotlight’s 2011 professional development seminars, we caught up with hosts Tam Williams and Bill Buckhurst and asked them for their top tips for approaching Shakespeare auditions. Tam has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The National Theatre and extensively with Edward Hall’s all-make Shakespeare company, Propeller, while Bill has directed and performed at Shakespeare’s Globe, worked with the RSC, and is the former director of the Stafford Festival Shakespeare. Tam and Bill gave...

posted on 8th December 2011 Read full article >>

The Spotlight podcast: Auditioning for commercials

For many actors, commercials are an essential part of their working life, helping to bring in money and extra skills and credits to their CV. However, there are considerations an actor needs to be aware of when auditioning for a role in a commercial. The latest Spotlight Podcast offers up valuable tips for any actor approaching a commercial casting. We spoke to actors Tam Williams and Andrew Greenough at Spotlight’s professional development workshop for their advice. Both Tam and Andrew have plenty of experience in commercials and here they share their top tips and stories from their own experience, to help you...

posted on 17th November 2011 Read full article >>

Auditioning for commercials: The casting director's view

To tie in with Spotlight’s Approaching Commercial Castings workshop, we’re publishing a series of essential tips every actor needs to know about how to audition for commercials. Today, we hear from casting director Anna Kennedy. Anna has a wealth of experience in casting a range of varied projects, including numerous award-winning commercials. She’s worked with a range of clients, including Ikea, McDonalds, Yeo Valley (below), Sainsbury’s, Porsche and Vodafone. Here, she passes on her top tips for actors at commercial castings. Dress for the occasion A casting director will usually tell the agent how the actor should dress – for example, directions like...

posted on 15th November 2011 Read full article >>

The Spotlight Podcast: Working In LA

Want to get essential advice if you’re considering moving to LA to live and work? At Spotlight’s Working In LA professional development seminar, we spoke to hosts Tam Williams and Alexandra Boyd about their top tips for surviving and earning a living in Los Angeles for the latest Spotlight podcast. Both Tam and Alexandra are hugely experienced actors who’ve both lived and worked in LA, and have plenty of experience of the practical side of the industry. Both had plenty of top tips, and shared examples of how they learnt from mistakes in the United States. Don’t miss this valuable insight into...

posted on 10th November 2011 Read full article >>

Advice from Actor Expo: Our most frequently asked questions

Last Saturday saw the Actor Expo at Camden Town Hall, and Spotlight was once again at the heart of this essential one-stop shop for the UK acting world. Our team of Kelly, Kate and Laura were on hand at Spotlight’s stall, while Spotlight’s expert Emma Dyson offered essential career advice for actors at her fully-booked Sell Yourself: Perfect Self-Marketing For Actors seminar. On behalf of the team, we’d like to say a massive thank you to everybody who took the time to chat to us on the stall or attend our seminar. We always immensely enjoy...

posted on 9th November 2011 Read full article >>

Working in LA: The actor’s advice

To tie in with Spotlight’s Working In Los Angeles workshop, we’re running a series of features on the essentials a performer needs to know if they’re thinking of moving to the United States to work. Today we hear from actor Will Kemp. Will recently moved to LA and since has appeared in Nikita and 90210. Here, he shares the knowledge he’s gained from his time in the city. After fifteen years of working, looking for work and "vacationing" in Los Angeles, I finally decided to pack up my London life and move with my wife and...

posted on 8th November 2011 Read full article >>

Working as an actor in LA: The casting director’s view

This week Spotlight is hosting the first of our professional development pilot workshops, offering valuable insights and essential industry advice. The first workshop is all about Working In LA and is hosted by actors Tam Williams and Alexandra Boyd. To tie in with this, we’ll be running features from some of the best-connected people in the industry. First up, top casting director Carol Dudley from Cannon Dudley & Associates gives us her advice on the difference between UK and US taped castings. Ah, the difference between US and UK auditions. Let's just deal with taped...

posted on 7th November 2011 Read full article >>

The Spotlight Podcast: How to approach auditions

Want to learn the secret of how to approach an audition from those doing the auditioning? After Spotlight’s Casting Symposium, we asked our trio of top UK casting directors for their advice on approaching auditions. The panel of 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) spoke to Spotlight’s Frances Mordue about their dos and don’ts for auditions, as well as their one tip for actors to make themselves more employable during auditions. Don’t miss this value insight from some of the biggest names in...

posted on 21st October 2011 Read full article >>

Top tips from Spotlight’s Casting Symposium

Spotlight’s Casting Symposium at the BFI yesterday (Tuesday 18th October) was one of the hottest industry tickets of the London Film Festival, with over 400 performers gaining valuable insights from our panel of top casting directors The panel was made up of 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), while the session was co-ordinated by Spotlight’s Pippa Harrison and Emma Dyson. Topics covered included the casting process in full, an insight into important audition dos and don’ts and a Q & A...

posted on 19th October 2011 Read full article >>

September at Spotlight is ‘Presenters Month’

This September we are operating a series of industry seminars/networking opportunities as well as career advice 1 on 1’s with a Spotlight expert for all our presenter members.  In addition we’re offering discounts on show reel uploads and 2010 copies of Contacts throughout the month.  Our first seminar is aimed at those just starting out as a presenter.  John Byrne (Career Advisor to The Stage newspaper) will be in discussion with Kathryn Wolfe, (Senior Lecturer, Media Performance University of Bedfordshire and author of 'So You Want To be a TV Presenter?') about the...

posted on 24th August 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight at the Edinburgh Festival

Spotlight will be in Edinburgh this year for the festival and as usual we’ve got lots to offer our members including a series of career advice seminars, 1-on-1 career chats with a Spotlight expert and free Wi-Fi for all!  Here’s a run-down of what’s on offer: FREE SEMINARS How to be a Professional Actor, 17th August 11:00 (1hr 30mins) Industry experts from Spotlight offer essential career advice for actors. Topics covered include networking, CVs, showreels, headshots, audition technique and how to approach agents and casting directors. Any questions answered! Great for actors just...

posted on 24th June 2010 Read full article >>

Interview with Lauren O’Neil – 2009 Spotlight Prize Winner

In 2009 Lauren O’Neil graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama and won the Spotlight prize for best actress. This year she opened in her first professional stage role in ‘Women Beware Women’ at the National Theatre and will also be appearing on our TV screens in ‘Lewis’ on Sunday.  Will Davies, Spotlight Casting & Agent Liaison, spoke with her about her origins as an actress, her training at Guildhall and her industry experiences since winning the Spotlight prize. · Obvious question but did you always know you wanted to be an actress? Not at all, when...

posted on 20th May 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Graduate programme 2010

Last week was the final seminar in this year’s Spotlight Graduate programme.  Over 400 final year CDS drama students have attended industry seminars given by leading UK casting directors, agents and Spotlight experts.  Topics covered include Commercial Castings, Theatre Auditions, How to Approach an Agent and Industry Networking.  Furthermore a lot of the expert’s advice has been posted on our website and on our members Facebook group.  We feel this allows all our members to benefit from the programme and we will be posting more of their top tips on the Spotlight members Facebook group over the next few weeks...

posted on 19th May 2010 Read full article >>

Get one-to-one career advice from a Spotlight expert

Appointments are now available for Spotlight Mondays career chats in May, June and July Whether you’re just starting out or feel the need for a “refresher chat”, Spotlight Mondays are an opportunity to have a 15 minute careers chat with a Spotlight expert. Anything is up for discussion, including photos, CVs, showreels, casting directors and agents (however, it is not possible for us to recommend agents).  This is a free service, inclusive within Spotlight membership and available only to members. For more information and to book a place between the hours of 2pm and 5pm every...

posted on 14th May 2010 Read full article >>

Tip of the day - How to renew your Spotlight Actress membership for 2010

If you haven’t managed to confirm your contact details and renew your membership yet, there are three methods to ensure your continued Spotlight website and directory presence. 1. Online – visit www.spotlight.com/renew - all you need is your Spotlight Update PIN, a debit/credit card (please note the online payment system does not accept AMEX or Laser cards) and a high-res digital copy of your new photo if you want to change it. It’s very easy and takes a matter of minutes. 2. Over the phone – call our Accounts department on 020 7440 5005 - all you...

posted on 6th May 2010 Read full article >>

Five top tips for musical theatre casting from David Grindrod

At this week’s Spotlight Graduate Programme event, casting director David Grindrod spoke to final-year musical theatre and dance graduates about casting for musical theatre. David’s vast theatre credits include Mamma Mia, The Phantom of the Opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, and he is currently appearing on the BBC’s Over the Rainbow. Topics covered included how to approach a casting director, what to expect in an audition and common pitfalls to avoid.  For anyone wanting to break into musical theatre here are his top five tips:...

posted on 21st April 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight on Facebook and Twitter

Spotlight is now using Facebook and Twitter as a means to deliver Spotlight news, industry information and careers advice to its members and non-members. Our Spotlight Performers Facebook group is for performer members only and offers tailored careers advice and the facility to comment on our services and inform and advise fellow Spotlight members. Our Twitter feed and the Spotlight Facebook Fan Page inform members and non-members of our services, events we’re hosting/sponsoring as well as general industry information and career advice. Here are some more details on the services and how to join: Spotlight Performers...

posted on 16th April 2010 Read full article >>

Tip of the day: Send your Spotlight CV as a link & add it to your website

If you’re sending an email to agents, casting directors, producers or directors, don’t bother sending a photo, CV or show reel attachments, which they might not have the time to open. Just send them a link to your Spotlight CV. Assuming their browser is open, they’ll be able to see your details in seconds. You can also include the link on your Facebook profile or even in a Tweet.  A growing number of Spotlight members are also setting up their own websites and creating permanent links to their Spotlight CV. The benefits of this...

posted on 30th March 2010 Read full article >>

RSC casting assistants give auditions advice

Janine Snape and Jim Arnold, casting assistants at the RSC, were guest speakers at the Spotlight Graduate Programme this week. The event was a brilliant opportunity for graduates to meet them and to hear about the casting processes at the RSC. Janine and Jim’s top tips: In an audition, respond to the director’s instructions and adapt your performance accordingly. Choose audition pieces that are appropriate to your age and gender. Make sure you have your showreel and voice clip uploaded onto your Spotlight page. ...

posted on 23rd March 2010 Read full article >>

Top five career tips for budding dancers

Spotlight were at Move It! 2010 (http://www.moveitdance.co.uk/) last Friday and as well as all the amazing performances and master classes, several industry professionals were giving career advice to aspiring dancers.  Spotlight’s very own dance expert Martin Pavey picked the top five tips and here they are: Believe in yourself - Casting Directors always look for passionate performers. Your driving force must always be your love for dance and joy of performing, as well as the conviction in your abilities. Train - Training not only gives you the necessary skills, but the...

posted on 19th March 2010 Read full article >>

Five Top Tips for TV and Film Casting from Kate Rhodes James

At this week’s Spotlight Graduate Programme event, casting director Kate Rhodes James (Bleak House, Cold Feet, Into the Storm, Mo Mowlam, The Fattest Man in Great Britain) spoke to final-year drama graduates about casting for film and television.  Topics covered included how to approach a casting director, what to expect in an audition and how best to present yourself (CV’s and photographs).  For anyone wanting to break into television and film here are her top five tips:  Research each casting director before you meet or contact them.  If you’re...

posted on 17th March 2010 Read full article >>

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: 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. When seeking representation, you...

posted on 12th March 2010 Read full article >>

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: Check that you’ve...

posted on 10th March 2010 Read full article >>

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: ...

posted on 23rd February 2010 Read full article >>

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: Always prepare your script – you must be familiar with all the text Practise sight reading to camera – record yourself and learn from your mistakes If you are not sure about anything in an audition, ask Keep...

posted on 23rd February 2010 Read full article >>

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: 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. Make contacts and network - they are of paramount...

posted on 19th February 2010 Read full article >>

Expert advice on CVs, photos, showreels and more

Whether you’re just starting out or feel the need for a “refresher chat”, Spotlight Mondays are an opportunity to have a 15 minute careers chat with a Spotlight expert. Anything is up for discussion, including photos, CVs, showreels, casting directors and agents (however, be aware that it is not possible for us to recommend agents).  This is a free service, inclusive within your Spotlight membership.  For more information and to book your place between the hours of 2pm and 5pm every Monday go to www.spotlight.clickbook.net. Tags: career, advice, tips

posted on 5th February 2010 Read full article >>

Top ten tips for Spotlight portfolio photos

We’ve asked casting professionals what they look for in portfolio photos, and here are our top ten tips: 1. Always make sure the photo looks like you.  Don’t include overly airbrushed shots as they can be misleading. Update your photos every 3-5 years, so they are current. You don’t look the same as you did in 1997 so why does your photo? One casting director put it very eloquently when they said: ‘All I want is someone who looks like their photo to walk through the door. Anything else is a waste of my time.’ 2. Get professional...

posted on 1st December 2009 Read full article >>