Author: Kristyn Coutts
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Nina Gold Secures Oscar Nomination for Hamnet
Nina Gold makes history as the first British nominee for the inaugural Academy Award for Best Casting. The 2026 Academy Award nominations have officially made history, and at the heart of the celebration is British casting icon Nina Gold, who has been recognised for her transformative work on Hamnet. For the first time in the…
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The CDG Casting Awards 2026 Nominations
The Casting Directors’ Guild reveals the exceptional talent shortlisted for the 2026 CDG Casting Awards. The Casting Directors Guild (CDG) has officially revealed the nominees for the 2026 CDG Casting Awards. We’re proud to support the CDG Awards, celebrating the extraordinary skill and artistry of casting professionals across film, television, theatre, and commercials. This year…
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Bradley Peake on the Vertical Drama Boom
From viral CEO roles to shooting seasons in a week, actor Bradley Peake explores the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the vertical drama industry. Acting is an industry famously defined by the grandeur of the stage and the spectacle of the big screen, but for Bradley Peake, the most vital opportunities are currently happening on the…
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2026 Artios Awards Nominations
The casting teams behind ‘Adolescence’, ‘Dept Q’, ‘Hament’ and ‘Sinners’ amongst those nominated for 41st Artios Awards. The Casting Society of America (CSA) has announced the nominees for the 2026 Artios Awards. The Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements in casting across film, television, theatre and new media, with the casting teams behind Adolescence,…
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Tips for Self-Assessment Tax Returns and Expenses
Tax tips for actors: self-assessment, allowable expenses, and Making Tax Digital explained by an industry expert. In this essential The Spotlight Podcast episode for every working performer, we sit down with Mark Carr, a Chartered Accountant and Director at Streets. Mark has over two decades of experience helping those in the media and entertainment industry…
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Spotlight on Casting Directors: Heather Basten
Casting director Heather Basten discusses her award-winning career and shares expert advice for actors navigating the stage and screen. We’re thrilled to put the spotlight on one of the industry’s most dynamic and celebrated figures, casting director Heather Basten, CDG, CSA. Known for her exceptional eye for talent, Heather’s career spans film, TV, commercial and…
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RepresentAsian: Championing Asian Talent
RepresentAsian’s Ben Armstrong and Aixa Amarante Naranjo reveal how passion drives their mission to champion Asian talent and create lasting change for diversity in theatre. In an industry where meaningful representation remains a challenge, the story of RepresentAsian shows what happens when a community comes together to give a platform to performers and creatives who…
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Who’s Really Deciding the Future of the Arts? Lord Chris Smith Explains
The UK’s first Culture Secretary, Lord Chris Smith, offers a candid look behind the government’s closed doors. In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we discuss how policy decisions directly impact careers and outline the crucial steps artists must take to make their voices heard and shape the future of the arts. For many performers,…
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Kahleen Crawford’s Self-Tape, Audition and Showreel Tips
Casting director Kahleen Crawford’s expert advice on self-tapes, auditions and showreels for actors looking to land their next role. Meet Kahleen Crawford (CDG, CSA), a highly respected casting director known for her work on acclaimed films and series like All of Us Strangers, Living, The Buccaneers, The Lost Daughter and I, Daniel Blake. With a…
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Scotland’s Creative Vision and Nurturing Talent
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, discusses the future of the nation’s arts scene, from a booming screen industry to supporting new talent. In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we’re joined by Angus Robertson, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture to discuss nurturing new talent, the magic of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe and…