Author: Kristyn Coutts
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Avy Kaufman: From the Oscars to ‘Sentimental Value’
Legendary casting director Avy Kaufman on ‘Sentimental Value’, Elle Fanning and the new Casting Oscar. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Avy Kaufman moved to New York City to study dance at college and never looked back. Today, her casting agency stands as a powerhouse of the industry, fuelled by a career that began with a leap…
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Full List of Oscars 2026 Nominations
Recognition for ‘Hamnet’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Sentimental Value’ and Nina Gold as the Oscar nominations 2026 are announced. The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards have now been revealed at a ceremony at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverley Hills, presented by actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Sinners has set a new record with an incredible…
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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,…