Category: News & Advice
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Yesi Ramirez on Award Nominations and Casting ‘A Complete Unknown’
The Head of Casting for Searchlight Pictures shares her unique insight on the Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ as well as her casting process. Yesi Ramirez may arguably be best known for casting 2016’s Oscar and BIFA-winning Moonlight, a film that won her an Artios Award and also saw two of its cast members…
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Watch Kate Rhodes James’ Q&A about Casting ‘Gladiator II’
Casting director Kate Rhodes James discusses her process for assembling the stellar cast we see on screen in ‘Gladiator II’ and answers Spotlight members’ questions. On 16 December 2025, Spotlight hosted an exclusive private screening of Gladiator II for Spotlight members, followed by a Q&A with the film’s esteemed casting director, Kate Rhodes James. The…
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Exclusive Screening of ‘The Substance’ and Panel Event at Berlinale Film Festival
In association with the International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) and the European Film Academy, Filmmakers and Spotlight are delighted to present an exclusive panel and screening of The Substance at the Berlinale International Film Festival. The special event celebrates the European Film Academy’s (EFA) introduction of a new ‘European Casting Director Award’. Congratulations to the…
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The Spotlight Podcast: How to Make Your Spotlight Profile Stand Out
Tips for making your Spotlight profile the best it can be to help casting directors and project makers discover you. If you’re new to Spotlight – or feel that your profile isn’t working for you and you’d like to improve it – this is the episode for you. We’re joined by Mel Brown – our…
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Free Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Spotlight Members
How Spotlight members can access free mental health and wellbeing support with Wellbeing in the Arts. Spotlight have partnered with Wellbeing in the Arts to provide support to members through the Member Assistance Programme. Wellbeing in the Arts have a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges performers can face and we’re delighted we can offer…
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A Performer’s Guide to Getting Organised in 2025
A how-to guide on setting and achieving goals for the year ahead, plus tips and tools to progress your performing career. At the start of a new year, many of us feel a mounting pressure to reinvent, whether through a ‘New Year, New Me’ mindset or by setting unrealistic goals all while fighting against a…
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The History of Lesbian Representation on Television
How the visibility and authenticity of lesbians and queer women has progressed on the small screen, and what still needs to be done. Let me take you back to 1994 and the first time I saw myself represented on screen. The nation is watching their favourite soap opera of the time, Brookside, and we see…
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How to Start Your Acting Career in Australia
How to become an actor in Australia, find auditions and acting jobs, and how UK performers can apply to live in Australia. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the spotlight Down Under, you’re in for a treat. Australia’s artistic landscape is as diverse as its geographical landscape. With renowned drama schools, thriving theatre scenes…
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Creative UK Celebrates the Launch of Create Diversity
Celebrate the positive impact of equality, diversity and inclusion through Creative UK’s new hub of industry case studies. Published: 24 Jan 2025 Create Diversity – Creative UK’s new creative industries hub focusing on case studies for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) – has launched online. It kicks off a year-long campaign aimed at amplifying and…
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Spotlight Welcomes the £60m Boost for the UK Creative Industries
Spotlight responds to announcement of £60 million investment in the UK creative industries. We welcome today’s announcement from the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy that there will be £60m invested in the UK creative industries. We have long been aware of the exceptional talent, creativity and commitment that actors bring to the creative…