Category: News & Advice
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Bernard Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield: A Wicked Team
Casting directors Bernard Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield on casting ‘Wicked’ and being shortlisted for the first casting Oscar. The lead-up to the Academy Awards is always a time of great excitement and anticipation, but this year feels more momentous than usual. For the first time, the vital work of casting directors will be recognised…
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Meet the Casting Director: Francine Maisler on ‘Sinners’
Casting director Francine Maisler shares her experience with ‘Sinners’, casting Miles Caton and her thoughts on the rest of the cast. Casting director Francine Maisler has long been a trusted creative partner for some of today’s most distinctive filmmakers. Her collaborations span projects with Alejandro González Iñárritu, Denis Villeneuve and Ryan Coogler, including their work…
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Full List of Golden Globes Winners 2026
‘Adolescence’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ lead the Golden Globes 2026 winners, with ‘Hamnet’ winning the Best Film – Drama award. The winners of the 83rd Golden Globes have now been revealed in a ceremony hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser in Los Angeles. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another led the film category, securing…
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The Less Healthy Food Ad Ban: A Guide for Performers and Agents
How the 2026 Less Healthy Food advertising ban impacts bookings, fees and strategy for commercial agents and actors. New year, new rules. As we bin the unloved mini Bounty’s and dust off our running shoes, the Less Healthy Food and Drink (LHF) advertising restrictions – which came into effect on 5 January 2026 – may…
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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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The Wellbeing Practitioner’s On-Set Role
How on-set wellbeing practitioners provide vital, confidential support for cast and crew. There’s no doubt that there is, and has been for some time, a mental health crisis in the arts. Long working hours, job insecurity, endless auditions and rejections are just some of the daily challenges that performing artists and creatives face. As a…
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Productions to Look Forward to in 2026
From ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ and Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ to the latest ‘Game of Thrones’ series ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’, we take a look at some of the most anticipated productions coming in 2026. 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for film and television. While we all wind down…
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Spotlight’s Year in Review 2025
As we close the curtain on another remarkable year, it’s time to look back at the milestones that defined 2025 at Spotlight. This year, our focus remained steadfast on empowering our members through every stage of their professional journey – whether that was through practical financial support, expert-led education, or essential wellness resources. From the…
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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…