Category: News & Advice
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Why I Love Casting Drama-Documentaries
Casting director Nikki Meadows explains why drama-documentaries are a serious, award-winning genre offering actors the chance to tell emotionally truthful stories with integrity. In this article, I’ll showcase why I love drama-documentaries (drama-docs or docudramas) and why I think they offer an exciting opportunity for actors to showcase their skills. Over the coming weeks, in…
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My Casting Story: Marc Antolin in ‘The Producers’
Actor Marc Antolin on playing ‘Leo Bloom’ in ‘The Producers’, how he made the role his own, and transferring to the West End stage. After a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the hit London revival of The Producers is moving to the Garrick Theatre in the West End and taking the cast with…
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What’s Filming in the UK and Ireland in September 2025
Get ready for a blockbuster September as new productions like Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ and Marvel’s latest ‘Spider-Man’ film across the UK and Ireland. The summer holidays may be ending, but the film and television industry is just warming up. From brand-new superhero spectacles to a star-studded period drama and a fresh take on a classic…
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Meet the Director: Danielle Kassaraté on ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’
The Resident Director of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’, Danielle Kassaraté, discusses her advice on auditioning for the West End and how her acting background has influenced her approach to directing. Danielle Kassaraté is an actor, director and co-founder of MAWA, the UK’s first all-Black, all-female Shakespeare theatre company. After studying Musical Theatre at The…
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Why Do Casting Directors Use Spotlight?
Get an exclusive look at how casting directors use Spotlight. Hear why industry professionals “couldn’t do their job without it” and how they use its features to cast roles. For many actors, Spotlight is a fundamental part of professional life. It’s the go-to platform for managing your profile, showreels and credits, but what does it…
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Subverting South Asian Stereotypes with Kerena Jagpal
Kerena Jagpal discusses working on the upcoming feature film ‘100 Nights of Hero’, playing ‘Laila’ in ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and why she gravitates towards projects that tell the stories of resilient women. A British South Asian actor from a Punjabi background, Kerena Jagpal spent three years training in a studio, in the Oxfordshire countryside…
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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…
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10 Things I Learned at a South Asian Artist Residency
Discover key insights from a South Asian artist residency and the benefits of participating in an artist residency as an actor. An artist residency is a temporary program where an organisation will typically facilitate an artist with the space and time to freely explore their creative ideas. Some residencies will provide the artist with accommodation,…
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My Casting Story: Victor Dorobantu on Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’
Performer Victor Dorobantu shares how he brought the non-verbal character ‘Thing’ to life in Tim Burton’s ‘Wednesday’. Since their creation in 1938 as comic characters in The New Yorker, the Addams Family have been adapted into plenty of TV shows and films. However, none of these had connected with viewers as much as Tim Burton’s…
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Building Your Brand as an Actor
Discover what personal branding is and what it means for you as a performer. At its core, personal branding is how you show up in the world. It’s about proactively shaping your public image and creating a narrative that aligns with your professional aspirations. Branding is a strategic process that attracts opportunities, enhances career visibility and…