Category: The Essentials
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Keeping Your Voice Fit and Healthy
Four ways to keep your voice fighting fit and protected so you can perform at your best. Let’s face it: your voice is your calling card and your main instrument as an actor. There’s no getting around the fact that if you want your instrument to play well for you, you have to look after…
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Getting Started in Commercial Voice Over
Experienced voice over artist Abbie Andrews explains what commercial voice over work is and how you can get started in it. By Abbie Andrews The world of voice over (VO) is full of possibilities. As actors, especially when starting out in our careers, we are often defined by what we look like. However, behind the…
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Checking Your Social Media Footprint
How you can clean up your social media history using Social Media Check. Can you remember everything you’ve posted online? Nowadays, we create a significant social media footprint and a post can say a lot about our attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. We might have short memories, but social media doesn’t. We can all make mistakes.…
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How to Spot Photoshoot Scams
It’s disheartening to constantly hear about rogue or scam photoshoots which promise plenty and deliver very little except an empty wallet and much wounded pride. Here are our top tips to avoid being reeled in by these unscrupulous individuals and companies. There is no ‘quick’ or ‘easy way’ into our industry. Performers succeed by dint…
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Actor in Isolation: A Survivor’s Guide
Mentor Charlotte Thornton’s guide to keep actors positive and entertained while they’re isolating. Yes, you are isolated, but you can still reach out… Socialise virtually with those you love. Charlotte Thornton It’s exciting that the industry is moving again, and any actor who has a gig is naturally pleased about it. But the prospect and…
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10 Quick Fixes for Your Credit Section
10 quick and easy things you can do to make your credits more searchable and appealing to casting professionals. You may not realise, but all the information you enter in your credits section on Spotlight is searchable. Casting professionals can choose to search by role, production, production company, director and year, so it’s important to…
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Using Social Media as an Actor
Actor Glenn Adamson asks if being present on social media is necessary as an actor and if so, how involved should you be? There’s a part of me that can’t distinguish where the line is drawn between self-promotion and narcissism. I recoil at the thought of being seen as that ‘selfish’ actor I was so…
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Techniques for Online Rehearsed Readings
Performance and technical tips for acting in rehearsed readings online. Performing in a rehearsed reading can be challenging at the best of times. Rehearsal periods are incredibly short and acting with a physical script in hand can take some navigating. But performing in a rehearsed reading on a virtual platform presents actors with different responsibilities.…
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How to Manage Days on Set as a Young Performer
Advice to all young performers, for their first time on set… Spending our days on a film set is the ultimate goal for many aspiring performers. You are able to witness first-hand the high level of craftsmanship required to make a production. You can enjoy creating while watching others do so too. From working on…
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The Spotlight Guide to Idents
Everything you need to know about filming an ident and full length shots. An ident – sometimes called a slate – is a purely technical part of the audition process in which you state your name, your agent (or that you’re self-represented) and occasionally a few other details. It’s used by casting directors to help…