Category: The Essentials
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Sean McGinley’s Tips for Learning Scripts
Advice from the ‘Braveheart’ actor on how to start your acting career and learn a script Donegal-born actor Sean McGinley has had a career that spans decades and roles in countless well-known productions, including Braveheart, Gangs of New York, Shetland, The Alienist, and, most recently, the independent film Wait for Me. We had the chance…
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How to Start Your Acting Career in Scotland
How to start your acting career in Scotland, find acting jobs and the expected cost of living in Edinburgh and Glasgow for 2023 Scotland is steeped in culture that goes way beyond its famous ceilidhs and iconic bagpipes. The country’s breathtaking scenery played the backdrop for films such as Harry Potter, Sunshine on Leith and…
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How to Start Your Acting Career in Leeds
What you need to know about living and working in Leeds as an actor, including what acting schools are available, how to find auditions, and the cost of living locally Leeds is home to a vibrant cultural scene and has produced successful home-grown talent such as Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) and Gemma Whelan (Game of…
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Working with Casting Directors
The role of a casting director and why actors need to build relationships with them Casting directors are often the unsung heroes of a production. It’s the casting director who will find the perfect actor for the role, l often emphasising the importance of diversity and new talent to the production company. As an actor,…
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Finding and Signing with an Agent
How to find an agent that’s right for you, and what to consider along the way Finding and signing with an agent can be key to your acting career. Not every performer needs an agent, although if you want to join Spotlight as a young performer member you must be represented by a Spotlight registered…
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Starting Out Successfully as a Drama School Graduate
Advice from actors, directors and casting directors on how to become a successful actor after drama school. Finishing drama school is an exciting time in an actor’s life. You’ve learned the tricks of the trade, made lots of connections with other actors and are finally ready to start putting your new qualification to the test…
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How to Get an Agent as a Graduate
Advice for drama school graduates about how to find and approach agents, and why an agent is beneficial for your acting career. When talking to graduates, I’m often asked if it’s possible to survive in this industry without an agent. In short, yes, I believe it’s possible to survive without an agent, but life can be made…
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How to Get a Good Headshot
Spotlight’s guide on how to book a photo shoot and get the perfect headshot for your profile. Headshots are the very first thing a prospective casting director will see of you on Spotlight, so it’s important to get every aspect of the image right. Creating the right impression with the perfect headshot will help you…
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Tips for Working with Directors
Advice from actors on how you can impress a director, and why the relationship between director and actor is so important. Every production will have a director, and every director is tasked with bringing that production to life using their creative vision. Sometimes, the fact that an actor has worked with a certain director can…
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Actors’ Tips for Building a Great Working Relationship with Your Agent
Three actors give their advice on how to build and maintain a successful working relationship with your agent. Your working relationship with your agent is built on trust and loyalty and, if managed correctly, can be very fruitful. After all, your agent will help find you work and ‘sell’ you and your skills as a…