Recapping Spotlight’s news, events, advice, tips and industry updates from the year gone by.
2022 proved to be a busy year here at Spotlight HQ. We refreshed our membership offering, introduced a bursary scheme, hosted the Spotlight Prize, and participated in the CDG and CDA Awards.
In addition, we were delighted to bring back Open House as an in-person event – it was wonderful to see many of you taking part in the sessions and workshops hosted both at Old Diorama in London and online. And that’s not to mention a whole host of content we created in the form of advice articles, helpful tips, interviews, and how-to videos!
Without further ado, as we bid 2022 a fond farewell, we thought we’d recap all the events, news, tips and advice that we’ve brought to you over this past year.
The Expansion of our Joining Criteria
Perhaps the biggest Spotlight news of the year was the update to our criteria for joining Spotlight as a performer. After taking on feedback from performers, agents, casting directors and various industry groups, we’re proud to share that we have broadened our membership application criteria to help improve the industry’s ongoing issues relating to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Additionally, we introduced flexible direct debit payments to help spread the cost of membership. We’re really proud of the changes we’ve made and if you’d like to know more, you can read more about what you need to join Spotlight as a performer.
Spotlight Bursary Scheme
This year, we launched the Spotlight Bursary Scheme – giving 400 performers facing financial challenges one full year of free Spotlight membership. If this is something you’d be interested in next year, online applications will open in January 2023.
Industry Advice, Tips and Interviews
As we approached the post-lockdown era of 2022, we were kept busy writing, editing, filming, podcasting, and interviewing to ensure we bring you the best tips and advice in navigating the performing arts industry.
We welcome your feedback, so if there’s any topic you think we should cover, please contact us at performers@spotlight.com.
In the meantime, we wanted to share our top 10 articles and videos that you’ve been enjoying in 2022. in case you missed them:
- Finding and Signing an Agent
- Spotlight’s Monologue Competition Winners
- How to Self-Tape
- How to Help Casting Directors Find You on Spotlight
- Where to Find Monologues for Auditions and Showcases
- How to Get a Great Headshot
- A Casting Director’s Spotlight Profile Tips
- A Guide to Tax Returns
- What’s Your Vocal Range and Voice Type?
- Everything You Need to Know About Showreels
We also spoke to many performers, producers and casting directors this year to learn more about what’s going on in their professional lives. Here are five of this year’s most popular interviews:
- Casting Netflix’s Heartstopper, Netflix’s LGBTQ+ Drama: We spoke to the producer and casting director of Heartstopper to find out more about the casting and storyline of the show.
- Comedy and Making the Most of Social Media: Performer Jonny Weldon shared his acting story so far and how he found success through social media.
- Progressing Your Voice Career with the VO Social: Successful voice actors, Nic Redman and Leah Marks shared invaluable advice for taking your voice career to the next level.
- Why I Became an Actor: Performers including Nicola Coghlan, Ncuti Gatwa, Marisha Wallace and Jamie Demetriou, among many others, shared what inspired them to become performers.
- Intimacy Coordination on Bridgerton: Lizzy Talbot chatted to us about her role coordinating intimate scenes on Bridgerton, The Witcher and This Is Going to Hurt.
Connecting Performers at Spotlight Events
Open House
Every year, our events team work hard to put together Spotlight’s Open House sessions. In 2022, they outdid themselves and put together a programme of over 50 workshops, panels, and sessions – bringing performers together to develop their skills and knowledge.
We were thrilled to host many of our sessions in person again this year, and it was lovely to see actors engaging with the facilitators and each other face-to-face.
We’re currently writing up our session notes to share in the new year for anyone who couldn’t attend, so keep an eye on the Open House section of the website.
Coffee and Connect Initiative for Performer Parents
We appreciate the challenges that are unique to performers who are also parents, carers or guardians of children – which is why we launched the Coffee and Connect initiative.
Every two weeks, we host an online coffee morning for performers caring for little ones to have the chance to virtually get together to chat, listen and share their thoughts. If you’d like to take part, find out how to join one of our upcoming sessions.
Young Performer Events
We held 13 events throughout the year for our young performer members including the popular Summer Sessions, which returned with some in-person workshops and talks. We also launched our self-tape feedback event where young performers received helpful technical and performance feedback from our expert team. More events are planned from February 2023 so make sure you’re opted into the newsletter to find out more details as they become available.
Performer Resilience Programme
With a focus on mental health and wellbeing this year, we brought you the Performer Resilience Programme; a series of interactive webinars designed to support you throughout the casting process.
There’s still time to sign up for the last module focusing on building good working relationships with industry professionals so please take a look if this is something that interests you.
Awards and Festivals
We want to take this opportunity to say a huge congratulations to all the winners of the awards we were delighted to host, partner with, and sponsor this year.
A standing ovation to all of the casting directors who took home a gong home from the CDG Casting Awards and the CDA Awards – as well as to the two talented winners of the Spotlight Prize 2022. We truly look forward to seeing what you all do next!
We wish all of our members and casting professional friends the very best for what the new year will bring… And that’s a wrap, 2022!
