The Spotlight Podcast

By SpotlightTV & Film Arts Performing Arts

The Spotlight Podcast episodes

February 28, 2025Kharmel Cochrane: Casting 'Bob Marley: One Love', Auditions and Commercials
Casting Director Kharmel Cochrane joins us to talk about her three year casting journey for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’, with a search spanning the UK, USA and Jamaica to find the 70+ cast members.
Kharmel also took questions from Spotlight members and covers topics like:
What to expect in an audition with Kharmel Cochrane.
Adding your skills and accents to your Spotlight profile.
How casting directors work with agents.
In person auditions versus self-tape.
Advice for performers auditioning for TV, film and commercials.
Take a listen!

Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
23 min
February 07, 2025 Kate Rhodes James on Casting 'Gladiator II'
Esteemed casting director Kate Rhodes James discusses her process for assembling the stellar cast we see on screen in Gladiator II. Listen to Kate answer questions from Spotlight members about the intricacies of casting a blockbuster film, self-taping and the importance of making connections through work.

Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
39 min
February 04, 2025How to Make Your Spotlight Profile Stand Out
Tips for making your Spotlight profile the best it can be to help casting directors discover you.
Join us as we discuss what to include on your Spotlight profile – along with expert advice on showreels, headshots, special skills and the best way to contact casting directors.
If you've just joined Spotlight and you're not sure where to start – or if you feel your profile isn't working hard enough for you – this is the episode for you.
The topics we cover include:
Setting up your Spotlight profile
What to write in the ‘About Me’ section
What to include and leave out of showreels
Selecting the best pictures to represent you
Reaching out to casting directors and agents
When to add a skill to your profile
How to refresh your profile
Returning to Spotlight after a hiatus
Take a look at the full episode transcript and discover more profile tips and advice on Spotlight.com.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
54 min
January 10, 2025Artificial Intelligence and Your Performer Rights
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) takes an increasing role in the creative arts industry, we look at what a performers legal rights are and how performers can safeguard their likeness and their work.
In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast we’re joined by Tony Morris, a solicitor who has worked in the entertainment industry for many decades. A partner at entertainment and performing arts law firm Level Law, Tony specialises in contractual, commercial, and intellectual property issues. He also happens to be the author of The Filmmakers’ Legal Guide - a non-legal legal guide on how to navigate the complex legal landscape of the film industry. So we thought, who better to talk to on the subject of AI and a performer’s legal rights?

We tackle a number of topics and in the episode such as:
Understanding copyright for performers
Legal issues arising from AI’s use of performances to generate other work
What you can do if your work or likeness has been used by AI without your consent
Licensing and contract considerations if a performer works on an AI project
How to safeguard your identity and creative work
The ethics of AI
What performers can do to protect themselves in an ever-changing landscape.
Show Notes:
In response to the question: "If a performer's characteristics have been used without consent for performance cloning, what would the legal course of action be for them?" Tony would like to add that "Where an unauthorised performance is used online, the performer may issue a takedown notice to the website or hosting company and that may or may not work."
Link to the interview mentioned with Ben Affleck's comments on AI and the film industry.
See the episode transcript and find out more about AI and performer’s rights on Spotlight.com.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
51 min
July 29, 2024Thriving During and After Drama School
Tips and advice for making the most of your time at drama school, including common mistakes students make and how to avoid them, and how to keep improving your acting skills after you graduate.
In the finals instalment of this two-part special about all things drama school, we talk to Charleen Qwaye (Fourth Monkey), Stewart Nicholls (Guildford School of Acting), Geoff Brumlik (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Helen Mackay (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Christabel Clark (MetFilm School) about:
Top tips for how you can thrive and make the most of your time at drama school.
Common mistakes they see actors making at drama school, and how you can avoid them.
Recommendations on how to maintain your skills and education once you leave drama school.
How to ease yourself into the acting industry after graduating from drama school.
Resources to keep yourself active and engaged with the drama school community after graduating.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
37 min
June 13, 2024Championing Diversity with the Diverse Squad
Why diversity is important in the entertainment industry, and more information about M·A·C Cosmetics’ exciting collaboration with Spotlight and the Diverse Squad.
In this episode, we speak to agents Mildred Yuan and Sara Sehdev (Core MGMT), who are also members of the PMA Diverse Squad, about:
What the Diverse Squad is, and how they were formed.
The difference between authentic casting and ‘tokenism’.
What changes we need to see in the industry.
The barriers faced by diverse performers.
The work the Diverse Squad does to address these issues.
Details about the 'Inclusive Complexion Edit' (in collaboration with Spotlight, M·A·C and the Diverse Squad) to incentivise the industry to provide the right colours for all actors in the make-up chair, regardless of skin tone.
The benefits of Spotlight's 'Ethnicity or Heritage' tool.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
59 min
May 28, 2024Getting Into Drama School
What you need to know before applying for drama school, including different types of training, advice for auditioning and the importance of inclusivity.
In the first of this two-part instalment about all things drama school, we talk to Charleen Qwaye (Fourth Monkey), Stewart Nicholls (Guildford School of Acting), Geoff Brumlik (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Helen Mackay (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Christabel Clark (MetFilm School) about:
The difference between conservatoire training and studying at university, and the benefits of these different training styles.
How you can know if drama school is the right path for you.
What can be done to ensure there's more inclusivity in drama schools.
Advice for successfully auditioning for and getting into drama school.
Alternative routes for breaking into the industry if you don't get into drama school.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
1 hr 13 min
September 07, 2023The Gamification of Cinema: Working in Interactive Film
We explore what interactive content is, what work opportunities exist for actors in this exciting new genre and what skills are needed if you want to audition for a role in an interactive, multi-narrative film.
We’re joined by Harry Chadwick and Grace Chadwick, the sibling founders of INTERFLIX Media to talk about the gamification of cinema and their work in the world of interactive film. Together they create films and commercials with an interactive narrative and have just released their latest film featuring a 40-strong cast.
We catch up with them to find out about:
Interactive content and what it is.
The process of creating films with an interactive narrative.
Opportunities for actors in the genre.
How to get an audition.
What the casting process looks like.
Their new film, The Isle Tide Hotel.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
54 min
July 26, 2023Tips for Self-Represented Performers
How to navigate the world of performing when you don’t have an agent, and how to make the most of Spotlight as a self-represented performer.

We’re joined by Spotlight’s Customer Success Manager, Mel Brown, who has a wealth of knowledge about the performing arts industry and runs some of our career advice sessions for performers.
Mel will be chatting with us about:
How to best use Spotlight if you don’t have an agent.
How to put yourself forward for roles if you’re self-represented.
Tips to make your Spotlight profile the best it can be.
Advice for headshots, showreels and voice reels.

Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
38 min
January 30, 2023Inclusion and Representation in Performing Arts with Zoë Alba Farrugia
Zoë Alba Farrugia shares her story about moving to the UK as a Maltese performer to follow her acting dream, the challenges she faced and how they inspired her to co-found female-led theatre company Prickly Pear Productions.
Prickly Pear Productions champions underrepresented stories and artists and we discuss how that work comes about and the importance of telling stories that are inspired by different cultures and human experiences.
In this hour-long episode, we also talk about:
Who Creative Edinburgh are and what they do within the creative community
The importance of the artistic community
Opportunities for creatives in Scotland
Creating a theatre company and making work
Representation and opportunities for women, particularly migrant women, in the performing arts industry
How the industry can be more inclusive and open itself up to better represent different nationalities and cultures
The similarities and differences of actors' experiences across the world.
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!
1 hr 1 min

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The Spotlight Podcast for actors navigating a career in the performing arts.

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