I’ve been reading up about it and how it’s good to have it when applying for agents (Which I’m going to be doing soon) but is it a necessity to have it before you apply to them.
I fully intend to get spotlight but I can’t at the moment due to money.
Do you think it’d be ok to get spotlight once I have an agent so I have time to sort out the money for it or will agents not even consider signing me up without it.
Hi Melissa,
Ten or so years ago I remember some-one saying to me "If You're not on Spotlight, then you're not in the game." It has changed a bit, because there are SO many other casting sites around, but a lot of them are not taken seriously by the big players; however, SPOTLIGHT is the industry norm, so you really do have to be on it. It's one of those over-heads that you just have to shell out for as soon as you can.
Best,
Antonia
I must admit, I've only had a very few jobs through spotlight, Most of my work has come through CCP. However! if I just put the earnings from those jobs aside to pay for my spotlight fees, I would never have to worry about spotlight fees ever again.
So it's less of a question can you afford to be in it. More a question of can you afford not to be in it.
But make it work for you!
I'm going to explain this solely from my perspective (because it might be different from these other guys). I think joining Spotlight is absolutely essential if you want to take your skills up to the next level in terms of professionalism. On Casting Call Pro there's of Independent work and generally they give you a very good idea of what they're looking for and you can put yourself forward by selling your strengths in your own way.
Spotlight is very old school in that it's been around for so long that most of the respected and established producers and directors use it to search for actors in a sort of "by the book method". However we're all Actors so know we've got to get the best out of everything we can so Spotlight, StarNow, Casting Call Pro all of them can make the difference.
The reason agents are so concerned with having actors on the books that have Spotlight profiles is because *they* will source the majority of work for you via Spotlight. It may be possible to get an agent interested in you without being on Spotlight when you come to them, provided they're convinced that you are relatively inexperienced. Virtually the first thing they will ask, as a precondition of joining the agency is, however, that you get yourself listed on Spotlight.
There is certainly a way of looking at the problem that suggests that, if your essential intent is to win an agent within the next few months, you are only deferring the needed payment that will be required in the short-term, and it may be worth the investment just to pre-empt this.
If you were simply asking whether you needed Spotlight membership in order to find yourself work, it's a different question...but no agent will be willing to take you on formally without an agreement in place that you're on Spotlight.
It is, perhaps, worth noting that you can only qualify for Spotlight membership if you have graduated from an accredited drama course and/or have won a number of professional credits, so agents may also utilise your membership (or lack of it) as an informal gauge as to the likelihood of your professional background.
Spotlight was very useful when it was the only casting Directory. People could look you up in a book.
As with Nigel I have actually got more work from CCP's casting service.
When I make my own contacts I don't really know because I give them both CCP & Spotlight.
One thing I have noticed is that CCP manages to filter their jobs much more accurately for my age & type.
The notices I get from Spotlight are as often for young women as they are for older white males. And yes I have triple checked my settings.
But on the off-chance that somebody will look me up there I am in it
It is also worth noting that as a young actress you need to work now! as (unfair as it is most definitely is) it traditionally becomes harder for actresses as they pass thirty than it does for actors.so each year you put it off now is an important year wasted.
Hi Melissa, Agents are running scared at the moment and for some time as casting agents know they can source elswhere with the new technology. My advice is aspproaching agents saying you are going to join Spotlight and see there reaction and if they are aware of all the other costs, such as photos and living and approach it that way you have a better bet with them. There are Spotlight bullies out there as Spotlight does the work for them as they can't afford to do it. when I started it was a CV, cover letter and gloss 10x8 posted to apply, not an email with attachment. Do it if you can afford it, best of luck love. Mark
I'd say do it when it's the right time for you when your comfortable and have the money! There is no guarantee that you will get work from there. I believe in doing things at the right time and if you don't have the money then it isn't the right time, just keep it in mind and work towards it that's what I'm doing now :)
I was in the same position and I have got an agent before I got Spotlight but I have it now.. because I do have an agent so its all about opinion really and what you're comfortable doing, hope that helps.
10 years ago
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