Getting an agent!

I would say Spotlight is essential. The only source of castings I use now is Casting Call Pro (plus my agent). I used to be part of Shooting People and ukScreen but I don't use these anymore. Spotlight is the one thing that helps you get an agent.

• 11 years ago
• 1

Yeah spotlight is a must if you want an agent and the main way to apply for roles.

You can apply for roles the old fashion way by getting a showreel and sending to different casting directors.

Unfortunately the business is based a lot on who you know and how well connected your agent is.

• 11 years ago
• 2

I agree with Kay Jay,

However I am between agents and I do get some work from my Facebook page, (business acting page, not personal) I maintain it everyday and like alot of other casting directors, they start notice you and remember you, it's working for me while I'm in between agents at the moment.

• 11 years ago
• 3

Yeah Spotlight is the main directory among professional Casting Directors, Agents and Actors and has earned it's place as a staple of the industry. Spotlight has been here for many years and with it you know full well what you're getting and they're dedicated to what they do. That's why the biggest production companies in the world use it. It's very expensive with a price of £214 or £144 to join but it's well worth the price. Because to get in you actually need to have put in a real effort.

• 11 years ago
• 4

Yes. Spotlight and Equity membership are an essential requirement by agents. Your Spotlight CV is what the agent will ping over to casting directors. It really is worth investing in, and as one previous post read, the cost of joining depends when you join in the year.

Your Spotlight profile picture is also used in contacts that is sent out to every production company and casting director in the industry.

Equity is another organisation you should join, if you are not already a member ( I did cheekily view your profile!) From what I recall, Spotlight requires Equity membership as one of the criteria of joining, I may be wrong on that, but it was when I joined.

All that said. If you do not have an agent, you can send over your Spotlight page link to castings that are available for you to view and apply to. Some castings are only sent to agents for client submission.

Seeking an agent will be easier if you have Spotlight and Equity membership. Hope that helps.

• 11 years ago
• 5

Adam

That's the same boat I'm in, seems like we're going to have to get that Spotlight page and get an agent.

I've even been turned away by an agent, even though I have more than enough credits on my CV, I'm starting to wonder why Spotlight has this power over everything????

• 11 years ago
• 6

I'm with a co-op actors' agency so I see this from the agent's point of view too. We won't take actors who aren't in Spotlight because Spotlight provides the method for submitting actors for jobs listed on the Spotlight Link. More than 90% of the jobs we submit actors for are via the Spotlight Link. As for Equity, I believe Spotlight does not require trade-union membership because it would be illegal to do so. Hope that helps!

• 11 years ago
• 7

Do everything that you possibly can to get onto Spotlight. Period.

• 11 years ago
• 8

I'm in a real catch 22 situation in this regard. I need Spotlight to get an agent and i can't join Spotlight without some professional credits and it seems like the best to get some professional credits is to get an agent.

It's frustrating but I'm hoping to join Equity by the end of next week which will atleast give me a better chance at landing an audition for that elusive first pro credit.

But sometimes it does feel like I'm fighting a loosing battle that's going up hill

• 11 years ago
• 9

Alex

You can get credits without an agent go on the casting network and casting website, and you'll be able to work with good creditable production companies or even on here you can get good credits.

Keep going!

• 11 years ago
• 10

Alexander wrote:

"It's frustrating but I'm hoping to join Equity by the end of next week which will atleast give me a better chance at landing an audition for that elusive first pro credit."

Equity won't help at all will it? It's very important to be a part of but it's a trade union.

You don't seem to have a showreel so if I was utterly honest I'd hold off joining equity and use that money to get a showreel made, which will get you pro credits, which will make you money to then join equity and get on to spotlight.

• 11 years ago
• 11

Bless ya Alex I can understand your frustration completely. The first professional credit is always the hardest to attain. It really does feel like swimming against the tide sometimes. One thing I do have to say though is that Facebook and Twitter have been amazingly helpful when I use them. CD's tend to use them when they're looking for Urgent Castings.

• 11 years ago
• 12

I am enjoying this topic and wanted to put another spin on it if I may.
On joining spotlight i fully appreciate that they have a certain criteria so that its the more committed and professionally trained applicants that get through.
However, I feel it restricts those that simply don't have the funds to apply for the more expensive schools/colleges which are in Spotlights list of schools/colleges that they accept.
I am studying at the London School of Dramatic Arts which, even tho isn't accredited, I feel is more exclusive as they only accept a small group each year which allows the highly respected, fully qualified and industry professional teachers to give the student a more one and one learning experience.
At the end of the course students will receive an advanced diploma in acting.
My question is, should Spotlight allow applicants who have been taught from other schools/colleges outside of their list?
And any other thoughts on this matter?
Thanks

• 11 years ago
• 13

Yeah i have to agree with Wesley it took me two years to save the money to fund myself to head to Lee Strasbergs Theatre and Film Institute L.A and this was just for a full 6 months course which cost me near £10000. Though my was accredited i still can't get on because it less than a year.

• 11 years ago
• 14

Thanks for all your comments also..

• 11 years ago
• 15

I know Spotlight members who haven't trained full-time at drama school so I was intrigued to read Wesley's post. If you look at the Spotlight webpage under Eligibility it asks "Do you have experience of paid, professional acting work? (speaking parts)". If you can answer yes to this then you are eligible to apply, so it's not as gloomy a prospect as some of you think. Keep going, apply for paid work to get Spotlight membership and apply for student films to get a showreel together, or do what I did and make your own. Good luck everybody!

• 11 years ago
• 16

I haven't trained at drama school full-time and I got on spotlight through credits..... it's harder to get Equity membership I feel....

• 11 years ago
• 17

Hello Linda...
Well i thought the same but i actually went to the office to ask face to face and speaking parts do count if there "NOT" commercials which most of my speaking roles have been. Only theatre ( professional ) and soap speaking roles are excepted.

• 11 years ago
• 18

I haven't done commercials or soaps and I'm a spotlight member, they accept feature and short films too....

• 11 years ago
• 19

Hi Adam, that's astonishing news from Spotlight. I honestly think you've been misinformed or you've got the wrong end of the stick. That rules out film, TV, commercials, corporate work, role play, TIE, video, radio, voiceover, etc., etc. I think you should go ahead building up a CV of professional acting credits of whatever type.

• 11 years ago
• 20