Not Really Sure About Spotlight

[hopesanddreams]

Well MadFish emailed me saying they would recommend me being on SpotLight and my older sister is saying their not legit (although I know they are legal) She's asking what they are going to do for me if SpotLight are the ones who basically get me auditions, so now everythings in a muddle and she's lessening my chances getting into the agency. If you can, can you answer the following questions please.

1) What do Agencies do if Spotlight gets you auditions?
2) Am I allowed to make my own account instead of the agency doing it for me?

[irrelevant]

It's more of a directory - the printed books are just pages and pages of pictures that CDs can leaf through to try and find the "right" look. Whilst what they do is probably nothing special, they are usually the first place that CDs will look, and for that reason alone they are pretty much essential if you want a chance at the better jobs.

DD was picked to audition for one role from her spotlight profile - they contacted the agency, who contacted us. Adults can deal with them directly, but kids need to go through an agency or school (I presume to ensure some level of professionalism when contacted by a CD.) See http://www.spotlight.com/artists.html

[pg]

Spotlight is a directory, as a irrelevant said.

It is more than that though - and this is why agents are keen (or indeed, insist) that you pay for an entry.

The book itself (it's actually several books of thousands of us ) is still used but most of the business is done using the on-line directory which is super searchable.

Have a look at this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13089&p=163657&hili ... es#p163657

Most importantly of all, for most of us, you need to be in Spotlight because many, many submissions are requested via the Spotlight link. The CD asks agents (or individuals) for submissions via the Spotlight link from job breakdowns that go out via Spotlight.

If you are not in Spotlight then you are largely invisible to casting directors. CDs don't search agents' websites - they don't have time. All the actors they want to consider are in one place on Spotlight.

Your sister is quite wrong (sorry!) to say that "Spotlight basically get auditions". She is certainly wrong to say that Spotlight is not legitimate - I've no idea where she has got that idea from ! I'm not sure she has quite grasped how the industry works? Neither the agent NOR Spotlight "get" you an audition. But the possibilities of auditions are (often) disseminated via Spotlight to agents. Agents get far more information about potential auditions that an individual actor is likely to get.

If your sister would like to join this site and ask questions if she is concerned (or, better yet, your parents could ask) then I hope we would be able to give some reassurance and more information. It's great that she is looking out for you, but I think she may not have all the facts she needs (attempting some diplomacy here).

Individual children cannot have Spotlight entry without an agent (or without attending a stage school) in any case.

[jollyjelly]

...and my older sister is saying their not legit

Went to the V&A at the weekend and discovered their Theatre and Performance Collections. Amongst all the amazing costumes and various other exhibits, was the very first edition of the Spotlight Directory from 1927 ... Sadly behind glass but DS and I would have loved to have had a look through its pages.

[Cupcakes]

Hi just a general question re spotlight do all agencies use spotlight my dds dance school are starting up ano agency but said they wont be usinmg spotlight I wonder why not?

[francescasmum]

I would say the majority of casting are posted on Spotlighht for agencies then to submit, many only appear on Spotlight, and few come directly to agencies. By putting a casting on Spotlight, CD know they are reaching a wider audience of professional/experienced actors without having to do all the leg work themselves that submitting the brief to individual agencies would entail - though some do have their favourite agencies who they invite to submit directly.
I would say that your dance school agency are narrowing their opportunities by not being on Spotlight. They may just be submitting for castings that are open/in the public demain eg Matilda, S&A, C&CF etc and presume that because an agency rather than an individual has submitted them they have a better chance of getting an audition.
they may, however, already have lots and lots of contacts in the industry and feel they would get enough castings from their 'friends' so as not to need Spotlight.

[Cupcakes]

Yes i thought maybe they are just interested in musical theatre but they said they are going to do all areas so does seem strange maybe as they are new its a cost thing does it cost the agents to join spotlight? Maybe they have lots of contacts time will tell I suppose.

[riverdancefan]

Not sure hopesanddreams has even checked back to see the advice everyone has kindly posted....

[pg]

Hi just a general question re spotlight do all agencies use spotlight my dds dance school are starting up ano agency but said they wont be usinmg spotlight I wonder why not?

I wonder why not too...

Close relationships with CDs are vital - and CDs often ask for specific actors/performers they know about - but so much business is done via the Spotlight link, it does seem rather an odd decision. Perhaps they will reconsider.

[Cupcakes]

They said its not necessary for kids more for adults to have spotlight, I think they will probably change their minds too once they look in to it further maybe? Saying that my dd has been on spotlight for 4 years and not had a job yet!!

[Panda]

From the Spotlight website ...

In the year to July 2012 an average of 245 casting breakdowns were sent out each week via the Spotlight Link, of which 160 were Spotlight Exclusives. They span every type of performance work: from TV to dance, film to live events, commercials to musicals. These weekly breakdowns contained an average of 708 individual roles (jobs) of which 478 were Spotlight Exclusives. During the same period we saw an average of 162,219 CVs on the Spotlight website being reviewed every week.

[hopesanddreams]

Hello everyone, thank you for all your advice, thank you so much for replying! My mother has agreed to me being on Spotlight
And riverdance I am checking I was just waiting for everyone to stop posting to I can say thank you to everyone at once Thank you all!