The Agency

Our FANTASTIC Miss Sophie is taking part in the Running Down Dementia challenge.

Please give her lots of support!

If every one of our SPOTlight friends donated just £1 - that would raise almost £2000 for this amazing cause.

Go on Miss Soph!!!

Help Sophie make a difference Thank you for visiting my Running Down Dementia page in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, parkrun UK’s official charity partner. I am running in memory of my Grandad, who suffered from Dementia. It is a horrible disease and i want to do my bit to help put a stop to it! I'm inspired by the work tha...

So pleased to hear that we managed to help someone get through to the Children in Need casting for the BBC!!!

Well done Harry!

Thought for the day:

Please vote for SPOTlight Performing Arts Academies as it is once again a finalist for the Enterprise Vision Awards, this time for the Training and Coaching Award. Your vote would be much appreciated! Please share far and wide:

Enterprise Vision Voting Enterprise Vision Awards - your chance to shine at the premier ladies in business awards competition. Have you got what it takes to win?

NEW YEAR - NEW HOBBY - NEW CONFIDENCE

HALF PRICE* SESSIONS THROUGHOUT JANUARY FOR ALL NEW STARTERS if they enroll on Saturday 7th January 2017.

-Great fun to be had!

-Professional tuition!

-Confidence building!

-Make new friends!

-Learn new skills to perform!

We offer high quality tuition from experienced and fully trained teachers who hold Enhanced DBS' and First Aid qualifications.

We aim to make all sessions fun, knowledgeable and we always consider our pupils choices and opinions.

As we follow the standards and guidance of following Acting, Music and Dance boards; LAMDA, Trinity, Arts Award and the IDTA we're qualified to help our pupils gain the experience and qualifications needed to become a well rounded performer.

Regular stage opportunities both locally and nationally with chances to appear on TV if you are part of The AGENCY, SPOTlight's Casting Hub!

New starters get a FREE no obligation Trial Week followed by the rest of January at HALF PRICE* - that's 3x 3hr Sessions for just £7.50 each!!!!! A huge saving of £22.50.

To book, or for more information, please call: 07968981000 or send us a direct message on Facebook - we're happy to help.

*This offer is only open to new pupils only.

HOW EXCITING!!!

http://uk.schoolofrockthemusical.com/auditions/

Audition Information & Sign Up | School of Rock the Musical Find out how your child can audition for School of Rock the Musical in London's West End, fill out the online form here.

TOP TIPS FOR AUDITIONS!!!

What makes a great audition?

Someone who has thought about who is saying the lines and not just what they are saying. The director knows what’s going to come out of your mouth as it’s been read to them 1000 times already. It’s all about the imagery you create. Acting is reacting.

Pet hates in auditions?

Don’t say that you only got the script 48 hours ago, or your printer broke so you don’t have a hard copy. This is seen as an excuse for the not-so-good performance you’re about to give or it gives the suggestion that you are not happy with the performance you’re about to deliver. Sometimes you will only get a script sent 48 hours before your audition – even just minutes before – it’s what you do with it that counts.

Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Be natural – not fake.

What advise could be good for someone attending a drama school/academy?

Focus on YOUR own journey. Don’t get caught up on which job your peers have just got. Focus on yourself. Everyone is different and use their skills in different ways.

What does a Casting Director look for when casting for the different mediums?

While the performance styles demand something different with all different mediums, the performance should always be based on truth. Acting is always the most honest and truthful lie you will ever tell.

How often do the same actors get used for different productions?
It is always the aim to give producers and directors fresh new talent who they have never seen before. Some actors may be remembered for their ways in which they take direction and these will always be sent for roles. Make yourself flexible and always listen. An actor who can do exactly what is asked of them first time will be held in high regard.

What is a top tip for someone attending an audition?

Remember an audition is not a memory test so don’t stress about being ‘off script’. Directors would rather you have the script in your hand if you are going to give a more natural performance. Also don’t talk yourself out of a job by being negative about your performance. Remember confidence and arrogance are two different things.

I’ve not got the job – should I give up?

You are not going to get every role you audition for. Take each audition as a learning tool and a new experience. Use it for your CPD (Continual Profession/Personal Development). Even if you don’t want a career in the entertainment industry, auditions are great for life experiences, social opportunities, confidence building, education and self-preservation.

Keep a positive attitude – it will work wonders!

CONGRATULATIONS to Tilly who's just bagged herself a part in 'A Christmas Carol' at the Preston Guild Hall in November starring Michael Gabe.

A massive WELL DONE Tilly!!! We're very proud of you!

KIDS TV PRESENTER COMPETITION

Do you want to be the next Ant and Dec? Can you work a camera like Tess and Claudia? A well known televised Arts Award group are looking for an exciting new presenter, and it could be you!

They are offering a once-in-a-lifetime prize for the winner – a spot filming with the production crew at their Children’s Awards! They’re looking for someone friendly and engaging, with a passion for presenting. Sound like you?

For more info, please email: [email protected]
or send Lucy a message via messenger.

Good Luck!

FAQs:

What is a Casting Agent...? A Casting Agent is someone who represents an actor, dancer, singer and/or model and helps them find work while also negotiating for the best rates and working conditions.

What is The AGENCY…? The AGENCY is the name of the Casting Agency within SPOTlight Performing Arts Academies Ltd. The Team at SPOTlight PAA prides itself on giving children and young performers the training and experience they need to build a career in the entertainment industry.

How do you join The AGENCY…? 3 times a year, The AGENCY will open their books to allow new members to join the casting agency. You will be asked to prepare a short audition (to be discussed on application) and attend a workshop. You will then be told whether you have been selected to come onto The AGENCY books.

What are ‘books’…? The ‘books’ is a word that describes the Casting Agents database. Once on the ‘books’ you will receive your own professional performer profile and CV for Casting Directors/Producers to view.

What does a Casting Director do…? A Casting Director is part of the film production team or is hired by the advertising agency in the event of a TVC (TV Commercial) on behalf of the client. Their job is to contact Casting Agents and ask for each Casting Agent to submit a list of potential actors who may suit the role(s) available. The Casting Director will then audition a selected number of actors for each role. At the end of the audition the Casting Director will make notes on all the auditions and give them to the director, producer(s) or advertising agent. You will then be contacted by the Casting Agent if you have got the job or wanted for a call back.

What is a Casting Call…? A ‘Casting Call’ is an opportunity given by a Casting Director for young performers to show their talents in order to be considered for a specific role e.g. a part in a show, a TV commercial, a modelling shoot or a role in a film.

What is a Call Back…? A ‘Call Back’ is when the Casting Director wants to see the client again as they cannot decide on an ideal performer or they have narrowed down the auditionees and would like them to audition again with either the same or different material.

What is a Casting Workshop…? A ‘Casting Workshop’ is a group session that provides training and the chance to develop skills needed to succeed in an audition.

What is an audition…? An ‘audition’ is a trial given to an actor, dancer, singer, model or other performer to test their suitability for a role in a performance.

What will The AGENCY do for you…? The AGENCY Team will endeavour to find their clients roles to suit the clients’ requests. They will automatically put their clients forward for Open Auditions and also forward details of Private Auditions that they think will be of interest to the client for them to view and decide whether to attend or not. The AGENCY Team will create a professional profile and CV for every client and this will be sent to Casting Directors for auditions. They will organise for a professional photographer to take up to 10 photos of each client to assist their professional profiles. They will maintain all profiles whilst clients are on their books and hold regular Casting Workshops to keep skills relevant and up to date. The AGENCY will also give guidance and advice whenever or wherever possible or when it’s needed.

What is an Open Audition…? An ‘Open Audition’ is an audition that is open to everyone regardless of whether or not they have a Casting Agent or much previous experience.

What is a Private Audition…? A ‘Private Audition’ is a more specific audition that only Casting Agents receive through their Agent Network via a link that is professionally set up and has to be paid for. These auditions are usually for paid work and bigger/more important roles such as TV, stage, film, brand/label modelling, extra work and other performance related jobs.

What fees are involved in order to come onto The AGENCY’s books…? For open auditions, there is no fee, but the agent has no obligation to send you the information and you will not be classed as being on the books. You also will not be sent private audition information. To join The AGENCY and come onto the books, the fee for the first year is £150 and this covers the cost of everything outlined in the answer to the question; ‘What will The AGENCY do for you?’ The agent is obliged to send their clients relevant castings, create and maintain the clients professional profile and CV, hold workshops for the client to attend and be on hand to give guidance and advise. There is also a commission fee on any paid work that a performer receives from a job that was sourced by The AGENCY. This fee is 15% of the clients’ wage paid to them for the work to cover The AGENCY’s costs.

What happens at The AGENCY photo shoot…? The client will be asked to choose a few outfits to bring to their shoot. These will be determined by what type of work the client requests from The AGENCY. A professional photographer will explain various positions and expressions to use whilst having their photos taken and will use a range of backgrounds, scenery and environments to capture the best shots possible. After the shoot, the photographer will send what he/she feels are the best shots to the Casting Agent to determine the final photos for the client’s profile. These will be up to the amount of 10. If the client would like more photo’s to be added, these can be requested (if accessible or applicable) at the cost of £10 per print.

When are The AGENCY’s books next open…? The AGENCY’s books will be open from:

Saturday 10th September until Saturday 12th of November 2016.

The next opening will be from:

Saturday 7th January until Saturday 18th February 2017.

Do you have a question about The AGENCY that isn’t in the list above…? Please drop us a line with you question and we will do our best to answer it as soon as possible.

CONGRATULATIONS to Rohan and Jorja who have secured parts in local pantomimes this Christmas!

We are very proud of you both!