Spotlight Joining FAQs

In order to join Spotlight as an agent, casting director or performer you will need to meet certain professional criteria. This page sets out our current joining criteria.

We continuously review our processes and we work alongside other industry organisations and professional bodies to support and keep in line with current industry standards.

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Agents


What criteria do I need to join Spotlight as an agent?
Spotlight is a professional casting platform. You can only access Spotlight as an agent if you have clients who are currently Spotlight members. Please note that having clients on Spotlight does not automatically mean that you can have an agency account, you would need to complete an agency application first.

How do I join Spotlight?

If you'd like to join Spotlight then we will send you a questionnaire to complete which covers information about your agenting experience and your business, alongside information about your client and agency structure etc. and referees where required.

We have a dedicated team at Spotlight with years of industry experience and who are from a diverse range of industry backgrounds available to guide you through your application. Get in touch!

Does being registered as an agency on Spotlight mean an agency is endorsed by Spotlight?

Although Spotlight checks certain details for agents using our services, completing the registration does not constitute an endorsement of an agent/agency by Spotlight. We always advise members to undertake their own research before meeting and working with an agency and agents should never claim to be endorsed by Spotlight in any communications or any promotional materials.

What does Spotlight expect from an agent member?

As a Spotlight registered agent or agency we expect that you will always:

  • Maintain your clients’ profiles appropriately as professional performers. We have advice about how to create the perfect spotlight profile and a guide to headshot best practice to help guide you.
  • Suggest clients selectively and appropriately for roles posted on the Spotlight Link.
  • Work within and in line with current legislative requirements and in consideration of industry expectations and also in line with Spotlight's service terms.
  • Be courteous and respectful to all those using our platform including performers, agents, casting professionals and the Spotlight team.

Ready to become an agent member?

Casting Professionals

What criteria do I need to join Spotlight as a casting professional?

Spotlight is a professional casting platform so to become a casting member you need to meet certain criteria.

We will send you a questionnaire to complete which covers information such as your casting experience; memberships of recognised casting organisations, types of work, pay and working conditions; whether you’re currently casting a production etc

Find more information about how to apply for casting membership online. We have a dedicated team at Spotlight with years of industry experience and who are from a diverse range of industry backgrounds available to guide you through your application. 

Does having a casting subscription with Spotlight mean a casting professional is endorsed by Spotlight?

Although Spotlight checks certain details for casting professionals using our services, completing the registration does not constitute an endorsement of an individual or company by Spotlight. We always advise members to undertake their own research before meeting and working with a casting professional and casting professionals should never claim to be endorsed by Spotlight in any communications or any promotional materials.

Spotlight Breakdowns:

  • Our team monitors all breakdowns being posted and if you have any questions before posting or ongoing please contact us directly first. Please note however that we reserve the right to take down breakdowns immediately and without notice if we feel they breach our terms of use.
  • We have a report concern button for our agent and performer members to alert us to breakdowns they are unhappy with
  • We continually review our inclusivity statement on breakdowns and all casting professionals must confirm their understanding before proceeding to post

What does Spotlight expect from a casting member?

As a Spotlight casting member we expect that you will always:

  • Work within the boundaries of current legislation and in consideration of industry expectations such as those set out in the Equity’s Casting Manifesto - a collaboration between Equity, The PMA, The CDG, CPMA and Spotlight and in line with Spotlight's service terms
  • Support Spotlight in our drive to make casting as inclusive as possible
  • Clearly state rates of pay and correct contract type
  • Be courteous and respectful to all those using our platform including performers, agents, casting professionals and the Spotlight team

Ready to become a casting member?

Performers (18+)


What criteria do I need to join Spotlight as a performer?
Spotlight is a professional casting platform so to become a performer member you  would need to meet one of the below avenue’s criteria:

1. The Professional Experience Avenue

What we accept:

  • You must have at least one featured role with an Equity or equivalent union contract
    OR 
  • You must have at least two credits where you were contracted as a performer (actor, singer, dancer, presenter, comedian, commentator, puppeteer, voice over artist, motion capture performer, model, variety performer). This would be featured work (and/or ensemble in theatre).
    • There is no caveat on the type of production you were contracted for - credits would be accepted where you were contracted/paid (Minimum Wage compliant) as a performer for the job. Two credits represent two separate contracted jobs.
    • Minimum wage-compliant profit-share is also accepted
    • Credits can be self-produced, as long as you can show evidence of financial/contractual gain from the work and that the work was performed to a paying audience 

We don’t accept:

  • Extra/Supporting Artist work
  • Stunt credits
  • Amateur/unpaid work
  • Productions during training courses (as credits)

Notes: 

If applying via this avenue and you don’t have copies of contracts or similar evidence, a representative of the production can complete one of our forms for you to send to our team.

2. The Professional Training Avenue

You must have completed at least a year full-time or at least two years part-time of performance training.

What we accept:

  • Full-time: RQF level 5 or above (or equivalent)
    • Spotlight will also recognise in-house diplomas and certificates from full-time practical performance training courses, as well as equivalent level training in countries outside the UK
  • Part-time: Part-time vocational performance training (a minimum of two years)

For assessing training without a qualification and part time courses, the training would need to meet the following criteria:

    • Training for adults
    • Vocational training courses for performers – practical rather than theoretical
    • Audition requirements/procedures for the course or school
    • Training that offers a professional showcase opportunity, attended by industry
    • Training that offers professional development programme with industry engagement
    • Access to professional facilities
    • Clear commitments on safeguarding, access, bullying and harassment, and diversity

We don’t accept:

  • Courses with qualifications below RQF level 5, i.e.
    • GCSEs
    • A levels 
    • BTECs
    • LAMDA Examinations
    • Certificate in Education courses 
    • HNCs
  • Foundation courses that are below the required level/are less than a year
  • Hybrid courses (for example, Literature and Drama, History and Drama)

Training needs to be in acting, drama, performing arts, musical theatre, voice, dance or similar. 

Notes:

  • If applying via this avenue and you don’t have a graduation certificate, your school can complete one of our forms you can send on to our team.
  • We do not have an external list of accepted training courses we can provide, each application will be vetted by our team to assess if the training course meets the set out criteria.

3. The Professional Recommendation Avenue

You have a recommendation from a Spotlight registered agent or a party that’s a member of one of the following organisations: CDG, CSA, CDA.

The recommendation does not need go through the related organisation itself. The recommendation should come from an agent, casting director or party who is a member of one of these groups.

Notes:

  • You can send our team an email/letter of recommendation to support the application
  • You can alternatively have the recommender fill out our recommendation form for you to send on to the team
  • Your recommendation needs to be sent from a professional email address - we cannot accept personal email addresses

Important:
At Spotlight we know that there are many entry points into our industry and at any age. Performers are all very different with varied training; life experiences and access to funds. 

Each Spotlight performer application is always assessed on its individual merits. 

If you have made an application to us previously and it was unsuccessful but you now believe you meet the new adult performer joining criteria please make a new application to us.

Further written information may be requested to support your application, such as contracts, so it’s a good idea to keep evidence of your training and credits. 

We would urge you to never supply incorrect or false information when applying as it means we cannot then provide you with the advice or support you may need.  And it could also lead to your removal from Spotlight if any information you provide is found to be fraudulently or falsely provided.

If you're not successful, you’re always welcome to reapply in the future. If you're struggling here are some great tips to help you. 

Your professional name on Spotlight

When beginning a career as an artist, it is very important to make sure that you have a unique professional name. This is your personal 'brand name' and you never want it to be confused with other performers. You may miss out on work or royalties!

It’s advisable wherever possible to have the same name as your union membership, but as we do not share databases, you may secure a name with Spotlight that is not available with Equity (UK) or another union or vice versa. We each give precedence to our current members.

Spotlight does permit all Young Performers including those who are 18 + (Young Performer members) to have the same/similar names as one another and in conjunction with any (adult) performer member. However, two (adult) performer members cannot have the same/similar names.

More information about names can be found here.

Find information about Spotlight’s performer membership. We have a dedicated support team at Spotlight with years of industry experience and who are from a diverse range of industry backgrounds available to guide you through your application. 

If you need further help, you can find our contact details here.

Ready to become a performer member?

Young Performers

What criteria do I need to join Spotlight as a Young Performer?

A young performer wishing to join Spotlight must be represented by an agent, and the agency should be registered with Spotlight.

The agent can either complete an application for Spotlight on behalf of the young performer, for which full parental consent is required, or they can send an invitation directly to the parent/guardian to complete online and submit to us.

Find more information about Spotlight’s young performer membership.

How do I know if an agent is registered with Spotlight to submit Young Performers?

Speak to your agent and if they are not registered they can contact us.

Graduate Performers


What criteria do I need to join Spotlight as a Graduate Performer?

To join Spotlight as a Graduate member your course must meet minimum criteria which are also endorsed by Equity UK.  

  • Applications to join Spotlight Graduates open in the first term of your final year of professional training
  • Graduate membership is a one-off annual membership. You will automatically be invited to join Spotlight as a performer member after your graduating year is complete

Please note that not all schools are eligible to join the graduate scheme. To find our more see our course criteria.

What does Spotlight expect from a performer member?

As a Spotlight performer, we expect that you will always:

We reserve the right to refuse, cancel or terminate memberships as set out in our terms.