Spotlight (company)

Last updated

Spotlight
Industry Entertainment
Founded1927;97 years ago (1927)
Headquarters 7 Leicester Place, ,
Areas served
UK, Europe
ServicesCasting Directory, Rehearsal and Audition Space [1]
OwnerTalent Systems
Website spotlight.com

Spotlight is the largest casting resource in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1927, it has over 70,000 actors, actresses, presenters, dancers, and stunt performers in its database. [2] It is used by thousands of production companies, broadcasters, advertisement agencies, and casting directors. Clients range from large organisations such as the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 to smaller production companies. Its website features a public "Contacts Listings" section, which lists a variety of professionals which provide services to the entertainment industry. [3]

Contents

Spotlight is one of the most successful and largest companies in the UK casting profession. [4]

Kenneth Seale joined the company as an employee, and later became a director. He was succeeded by his son Nigel, who launched a CD version of Spotlight in 1995, which won a Professional Publishers Association award. [5] Spotlight was registered as an unlimited company in 2010, which does not have to disclose its profits publicly. Nigel Seale died in 2019 aged 78. [6] His daughters Emma and Philippa worked for Spotlight, and his son Ben became chief executive. [5]

Spotlight was acquired by Talent Systems in 2020. [7]

Directory Books

Spotlight was the publisher of annual directories of entertainment industry professionals (including actors, presenters and directors/designers). [8]

The cover of the Spotlight actors' directory from 2005 for surnames M-Q Spotlight Actors' Directory, 2005-06, M-Q.png
The cover of the Spotlight actors' directory from 2005 for surnames M-Q

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References

  1. "Interview and Casting Facilities for Actors and Producers".
  2. "Ros Hubbard Receives Spotlight Casting Director Award at IFTA | The Irish Film & Television Network". iftn.ie. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. "Contacts by Spotlight". app.spotlight.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  4. "#1 UK Casting Website: Spotlight (And What You Need to Know About It)". Acting in London. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Nigel Seale, 78: Director of Spotlight who mentored young actors". 27 June 2023.
  6. "Obituary: Nigel Seale – former managing director of casting directory Spotlight". The Stage. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  7. "Spotlight acquired by global casting technology company Talent Systems". The Stage. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  8. "The Spotlight". 15 October 2004. Archived from the original on 15 October 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2024.