There is always something new to learn, no matter where you are in your acting career. Our collection of talks and interviews brings together advice, experience and practical insights from casting directors, actors, coaches, producers and other industry professionals.
From self-taping, showreels and voiceover to creating your own work, funding, career development and wellbeing, these conversations are here to help you better understand the industry, strengthen your craft and make informed choices about your career. Dip into the sessions most relevant to you right now, and come back whenever you need a fresh perspective, practical advice or a little encouragement.
> Finding Your Voice / Voiceover Advice with Ali Coffey
If voiceover is something you would like to explore, you don’t need to wait until you have a long list of professional credits. Here are some of Ali’s tips for getting started, creating your first voice reel and gradually building a career.
> Showcase Reflections with Mairéad Campbell (Spring 2026)
Mairéad Campbell talks about her path into casting, founding West Coast Casting, Irish-language work, standout showcase tapes, and how actors can make themselves more visible. Mairéad encourages actors to stay emotionally connected, prepare deeply, and use every opportunity (whether background work, showcase tapes, or language skills) to build confidence and open doors.
> Showcase Reflections with Shauna Griffith (Winter 2026)
Shauna Griffith shares clear, actionable advice on self-taping, presence, and what truly makes a performance stand out. Drawing from her experience casting commercials and screen work, she emphasises the importance of staying present – creating a believable world, responding truthfully, and allowing the audience to feel like they’re inside the moment with you.
> Showcase Reflections with Paul Fegan (Autumn 2025)
Voice producer and studio owner Paul Fegan shares his journey into sound, voiceover, e-learning, and audiobooks, while offering grounded advice for actors interested in voice work. Speaking from decades of experience recording performers, Paul demystifies the voiceover world and encourages actors to approach it with curiosity, preparation, and confidence.
> Summer Showcase Reflections with Sarah Hone (Summer 2025)
Casting director (and Associate Creative Director at Bow Street Academy) Sarah Hone shares practical advice and heartfelt encouragement for actors navigating self-tapes, slates, auditions, and the ups and downs of the industry. Speaking from her experience at Ali Coffey Casting and Bow Street, she urges actors to stop performing and start being seen – emphasising truth, individuality, and emotional connection over polish or perfection.
> Inside a Casting Office with Ali Coffey (Part 2)
In part 2 of this behind-the-scenes conversation, Irish casting director Ali Coffey offers a rare and generous look into the casting process from script to screen. Drawing on decades of experience, she walks us through how projects begin, how offers and auditions are managed, what factors influence casting decisions, and how casting teams collaborate across borders. Ali shares thoughtful advice for actors on self-tapes, visibility, and career growth – while emphasising the importance of trust, preparation, and professionalism. Her reflections reveal both the creativity and logistics involved in casting and highlight the long-term relationships that shape great performances.
> Producing Swing Bout with Sinéad O’Riordan
Actor and producer Sinéad O’Riordan shares her unconventional journey into the film industry, from software engineering to founding her own production company, ORion Productions. She discusses her dual role as actor and producer on the feature film Swing Bout, a female-led boxing drama that premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival, had a successful cinema run, and is now available for streaming. Sinéad offers candid insight into balancing creativity with logistics, building collaborative relationships, and sustaining mental health in a high-pressure industry.
> Showcase Reflections with Ali Coffey
Aislinn Aungier (Head of Casting at Fishpond) sits down with Ali Coffey, the founder of Fishpond and a leading Irish casting director, to discuss the standout self-tapes from Fishpond’s Spring Showcase and broader casting insights. Ali shares detailed feedback on performance, emotional connection, accent work, and industry expectations. She speaks candidly about what makes a tape memorable and the common pitfalls actors should avoid, while encouraging actors to prepare deeply, trust their instincts, and stay present. The conversation is a valuable resource for any actor looking to improve their self-taping craft and stand out in a competitive landscape.
> Acting in the USA with Liam Heffron
Actor Liam Alex Heffron discusses his journey from acting in Ireland to relocating and working in Los Angeles. Speaking with Aislinn Aungier of Fishpond, Liam reflects on his early career, the transition to the U.S., visa logistics, changes in the acting industry, representation, and how Irish actors can navigate a move abroad. With an emphasis on preparation, authenticity, and flexibility, Liam offers practical guidance and deep personal insight for Irish actors considering the U.S. market.
> Creating Your Own Work with Siobhán Aislinn
Irish actor, writer, and producer Siobhán Aislinn shares how she took charge of her career by writing and producing the award-winning feature Blurred Lines. From creative drive to business savvy, Siobhán speaks honestly about building something from scratch, and what actors should know about doing the same.
> Inside a Casting Office with Ali Coffey (Part 1)
Ali Coffey is an award-winning Irish casting director and the founder of AC Casting and Fishpond. With over two decades of experience, Ali offers a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in casting. Here, Ali shares her thoughts on casting – including the aspects she loves, the diverse skills required, how to build a career in casting, and how she chooses projects.
> Taking Control of Your Career with Aislinn Aungier
Aislinn from Fishpond invites actors to ease into the new year by focusing on intentionality, reflection, and sustainable progress. Rather than rushing to set goals on January 1st, actors are encouraged to think deeply about the kind of work they want to do, who they want to work with, and how to maintain a healthy balance between life and career. The talk blends practical advice with creative mindset shifts, helping performers start 2025 with clarity and confidence.
> All About Stunts with Philip Condron
Philip Condron, founder of Screen Combat Ireland, shares his journey from martial artist to professional stunt performer and trainer. He breaks down the realities of stunt work, training for actors, and how preparation, mindset, and humility are critical to success. With candid stories from sets like Foundation, and practical advice for low-budget and professional productions alike, this session is a must-watch for actors interested in combat, stunts, or physical storytelling.
> Parent and Carer Support with Raising Films Ireland
In this important and moving conversation hosted by casting director Ali Coffey, with guests Claire Monnelly (actor/writer) and Aisling Malone (Project Manager), Raising Films Ireland shares its mission to make the screen industry more inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate for people with caring responsibilities. With stories, insights, and practical reflections, this talk explores how the industry can evolve to retain talent, especially parents and carers, by rethinking structures, attitudes, and access.
> All About Showreels with Ali Coffey
Ali Coffey (CEO of Fishpond and casting director at Ali Coffey Casting) offers actors a masterclass in building an effective, impactful showreel. Drawing on years of casting experience, she shares essential advice on what makes a showreel stand out, what to avoid, and how to take creative control by producing your own scenes. The session empowers actors to see their reel as a personal brand video that must showcase their strongest, most believable acting – clearly and confidently.
> Goal Setting for Actors with Aislinn Ní Uallacháin
Aislinn Ní Uallacháin, Head of Casting at Fishpond, guides actors through a practical and reflective mid-year check-in. With a focus on goal-setting, mindset, and strategy, she outlines how actors can regain a sense of control in an unpredictable industry. Her “4 Cs” framework – Collect, Create, Connect, Calm – offers a grounded weekly structure for building both craft and career momentum.
> All Things Voice with Nick Di Cola
Voice and accent coach Nick Di Cola shares his journey into voice coaching, insights into dialects, phonetics, and vocal performance, and the evolving nature of the industry post-SAG-AFTRA strike. He emphasised the importance of curiosity, preparation, and adaptability for actors, particularly in voiceover work. The conversation also touched on trends like vertical video storytelling and concluded with practical advice for actors navigating auditions, warm-ups, and career development.
> Optimise Your Profile with Aislinn Ní Uallacháin
This recorded session with the Fishpond team, led by Aislinn Ní Uallacháin (Head of Casting), focused on helping actors improve their Fishpond profiles to stand out to casting directors. Topics covered included profile presentation, headshots, showreels, self-taping tips, and making the most of Fishpond features like showcases and searchable skills.
> All About Commercials with Katy Moylan-Shorten
This engaging conversation features Katy from AC Casting sharing her journey into casting, demystifying the commercial audition process, and providing insider advice for actors. Covering everything from self-taping, recall logistics, and commercial-specific performance tips, to industry expectations and actor professionalism, Katy has a wealth of knowledge on what it means to be both a skilled and reliable actor in the commercial space.
> All About Funding with Joanne Ryan
Joanne Ryan, founder of Trust Grant Writing, shares her personal journey into fundraising, why she started Trust Grant Writing, and dives deep into the world of funding – especially for creatives, artists, and community projects. The session covers grant writing strategies, common pitfalls, the importance of planning and clarity, and how to better value and present your work. Joanne emphasises confidence, clear goals, and peer support in navigating the often-intimidating funding landscape.
> Minding Creative Minds with Ann Marie Shields
This conversation centers on the work of Minding Creative Minds (MCM), a support organisation offering free, 24/7 mental health and professional services to creatives across Ireland. The discussion covers how artists and creatives can access help with emotional wellbeing, financial challenges, legal advice, career development, and more. Director Ann Marie Shields outlines the wide scope of services MCM provides, addresses common barriers creatives face when asking for help, and offers encouraging guidance on building sustainable creative careers with the right support systems in place.