19/12/2024
Showcase Roundup / Winners and Guest Judges of 2024
We can't believe the end of 2024 is approaching - what stellar work actors have been doing this year! Here's a look back our our bimonthly Showcases this year and the top talent selected in each one. We're proud of you all and we can't wait to see what beautiful work you create in 2025.
All top talent receive feedback on their performances and a rosette on their Fishpond profile, so that casting directors can see they are a challenge winner when searching. We also showcase the top actors to casters, agents and casters on fishpond.ie, on social media and in our monthly newsletters. We're always rooting for you and want to share your talent with the world. You deserve it.
FYI, our final showcase of the year is open for submissions until January 6th - we want to celebrate all your hard work in 2024 and show off your very best work. Click here for all the details on our Best of the Best Showcase.
FEBRUARY: 4th Wall Challenge / Guest Judge Katy Moylan-Shorten
Congratulations to the ten talented Fishpond actors who were selected by Katy Moylan-Shorten, casting director extraordinaire with AC Casting, as the winners of our February 4th Wall Challenge.
Katy challenged actors to speak directly to the camera, a skill that is especially useful for commercial projects. She was blown away by your talent and gave some lovely feedback on the performances too.
Watch all the winning videos here and read Katy's feedback below.
Top 5 Adult Actors
Lora Hartin
"Really natural and warm. It feels like she's talking to a friend but keeps the energy engaging. Lovely job."
Lorena Montes
"She manages to smile while talking, which isn't easy. She keeps the right balance between professional and warm and friendly."
Dave Rowe
"Really liked how natural this performance was. He was definitely speaking to a friend. I really liked the warmth at the end."
Emily Swain
"Very nice and natural performance - felt comfortable and seamless. The ball/sunglasses elements showed a lovely personality."
Anna Winifred
"She has a lovely connection to the camera and natural ease to her performance. She gets the balance right between being natural and bringing energy and personality."
Top 5 Young Actors
Emelì
"Really nice performance, Emeli. It really felt like it was you talking and not something you had prepared. And I love the twinkle in your eye."
Emily
"I like how much the family is annoying you - you got the tone just right. And I like how casually you talked about the foodie app like it was no big deal."
Katie
"Lovely sullen teen portrayal here Katie - natural and confident. Well done."
Lyla
"Really nice job, Lyla. I like how confident you are and how natural you seem, and the twinkle in your eye at the end is superb."
Poppy
"Lovely personality and performance from Poppy. I love the twinkle in your eye and the brilliant energy you bring."
APRIL: Bringing Books to Life
Congratulations to the ten talented Fishpond actors who were selected as the winners of our April Showcase - Bringing Books to Life. We provided some diverse script options from well-known novels such as 'Life of Pi', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', 'The Hunger Games' and 'Where the Wild Things Are' and challenged actors to make the characters their own.
We loved watching all the submissions and were proud to announce our top talents, who were shared with all the casters using Fishpond (over 1000 in Ireland and further afield).
Watch all the winning videos here and read our feedback below.
Top 5 Adult Actors
Anna Winifred
"We were thoroughly impressed with your interesting and engaging approach, as you took on a contemporary style."
Chiara Farrell
"The moment where your voice breaks and you allow yourself to be completely vulnerable is a beautiful transition and very captivating."
Claire Gavin
"We really enjoyed how you weren't afraid to enjoy the moments on camera where you weren't speaking. We could feel you were really connected and took us on the journey with you."
Sean Hubbard
"We felt your performance had a real sweetness to it, and you went against the normal approach of tough love which really drew us in."
Jerome O'Sullivan
"We could feel you battling between being strong and assertive, as the emotion fought its way through. It made for a very captivating performance."
Top 5 Young Actors
Ella
"Normally we do not recommend looking directly down the camera lens, but we feel this really worked well for this scene, as if you were addressing us personally."
Holly
"You didn't try to be too old or too strong, but allowed yourself to be a teenager who felt like the world was crumbling down around her."
Poppy
"We could see you bringing this story to life, and it had a really playful energy and lovely use of inflections."
Keira
"We loved that you took your time and weren't afraid to use pauses to enhance your performance. You gave a real sense of a girl that has had to grow up too fast."
Tynan
"We loved your intelligent and charismatic introduction, it showed a real understanding of the script and drew us in from the start."
JUNE: Accent Showcase with Guest Judge Nick DiCola
Congratulations to the eleven talented Fishpond actors who were selected by Nick DiCola, LA Voice and Dialect Coach, as the winners of our Accent Showcase.
Nick challenged actors to demonstrate their skill at Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American accents, and provided various script options to choose from. So many productions shooting here in Ireland require the ability to perform RP/General Amercican, and to succeed abroad, they really are essential. Nick was blown away by your talent and provided some lovely feedback on the performances too.
Watch all the winning videos here and read Nick's personal feedback below.
ODIN THE OWL (RP)
Poppy
"Poppy was the most correct with her accent, she had a posh characterization that was an interesting choice."
Holly
"Holly was very consistent with her accent and it sounded like it sat rather naturally in her voice."
Hazel
"Hazel had a very good consistency in her accent. She told the story very well, with delightful storytelling and facial expressions. Her voice showed great range!"
ERIN BROCKOVICH (General American)
Muireann Gallen
"I thought Muireann’s accent was the most correct and felt very natural in her own voice."
Morgan Cooke
"I really liked the vocal variety he showed, and he incorporated the accent well with his acting choices."
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (RP)
Freya Feeney
"Freya was essentially perfect with her accent and it felt comfortable and authentic to her. She used it really well and her performance was very much in keeping with the spirit of the text and character."
Emma Dennehy
"Emma’s accent was also very good with a great standard. Her delivery exemplified a broad vocal variety and it felt like a very different perspective than Emily Blunt’s interpretation."
SCHITT'S CREEK (General American)
Dave Rowe
"Dave for his accent precision and accuracy, coupled with natural delivery…just great."
Genevieve Leeney
"Genevieve was so much fun to watch, her accent was near perfect and she showed excellent variety, which in turn tests her accent capability more broadly. She essentially took her accent out on an exciting walk!"
ABOUT TIME (RP)
Colin Flynn
"Colin and Josh had excellent accuracy in the accent, they also both did so through a compelling performance. They were subtle, nuanced, and it felt authentically situated in their voices."
Josh Dowds
"Colin and Josh had excellent accuracy in the accent, they also both did so through a compelling performance. They were subtle, nuanced, and it felt authentically situated in their voices."
AUGUST: Showreel Showcase with Guest Judge Ali Coffey
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Congratulations to the talented Fishpond actors who were selected by Ali Coffey (Award-Winning Casting Director and Fishpond Founder), as the standouts of our Showreel Showcase.
Ali challenged you to submit your very best work, that demonstrates the skill, range and unique qualities you can bring to any project. She was blown away by your talent and provided personal feedback on her favourite performances.
Watch all the winning videos here and read Ali's expert feedback below.
Top 3 Actors
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Keith Singleton
"Cleverly edited and I particularly like the way he tucked the audition scene in at the end - cheeky and hilarious."
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Juliana Del Rosso
"Very strong reel, I really enjoyed it. Good variation, and impressive to see two languages showcased."
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Ciaran Byrne
"Excellent quality reel. We dive right in and get a real sense of what Ciaran can do."
Plus an honourable mention
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Kayleigh Rogers
"A great example of a DIY reel, filmed at home. Excellent taping skills and variation."
OCTOBER: Sweet Sixteen Showcase
Congratulations to the winners of our Sweet Sixteen Showcase!
To celebrate sixteen years of Fishpond. we recently challenged actors of all ages to create your own versions of coming-of-age movie scripts that focus on themes of childhood and growing up - Matilda, What Richard Did, and Sing Street. All three of these were cast with the help of Fishpond, so we know them well. We absolutely loved watching your work and you certainly made each scene your own.
When it comes to choosing actors for roles, the two questions casting directors will ask are, do I believe you? And, do you make me feel something? Well, we certainly believed and felt for Kate, Tynan and Zebulun in their chosen scenes. Remember that if you can transport an audience into your world, your work is done.
Watch the winning tapes here and read our feedback below.
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Kate
What Richard Did
"Beautiful use of your eyes in this scene, Kate. You let us see into your soul, and it's clear that this event has changed you forever. We can feel your sense of guilt and our hearts absolutely break for you - we wanted to reach through the screen and give you a massive hug!"
Tynan
Sing Street
"Tynan, you made us smile throughout this entire scene! Your natural charm and personality shine through and carry us away. You have excellent listening skills and the pacing was really good. Well done."
Zebulun James Vella-Whelan
What Richard Did
"Fantastic storytelling, Zebulun. As you recounted what happened, we were re-living it with you. Your story builds and builds and when you finally admit that you were responsible out loud, there's no going back. We loved it."
Congratulations to all our winners this year, to all the actors who took part and thank you to all our guest judges for their time and expertise.
A special well done to Dave Rowe, Anna Winifred, Poppy, Holly and Tynan who were chosen as standouts in not one, but TWO showcases this year. Keep up the great work.
We watched hundreds and hundreds of clips this year at Fishpond and you are an extremely talented bunch. We're always rooting for you and wish you the very best for 2025.