At Fishpond, we know how important it is for actors to hone their craft, sharpen their self-taping skills, and be seen by industry professionals. Our Spring Showcase was designed to do just that—offering our members the chance to explore powerful material, practice their on-camera technique, and receive valuable feedback from one of the best in the business.
We were proud to have casting director (and Fishpond founder) Ali Coffey lead this first showcase of 2025. Ali carefully selected scenes with a pivotal dramatic moment from Primal Fear, Encanto, and Wonder, and challenged actors to submit a self-tape that showcased their interpretation, skill, and screen presence.
From a wealth of high-quality self-tapes, Ali selected six standout performances, plus three special mentions that she felt also deserved recognition.
Join us for a live chat with Ali at 1pm on Wednesday 28th of May, where she’ll offer further feedback, and share tips for making your next self-tape your best one yet. Click here or visit your dashboard for details.
Ali’s Standout Self-Tapes
Watch all six standouts here and read Ali’s expert feedback below.
Oisín Nolan (Primal Fear)
“Really solid tape, Oisín. You came across as grounded and very watchable right from the start. There’s a calm confidence in how you held the scene, and the contrast you brought gave the performance some real texture. Loved the shift between vulnerability and control—it was subtle and believable.”
Emily Swain (Primal Fear)
“Emily, you have such a relaxed screen presence—this was easy and engaging to watch. You found a really nice rhythm in the scene that kept us leaning in. You handled the emotional shifts with care, and the contrast gave it shape. Framed well, good sound, and a steady eye line—all of which let your performance shine. Lovely work.”
Hannah Adeleke (Primal Fear)
“Hannah, this was a standout. You had us from the first line—really compelling energy and a unique spin on the scene. The contrast and lightness you brought were brilliant. You gave the character a spark while still holding the emotional weight. Great instincts and really confident choices. You held the space so naturally.”
Poppy (Wonder)
“Poppy, this had such a lovely emotional arc. There was a gentle build to the scene that felt really sincere. The softening toward the end was beautifully played—very real, very human. I think you did a smashing job – I was really impressed. You’re very easy to watch on camera.”
Millie (Wonder)
“Millie, this was a strong, emotionally present performance. The choice to place the reader outside the door really helped the tension—smart move. You played the emotional beats with confidence and care. Lovely shift in tone through the scene.”
Chloe (Wonder)
“Chloe, your warmth really came through here—it was such an easy, natural performance that felt very grounded. You brought a softness that really suited the scene. Great screen presence. The setup really helped us focus in on you—clean and polished all around.”
Ali’s Special Mentions
Watch all three special mentions here and read Ali’s expert feedback below.
Emma-Louise (Encanto)
“Emma, this tape had such great energy! You brought passion, focus, and emotional weight—and your self-tape craft is spot on. You really made the most of the scene.”
Elaine Sexton (Primal Fear)
“Elaine, you brought such a strong sense of contrast and control here. It was quietly powerful, and the emotional shifts felt very considered. Really confident work that stood out.”
Christopher Lewis Dunston (Primal Fear)
“Christopher, this felt very lived-in and grounded. The speech work was handled with real care and authenticity, and your emotional gear shifts kept us engaged. A very thoughtful and strong tape.”
Well done to all, and thank you to Ali for taking the time to watch and offer so much personal feedback.
We run exclusive Fishpond Showcases every quarter, with feedback for every actor who sends us a tape, so we’ll look forward to seeing you for our next Showcase in the summer. Until then, keep up the great work.
