Rolling Academy

Screen & Stage Workshops in Central Manchester 🎬🎭

Always led by Working, Industry Professionals

GEMMA HANCOCK
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 21st September - 2:30pm - 5:30pm

Bio:
Gemma has been working in casting for over 25 years, most recently as a casting director for the in-house casting department at the BBC, working on Casualty, Father Brown and Sister Boniface Mysteries. As a highly experienced workshop leader, Gemma is now primarily concentrating on working as an acting coach, working with actors individually or in a workshop setting, covering auditioning for screen, how to approach a
self-tape, how to present showreels and screen acting technique.

With a career spanning television, film and theatre, Gemma and her partner Sam Stevenson were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for their work on the BBC 1 adaptation of Emma.

TV casting work includes: Casualty (BAFTA, RTS, Rose d’Or winner), Father Brown, Sister Boniface Mysteries, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Don’t Take My Baby (BAFTA winner), Doctors, four series of Silent Witness, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (all BBC 1), Martin Amis’ Money (BBC 2), Our World War (BBC 3 BAFTA nominated), Glasgow Girls (BBC 3, RTS Scotland and BAFTA Scotland winner), Nightshift, Care, The Snipist, The Minor Character and Nixon’s the One (‘Playhouse Presents’ for Sky Arts), The Selection (Warner Bros), Consuming Passion, Mr Loveday’s Little Outing (BBC 4), and
many episodes of The Bill for ITV.

Film work includes: Treasures, Leave to Remain, Private Peaceful, Babel, The New World.

Theatre work includes many productions working with Peter Hall, Howard Davies, Thea Sharrock, Adam Penford, Simon Godwin, Madani Younis, Melly Still.

Workshop details: Gemma leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Gemma and this workshop will follow a TV/Film format. The sides will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Gemma will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

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LISA RICHARDSON Casting Assistant at Coronation Street
- 'In Person' TV Workshop
- 27th September - 10:00am - 1:00pm
- 28th September - 10:00am - 1:00pm

We are over the moon to have Lisa Richardson, Casting Assistant at Coronation Street, leading a Casting TV Workshop with us.

In the workshop: Participants will be sent sides to work on with Lisa, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Lisa will host a meet and greet at the beginning of the workshop for everyone to get to know each other.

MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP with Casting Director SARAH LEUNG
- 4th October - 10:30am - 1.30pm

SARAH LEUNG CASTING DIRECTOR
Full member of BAFTA and the CDG. Jury for BAFTA best casting award 2024. Sarah is well known for her passion in casting a huge range of diverse multi- talented actors for both stage and screen.

Sarah has just completed casting ‘MISS SAIGON’ (New Production, 2025-26 UK & Ireland Tour, Cameron Mackintosh & Michael Harrison).

Other Casting Director Theatre credits include: ‘MIDNIGHT AT THE PALACE’ (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh), ‘CABLE STREET’ (Southwark Playhouse), ‘JINGLECLAW’ (Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘UNFORTUNATE’ (London and UK Tour) (six nominations, Off West End awards, 2023), ‘TRUEMAN AND THE ARSONISTS’ (Roundhouse London), ‘TO WONG FOO’ (Hope Mill Theatre). George Takei’s ‘ALLEGIANCE’ (Charing Cross). ‘CORRIE THE PLAY’ (Lowry), ‘WAITING FOR GODOT’ (Manchester Library Theatre).

Workshop Details:
For both Musical Theatre Actors and Actors who sing. An ‘Acting Through Song’ Workshop. Sarah would like you to bring any song of your choosing. It can be MT, contemporary, country, pop, whatever you want.

There will be an accompanist available throughout to give a vocal warm up first, then play alongside you in the workshop.

Sarah will also lead a Q&A and discussion at the end of the workshop.

TV Drama Director JUDITH DINE
- ONLINE 'Screen Acting' Workshop
- 11th October - 10:30am- 1:30pm

Very Small Group Size!

BIO: I’m a regular director on CORONATION ST and CASUALTY for which in 2022 my Episode won a BAFTA and the ROSE D’OR award.

I’ve been continuously directing mainstream TV Drama for 28 years. 

I’ve directed hundreds of Episodes of EMMERDALE, HEARTBEAT and CORONATION STREET to name but a few. 

Other Recent credits include two series of the prime time drama KEEPING FAITH an original Welsh language, dark comedy ANFAMOL and I’m currently involved in developing two drama’s which will be announced soon! 

My ‘secret’ if you like, to acting for television, is to never be seen to be acting!  This is my main focus when I’m coaching students.

Workshop Details:

Judith leads a Screen Acting Workshop. In a very small group size, Judith will focus on screen acting techniques, to give the actor a feel for what it's like to be directed by Judith Dine. You will receive sides before the workshop to work on with Judith in the session. We will explore all the above through practical exercises, discussion and chance to ask Judith questions throughout the session.

Theatre and Games Director - AUDREY SHEFFIELD
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 11th October - 2:30pm - 5:30pm

Bio:
Audrey is an award-winning UK and international freelance director, specialising in new writing, and committed to making work that is rigorous, imaginatively ambitious, and emotionally truthful.

Audrey was Associate Director with the original company of Stranger Things: The First Shadow (West End, 2023 - 2024).

As Director, theatre includes: ‘Jews. In Their Own Words’ (Royal Court); ‘Neighbourhood Voices, Tapestry’ (Young Vic); ‘Perspective’ (National Theatre); ‘The Dybbuk’ (Almeida); ‘We Too Are Giants’ (Kiln); ‘Sleepwalking’ (Hampstead); ‘The Effect, Apologia’ (English Theatre Frankfurt); ‘Skin and Blister’ [staged reading] (Old Vic); ‘The Dark Room’ (Theatre503); ‘The Scar Test’ (Arcola); ‘Almost Near’ (Finborough); ‘Little Flower of East Orange’ (National Theatre Studio).

As Associate/Assistant Director, Theatre includes: ‘Pinter at the Pinter’, ‘Don Quixote’, ‘Don Juan in Soho’, ‘Dead Funny’, ‘Hand to God’, ‘One Man’, ‘Two Guvnors’ (West End); ‘Electra’ (Old Vic); ‘Rapture’, ‘Blister’, ‘Burn’ (Hampstead); ‘Troilus and Cressida’ (with The Wooster Group), ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ (RSC); ‘The Effect’ (National); ‘Blurred Lines’ (National Theatre Studio).

Audrey was recently invited to train as a voice director for video games, and alongside theatre direction, she's since worked regularly at Side and Liquid Violet on numerous acclaimed indie and AAA games as well.

For more information and images of work, please see www.audreysheffield.co.uk


Workshop details: Audrey will allocate scenes for each actor and allocate pairings before the workshop - so that each actor can work with a partner within the group on a theatre text extract - exploring contemporary texts in a curious, playful, rigorous and inclusive room.  Audrey will then work with each pair live in the workshop on the text with direct feedback and guidance.

LUCY JORDAN Casting
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 12th October - 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Workshop details: Lucy leads a Casting TV/FilmWorkshop. Participants will be sent TV/Film sides to work on with Lucy and this workshop will follow a TV/Film format. The sides will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Lucy will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing his knowledge and inspiration.

Bio: Lucy is a Casting Director with a decade in the industry and has predominantly worked alongside Dixie Chassay. Lucy has frequently collaborated with director Yorgos Lanthimos, including on the Academy Award-winning THE FAVOURITE and subsequently on Lanthimos' upcoming features POOR THINGS , AND and most recently KINDS OF KINDNESS.

Additionally, Lucy has been Casting Associate on all three seasons of Hulu’s Emmy Award-winning series THE GREAT.

Other recent credits include PERSUASION (Dir. Carrie Cracknell) , HOUSE OF CLARENCE (Dir. Jaymes Samuel) and THE POD GENERATION (Dir. Sophie Barthes).

Casting Director SOPHIE KINGSTON-SMITH
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 25th October - 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Bio:
Sophie began casting for theatre and commercials, then moved into film and TV casting in 2017. She has worked most closely with Rose Wicksteed, co-casting series 'JACK RYAN' (Paramount), 'INVASION' (Apple+) and 'BLACK CAKE' (Hulu). Other significant projects include 'THE NUN' and 'THE NUN II' (New Line), 'THE GREAT' (Hulu), 'HOMELAND' (Fox 21 for Showtime) and New Line's upcoming 'THE CONJURING: LAST RITES', due for release later this year.

As well as working with Rose, Sophie also collaborated with Lucy Jordan to co-cast Eli Roth's 'THE FACELESS LADY', a cutting-edge stereoscopic 3D VR horror series playable on Meta's Horizon headset.

She has also cast several short films, including Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying 'EDICIUS' (dir. Uzo Oleh) and '5 Stars' (dir. Remi Itani), shortlisted at several prestigious festivals including the British Short Film Awards and the BFI London Film Festival. She also voice-cast 'LUSUS', a fiction horror podcast series for BBC Sounds which featured voice work from Morfydd Clark, Patsy Ferran and Ncuti Gatwa.

Sophie has just finished working on a series with Karga 7 and is developing an independent feature with Natives Filmworks, scheduled for 2026.

'Acting Through Song' Workshop with Casting Director JIM ARNOLD
- 'In Person' - 1st November - 10am - 1pm

Bio:
Credits include:
MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Hope Mill Theatre Manchester; WICKED (Apollo Victoria and UK tour);
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (Savoy and UK tour);
SHREK - THE MUSICAL (UK tour);
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - THE MUSICAL (Leeds Playhouse and UK tour);
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF MUSICAL (Everyman Cheltenham and Noël Coward);
BONNIE & CLYDE (Arts and Garrick);
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL (Hall for Cornwall and UK tour);
ROCK OF AGES (UK tour);
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS (UK tour);
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (Dominion);
ROMEO & JULIET (filmed theatrical production, Metcalfe Gordon Productions); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dominion);
WEST SIDE STORY (Royal Exchange Theatre);
CURTAINS (Wyndham’s and UK tour);
THE WEDDING SINGER (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, UK tour and South Korea – Best Musical at the 13th Annual Daegu International Musical Festival 2019);
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (St Lawrence Centre Toronto);
CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN (Harold Pinter and UK tour);
THE MIRROR CRACK’D (Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative);
THE OSMONDS MUSICAL (Workshop)
EUGENIUS! (The Other Palace);
CAMELOT, GIRLFRIENDS AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL (LMTO Concert Series 2018);
MY NAME IS BEETHOVEN (Workshop);
THE REST IS SILENCE (dreamthinkspeak);
CRAVE AND ILLUSIONS (Actors Touring Company);
DNA (Hull Truck & UK tour);
YERMA (Gate & Hull Truck);
PERICLES RE-IMAGINED (Regent's Park);
LINGUA FRANCA (Finborough & 59East59, NYC);
HORTENSIA AND THE MUSEUM OF DREAMS (Finborough);
FRAGILE! AND LE MARIAGE(Arcola)
and ARTIST DESCENDING A STAIRCASE (The Old Red Lion).

Workshop Details:
For both Actors who sing and Musical Theatre Actors. An ‘Acting Through Song’ and ‘Audition Practice’ Workshop. Jim would like you to bring your own choice of song, cut to 1 - 1 and a half minutes. Your choice of song can be in any style (e.g. contemporary, pop/rock, legit etc.). There will be an accompanist available to play alongside you in the workshop. Jim will also lead a Q&A and discussion at the end of the workshop.

TV/Film Director SEAN GLYNN
- ‘Working With Emotion On Camera’
- 2nd November - 10:00am - 6:00pm

Bio:
Sean is an award-winning director. He has been directing for 19 years and his work includes HOPE STREET (BBC) as Lead Director, LONDON KILLS (BBC) as Lead Director, CASUALTY (BBC), THE CASE (BBC), HOLLYOAKS (C4) and HOLLYOAKS LATER (C4), MISSING (BBC), DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (BBC), DREAM TEAM (Sky One), HOLBY CITY (BBC).

He has won awards for Best Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards and Most Spectacular Scene at the British Soap Awards.

He also has just finished his latest short film SNAPCATCH, about online grooming. This follows the critically acclaimed LEADBELLY, which has just won ‘Most Influential Film’ at the Horsetooth International Film Festival in Colorado, amongst many other rosettes awarded.

He believes passionately in supporting and guiding actors in achieving the very best of their potential.


Workshop info:

Sean will be working from pre-delivered scripts, on ways to access and maintain levels of emotion for the camera. Using both technical and practical methods to deliver performances of a high emotional intensity the workshop will be supportive and collaborative. Participants will also explore the subtle differences in acting for the camera, as opposed to acting for the stage, with non-verbal and physical communication, playing with shot size and framing. Performances will be delivered to camera on a 'live' feed.

We will explore all elements of the screen acting process from the initial delivery of the script right through to the first and final take. Among many other aspects, this will include backstory, intention and obstacles. The day will be interactive, working together and experiencing the challenges of day to day filming on continuing television drama and film.

This workshop is designed to ensure you don't leave your best performance in the rehearsal, or in the read through but that you deliver it when it matters most. On screen, in front of the camera.

TV/Film Director JESSE QUINONES
- In Person - ‘Acting on Screen’
- 8th November - 10:00am - 1:00pm

TV / FILM DIRECTOR JESSE QUINONES | ACTING ON SCREEN

BIO:
2025 will see Jesse return as Lead Director on BBC’s WATERLOO ROAD, where he was also Lead Director on their flagship return in 2022, seasons one and two. Jesse’s other director credits include season 8 of BBC's INSIDE NO 9. He is developing HEIST OF BENIN, a feature spec set up with Endurance Media with David Oyelowo attached to star.

A dual national (US & UK) Writer/Director, Jesse's first feature film, CALLOUSED HANDS, starred Andre Royo (HBO's THE WIRE), Daisy Haggard (Showtime's EPISODES), and Hans Howes (THERE WILL BE BLOOD). It premiered at the Miami International Film Festival, and has gone on to screen in over 20 festivals around the world, garnering numerous awards.

In 2020 Jesse wrote and directed his second feature film, CAGEFIGHTER which starred Gina Gershon and Chuck Liddell, which was released in select theaters in October, 2020 in the US and had a global release online. Jesse is a recent addition to Stars Collective, a US initiative run by Starlight Entertainment to support BIPOC filmmakers.

Jesse is a full member of BAFTA and Director's UK. Jesse is an alum of numerous writing labs and fellowships including the Royal Court Young Writer's Programme, Soho Theatre Writer's Attachment Programme, Berlinale Talent Campus, B3 Media Talent Lab, NALIP Latino Writer's Lab, and the BBC Writer's Room.

WORKSHOP INFO:
Jesse leads a Screen Acting Workshop. Jesse will focus on screen acting techniques, to give the actor a feel for what it's like to be directed by Jesse Quinones. You will receive sides before the workshop to work on with Jesse in the session. We will explore all the above through practical exercises, discussion and chance to ask Jesse questions throughout the session.

Casting Director / Associate - CAITLIN JOSEPH
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 9th November - 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Workshop Details: Caitlin leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Caitlin, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Caitlin will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

Bio: Caitlin has been Casting Associate for Suzanne M. Smith (CSA, CDG) for over 7 years, recently working on ‘Silo’ (Apple TV) and recently has gone out on her own, starting her own casting office as Casting Director at Caitlin Joseph Casting.

Her other most recent credits include ‘Invasion’ (Apple TV), 'To Olivia' (Sky), ‘Carnival Row (Amazon), ‘Good Omens’ (BBC/Amazon), Season 4 of the Emmy-award winning ‘Outlander’ (STARZ), Season 2 of ‘Knightfall’ (A&E/History), ‘In From The Cold’ (Netflix) & ‘Warrior Nun’ (Netflix) as well as the much-anticipated TV adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling books ’Shadow & Bone’(Netflix). Caitlin is currently working on several exciting projects and has a passion for championing and working with actors, having come from an acting background herself.

TV/Film Director ALEX BROWNING
- In Person - 'Acting on Screen' Workshop
- 15th November
Either at: - 10:00am - 1:30pm
Or: 2:30pm - 6:00pm

TV / FILM DIRECTOR ALEX BROWNING | ACTING ON SCREEN

Bio:
Alex brings over a decade of experience as a director and storyteller. Alex's television credits include BBC's three-part drama series GRANITE HARBOUR (season 2) in Scotland, and was named as a Broadcast HotShot for 2024.

Alex has also directed numerous episodes on TV dramas in the UK, this year alone this has included CORONATION STREET (2019-2025), EMMERDALE (2022-2025), HOLLYOAKS (2023-2025) and prior to this BBC’s THE DUMPING GROUND.

Alex has made a number of short films with commissions from BFI Network, Sky Studios, and Channel 4. His most recent short film DAYLIGHT RULES was commissioned by BFI and SKY, and the film is available to view online on DUST.

WORKSHOP INFO:
Alex leads a Screen Acting Workshop. In a very small group size, Alex will focus on screen acting techniques, to give the actor a feel for what it's like to be directed by Alex Browning. You will receive sides before the workshop to work on with Alex in the session. We will explore all the above through practical exercises, discussion and chance to ask Alex questions throughout the session.

'Making The Short Film' with Film Director ALEX BROWNING
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 29th November - 10:00am - 6:00pm


WORKSHOP INFO:

Alex Browning will be leading on a FULL DAY  ‘Making The Short Film' workshop.  The day will be split across various strands including: 

Finding your story; to hone in on the 'what' and 'why' of your story, and how to cultivate an authentic vision for your film.

Exercises in filmmaking;that will illustrate what filmmakers need to think about as they ideate, develop, produce and complete their short film. Here Alex will also give practical tutorials using examples from his body of work. 

Industry insights;conversations around  strategy for your short film (including film festivals & distribution), and how to navigate the wider industry.

---

Please note - this will be an interactive workshop, allowing attendees to ask questions as and when they arise. 

Come with your thinking caps on, and with a small idea for a short film. 

Be prepared to have a fun, chatty and dynamic workshop. 

All experience welcome. 

Bio:
Alex brings over a decade of experience as a director and storyteller. Alex has made a number of short films with commissions from BFI Network, Sky Studios, and Channel 4. His most recent short film DAYLIGHT RULES, was made with Sky and BFI, starring T'Nia Miller and David Ajala, it is out now on Sky in the UK & Ireland, and the film is available to view online on DUST. The film had its' international premier in New York at TIDE Film Festival, and won 'Best Afrofuturism' at Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival, both festivals supported by HBO.

Alex's television credits include BBC's three part drama GRANITE HARBOUR (season 2), filmed in Scotland. Following this, Alex went on to be named as a Broadcast HotShot in 2024.

Alex has also directed numerous episodes on TV dramas in the UK, this has included CORONATION STREET (2019-2025), EMMERDALE (2022-2025), HOLLYOAKS (2023-2025) and prior to this BBC’s THE DUMPING GROUND.

TV Drama Director SURI KRISHNAMMA
- FULL DAY ‘Screen Acting' Workshop
- 6th December - 10:00am- 6:00pm


**Very Small Group Size!

BIO: Winner of a Royal Television Society award and three time BAFTA nominee, Suri Krishnamma has an extremely broad range of experience across television and feature film.

Suri regularly directs on continuing dramas, CORONATION STREET (ITV), EMMERDALE (ITV) and CASUALTY (BBC). Suri also recently directed on THE CANTERVILLE GHOST (BBC), THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER (Balkanic Media), as well as award-winning productions A RESPECTABLE TRADE (The Irish Film Board) and THE CAZALETS (BBC). Suri has directed on numerous prime time dramas such as WAKING THE DEAD (BBC), BLUE MURDER (Granada Television) and COLD BLOOD (ITV).

Internationally acclaimed, Suri has directed seven feature films including the award winning DARK TOURIST and A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE starring Albert Finney. His film NEW YEAR’S DAY was named Best UK Feature Film at Raindance.

Workshop Info:
THE CAMERA LOVES YOU - with Suri Krishnamma

This one-day intensive workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of performing on camera. It will explore the specific expectations of a screen actor, such as how to stay ‘in the moment’ when filming out of sequence, what impact shooting a scene in ‘cuts’ versus a single take has, how to work with developing shots and how to ensure your best take gets on camera.

Through practical exercises, participants will be guided through a process to find the meaning and hidden meaning of scenes, how to stage the hidden meaning, and how to change a performance quickly in front of a camera. Exercises will be recorded and debriefed during the session.

N.B. All contact or questions regarding this workshop should come through the Rolling Academy office. Please do not contact the workshop leader directly with questions.

TV Drama Director EMMA LINDLEY
- 'In Person' 1 DAY INTENSIVE
- 17th January 2026 - 10:00am - 6:00pm


1 DAY INTENSIVE Screen Acting Workshop with Award Winning Director EMMA LINDLEY

**Very Small Group Size!

Bio:
Emma Lindley is an award-winning and highly experienced director and writer working on popular drama series and films in both the UK and US.

Her UK drama directing credits include multiple episodes of ‘Coronation Street’ (2024), ‘Emmerdale’ (ITV), ‘Hope Street’ [BBC1), ‘Holby City’ (BBC1) and award-winning teen series, ‘My Parents as Aliens’ and ‘24 Seven’ (ITV). She is skilled in both single and multi-camera directing and equally happy in studio or on location.

Her authored shorts as writer-director have been shown at festivals around the world and on ITV/Channel 4 and include child-bride drama, ‘Red River’, winner of three Best Film awards (London Short Film Festival). Her feature scripts as writer-director have been funded by South West Screen, shortlisted for Sundance Screenwriters Lab and selected for the UK Filmonomics development programme.

Emma’s work in the US includes directing two award-nominated arts documentaries for Ovation TV. She has a current 01 visa and is represented in the US by Stagecoach Entertainment and in the UK by Linda Seifert Management.

Emma is a voting member of BAFTA and Directors UK and a guest lecturer in directing and acting for camera at NFTS and Met Film School.

Website www.emmalindley.net

WORKSHOP INFO:

If you want to act in television series Emma shows you how to prepare and what to expect, how to really connect with the director and cast and, most importantly, enjoy the whole experience!

Working with pre-delivered scenes, you will prepare, discuss and rehearse them with Emma before shooting on camera live and receiving individual feedback. Find out how working quickly can keep the energy of the scene and focus your performance.

We will cover: preparation vs adapting on the day; how and when to ask the right questions to get what you need; understanding the tone of the show or film you’re in; how to interpret director’s notes between takes and how to stay in character while knowing which camera your on and what the shot is.

We will also discuss how to deliver a strong self-tape.

Emma’s aim is to make you feel welcome from the moment you’re cast to the moment you say goodbye on wrap. The more relaxed you are, the better your performance will be and the more confident you’ll be in every film you collaborate on.

Honing your on-screen technique is the best way to achieve it.

Past Workshops

  • CDG/CSA SHAKYRA DOWLING - 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop

    Shakyra led a TV/Film Workshop. Participants were sent sides to work on with Shakyra in the workshop. Shakyra then led a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

    Bio: Independent Casting Director, Shakyra Dowling has been working for over two decades on Sundance, BAFTA, Berlinale and Oscar nominated films.

    Shakyra cast Nathalie Biancheri’s first feature Nocturnal which premiered at LFF casting includes Cosmo Jarvis, and at Toronto Film Festival’s White Lie; casting includes Kacey Rohl who is named as Canadian Rising Star for her performance and Amber Anderson, UK ES Rising Star 2017.

    She has cast Un Traductor (staring Rodrigo Santoro) which was in World Cinema Competition at Sundance 2018 and has been selected as the Cuban Academy Award entry for 2019, French social comedy Naked Normandy (staring Toby Jones) and No Fathers In Kashmir by Oscar nominated Ashvin Kumar.

    2020 casting includes Wolf with George MacKay, Lily Rose-Depp and Paddy Considine and Prisoner of Paradise directed by Mitch Jenkins, with Ellie Bamber and Mehdi Dehbi currently shooting in Mauritius.

  • EZRA TREN-HUMPHRIES Casting Assistant at EMMERDALE

    Ezra Tren-Humphries, Casting Assistant at Emmerdale, led a Casting TV Workshop.

    In the workshop: Participants were sent sides to work on with Ezra, which were taped and sent via email after the workshop. Ezra also hosted a discussion and Q&A where participants were able to ask questions and get feedback.

  • CDG Claire Bleasdale - 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop

    Claire led a TV/Film Workshop. Participants were sent sides to work on with Claire, which were taped and sent via email after the workshop. Claire then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration. 

    Claire is born and raised in Manchester and champions Northern talent. She is one of the most experienced casting directors in Independent Film and is casting director on the successful tv series Meet the Richardsons. Claire has also cast the incredibly successful shorts: Judy (starring Maxine Peake), Jason Wingard's brand new film Pavement, and the BAFTA-winning Cowboy Dave.

  • CDG Amy Jackson - 'Online' 1-1 TV/Film Workshop

    Amy led a 1-1 Workshop, where Amy sent sides to perform and receive 1-1 feedback and then have a personal Q&A and discussion with Amy after.

    Amy Jackson has recently set up Amy Jackson Casting.

    Before that Amy has worked as Casting Associate/Assistant with; Kate Rhodes James; Rachel Freck; Julie Harkin; Jina Jay; Kate Dowd; Gemma Sykes & Rachel Sheridan. And most recently as Co-casting Director and Associate at Amy Hubbard Casting.

    Recent credits: Suspicion (Apple TV), The Girl Before (BBC/HBO Max), The Outlaws (BBC/Amazon), Deceit (Channel 4), Trying S1 (Apple TV) In My Skin S1 (BBC), The Other One (BBC), Flack Series 2 (Pop and UKTV).

  • CDG Sarah Leung - 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop

    Sarah led a TV/Film Workshop where participants were sent 3 scripts, which were worked on with Sarah, taped and sent via email after the workshop. Sarah then led a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

    Sarah was assistant to producer Larry Franco on "Batman Begins" and worked with one of London's premiere casting offices on Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men.” Sarah freelanced for the BBC and ITV, assisting on "Luther", "Waterloo Road," "Waking the Dead," "Inside Men," "Hope Springs," "Mayday," "Frankie," "What Remains," etc for the BBC, and "Law & Order: UK", "Homefront," "The Widower," "Just Henry," etc for ITV.

  • Producer Hannah Ellis Ryan - Producing Theatre Workshop

    Hannah led a workshop on Theatre Producing, covering project timelines & planning, approaching venues, putting a team together, advice on best practice and community and engagement.

    Hannah is Assistant Producer to Oldham Coliseum and Local Producer to the several top Theatre production companies: HER Productions, Elysium Theatre Company, Play With Fire Productions and Manchester ADP. Hannah Ellis has produced over 27 sell out theatre productions.

  • Hollyoaks Casting Associate Harriet Spenser - 'In Person' TV Workshop

    Harriet led a workshop where participants were sent sides to prepare for the workshop, which were worked on, taped and given feedback from Harriet. There was also an introduction at the beginning of the workshop and time for a Q&A and discussion focused on casting in TV and Film.

    Harriet has worked with the largest in-house TV Casting Departments in the UK. Working for ITV, BBC and Lime Pictures, Harriet has worked on shows such as Coronation Street, Casualty, Holby City, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and many more.

  • Producer Hannah Ellis Ryan - Arts Council Bids Workshop - 19th February

    Hannah led a workshop on the new Arts Council England applications (project grants under 30K). The workshop covered navigating changes in the new portal, drafting company policies, refining your project, budgeting and evaluation and a 1-hour Q&A session to ask specific questions and get advice.

    Hannah is Assistant Producer to Oldham Coliseum and Local Producer to several top Northern Theatre companies, including: HER Productions, Elysium Theatre Company, Play With Fire Productions and Manchester ADP. Hannah Ellis has penned over 24 successful Arts Council England applications.

  • DES HAMILTON Casting Associate - SOPHIE PEARSON - 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop

    Sophie led a TV/Film Workshop. Participants were sent sides to work on with Sophie, which were taped and sent via email after the workshop. Sophie then led a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

    Bio: Sophie has been working in the casting industry for 6 years. She started out working as a casting associate at Hubbard Casting with Ros and John Hubbard, where she worked on films such as 'Journey's End', 'Hurricane' and 'The More You Ignore Me'.

    She now works with Des Hamilton and has most recently worked on projects such as Netflix's 'The King', 'Top Boy Series 3' and 'Jojo Rabbit’.

  • Coronation Street Casting Assistant - Lisa Boyle - 'In Person' TV Workshop

    Lisa Boyle, Casting Assistant at Coronation Street led a Casting TV Workshop.

    Participants were sent sides to work on with Lisa, which were taped and sent via email after the workshop. Lisa hosted a meet and greet at the beginning of the workshop for everyone to get to know each other and a Q&A at the end after everyone had the chance to work on their scenes.

  • Theatre Director AUDREY SHEFFIELD - 'In Person' Acting in Theatre Workshop

    Audrey allocated scenes for each actor and allocated pairings before the workshop - so that each actor can work with a partner within the group on a text extract - from a new play. Audrey then worked with each pair live in the workshop on the text with direct feedback and guidance.

    Bio: Audrey has just finished co-directing the Royal Court Production of 'Jews in Their Own Words' and is an award-winning UK and international freelance director, specialising in new writing, and committed to making work that is rigorous, imaginatively ambitious, and emotionally truthful.

    She is a recipient of an MGCfutures bursary 2020, was an Old Vic 12 Director 2019, nominated for the Arts Foundation Award 2018 and Finalist Best Director for the Off-West End Awards 2017/2018 (The Dark Room, Theatre503)

    As director, theatre includes: Jews. In Their Own Words (Royal Court); Neighbourhood Voices, Tapestry (Young Vic); Perspective (National); The Dybbuk (Almeida); We Too Are Giants (Kiln); Sleepwalking (Hampstead); The Effect, Apologia (English Theatre Frankfurt); Skin and Blister [staged reading] (Old Vic); The Dark Room (Theatre503); The Scar Test (Arcola); Almost Near (Finborough); Little Flower of East Orange (National Theatre Studio).

    As associate/assistant director, theatre includes: Pinter at the Pinter, Don Quixote, Don Juan in Soho, Dead Funny, Hand to God, One Man, Two Guvnors (West End); Electra (Old Vic); Rapture, Blister, Burn (Hampstead); Troilus and Cressida (with The Wooster Group), Antony and Cleopatra (RSC); The Effect (National); Blurred Lines (National Theatre Studio).

    Audrey also has extensive experience of working with communities and young people.

  • CSA OLISSA ROGERS Casting Director - 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop

    Olissa led a TV/Film Workshop. Participants were sent sides to work on with Olissa, which were taped and sent via email after the workshop. Olissa then led a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.

    Olissa Rogers is extremely experienced in casting for TV and has recently branched out on her own as a Casting Director and landed a huge series for a major streaming channel. Before that she was casting associate at Fiona Weir Casting, Theo Park and Amy Hubbard. Some of her casting associate credits include ‘Ted Lasso’ (Apple TV), ‘Brassic’ (SKY), ‘We Are Who We Are’ (HBO) and Criminal UK (Netflix).

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