Rolling Academy
Screen & Stage Workshops in Central Manchester
Always led by Working Industry Professionals.
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Casting Director GILL CHARNOCK
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 8th June - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 8th June - 6:00pm - 9:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
Bio:
Gill Charnock is a Casting Director at Lime Pictures with over 30 years of experience.
Gill has had a long and enjoyable career in casting working across most genres from television, commercials, film to theatre. Working mainly in the wonderful world of Soap, Gill has cast over 350+ episodes of HOLLYOAKS. She started out on BROOKSIDE and other projects include GRANGE HILL, THE COURTROOM, THE CASE, EVERMORE, ZERO CHILL and many more.
Bio:
Gill Charnock is a Casting Director at Lime Pictures with over 30 years of experience.
Gill has cast over 350+ episodes of HOLLYOAKS. She started out on BROOKSIDE and other projects include GRANGE HILL, THE COURTROOM, THE CASE…
Casting Director ANDREA CLARK
- Commercials Workshop
- 10th June - 11:00am - 2:00pm
@tibstreetstudio - 10th June - 11:00am - 2:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
COMMERCIAL AUDITION WORKSHOP AND MOCK CASTING
What makes casting and auditioning for commercials different?
Andrea will unpick how the casting process and the audition techniques specifically required for the adverts, idents, and corporates compares to that of TV, film, and drama.
She will stage a mock TV Commercial casting session where she will direct you and give you feedback. Auditions will be recorded and sent to you after the class. There will also be a short introduction at the beginning of the workshop. Andrea will also host a Q&A at the end of the class where you can ask anything about the audition and casting process acrossTV, Film or Commercials. No pre-workshop prep required.
Bio:
Andrea Clark Casting was founded in 2006. Since then, Andrea has worked on award-winning feature films, commercials, video games and short films. She casts a variety of other projects including music videos, corporate films, and new media content.
Andrea cast THE BELLWETHER, “the world’s first English language one-woman feature film” starring ALEX RIED, and was casting consultant on BAFTA winning LATE SHIFT.
She has worked on major national and international commercial campaigns, including MCDONALDS, LENOVO, HUAWEI and JOHN LEWIS.
Prior to setting up her own company, Andrea co-cast the acclaimed feature films including DOG SOLDIERS, KEEPING MUM and THE THIEF LORD, which starred a young GEORGE MACKAY and AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON.
As an associate casting director, she collaborated on the casting of blockbusters including HELLBOY, BLADE II and HIDALGO. she was also part of the casting team on MTV’S ground-breaking reality programme THE REAL WORLD.
Andrea entered the industry in 1991 as an assistant casting director for DAVIS & ZIMMERMANN and learnt her trade working with internationally renowned directors including JOHN SCHLESINGER, SIR PETER HALL, BLAKE EDWARDS and FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI.
Andrea is a voting member of BAFTA, she is also a full member of both the casting directors association (CDA) and the casting directors guild (CDG).
COMMERCIAL AUDITION WORKSHOP AND MOCK CASTING
What makes casting and auditioning for commercials different?
Andrea has worked on major national and international commercial campaigns, including MCDONALDS, LENOVO, HUAWEI and JOHN LEWIS…
DEBBIE HOWARD TV/Film Director
- 'In Person' Workshop
- 20th June - 1:30pm - 4:30pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 20th June - 1:30pm - 4:30pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
Debbie Howard, TV/Film Director is leading an ‘In Person’ Workshop.
Debbie is a regular Director for both CORONATION STREET and EMMERDALE and has just been directing over Summer 2024 for BBC's SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES. Her other TV directing work includes directing her 18th block of DOCTORS for the BBC and directing all twenty episodes of season 2 Broadcast Award-winning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GRANDPA for Saffron Cherry.
Debbie worked as an actor before setting up Big Buddha Films in 2006. She has written and directed several award winning short films, and the critically acclaimed feature documentary, STILL LOVED. Her BFI Network funded short film, SAFE, is due for release shortly. She has directed over 70 episodes of television for the BBC, Channel 5 and ITV. She is a full voting member of BAFTA, BIFA, Cinesisters, Prime Time, Director's UK and Free The Work.
Debbie Howard, TV/Film Director is leading an ‘In Person’ Workshop.
Debbie is a regular Director for both CORONATION STREET and EMMERDALE. Other credits include BBC's SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES and directing all twenty episodes of season 2 Broadcast Award-winning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GRANDPA…
LISA RICHARDSON Casting Assistant at Coronation Street
- 'In Person' TV Workshop
- 22nd June - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 22nd June - 6:00pm - 9:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
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.
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…
Casting Director BEN COGAN
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 27th June - 11:00am - 2:00pm
📍@TibStreetStudio - Central Manchester - 27th June - 11:00am - 2:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
BIO:
Ben Cogan has worked in casting for over 25 years. He began as a casting assistant for many shows (including EASTENDERS, HOLBY CITY and WAKING THE DEAD) before becoming the casting director for DOCTORS in 2002. 380 episodes later, Ben moved to CASUALTY, and, in his time there, 6 episodes that he worked on were recognised with BAFTA nominations. During this period he also worked on the AFTERNOON PLAY series, KISS OF DEATH and various short films - one of which (WISH 143) was nominated for an Oscar. Since going freelance in 2015 Ben has cast numerous films including the award winning, JUST CHARLIE, TRENDY, EVIE, OLD WINDOWS, THE OUTING, LADY M, BELLMOUTH and TV shows such as BAFTA nominated APPLE TREE HOUSE as well as the additional child casting of HIS DARK MATERIALS. More recently, Ben has cast four feature films: LOVE WITHOUT WALLS, HUNTED, MRS PLUM and ONE NIGHT IN BATH ... he is currently working in pre-production on RAG & BONE and has a host of other projects in development.
As an actors' coach - Ben proudly works with actors every day and has become a 'go to' for those who call on him to work on their self tapes and auditions ... with wonderful success stories: Coaching - Ben Cogan
IMDB: imdb.com/name/nm1431323/
Workshop details: Ben leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Ben, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Ben will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing his knowledge and inspiration.
BIO:
Ben Cogan has worked in casting for over 25 years. He began as a casting assistant for many shows (including EASTENDERS, HOLBY CITY and WAKING THE DEAD) before becoming the casting director for DOCTORS in 2002. 380 episodes later, Ben moved to CASUALTY, and, in his time there, 6 episodes that he worked on were recognised with BAFTA nominations. He also worked on various short films - one of which (WISH 143) was nominated for an Oscar…
Actor ADAM WOODWARD
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 28th June - 10:00am - 1:00pm
📍@TibStreetStudio - Central Manchester - 28th June - 10:00am - 1:30pm - £45 (Members £40.50)
BIO - Adam Woodward is an award-winning British actor best known for his role as Brody Hudson in Channel 4’s HOLLYOAKS, for which he won Best Male Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards and Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in 2019. His credits span major television and film projects including FACKHAM HALL, MAN WITH NO PAST, EMMERDALE and has 6 major projects due for release in 2026.
Workshop Info - In this acting workshop, Adam shares the tools, mindset, and on-set experience that have shaped his career, helping actors improve their screen presence, audition technique, emotional truth, and professional confidence. Practical, direct, and grounded in real industry experience, the workshop gives actors a clear route into catching their first big break, building their networks and becoming magnetic to watch.
BIO - Adam Woodward is an award-winning British actor best known for his role as Brody Hudson in Channel 4’s HOLLYOAKS. His credits span major television and film projects including FACKHAM HALL, MAN WITH NO PAST, EMMERDALE…
In this acting workshop, Adam shares the tools, mindset, and on-set experience that have shaped his career, helping actors improve their screen presence, audition technique, emotional truth, and professional confidence…
Members of Rolling Academy join Actors Retreat for…
- Acting Intensive in Spain with Guest TV Director Judith Dine
- 3rd and 4th July - 10:00am - 6:00pm
Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in Spain on this focused, supportive two-day acting workshop.
Start Your Next Adventure
This workshop focuses on truthful performance, emotional connection, and ensemble work and the fast-paced demands of TV storytelling….
Read more…
RACHEL SMITH - Casting Director / Assistant at Waterloo Road
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 18th July - 10:30am - 1:30pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 18th July - 10:30am - 1:30pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
Bio: Rachel has been working in the Casting industry for over 10 years. Rachel was Casting Director for JB Shorts 25 & 26 at 53Two Theatre in Manchester.
Rachel is also Casting Assistant for Michelle Smith Casting Ltd. She has worked all over the UK and in Australia with various different Casting Directors. Currently she is casting for Waterloo Road and various other Channel 5 Series. She has recently been working on The Madame Blanc Mysteries currently streaming on Amazon Prime, and three series currently streaming on Netflix, including The Teacher series, The Holiday, and Deadline. As well as TV Rachel has worked on Films and many commercials over the years and prides herself on finding new talent and fresh faces.
Audition Techniques Workshop: Rachel will send sides to prepare for the workshop, which will be worked on in class. She will then stage a real audition where she will direct you and give you the chance to read a second time. Auditions will be recorded and sent to you after the class. There will also be a short introduction at the beginning of the workshop and some warm up games. Rachel will then host a Q&A at the end of the class where you can ask anything about the audition process in TV, Film or Commercials.
Bio: Rachel has been working in the Casting industry for over 10 years.
Rachel is Casting Assistant for Michelle Smith Casting Ltd. Casting for Waterloo Road and various other Channel 5 Series. She has recently been working on The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Teacher series, The Holiday, and Deadline…
Read more…
Casting Associate TARA MCKEOWN
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 25th July - 12:00pm - 3:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 25th July - 12:00pm - 3:00pm £42 (Members £37.80)
Bio:
Tara McKeown is a casting associate originally from Hull, now based in Leeds.
Tara originally trained as an actor at The Gaiety school of acting (Dublin) and in 2020, she was part of the first cohort of the National Film and Television School’s Casting Certificate Course, set up by Shaheen Baig and Jina Jay.
Tara has worked across studio features, independent film, television series and animation, including projects with BBC Studios (The Dumping Ground, Casualty, EastEnders), Clerkenwell Films’ Deadpoint and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. As Casting Director credits include ‘Britain Under the Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation’ (Channel 4), ‘Can I Tell You A Secret’ (Netflix), ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investogators’ (BBC). Other recent credits as casting assistant include The Damned, Marching Powder and Channel 4’s new comedy series Stepping Up. She has worked alongside casting directors such as Jessie Frost (Triangle of Sadness) and Rose Wicksteed (The Conjuring franchise), and is a committed champion of northern talent.
Workshop details: Tara leads a Casting Workshop. Participants will be sent TV/Film sides to work on with Tara and this workshop will follow a TV/Film format. Tara will lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.
Bio:
Tara McKeown is a casting associate originally from Hull, now based in Leeds.
Tara has worked on projects with BBC Studios (The Dumping Ground, Casualty, EastEnders), Clerkenwell Films’ Deadpoint and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. As Casting Director credits include Can I Tell You A Secret (Netflix), Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (BBC). Tara is a committed champion of northern talent…
Casting Associate DANE MILLWARD
- TV/Film Workshop
- 8th August - 12pm-3pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 8th August - 12:00pm - 3:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
Dane Millward is currently Casting Associate with Daniel Edwards Casting.
Previously Dane worked with Robert Sterne, Theo Park & Louise Kiely on various exciting film and television projects. His recent work includes working on the highly anticipated Line of Duty.
His notable past work also includes Netflix’s Steve, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, and the acclaimed Wolf Hall – The Mirror and the Light.
Outside of work, Dane enjoys spending time with friends, watching theatre, or taking leisurely walks with his miniature Dachshund, T-Rex.
Workshop Details: Dane leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Dane, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Dane will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.
Bio:
Dane Millward is currently Casting Associate with Daniel Edwards Casting.
Previously Dane worked with Robert Sterne, Theo Park & Louise Kiely on various exciting film and television projects. His recent work includes working on the highly anticipated Line of Duty…
TV Director SARAH ESDAILE
- 'Auditioning for TV' Workshop
- 12th September - Either at 10:00am - 1:30pm or 2:30pm - 6:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 12th September - 10:00am - 1:30pm - £45 (Members £40.50)
Bio:
Sarah’s television credits include two feature length episodes of The Chelsea Detective, seven episodes of Call the Midwife including the upcoming two part Christmas Special, two episodes of Casualty and multiple episodes of Eastenders.
Theatre work includes: 40th Anniversary production of Abigail’s Party and Talking Heads (Theatre Royal Bath and Tour), Single Spies (Rose Theatre), Paxo - a one man show with Jeremy Paxman (Pleasance Theatre London and Edinburgh), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Deep Blue Sea, Crash, Death of a Salesman, The Grouch (West Yorkshire Playhouse), where she was an Associate Director. The Lady in the Van (Hull Truck Theatre/UK Tour), Sleeping Beauty, Cling to Me Like Ivy, His Dark Materials (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Life X 3 (Watermill Theatre), The Horse Marines ( Theatre Royal, Plymouth), Drowning on Dry Land (Salisbury Playhouse), Kafka’s Dick (Watford Palace ), James and the Giant Peach (M.E.N Award) and The BFG (Octagon Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), Pictures of Clay (Royal Exchange), Coyote on a Fence (Royal Exchange/Duchess Theatre), (M.E.N Award), Compact Failure (Arcola Theatre/Clean Break), The Maiden’s Prayer and See How Beautiful I am ( Bush Theatre). Sarah was Associate Director on Michael Boyd’s award winning Histories Tetralogy at the RSC. At Shakespeare’s Globe, Sarah assisted on the inaugural production of Henry V.
WORKSHOP INFO:
In this practical workshop Sarah will work with you on several aspects of auditioning for TV. From making bold choices to being able to truly listen to a director's notes - and act on them there and then. You will look at how to make the maximum impact when you have minimum preparation time, as well as facilitating the most fruitful possible chat about the script.
Sarah will work on how to really be in the moment and trust your instincts whilst in an environment you can only really gauge once in the room. Each participant will have a practice audition, focusing on whatever aspect of the process they like. The thorough feedback is what most participants value.
The workshop aims to provide an invaluable and practical set of tools and guidelines that can be immediately implemented and a new perspective on the whole process of auditioning.
Sarah will receive your Spotlight CV prior to the workshop (please make sure it is up-to-date) and sides will be provided at the workshop.
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 12th September - 2:30pm - 6:00pm - £45 (Members £40.50)
Bio:
Sarah’s television credits include two feature length episodes of The Chelsea Detective, seven episodes of Call the Midwife including the upcoming two part Christmas Special, two episodes of Casualty and multiple episodes of Eastenders.
Theatre work includes: 40th Anniversary production of Abigail’s Party and Talking Heads (Theatre Royal Bath and Tour), Single Spies (Rose Theatre), Paxo - a one man show with Jeremy Paxman (Pleasance Theatre London and Edinburgh), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Deep Blue Sea, Crash, Death of a Salesman, The Grouch (West Yorkshire Playhouse), where she was an Associate Director. The Lady in the Van (Hull Truck Theatre/UK Tour), Sleeping Beauty, Cling to Me Like Ivy, His Dark Materials (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Life X 3 (Watermill Theatre), The Horse Marines ( Theatre Royal, Plymouth), Drowning on Dry Land (Salisbury Playhouse), Kafka’s Dick (Watford Palace ), James and the Giant Peach (M.E.N Award) and The BFG (Octagon Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), Pictures of Clay (Royal Exchange), Coyote on a Fence (Royal Exchange/Duchess Theatre), (M.E.N Award), Compact Failure (Arcola Theatre/Clean Break), The Maiden’s Prayer and See How Beautiful I am ( Bush Theatre). Sarah was Associate Director on Michael Boyd’s award winning Histories Tetralogy at the RSC. At Shakespeare’s Globe, Sarah assisted on the inaugural production of Henry V.
WORKSHOP INFO:
In this practical workshop Sarah will work with you on several aspects of auditioning for TV. From making bold choices to being able to truly listen to a director's notes - and act on them there and then. You will look at how to make the maximum impact when you have minimum preparation time, as well as facilitating the most fruitful possible chat about the script.
Sarah will work on how to really be in the moment and trust your instincts whilst in an environment you can only really gauge once in the room. Each participant will have a practice audition, focusing on whatever aspect of the process they like. The thorough feedback is what most participants value.
The workshop aims to provide an invaluable and practical set of tools and guidelines that can be immediately implemented and a new perspective on the whole process of auditioning.
Sarah will receive your Spotlight CV prior to the workshop (please make sure it is up-to-date) and sides will be provided at the workshop.
Bio:
Sarah’s television credits include two feature length episodes of The Chelsea Detective, seven episodes of Call the Midwife including the upcoming two part Christmas Special, two episodes of Casualty and multiple episodes of Eastenders…
ALISON MURCHIE Casting
- 'In Person' TV/Film Workshop
- 19th September - 12:00pm - 3:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio - Central Manchester - 19th September - 12:00pm - 3:00pm - £42 (Members £37.80)
Bio: Alison has been working in casting for over 14 years.
Alison has lived and worked in France, Czech Republic, Ukraine, India and Spain. She started with Chand Casting. Since 2016 she has been working with Nancy Bishop Casting where she is an Associate.
Working almost exclusively in film and TV they have cast series for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+. Films include Prizefighter with Russell Crowe and Ray Winstone, Miranda’s Victim with Abigail Breslin and Donald Sutherland, 5 Pounds of Pressure with Luke Evans and Alex Pettyfer, and recently Under the Stars with Tony Collette and Andy Garcia; Nancy Bishop Casting won a CSA award for their work on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
Workshop Details: Alison leads a TV/Film Workshop. Participants will be sent sides to work on with Alison, which will be taped and sent via email after the workshop. Alison will then lead a discussion and Q&A with the participants, sharing her knowledge and inspiration.
Bio:
Since 2016 Alison has been working with Nancy Bishop Casting where she is an Associate.
Working almost exclusively in film and TV they have cast series for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+. Films include Prizefighter with Russell Crowe and Ray Winstone, Miranda’s Victim with Abigail Breslin and Donald Sutherland. TV credits include The Wheel of Time… Nancy Bishop Casting won a CSA award for their work on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm…
TV Drama Director SURI KRISHNAMMA - 2 DAY INTENSIVE ‘
- 3rd and 4th October - 10:00am- 6:00pm
📍@tibstreetstudio- 3rd and 4th October - 10:00am - 6:00pm - £220 (Members £198)
TV/FILM DIRECTOR SURI KRISHNAMMA - 2 DAY INTENSIVE
**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 two-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.
Option to Pay in 2 or 3 easy instalments (just email info@rollingacademy.co.uk to set up).
Bio:
Winner of a Royal Television Society award and three time BAFTA nominee.
Suri regularly directs on continuing dramas, CORONATION STREET (ITV), EMMERDALE (ITV) and CASUALTY (BBC). Suri also recently directed on THE CANTERVILLE GHOST (BBC) and numerous prime time dramas such as WAKING THE DEAD (BBC), BLUE MURDER (Granada Television) and COLD BLOOD (ITV)…
Past Workshops
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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. -
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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.
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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’.
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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.
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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.
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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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