DES HAMILTON Q&A

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Des Hamilton is a Glasgow born, London based, Casting Director. He’s worked in film and television for over twenty years, and recently won a BAFTA for Best Casting on Top Boy (this being the first time scripted casting was recognised as a category).His career began in 2001 when fellow Glaswegian Lynne Ramsay asked him to find a non-actress to play the co-lead opposite Samantha Morton in Morvern Callar. Des went on to cast the whole film, famously street casting Kathleen McDermott, who went on to win a BAFTA for Best Newcomer.

He’s predominantly known for his work on Jojo Rabbit, Four Lions, The King, Bullet Boy, and Claire Denis’ High Life. But it’s his interest in projects regardless of budget or size, as well as his willingness to work with new directors, that sets him apart.

Des and his team have continued to cast via a combination of traditional methods (theatrical agents, drama schools, etc.) and from the street; most notably casting Thomas Turgoose in This is England.

MIKE CATER "Q&A"

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Mike worked at a London agency for 4 years before moving into casting and relocating to Barcelona where he is currently based. He presently works as an associate to Luci Lenox where they cast a variety of projects ranging from independent feature films to international TV series. Recent projects include The One (Netflix), Westworld (HBO), Warrior Nun (Netflix), Hanna (Amazon Prime) among others.

SOPHIE KINGSTON-SMITH "Q&A"

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Sophie primarily works as Co-Casting Director at Rose Wicksteed Casting, whilst also pursuing her own projects under her own company Kingston-Smith Casting. Previously she has worked with Casting Directors including Lucinda Syson, Karen Lindsey-Stewart and Kharmel Cochrane, and was also associate to Alex Johnson on ITV's period drama Beecham House.

Her most notable projects have been with Rose Wicksteed and include TV series Genius: Picasso, (National Geographic), UK casting for Homeland series 8 (Showtime) plus upcoming series The Dropout (Hulu) and Invasion (Apple), both due to air in 2021. Films include The Nun (Warner Bros) and Escape Room (Sony). Sophie has just finished a short film concerning racial stereotypes in modern Britain, and is currently co-casting a socially conscious feature regarding forced marriage and obstetric fistula among young girls. She was also Casting Director on short films Edicius (Crispy Biscuit), Lynch (Oxygene Films) and Mr Whippy (Elation Pictures).

RORY OKEY "Q&A"

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Rory is a Casting Associate who is currently working at Dan Hubbard Casting. In 2013 Rory started as a studio assistant then studio manager at a casting studio in central London and was lucky enough to work on some incredible feature films, tv shows and commercials that initially ignited his desire to work in casting. After 2 and a half years he moved to Spotlight. He used his time there to meet other casting directors and to use Spotlight's resources to learn as much as he could about the industry and actors.

He left Spotlight after a year and went straight into casting offices working in commercials, tv and film and hasn't stopped since. Notable projects include, Luther (BBC), Good Omens (BBC/AMAZON), Rocketman (PARAMOUNT/MARV FILMS), Men In Black: International (SONY), The Dark Crystal (NETFLIX) Jingle Jangle (NETFLIX) Elizabeth Is Missing (BBC) and Guy Ritchie’s Wrath Of Man (MIRAMAX). Don’t Breathe Sequel (LIONSGATE/SONY)

OLIVIA BRITTAIN 'Q&A'

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Olivia Brittain has worked with casting director Jina Jay on film and TV projects for over 8 years, as assistant then associate casting director. During that time she has worked with numerous acclaimed producers and directors. Notable credits include ‘Black Mirror’ and ‘Enola Holmes’ for Netflix, ‘The Night Manager’ and ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ for BBC/AMC, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ for LucasFilm. Most recently she has worked on the live-action ‘Halo’ series for Showtime as co-casting director and is currently working on her own projects including UK casting for a Netflix South Korea production.

CERI BEDINGFIELD "Q&A"

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Ceri has worked in Casting for the past four years across TV, Film, Theatre & Commercial projects with Casting Directors; Rachel Freck, Aisha Bywaters, Isabella Odoffin, Rose Wicksteed, Dixie Chassay, Jill Green & Emily Tilelli.

Most recently she has worked as Casting Director on independent feature film MY HOUSE directed by Nick Norman-Butler and alongside Isabella Odoffin on feature film BOXING DAY and TV series THE LAST BUS.

She is currently working alongside Rachel Freck on a new TV comedy project, after previously working with Rachel on Series 3 of the thrilling TIN STAR. Prior to this she worked with Dixie Chassay on feature film LOUIS WAIN, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and with Aisha Bywaters on independent feature films THE LAST TREE, MARI, DIRTY GOD, BODY OF WATER & COUNTY LINES.

LUCI LENOX 'Q&A'

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Luci Lenox is originally from Ireland but has been based in Spain for the last couple of decades. She has cast over 100 productions. She has always combined her career between working on international high budget co-productions with independent films. Her clients include some of Spain's leading independent directors such as Juanma Bajo Ulloa, Benito Zambrano and Isabel Coixet as well as many of the major US studios or platforms, Netflix, Amazon, NBC, ABC. Films she has cast have won over 200 awards at International Film Festivals.

Recent credits include “Baby” directed by Juanma Bajo Ulloa which has just been released to great critical acclaim and “The Head” (HBO TV series), "Warrior Nun" & "The One" (Netflix TV series). She cast the lead in “Victoria” dir. Sebastian Schipper which is one of Europe’s most successful low-budget independent films.She is an active member of ICDN and CSA. She was on the board of CSA Europe for two years and was the head of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee in Europe.

She founded Frank Stein Studio in 2012 which is a leading training centre for professional actors and which has been the launching pad for many successful careers and which is now operating online, like nearly everything else, with students from all over the world.

MILLIE HOOPER "Q&A"

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Millie is a freelancer working in casting. She started her career with Casting Director Gemma Sykes, after an internship with Dan Hubbard. She then moved over to talent management, and spent nearly two years at Independent Talent Group, before joining Sam Jones Casting at the beginning of 2020. She is currently working on projects for Amazon, ITV, the BBC and The National.

HAYLEY KAIMAKLIOTIS "Q&A"

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Hayley has worked in casting for over ten years. Her career has been across theatre, film and television and she has worked across many different offices.

Some theatre credits as Casting Director include: Wuthering Heights (Nuffield Southampton) Corpse! ( Park Theatre 2020 to be restaged this summer), Skin In The Game, (Old Red Lion), Black Chiffon (Park Theatre), One For The Road (Jermyn Street Theatre), Frinton Summer Season 2019, Molly Davies’ Chickens (Paines Plough and Eastern Angles), Anya Reiss’ Uncle Vanya with John Hannah in the title role (St James Theatre), Nick Payne's critically acclaimed Incognito (HighTide/Newcastle Live/Bush Theatre); Girl's Guide (HighTide), Stuart: A Life Backwards (Edinburgh/Watford Palace Theatre/Sheffield Crucible); Neighbors (HighTide/Nuffield Southampton); Mudlarks (Bush Theatre); The Tempest Suitcase Shakespeare (RSC); Pitcairn Workshop (Out of Joint/RSC); The Only True History of Lizzie Finn (Southwark Playhouse); Firewatchers (Old Red Lion); Amphibians (The Bridewell) A Midsummer Night's Dream (Wirksworth Festival/Riverside Studios) and casting for West Yorkshire Playhouse's Graduate Programme 2014.

Casting Associate credits: House of Shades (forthcoming Almeida), Romeo and Juliet (Regents Park Open Air forthcoming), Headlong’s Faustus (Lyric Hammersmith and Tour), Shakespeare In Love, (Noel Coward Theatre) Brave New World (Royal and Derngate and tour) and many other productions.

As Casting Director for the Finborough productions include; Facts, the award winning Accolade and FoxFinder, Don Juan, Crush, Rigor Mortis, Fanta Orange, Drama at Inish, Me and Juliet, Love on The Dole, Miss Lilly Gets Boned,The Northerners and numerous Vibrant seasons.

TV credits include: NFTS Screenwriters showcase Soho Theatre, Holby City, Doctors, Casualty, Very Few Fish, Autumn Leaves, Father Brown, The Break, Shakespeare and Hathaway and she is currently working as

Annelie Powell’s associate on Nickelodeon's Goldie’s Oldies.

OLISSA ROGERS "Q&A"

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Olissa Rogers is currently working as a Casting Associate to Fiona Weir. She began working in the industry back in Germany in 2008. She worked there until 2016 mainly on TV Series. In 2016 she met casting director, Jeremy Zimmermann, and went to be casting assistant for him on several films until 2018. She then moved on to become casting assistant to Kharmel Cochrane for commercials and TV/Film projects. In March 2019 Olissa was approached by Theo Park and was working on big TV projects as her associate.

GEORGIE HENLEY - WORKING WITH PHILIP RIDLEY

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Georgie Henley (star of Ridley’s ANGRY and TARANTULA) discusses working with Philip Ridley and shares insight and wisdom on her latest triumph TARANTULA - currently streaming on STREAM.THEATRE until 06/06/2021!

CLARE HARLOW Q&A

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Clare has worked in casting for over 8 years. Her most recent film SETTLERS, starring Brooklynn Prince, Sofia Boutella and Johnny Lee Miller is currently in post production. Other recent credits include Associate Casting Director on Official Secrets (feature film),, Treadstone (TV series) and Jack Ryan (Amazon Studios).

Clare was an Associate to Kate Dowd for several years where she worked on a variety of film and TV projects.

Previous credits include Eye in the Sky (feature film), Me Before You (feature film),The Hurricane Heist (feature film), Still Star Crossed (TV) We Die Young (feature film), The Book Thief (feature film), Stonehearst Asylum (feature film), Galavant (TV Series), The Assets (TV mini-series), as well as Pilot Season for ABC (2012-16) and Warner Brothers (2012-2019.)

Clare has also cast a variety of short films including BEAST (Billie Piper and Sinead Cusack) and VERT (Nick Frost, Nikki Amuka Bird & Olivia Vinall)

AMY JACKSON Q&A

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Amy Jackson is a freelance Casting Associate/Director, currently working as Associate for Amy Hubbard. She started her casting career working full time with Sasha Robertson and has gone on to work in a freelance capacity with some hugely respected Casting Directors, such as Kate Rhodes James, Rachel Freck, Julie Harkin, Jina Jay, Kate Dowd, Gemma Sykes, Rachel Sheridan, amongst others. Her most recent credits include, In My Skin (BBC), The Other One (BBC), Flack Series 2 (Pop and UKTV) Suspicion (Apple TV) and My Name Is Lizzie (Channel 4) She is currently working on BBC and HBO Max’s newly announced TV series, The Girl Before (based on the global bestselling book) with Amy Hubbard and Stephen Merchant’s new tv series, The Offenders (BBC/Amazon) Amy prides herself on her ability to connect and work with an understanding of actors, having come from an acting background and family.

She is currently working on a high profile and confidential project with Amy Hubbard. Amy prides herself on her ability to connect and work with an understanding of actors, having come from an acting family.

CAITLIN JOSPEH "Q&A"

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Caitlin is Casting Associate for Suzanne M. Smith (CSA, CDG) alongside Laura Windows (CDG), she works on multiple projects across Television & Film. Her most recent credits include '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.

WIEBK GREEN - WORKING WITH PHILIP RIDLEY (S1-EP#004 - 21/04/2021)

Joining us for the Ridley Zoom we have theatre director Wiebke Green, who directed Philip Ridley’s latest masterpiece THE POLTERGEIST - The New York Times Critic’s Pick and Offie OnComm Winner! Wiebke is also directing Ridley’s recently announced new play TARANTULA - set to premiere later this month!!!

This event supported MIND charity

ALEX LASS - 'NO MAN'S LAND' / WORKING WITH PINTER #037 12/03/2021

Joining us to explore Pinter's 'NO MAN'S LAND' is Alex Lass, Associate Director on Sean Mathias's production which starred Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Also a team of distinguished Pinter scholars, and the one and only Henry Woolf, last-man-standing from the original Hackney Gang.

LLOYD HUTCHINSON - 'ONE FOR THE ROAD' / WORKING WITH PINTER #035 - 26/02/2021

Episode #035 of Harry Burton's WORKING WITH PINTER Zoom looks at Pinter's harrowing masterpiece ONE FOR THE ROAD. Special guests include… Lloyd Hutchinson, who co-stared with Harold Pinter himself in ONE FOR THE ROAD and Pinter Scholar Charles Grimes, author of “HAROLD PINTER’S POLITICS”

GARI JONES - 'A SLIGHT ACHE' / WORKING WITH PINTER #034 - 19/02/2021

Listen in on Episode #034 of Harry Burton’s WORKING WITH PINTER as we visit A SLIGHT ACHE with Special Guest…
Writer/ Director and long-term Pinter collaborator Gari Jones!

If you would like to participate in Harry’s weekly Working With Pinter Zoom click below!

JOSEPH POTTER - WORKING WITH PHILIP RIDLEY (S1-EP#002 - 17/03/2021)

Episode #002 - WORKING WITH PHILIP RIDLEY. Joined by Joseph Potter - star of Ridley’s latest masterpiece THE POLTERGEIST. This wonderfully rich podcast looks at Joe’s journey out of Drama school and draws on some of the positives that have come out of COVID-19 pandemic - including his epic collaboration with Philip Ridley!

MATTHEW LLOYD - WORKING WITH PHILIP RIDLEY (S1-EP#001 - 23/02/2021)

Episode #001 - Matthew Lloyd on Working With Philip Ridley!

Matthew directed Philip Ridley's first five stage plays, including the multi-award-winning "The Fastest Clock in the Universe" Starring Jude Law and "The Pitchfork Disney”. No one is better placed to talk about staging Ridley's plays than Matthew Lloyd!