IPM, Long Term Placement: November 2019 - April 2020

My time as a Casting Assistant at IPM started in November 2019. Within the first couple of weeks of interning, I spent my time getting to know IPM’s talent. Through studying a selection of CVs and watching each actor's showreel, I was able to understand: the way in which each individual performed, their strengths and weaknesses alongside which roles might be best suited to their skillset. Following this, I was introduced to Spotlight, a platform that connects performers with roles in theatre, television and film productions around the world. By reading exemplar material, it allowed me to understand what casting directors are looking for whilst also helping me to develop my own creative, persuasive writing style, in preparation for submitting actors for roles on Spotlight.

Using Spotlight has taught me a number of things but in the main, it has broadened my knowledge and understanding of casting briefs, character breakdown and typecasting. Spotlight has opened my eyes as to how specific a director’s vision is from the very beginning of a production. It is also very interesting to consider the range of productions that are advertised on Spotlight; whether it’s a casting call for the lead roles in the next series of Peaky Blinders or a listing for a minor role in a student short film. I was also introduced to Casting Networks, another casting platform

At the final stage of my casting training, I was taught about how to write ‘direct suggestions’. This involves actively getting in touch with Casting Directors and sending them the details of a specific talent. This can include a client’s personal details, headshot and showreel link alongside a paragraph that persuasively details why they are suited to the role advertised.

As part of my training, I attended a series of the academy acting classes. This allowed me to get involved in helping my mentor plan classes, activities and have a hand at directing some of the talent. I found it interesting watching each individual begin with an initial improvisation, develop a character and then over the course of a number of weeks, react to given scenarios accordingly. As I grew as an assistant director, I was also able to watch the groups grow and progress as performers; something I found quite satisfying.

I during my time at IPM, I also had a hand in assisting with marketing schemes and social media. I wrote blog posts for their website, managed the Instagram page and wrote content for online purposes. This has given me a broader knowledge of how marketing works in regard to reaching large audiences and targeting specific clientele. I also had a hand at creating some promotional material for IPM and Rossi Pictures, improving and perfecting my Premier Pro skills by editing together video footage and adding relevant graphics where necessary.

Working in a production office obviously means that there are plenty of admin duties and everyday tasks that need completing: filing scripts, photocopying, scanning etc. As an aspiring Production Manager, organisation, documentation and admin duties are crucial to the role, so it has been a positive experience to be immersed in the basic fundamentals of the job.

IPM’s sister company, Rossi pictures gave me the opportunity to work on a professional set. It allowed me to build up my CV with professional runner credits and gave me the understanding of how an indie film set operates. It provided me with the chance to observe how the director works and interacts with the actors whilst also allowing me to watch the performance style of each talent; useful for typecasting and writing better submissions for Spotlight.

I was lucky enough to become the 3RD AD. This built my confidence as I got the chance to practise the following responsibilities on a professional set: calling orders, directing and looking after the extras and liaising with the location manager so that any extra responsibilities were carried out. I will take this knowledge and practise into my final year as I work on set with others.

The nature of my work changed dramatically in March. The recent government guidelines suggested that people should work from home where possible so my mentor at IPM made it possible me to do so.

Since working from home, I have taken regular Skype calls with my mentor where we communicate about our individual progress on assigned tasks. It is refreshing to know that despite the ongoing problems that this spreading virus is causing, the casting team at IPM unite together (even if it is over a video call) to work, stay creative and support one another in remaining well. So far, I have spent my time editing video footage, updating blog posts and submitting talent for roles on Spotlight. Yesterday, I managed to get a young artist who trains with IPM a recall for a well recognised commercial!