London Film School, offer full-time MA Degree courses in both Film Making and Screewriting.

Introduction

Of all the deals, procedures, techniques and ideas brought to bear in creating a feature film, possibly none has more impact on the final form, tone and meaning of the piece than the casting process. And yet, filmmakers are often expected to grapple with this tricky area with little or no guidance.

This new 1-day workshop with leading Casting Director Susie Figgis [THE CRYING GAME, THE FULL MONTY, Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND] is designed for Directors, Producers, Writers and Casting Assistants. Susie will detail exactly how the Casting Director works with each member of the team, and the ideas that inform their decisions; from casting to finance the film, through to the smallest supporting role.

Questions to be considered include: What happens when the Producer’s casting expectations don’t reflect the budget? What happens when the Director has only one actor in mind for the lead, and no one else will do? How is the integrity of tone protected when different financiers have different demands? What are the Casting Director’s responsibilities towards the actor; and what are the Producer’s and Director’s? How does a Casting Director acquire and maintain their knowledge of actors (and Agents)?

Course Outline

Topics covered include:

• What a Casting Director does: key qualities a Casting Director should have.
• Susie’s formative experiences: BLOODY KIDS and SIR HENRY AT RAWLINSON END.
• The Casting Process: from first phone call, through to the signed contracts.
• A Casting Director’s relationship with the Director, the Producer, the Actor.
• Building and maintaining the Knowledge.
• Relationships with Agents: how to establish, and how to maintain.
• The Deal: the Casting Director’s and the Producer’s responsibilities.
• The Responsibilities: the Casting Director, the Director, the Producer.
• The Films: Examples from Susie’s remarkable filmography.

 

Great Expectations: A Case Study

Susie will describe the particular casting history of GREAT EXPECTATIONS, a new feature directed this autumn by Mike Newell from a screenplay by David Nicholls, and produced by Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley. She will outline the casting approach, the lists, the discussions and the final choices.

Simultaneously, the BBC was producing another version of the same story, a 3-parter for transmission this Christmas. Susie will discuss the differences between casting for TV and features; and whether it is wise or necessary to know about rival projects.

 

On Chesil Beach: An Exercise

Participants will be encouraged to read Ian McEwan’s 2007 short novel ‘On Chesil Beach’ prior to the workshop (166 pages). They will receive a character list for two distinct film versions of the book – a low/medium budget UK version, and a higher budget European co-production.

Participants should give advance thought as to how (and why) they would cast the two central roles, in both versions. Participants will be asked to present their ideas for general discussion. Susie will comment on the choices, and the how and why. A vote will be taken on the most appropriate cast; and Susie will reveal and explain her own choices.

 

Susie Figgis - Tutor Profile

Susie Figgis is one of the most experienced and respected casting directors currently working both in the UK and internationally. The range of her work is enormous: from BLOODY KIDS (1979) and SIR HENRY AT RAWLINSON END (1980) to GANDHI (1982); LOCAL HERO (1983); COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984); MONA LISA (1986), SCANDAL (1989), LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1989), THE CRYING GAME (1989), THE FULL MONTY (1997), SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999), HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE (2001), SON OF RAMBOW (2007), SWEENEY TODD (2007), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010) and GREAT EXPECTATIONS (2012). She has formed a lasting creative relationship with several directors, including Richard Attenborough, Neil Jordan, Bill Forsyth, Mike Newell and Tim Burton.

Susie Figgis on IMDb

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Times: 10.30am-5pm (plus networking drinks)
Capacity: Approx. 25 participants
Fee: £100

 

Note: This workshop is not a casting opportunity for actors. Only those with a genuine interest in the casting process will be accepted onto the course.

 

How to Apply

Please submit 2-3 sentences by email stating your role (e.g. 'Producer') and why you wish to attend the workshop.

We will then provide instructions for booking your place online.

 

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642