In partnership with the Casting Directors’ Guild, we are excited to welcome Full and Associate members of Directors UK to our latest online career development masterclass in which we will be exploring the casting process on hit Channel 4 series, Queenie.
We will be joined the director of episodes 1-4 Joelle Mae David, Casting Director Aisha Bywaters, and lead actor Dionne Brown.
Our host for the evening will be acclaimed director, and Inspire mentor, James Kent.
Joelle, Aisha, and Dionne will take us through the full casting process on Queenie, from auditions and chemistry reads, to the use of non-actors. We will also explore how Joelle and Aisha worked with the source material and showrunner, Candice Carty-Williams, and how Joelle built rapport with the actors to create a safe space in rehearsals and on set.
When: Thursday 21 November, 6pm-7.30pm
Where: Online, via Zoom
Click here to book your space.
If you would like to send a question in advance, please send to [email protected] by Monday 18 November.
Accessibility
BSL interpretation and live captioning will be present for this session. If you have any questions or access requirements, please contact [email protected].
About Joelle Mae David
Joelle Mae David is a writer and director from East London. Her TV debut was episodes 4 and 5 of Dreaming Whilst Black (BBC, A24 and Showtime) followed by the lead block of Queenie (Disney and Channel 4). Most recently Joelle directed the lead block of Boarders season 2 for BBC3 and Tubi. Joelle also runs production company Bluebird Pictures, and is currently developing her own TV and film slates.
About Aisha Bywaters
In 2022 & 2024 Aisha won the BAFTA TV Craft award for scripted casting for TV comedy We Are Lady Parts and TV drama Three Little Birds. Her TV credits include Daddy Issues and the TV adaptation of Candice Carty-William’s acclaimed novel Queenie. Aisha’s film credits include The Last Tree, Polite Society & UK casting for Coralie Fargeat’s latest feature film The Substance.
About Dionne Brown
Dionne plays the title role in the television adaptation of Candice Carty-Williams’ number one best seller Queenie. She can also currently be seen starring as DC Chloe Summers in the Apple TV series Criminal Record, alongside Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo and Stephen Dooley.
About James Kent
James has been nominated for Breakthrough British Filmmaker at the London Critics Circle Film Awards for his debut feature Testament of Youth, starring Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington. After directing The Aftermath with Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård he is now completing his third feature Stolen Girl. James most recently directed the award winning BBC miniseries Lost Boys & Fairies, which follows two men confronting their painful pasts as they begin the adoption process. Further hit television includes episodes of Emmy-nominated Fellow Travelers (Showtime), The Capture and The White Queen (BBC).
About the Casting Directors’ Guild
The Casting Directors’ Guild is a professional organisation of Casting Directors in the film, television, theatre and commercials communities in the UK and Ireland who have joined together to further their common interests in establishing a recognised standard of professionalism in the industry, enhancing the stature of the profession, providing a free exchange of information and ideas, honouring the achievements of members and standardisation of working practices in the industry. The CDG upholds the highest ethical standards and advocates for the fair treatment of performers in the casting process.
Website: www.thecdg.co.uk
Instagram: @CDGNews
X: @CDGNews
