ABOUT

Real and authentic casting

We understand the creative scene in the North inside out. Always building new connections with fresh talent of all ages – through traditional castings and grassroots communities and groups. So when you need something real and authentic, we know instinctively where to look.

A proud Mancunian

Led by skilled Casting Director (and proud Mancunian) Claire Bleasdale, we use the vast experience we've gained on all kinds of productions to support the actors through a positive casting process and help you realise your artistic vision.

BIOGRAPHY

Claire Bleasdale, Casting Director

Claire trained as an actor at Manchester School of Theatre (1999 - 2002) and worked professionally in theatre, film, television, and radio before moving into casting.

She specialises in finding new talent through creative practices, as well as working with agents and groups to connect with their new and trusted talent. Claire includes street and workshop casting in her casting process. Building connections with incredible grassroots communities and groups to unearth fresh faces. Her work is grounded in finding authenticity and actors with an edge.

Claire cast the BAFTA winning film Cowboy Dave and other award-winning shorts including Requiem, starring Bella Ramsey and Matthew Dunster’s directorial film debut Judy, starring Maxine Peake.

In television she has cast five series of the Broadcast digital award and BAFTA nominated Meet the Richardsons.

And most recently in theatre, Claire worked on Matthew Dunster’s and Not too Tame’s Olivier Nominated A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Shakespeare North Playhouse and Northern Stage.

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Experience

  • FEATURE

    WE’VE GOT PEP (Pre Production)
    Writer/Director • Colin O Toole

    BLANK (Templeheart Films)
    Director • Natalie Kennedy

    RUBY
    Writer/Director • Juliet Ellis

    BIRDY (Working Title)
    Writer/Director • Lena Dunham (Children Casting)

    JUDY | Pilot (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Matthew Dunster

    ___

    SHORT

    COWBOY DAVE (BAFTA Winner 2018)
    Writer/Director • Colin O’Toole

    NIGHTS (Disney/NFTS)
    Writer/Director • Laura Tunbridge

    PAIRED UP
    Writer/Director • Charlotte Regan

    WIDER THAN THE SKY (Emu Films)
    Director • Phillip Taylor

    THE WITCH’S DAUGHTER (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Emma Swinton

    NETTLE DAY (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Jack Nicholls.

    REQUIEM (NFTS)
    Director • Em J Gilbertson

    TREACLE TOWN (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Casey Hennessy

    RISING OF THE SAP (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Susie Jones

    ISAAC AND THE RAM (The Uncertain Kingdom)
    Director • Jason Bradbury

    PAVEMENT (The Uncertain Kingdom)
    Writer/Director • Jason Wingard

    INERTIA (BFI Film)
    Writer/Director • Mat Johns

    LAMBING SEASON (Creative England and BFI Network)
    Writer/Director • Jack Benjamin Gill

  • MEET THE RICHARDSONS | Series 1- 5
    Directors • Lee Hupfield and Eddie Stafford
    Production Company • King of Sunshine Productions
    Channel • UK TV/ DAVE CHANNEL

    PADDY | Comedy Pilot
    Directors • Lee Hupfield and Eddie Stafford
    Production Company • King of Sunshine Productions
    Channel • BBC

  • SHAKESPEARE NORTH PLAYHOUSE

    TWELFTH NIGHT (Pre- Production)
    Director • Jimmy Fairhurst

    RICHARD, MY RICHARD (Pre- Production)
    Writer • Philippa Gregory
    Director • Katie Posner

    THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
    Director • Julia Samuels

    A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
    Directors • Matthew Dunster and Jimmy Fairhurst

    MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

    FREE YOUR MIND (Child Casting)
    Director • Danny Boyle
    Choreographer • Kenrick Sandy

    DYSTOPIA 987
    Director • Matthew Dunster

    PARTY SKILLS FOR THE END OF THE WORLD
    Creators/Directors • Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari

    ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE

    GYPSY (Child Casting)
    Director • Jo Davies

    ___

    MARRIAGE BLANC
    Director • Philip Mcgoldrick

    NEWSPAPER BOY (53TWO)
    Writer • Chris Hoyle
    Director • Simon Naylor

    FALLOUT (Arts Council Project)
    Writers • Jackie Vaughn/Anna Wood
    Director • Montse Gilli

  • YEO VALLEY (Chief Productions)
    Director • Olivier Richomme

    REMINGTON (Chief Productions)
    Director • Olivier Richomme

    CRISIS (Revolution Films)
    Director • Charlie Watts

    DHL | MO SALAH (Maverick Productions)

    BT | THE JOURNEY (PH Creative)
    Director • Nick Moss

    VIRGIN MEDIA | PEOPLE LIKE PAUL (PH Creative)
    Director • Nick Moss

  • TOM GREGORY | The River (You Boy Films)
    Director • Charlie Watts

    DRENGE | Backwaters (Soup Productions)
    Director • Andy Seaton

    MUMFORD AND SONS | Beloved (Knucklehead Productions)
    Director • Charlotte Regan

    STEREOPHONICS | Fly Like An Eagle (Knucklehead Productions)
    Director • Charlotte Regan

  • Please see below examples of some of the projects and offices I worked at between 2012–2017

    NINA GOLD CASTING (2017)

    DIXIE CHASEY CASTING (2017)

    ROSE WICKSTEED CASTING (2017)

    CROWLEY POOLE CASTING (2015)

    CATHERINE WILLIS CASTING (2015)

    UNITED AGENTS (2014–2016)
    TALENT AGENCY • Various Offices, short term contracts

    LIME PICTURES (2013–2014)
    Various Productions

    ORIGIN PICTURES (2013)
    FILM • A Brilliant Young Mind

    BBC (2012)
    TV DRAMA • The Village

  • MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF THEATRE (1999–2002)
    BA (Hons) Theatre Arts, Acting

    ARDEN SCHOOL OF THEATRE (1997–1999)
    BTEC Performing Arts

  • MATTHEW DUNSTER (Theatre Director)
    Email

    COLIN O’TOOLE (Film Director)
    Email

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