WORDS FROM ORE
“[My experience with the internship] confirms this is something I wanted to do actively and progress in it for a long time”
“I have gained a support system with [the three teams I interned with]… I gained a lot of respect for casting directors because I feel like they are one of the most unseen but vital parts of the process.”
“Acting was my first love and watching actors is something I love! So working with actors was amazing because seeing it live is like a dream come true. Also emailing famous actors’ agents for avails! Little old me emailing Daniel Kaluuya’s agent and calling on first-name bases was so surreal!”
“During the internship, I went to Kharmel Cochrane and was offered a job to join her team. Hearing that it is not normal to be offered a permanent position in a casting office this early in someone’s career, I am grateful and absolutely love it.”
WORDS FROM THE HOST CASTING DIRECTORS
KAHLEEN CRAWFORD: “I couldn’t recommend taking part in the CDG Internship programme enough. There was great support from Ri and the team, and the process felt easy and smooth. We were the first office to have the 2022 intern, i.e. we were very much starting from scratch with her, but [the EDI Group] have drawn up a learning objectives document which is an invaluable guide/structure. You can then add to what you’re teaching the intern according to what suits your particular office, systems, and way of working.”
“Having joined us with little working knowledge of casting, seeing our intern progress to completing crucial casting assistant tasks, enjoying creative tasks, contributing ideas, and just generally settling into the work flow and our office environment was delightful. (And even though it coincided with an insanely pressurised time in the office, it was nothing but a positive experience to have her here.). We would definitely take part in the programme again in future.”
SUZANNE SMITH: “The internship offered us a valuable opportunity to nurture Ore’s interest in casting and hone her skillset. It was great to see her confidence grow in the day-to-day office administration, but also to see her flourish creatively. A fresh set of eyes on our projects, her previous experience and her eagerness and willingness to learn made the whole process of teaching her inspiring and interesting, especially when Ore had opportunities to help us in the audition room.”
“Excellent communication throughout the selection process all the way to when Ore arrived meant that she fitted seamlessly into the busy office environment and was already offered a job before she’d finished her time with us, proving how worthy a candidate she was for the internship. We believe the internship programme is a wonderful step to finding and furthering future casting trainees and recommend it as an invaluable way to support someone who deserves to find their feet.”
KHARMEL COCHRANE: “Ore is still here working away so we are thrilled!”
