Casting Assistant

BBC Studios Drama Productions sits at the heart of the UK as our slate of award-winning soaps and dramas continue to bring audiences together week after week.  

BBC Studios Drama Productions is the UK’s biggest Drama production hub outside London. It sits at the heart of the UK as our slate of award-winning dramas continue to bring audiences together week after week. Silent Witness, EastEnders, Casualty, Father Brown, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Pobol y Cwm and comedy drama Anfamol remain a constant source of gripping entertainment, addictive storylines and loveable characters year on year. In addition to our ongoing productions, we are embarking on an ambitious growth strategy and we have a slate of fresh and exciting new shows.  
 

The in-house Drama Casting department specialises in casting hugely successful dramas including EastEnders, Casualty and Father Brown. They are an integral part in the creation of much-loved shows that entertain millions of viewers every week. 

You will be someone with past casting experience within TV, film or theatre and have a clear passion for the Scripted genre. 

You will support and work closely with the Head of Casting and the in-house Casting Directors on a daily basis. Your duties will include but are not limited to: 

• Checking availabilities 
• Issuing casting breakdowns via Spotlight and facilitating open casting calls 
• Setting up casting sessions and self-tapes 
• Operating cameras and reading in during auditions
• Editing & uploading audition tapes and self-tapes
• Conducting and presenting casting research  
• Running casting sessions for children and young performers
• Identifying and communicating changes to scripts and schedules.

This is a hybrid role based in Television Centre, London, with a minimum of at least 2 days in the office, plus ad-hoc as required.  Occasional travel to other BBC sites will also be required, including to cities across the UK.

We are ideally looking for someone to start in this role by late April / early May.
 

To be successful in this role, you must have: 

• Demonstrable passion for Drama Television, Theatre and Film
• Experience of casting, particularly within TV, Film or Theatre
• Extensive knowledge of actors and an ability to identify new talent 
• Experience of working with agents and building relationships with them
• Experience of setting up and running casting sessions independently - working autonomously without a Casting Director as required
• Experience of casting children and understanding how to get the best out of them in audition 
• Confidence working alongside directors, producers, execs and other senior level staff
• Good IT skills are essential & a basic knowledge of editing software 
• Administrative experience and examples of working in environments where there are competing priorities and problems to solve    
• Awareness of how to handle confidential information with tact and sensitivity   
• Experience of working in a position that requires communication with a range of stakeholders and having the confidence to challenge, express your opinions and negotiate solutions
• An enthusiastic approach to team work and sharing ideas.
• Experience of talent fee negotiations is desirable, but not essential.