Sam Claypole
CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP
COMING SOON!
The Workshop Details
The Date
3rd October 2026
The Venue
The Function Room. Stableside Hotel Tadcaster Road
York YO24 1QG
The Time
Morning Class:
11.00 - 14.00 -
Afternoon Class
15.00 - 18.00
The Price
£40
Who is Sam Claypole?
Casting Director
Sam Claypole is a Full Member of the Casting Directors' Guild with over fifteen years of industry experience spanning major TV networks and feature films.
Originally a professional ballet dancer, Sam brings a unique creative discipline to her casting work. Her diverse portfolio spans genres from laugh-out-loud comedies to gritty psychological thrillers.
Notably, she is the casting director behind Hat Trick Productions' hit BBC sitcom Smoggie Queens, returning for series 3 following the show's RTS North East & Borders Award win for Best Comedy and three BAFTA nominations.
Her additional comedy credits include BBC's Lagging, the UKTV/Dave pilot Dead Canny, the BFI/Channel 4 short Meat Raffle, ITV film Almost Married and the upcoming BBC short Sarnies.
Sam is equally accomplished in dramas and thrillers; her debut feature film casting, the critically acclaimed In Our Name, took home a Montreal Golden Zenith and a BIFA. Her prominent feature credits also include Killers Anonymous, the Netflix thriller Two Graves and the Paramount feature The Infernal Machine starring Guy Pearce.
Mock Casting Workshop
Get an insight into the casting process for film and television with experienced Casting Director Sam Claypole.
This practical workshop will give actors the opportunity to experience a mock casting session, working with TV and film material in a casting-room style environment.
Before the workshop
Participants will be sent TV/film sides in advance to prepare for the session, allowing you to work on your material beforehand and come prepared to the workshop.
The Mock Casting
On the day, the workshop will be run in a casting-room style format. Actors will be called up individually to take part in a mock casting with Sam, working with the material they have prepared.
Each casting will be filmed, and following the workshop, participants will receive a copy of their recorded scene to keep.
Importantly, this isn't a workshop where you disappear into a separate room for your casting. The group will observe each actor's session, giving everyone the opportunity to watch different approaches to the same material and learn from the experience of other actors.
You'll be able to see how other actors interpret the sides, how they respond to the casting process and the different choices they make — making the whole session a learning experience, whether you're the actor in the casting chair or watching from the room.
Q&A with Sam
The workshop will conclude with an open Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask Sam questions about casting and her experience working across television and feature film.
With just 12 actors per class, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to participate in the mock casting and benefit from the experience of watching and learning from the other actors.
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Workshop Disclaimer
The intent of this workshop is educational and should not be considered a job interview or audition. Attending workshops is not a way to obtain employment as an actor. It is a learning and educational experience. The presence of a CDG member is neither a guarantee nor a promise of employment.
Participant acknowledgement:
By booking this workshop, I understand that the presence of a CDG member is not a guarantee or promise of employment. I further understand that the intent of this class is solely educational and not a form of job interview or audition.