One to one zooms for actors
Debbie Howard is a multi award winning film and TV Writer/Director. Her latest BFI Network short film, Safe, tackles violence against women in public spaces and is currently screening at film festivals internationally. Safe won Best Screenplay and Best Director at the BAFTA qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival and many other awards. Her short film Pussy looked at sexual bullying at secondary school. She is currently in development on her feature film, Cold, that looks at teenage homelessness and coercive control, with Wellington Films.
Debbie also works as a freelance television director. She has directed many episodes of television for the BBC, ITV and C5. Having been an actor herself for many years, she draws on her own extensive experience, working well with actors, ensuring an excellent on screen performance. She has directed many episodes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Doctors as well as Sister Boniface Mysteries and The World According to Grandpa, which was Royal Television Society nominated. She has taught workshops and mock casting sessions for many organisations such as Act On This, Rolling Academy and The Reel Scene.
Last year Debbie offered actors the opportunity to book a one-to-one zoom with her to look at the casting process, and designed these bespoke sessions to fit with what the individual actor wanted to explore. These were highly successful and very popular. Debbie is offering more of these sessions over the coming weeks. She can review your showreels, CV’s and head shots, send you scripts to learn and will read with you in a mock casting session, giving insightful feedback on your technique. She can give advice and leave time for you to ask the questions you want answers to. The sessions last an hour and Debbie will ask what you would prefer to focus on.
Each one hour session costs £55. If you are interested in booking or want to know more please email Debbie on debbie.bigbuddhafilms@gmail.com
Testimonials
“I can't recommended Debbie's 1-1 Zoom sessions for actors enough! Not only is Debbie warm, genuine and engaging, her advice and insight is first class coming from a director of her calibre and experience. On our call, she directed me twice in a pre-picked scene I read with her. It was so great to tackle and unravel the scene with different intentions, energy and tone. Such invaluable feedback! Debbie also gave me such useful advice on my Spotlight profile (to add a paired back headshot, which I have done now), and on my showreel. She also encouraged me to think outside the box and reach out to people I would like to work with and whose work I admire. As an actor and crew member, I'm sure it must be a wonderful experience working with Debbie on set. Actors, I really can't recommend Debbie's 1-1's more! 10/10.” - Fiona McGee
‘My one to one Zoom with Debbie was helpful and clarifying and I highly recommend reaching out to her for industry advice. Debbie offered me different options for what I wanted to discuss in advance of our session. She gave her opinion of my spotlight and CV and my "shop window" material generally. We tackled a scene together with her direction. Debbie is a generous, knowledgeable, seasoned Director with an infectious warmth and energy. My takeaways from our session armed me with positivity and determination, safe in the knowledge I am on the right trajectory for pushing forward with my career’ - Susannah May
"My one to one Zoom with Debbie was really invaluable. We collaborated beforehand on what was to be covered in the session and came up with a package which would best suit my needs. Debbie went through my Spotlight profile in detail and gave me some great advice about what I could modify. She also sent me sides to learn which I luckily found an instant connection with and I was able to get some wonderful direction from her. We managed to pack a lot into a forty five minute session and also have a good catch up! Debbie is extremely approachable and friendly and has a keen eye for detail. I would highly recommend her Zoom sessions.” - Corinne Strickett
"Debbie's 121 was a breath of fresh air. She has a real knack of putting you at your ease. There was a choice of scripts from serial dramas (on which she's worked) and the chance to try the scene again with redirection. Her feedback was honest and informed in a supportive atmosphere. There's also the opportunity to chat about your online presence and general 'shop window'. Always good to get input from someone who is actively working. It was a real treat to spend an hour with her. " - Nick Dutton
“I recently had a 1:1 with the brilliant Debbie Howard. She is a professional director working currently in Television on huge shows, Sister Boniface and Emmerdale to name a few not to mention her award winning short film Safe therefore I knew I was in safe hands and could trust that she knew what she was talking about. Debbie was very generous with her time and was friendly and supportive. She looked over my cv spotlight and showreel. Then we did a scene that she re directed and improvements were seen and felt. Debbie is professional through and through but the session made me feel like I had gained a friend. Well worth your time.” - Tammy Heath
“I did a one to one zoom with Debbie at the end of 2024 as I’ve always admired her work and the shows she works on. We had never met before but she was so welcoming and open to hearing about who I was as a person, which helped her understand the sort of projects I wanted to work towards. We discussed one particular show, which we must have manifested because I auditioned for them last week. Debbie gave me a selection of scripts, and we worked through them a few times, after her direction. I think it’s really important to understand how directors work, as they are the ones you’ll be working with, but also finding directors who you genuinely admire and get on with. All in all, I am so excited to see Debbie again for another zoom and hopefully in person again at some point.” - Hemma Gulhane.
"I had a zoom session with Debbie just before Christmas. It was fab and affordable. She's very friendly, supportive while at the same time, honest, informative and super helpful. Her experience in the industry brings with her a great insight into what an actor can and should bring to a studio floor. The time with her absolutely flew by. I'd highly recommend one of her sessions.” - Mark Homer.
"I am grateful that during my 1-1 with Debbie she redirected me a couple of times which helped me to understand the scene from a different and more interesting perspective and find the joy in specific moments. Debbie also looked through my materials and gave me great advice on how to market myself more effectively and give me the confidence when approaching the industry. She was very kind and made me feel comfortable throughout thank you!” - Monique Helena
