Transitions: Casting
Casting for this prosecution was always going to be a bit of a challenge given I wanted the cast to look as similars as possible to the original to see how differently I could make it if I was directing the original piece.
Sam Pinkett
Sam Pinkett is originally played by Matt Baynton. Sam is a lowly office worker, whose laziness and lack of ambition have caused him to stagnate in his job as a Town Planning and Noise Guidance Advisor at Berkshire County Council. It doesn't help that ex-girlfriend Lizzie is now his boss, or that he is prone to panic attacks. Life is boring and painful, but things get a whole lot more interesting, as our unlikely hero becomes embroiled in a life-or-death conspiracy. Someone who actually reminded me of Sam when I watched the series was my course mate Alex Hargood. His character and appearance is uncanny and so I spoke to Alex and asked if he has ever acted before and if he would be up for the part. He said he would be and asked me for the details and so I organised the shoot dates and details and went ahead and sent them to ensure they didn't clash with his project.
To get a cast member to play Stevens we needed someone really good who would be able to play a convincing villain. I put an advert out as soon as we got the green light for our project and posted one out for Stevens saying:
"Stevens has racked up almost a million pounds worth of debt at a local underground casino. This leads to the kidnapping of his wife, Scarlett, and when Sam and Phil get involved, his headache gets so much worse. A sinister/confident character who uses the clueless duo Sam and Phil to try and get his Wife who's been held hostage back. The scene we will be re-shooting is on Youtube, simply type: Where is my money? - The Wrong Mans: Episode 2 Preview - BBC Two"
I had a selection of around 10 people apply and after looking at all their bio's and showreels, as a group we decided to go with Paul Dewdney. His shower was really good and he had the face of a good villain. I sent him a message to inform him he was successfully and I received an email with questions he wanted to know about the production so I answered these questions as best I could:
I have a few generic questions if you wouldn’t mind answering that will allow me to gain further knowledge about the production:-
1, Please provide a copy of the full script? (Got that, very good it is too!)
2, Please advise all details in relation to remuneration, expenses, travel and accommodation where applicable?
Travel expenses will be covered and for will be provided on shoot. Accommodation will not be covered as we will be shooting for just one evening.
3, Is this film a student production? If yes, please clarify if it is for your THIRD YEAR Graduation or an intermediate FIRST or SECOND year project?
2nd year Project
4, Does the above relate to a BA or MA and please clarify the title of your study course & university?
BA (Hons)
5, What are specific LOCKED dates in regard to this character in isolation? (VERY IMPORTANT)
Will be shooting on Wednesday 2nd May 8:00PM- 11:00 (at the latest).
6, Where will filming take place?
The Maidstone Television Studios
7, Provide brief details of proposed on-set crew during filming?
One Director, DoP, Lighting Op, Sound Op
8, What camera will be used for principal photography?
Will be shooting on a Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Ultra HD Camcorder
9, Who will be editing the completed material?
Our Editor Connor and myself
10, What is the objective for the film i.e. coursework only, film festival submissions, other?
Will be used primarily for coursework
11, Have you locked any of the other principal actors, if yes may I know who this actor is?
N/a
Sam Pinkett
Sam Pinkett is originally played by Matt Baynton. Sam is a lowly office worker, whose laziness and lack of ambition have caused him to stagnate in his job as a Town Planning and Noise Guidance Advisor at Berkshire County Council. It doesn't help that ex-girlfriend Lizzie is now his boss, or that he is prone to panic attacks. Life is boring and painful, but things get a whole lot more interesting, as our unlikely hero becomes embroiled in a life-or-death conspiracy. Someone who actually reminded me of Sam when I watched the series was my course mate Alex Hargood. His character and appearance is uncanny and so I spoke to Alex and asked if he has ever acted before and if he would be up for the part. He said he would be and asked me for the details and so I organised the shoot dates and details and went ahead and sent them to ensure they didn't clash with his project.
Phillip Bourne
Philip is originally played by James Cordon. Phil works in the mailroom at the County Council building, and lives with his mum who he loves dearly. A dreamer, fantasist and total loser, Phil longs for some excitement and adventure. At work, well-meaning Sam is the only person who tolerates Phil. For Phillip Bourne I thought of someone who would be perfect for the role. I kept him in mind from our Documentary Unit when George Nicholls and his group had him as a presenter for their documentary 'Big Fat Lies'. His name is Andy Phipps, and he has a good sense of humour, is a good actor and shows a resemblance to James Cordon.
I watched this video again to double check to see if he fits the part and showed the rest of the group where we all agreed. I messaged Andy on Facebook:
Hi Andy! You don’t know me but I’m a second year student studying television production at UCA! I’m getting in touch as we have just stared a new unit where we have to re-film something that’s been done before. It’s a unit we are doing along side our studio production. Myself and my friend/colleague have decided to re-shoot some scenes from TV series ‘the wrong mans’ which is a comedy/action programme (not sure if you’ve seen it). I remember you from a project ‘big fat lies’ that some of my peers made last year and thought you would be perfectly suited to the role of Phillip Bourne (played by James Cordon). I feel you have the personality as ability to play this role really well and was wondering if it is something. You would be interested in being a part of. My previous work is linked at: hourglasspictures.com Check out our latest video ‘the firm awards’. If this is something you would be interested in then let me know as we think you are perfect!
Philip is originally played by James Cordon. Phil works in the mailroom at the County Council building, and lives with his mum who he loves dearly. A dreamer, fantasist and total loser, Phil longs for some excitement and adventure. At work, well-meaning Sam is the only person who tolerates Phil. For Phillip Bourne I thought of someone who would be perfect for the role. I kept him in mind from our Documentary Unit when George Nicholls and his group had him as a presenter for their documentary 'Big Fat Lies'. His name is Andy Phipps, and he has a good sense of humour, is a good actor and shows a resemblance to James Cordon.
I watched this video again to double check to see if he fits the part and showed the rest of the group where we all agreed. I messaged Andy on Facebook:
Hi Andy! You don’t know me but I’m a second year student studying television production at UCA! I’m getting in touch as we have just stared a new unit where we have to re-film something that’s been done before. It’s a unit we are doing along side our studio production. Myself and my friend/colleague have decided to re-shoot some scenes from TV series ‘the wrong mans’ which is a comedy/action programme (not sure if you’ve seen it). I remember you from a project ‘big fat lies’ that some of my peers made last year and thought you would be perfectly suited to the role of Phillip Bourne (played by James Cordon). I feel you have the personality as ability to play this role really well and was wondering if it is something. You would be interested in being a part of. My previous work is linked at: hourglasspictures.com Check out our latest video ‘the firm awards’. If this is something you would be interested in then let me know as we think you are perfect!
Best wishes, George
He Replied:
Hello George, Great to hear from you. I have seen the programme and it’d be very cool to remake it with you and your team. What kind of dates were you thinking? Apologies for the lateness of my reply, I was hosting a quiz night.
Many thanks, Andy P.
I kept Andy up to date constantly to keep him onboard and interested.
Stevens Stevens is originally played by Nick Moran. He has racked up almost a million pounds worth of debt at a local underground casino. This leads to the kidnapping of his wife, Scarlett, and when Sam and Phil get involved, his headache gets so much worse.
To get a cast member to play Stevens we needed someone really good who would be able to play a convincing villain. I put an advert out as soon as we got the green light for our project and posted one out for Stevens saying:
I had a selection of around 10 people apply and after looking at all their bio's and showreels, as a group we decided to go with Paul Dewdney. His shower was really good and he had the face of a good villain. I sent him a message to inform him he was successfully and I received an email with questions he wanted to know about the production so I answered these questions as best I could: I have a few generic questions if you wouldn’t mind answering that will allow me to gain further knowledge about the production:-
1, Please provide a copy of the full script? (Got that, very good it is too!)
2, Please advise all details in relation to remuneration, expenses, travel and accommodation where applicable?
Travel expenses will be covered and for will be provided on shoot. Accommodation will not be covered as we will be shooting for just one evening.
3, Is this film a student production? If yes, please clarify if it is for your THIRD YEAR Graduation or an intermediate FIRST or SECOND year project?
2nd year Project
4, Does the above relate to a BA or MA and please clarify the title of your study course & university?
BA (Hons)
5, What are specific LOCKED dates in regard to this character in isolation? (VERY IMPORTANT)
Will be shooting on Wednesday 2nd May 8:00PM- 11:00 (at the latest).
6, Where will filming take place?
The Maidstone Television Studios
7, Provide brief details of proposed on-set crew during filming?
One Director, DoP, Lighting Op, Sound Op
8, What camera will be used for principal photography?
Will be shooting on a Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Ultra HD Camcorder
9, Who will be editing the completed material?
Our Editor Connor and myself
10, What is the objective for the film i.e. coursework only, film festival submissions, other?
Will be used primarily for coursework
11, Have you locked any of the other principal actors, if yes may I know who this actor is?
N/a
Bouncers
The bouncers/henchmen will be played by a couple of people Jack knows. They are big in size and will fit the part really well. They have no dialogue so will show up on shoot and stand in and remove Sam and Phil's blindfold.
The bouncers/henchmen will be played by a couple of people Jack knows. They are big in size and will fit the part really well. They have no dialogue so will show up on shoot and stand in and remove Sam and Phil's blindfold.
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