Ben Wigzell  -  'Jack'

Ben Wigzell graduated from East 15 Acting School, where was awarded the Sir John Gueilgud Award for promising actors. During training he played Dr Nakamura in 'HappyEnd' at Wiltons Music Hall, and Captain Plume in 'The Recruiting Officer' at the Blue Elephant Theatre. He went on to work at the National Theatre Studios to perform new writing, and lived in Germany for four months playing the role of Smokey in 'Bad Blood'for the English Theatre of Hamburg. He has also appeared in adverts for BT and Skoda and training videos for the army. Ben has been involved in many short film projects and a TV pilot for the BBC. Ben has worked with Fingercuff on many of their projects including the short horror 'Vision' and the upcoming short drama 'Three'.

Jenny Pratchett  -  'Emily'

Jenny Pratchett has performed from a very early age. At 6 years old she joined an agency and performed in many theatre shows, including a West End play and numerous TV roles. After completing a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at the Henley College, she then went on to continue studying at the Guildford School of Acting where she achieved a BA Honours degree in Acting. Whilst there she furthered her training and experience in stage, screen, radio, theatre and Film and since graduating has been lucky enough to work in all these areas professionally. This is the second time Jenny has worked with Fingercuff, having also performed in their 2009 short film 'Edge', which won a Star Award at the Canadian International Film festival. Jenny is looking forward to what the future may hold in the world of acting and is hoping for a very successful career.

Olivia Chappell  -  'Sophie'

Olivia Chappell completed her training with an MA at East 15 Acting School. She was chosen as the 'Critics Choice' by The Stagenewspaper for her performance in her Graduation Showcase. Her first job was the lead role of Lorna Cale in an independent feature film 'Lovelorn', shot in the Czech Republic and the UK. It has already won several awards for Best International Feature at festivals in the U.S, and Olivia herself has just won the Best Actress award at the L.A. Reel Film Festival. She has performed in the ensemble of the opera 'La Boheme', at the CockTavern Theatre in Kilburn, and has recorded an episode for a new radio comedy series about super heroes. Olivia has performed in numerous short films and has also worked as producer and AD on Fingercuff's current project 'Three'.

Stuart Sessions  -  'Sophie's Father'

Stuart Sessions returned to acting following twenty year diversions in both the army and as an overseas emergency aid worker. He started young, playing Paulina in 'Winter's Tale' and the Duchess of York in 'Richard II' as a boy actor in original practice productions. Subsequently trained at Birkbeck College, his theatre credits include: Duke Vincentio in 'Measure for Measure' at the Rose Theatre; 'Endorsement' at the King's Head; 'Trial of Marie Antoinette' at the Courtyard; 'Firefly' at the Tristram Bates; Pierre Brochant in 'Dîner de Cons'; Peter in Bryony Lavery's 'A Wedding Story'; Bottom in 'A Mid-summer Night's Dream' and Fiar Lawrence in 'Romeo and Juliet', the last two at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival.  Recent films credits include the lead in a forthcoming integrated live action and animation film, 'Cinedrome'; and 'Vampires Anonymous'. Stuart will also be appearing in Fingercuff's next short film 'Three'.

 

Will Irvine  -  'Steve'

Will Irvine gained a BA Honours in Drama and Theatre Arts from The University of Birmingham before training at LAMDA. Since graduating in 2003 his theatre experience includes, working at the Tricycle, RSC, Royal National Theatre/Theatre de Complicitie, Hampstead and Mill at Sonning.  His extensive TV work ranges from the regular Walford copper Craig Sullivan in 'Eastenders' and guest leads in shows such as 'Casualty', 'The Bill' and 'Being Human'; to comedies such as 'Respectable' for Channel 5 and 'Bike Squad' for Hat Trick. Feature films include 'Vanity Fair' and 'Green Street'. He previously collaborated with Fingercuff on their award-winning 2009 short film 'Edge'.

 

 

Amy Joyce Hastings  -  'Anna'

Amy Joyce Hastings got her start in acting at the age of eight in the Pat O'Connor film 'Fools of Fortune', starring Julie Christie. Following a starring role alongside many of Ireland's premier actors in Lisa Mulcahy's 'The Very Stuff' she went on to train professionally, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Acting Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Her film and television credits include: 'The Tudors', 'Poetic License', 'W.C'., 'Podge & Rodge': 'A Scare At Bedtime', 'Intersection Number Nine', 'Finbar's Class', 'The View', 'Be More Ethnic', 'Duality' and the upcoming TV3 drama series 'The Guards'.

 

 

C R E W  B I O S

 

James Webber  -  Writer & Director

James Webber has been making short films for nearly 15 years. His previous work has been screened at venues all over the world from the prestigious Canadian International Film Festival to BAFTA. He is best known for 'Commitment', which he also wrote and directed, which has won several awards including Best Film at the American Motion Picture Society's International Film Festival and Best British Entry at BIAFF. His previous short film 'Edge' won a Star Award at the CIAFF, and Best Photography at the American International Film & Video Festival. James and film-making partner Jamie Hooper set up Fingercuff Productions 10 years ago, and together have shot numerous music videos, short films and corporate promos. James' next project is the short drama 'Three', which he wrote and directed, and is set to be released in mid 2011.

 

Robert Bertrand  -  Producer

Robert Bertrand comes from an acting background, with many credits to his name including; working at the Soho Theatre, The Almeida and TV/Film work such as; 'Silent Witness', 'Casino Royale' and Austrian TV film drama 'De Swarze Lowe'. Robert is also a writer/director, and has recently turned his hand to producing. As well as 'Dancer' he has also collaborated with Fingercuff as producer on music videos such as 'Rockstar'.

 

 

 

 

Jamie Hooper  -  Director of Photography 

The other half of Fingercuff Productions alongside James, Jamie Hooper won Best Cinematography in 2009 at the American International Film & Video Festival for his work on 'Edge'. A writer and director in his own right, in particular the Victorian-style short horror 'Daddy Bunchee' and the  stylistic short horror 'Vision' staring Axelle Carolyn  ('Centurion', which has been screened at numerous prestigious horror festivals around the world. Jamie is also a skilled editor and post-production artist, and is responsible for editing a lot of Fingercuff's green-screen work, such as the music videos 'Too Many'and 'Hulk'.

 

 

 

Poppaea Bicknell  -  Costume & Art Director

Poppaea Bicknell studied Fashion and Textiles at A-level, during that time she did work experience for both the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the Royal Court Theatre. She then went on to take a BA Hons Degree in Costume Design for the Performing Arts at the London College of Fashion. For the past few years Poppaea has worked closely with Fingercuff on most of their projects. She is also a skilled photographer and took production stills on 'Dancer', 'Vision' and the upcoming 'Three'.

 

 

Samara Deen  -  Lighting Designer

Samara Deen studied at Brighton Film School, and has worked on several short independent films which have included; 'A Lump In the Road', as camera apprentice; and 'Buskers' starring Dominique Pinon, as assistant art director. She has also directed a few of her own shorts, including 'Baba', and has recently turned her hand to lighting design. Samara has collaborated with Fingercuff as lighting designer on several of their music videos and short films including 'Vision' and the upcoming 'Three'. Samara is currently in her final year of a BA Hons Degree in Film at the University of Westminster, London.