Stomping Ground

MEET THE CAST AND CREW

PETRA ASHBY

PRODUCER

I am so thrilled to be working with Tom again, and was very honoured to be chosen as Producer for Stomping Ground. I’d read the script when it was freshly finished, and was immediately pulled in. I actually sat up and talked to myself a little bit to really figure out what I’d just read. It really got my mind thinking and I was eager to begin pre production. Stomping Ground, to me, is an emotional and imaginative perspective of an individual’s mental state which deals with the pressures of the past and present simultaneously. I’m so excited for everyone to see Tom’s idea come to life.

KATIE SPENDER

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Hi, I’m Katie and I am the Assistant Director of Stomping Ground which is an absolute pleasure! I have done performing arts as a hobby since the age of 2 and I am currently trying to turn that hobby into a career. Even though I have never had any formal training, I have been around performing arts almost my whole life so I’m quite familiar with this world. I studied A-Level Drama, English Literature and Media Studies so I think these have all taught me different lessons on how to be around filming and performing. I met Tom (Writer, Director) when was 11 years old and we have been friends ever since and have worked on several projects at school and also in his other shorts films Nightfall and The Sound of Us so I’m so excited to be working on this film but as a crew member instead of an actor which will be a new challenge.

As someone who used to dance this script really interested me and I could relate to some aspects of it when it I first read it. The story of the pressures of being the best and being so passionate about something that it almost haunts you paired with the art of dance really intrigues me and I think this film is going to mean different thinks to whoever watches it. I hope the audience enjoys the film and the music and movement helps us all to tell this story.

NICK BAKER

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

My name is Nick and I am the Director of Photography for Stomping Ground! After working as a photographer for a number of years I took the decision to make the leap into cinematography. Everything had been self-taught up until 2 years ago when I decided to go to university to extend my knowledge further and gain contacts and network. If you don't see me holding a camera it will be a fishing rod as I'm a passionate fisherman too! I saw Tom's short film 'Books' and reached out immediately to work on future productions which led me to work on Stomping Ground.

JESSICA FOSTER

LIGHTING/CAMERA ASSISTANT

My name is Jessica Foster and I’ll be working on lighting for this project. I will also be working as a Camera Assistant. I focus more on lighting and photography and seem to have an eye for it. I studied at Canterbury College for three years in Film & TV Production where I created a few of my own short films.

I approached Tom when he was asking for a stylist and volunteered to help in anyway I can with lighting and camera work. I loved the storyline of Stomping Ground and immediately had ideas for lighting, it inspired me straight away which pulled me into this project. This will be my first official project and I’m excited for the public to see it.

HELENA SIM

SOUND DESIGNER/CHOREOGRAPHER

Hello! My name is Helena Sim and I will taking on the roles of Sound Designer and Choreographer for Stomping Ground. I recently graduated from Millennium Performing Arts with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre. I have been fascinated by the medium of film for as long as I can remember, and went on to study Film Studies at A-Level, which only solidified my passion further. This interest has only grown stronger throughout my time at performing arts college, and I have been so lucky to be able to dive into it over the past few years through working with Tom. I previously worked with Tom on his film ‘The Sound of Us’ where I played one of the three female leads, Parker.

The script of Stomping Ground has intrigued me ever since I read the very first draft that Tom sent over, and I am so glad to be working on the final film. I grew up as a dancer, having danced since I was 3 years old, so the core dance element of this narrative feels very at home to me. I love the darker, ominous tone that Tom has overlaid onto this theme, and the way the script is written gives such a great scope for interesting use of lighting, cinematography and movement. It’s an honour to be working as a choreographer on the film. Dance has always been a huge part of my life, and I love the integral part it plays in this narrative. It is going to be wonderful working with a whole cast of new faces, and I can’t wait to see what we create for this film. I am also working as the Sound Designer for the film, which is a new skill for me that I am super eager to explore. As a singer and a musician, the audio world of film has always been something that I am really drawn to.

Through my time at college, I did a lot of work with editing sound and vocals, which is where I discovered that I had a real interest in this element. I am so grateful to Tom for giving me the opportunity to explore it further. Working on both the sound and choreography for this film is going to be such a fantastic experience, as they very much work in tandem for this story. I can’t wait to see the world of this film that we as a cast and crew create together.

HOPE MONTREAL

COMPOSER

Hey! I’m a new artist called Hope Montreal. I am an alternative pop solo artist. I have only just started to gain attention on social media and I am releasing music soon!

But firstly, I am excited to be working on the soundtrack to Stomping Ground as composing for film has always been an aspiration of mine. It’s exciting to be composing for a group of skilled Actors/Actresses and Choreographers. Im so excited to see the final result!

I am currently studying for my Music Productuon & Songwriting joint degree at BIMM London.

I have been playing Guitar, Bass and Keys for the best part of 8 years. As I gained an interest in the production side of the industry, I created my own home studio and my love for synthesisers, plugins and all thing digital. This is a very exciting project!

WILLIAM FRANCE

ON-SET PHOTOGRAPHER

I’m William France, and I’m a half blind Film enthusiast with a passion for Film watching and Filmmaking. While mostly being a film watcher, my natural interest in the Filmmaking process grew as I progressed through secondary school, before coming to full fruition during my time at Canterbury Christ Church University as a Film, Radio and TV student from 2016-2019.

I am very early in my overall career, but I like to join projects that I feel could be investing and beneficial, and Stomping Ground fitted all of that criteria with an interesting script. As a young filmmaker of 23 years old my past experience has been mainly involved in making shorts with fellow students and other friends in the industry. In all projects I have always loved the chemistry of the filmmaking process, but as my primary interest is to develop my skills as a photographer and camera department employee Stomping Ground promises to be a great visually experimental project. In that sense, a role like this is the right opportunity at the right time and I cannot wait to work with a creator and company who I have seen and heard impressive things about.

SOPHIE SCHOT

RUNNER

My name is Sophie Schot and I am very excited to be part of Stomping Ground with Tom and the crew! I will be helping out and making tea, I mean you can’t not have a great tea maker on-set!

On a serious note though, I have a real passion for Film. There is so much purpose in film. Film can help you get across messages in a very creative way and I really connect with the idea of Film and I find the the process of filmmaking truly amazing. The thought that goes into a film really gets my attention.

This is an experience for me to get a feel of what it’s like to be on-set, so I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to be involved in some way.

NIAMH ALICE

KOREY

Hi there! I’m Niamh, an 18 year old actress and dancer from Kent. From a young age I’ve always found such joy and freedom in performing, starting my love for this craft through dance. I was lucky enough to be a backup dancer on the 2019 Celebrity X Factor Live Shows, and also to work with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company at The Marlowe Theatre. This love of dancing inspired me to explore similar creative outlets, and that’s where I fell in love with acting- telling a story through not only movements, but words too. My passion ignited after attending ArtsEd London Saturday School, and I have continued to train in this craft with Mark Jermin Stage School in 2021.

Upon receiving Stomping Ground's script, I immediately resonated with Korey and could feel every emotion that she was experiencing in this fast-paced dance studio culture. But I think the most gripping element is that when this film is viewed as a metaphor for the demanding, pressuring culture present in everyone’s lives regardless of the dance world or not, every audience member relates to Korey and the overwhelm of duties she faces. I hope that Korey’s development helps to empower those that watch the film, and can inspire audiences to appreciate how strong they can be, especially when they choose to listen to what their inner voice is really telling what they deserve.

LUCY GLEESON

SHAY

My name is Lucy and I am playing the role of Shay in Stomping Ground. I have been dancing since I remember at a small studio in a sleepy town in Norfolk. It was always one of my favourite parts of the week and since moving to University, I have always missed the feeling of community that comes with dancing at the same studio. I suppose I felt a sense of nostalgia reading the script for the first time, for a large part of my childhood and teenage years.

I am in my final year of my degree at the University of Kent, where I study Drama and Theatre and alongside this, I am on the committee of the UKC Musical Theatre Society, where I love to sing, dance and perform in showcases and original musicals. In the future, I hope to continue my studies in a Masters Programme and carry on performing. Film work itself is fairly new to me, but I am excited to take part in a project which looks at an industry so close to my heart.

ALICE STEWART

MCCINTOSH

I’m Alice and I’m going to be playing the part of McCintosh in Stomping Ground. I am so thrilled to be involved in this project as the character of McCintosh is full of intrigue and mystery - something that I feel particularly drawn too, especially in post pandemic life! I’m excited to play with her personality and see what audiences make of her too.

I am consistently fascinated by people and their stories, what got them to where they are and how their past experiences shaped them. I was hugely excited to understand that working with Tom and the rest of the team on Stomping Ground would mean a lot of collaboration and delving into characters- I get such a buzz from doing work like this, drawing out meaning from scripts and dissecting detail!

I studied Drama and English at Queen Mary University of London and also Acting at Rose Bruford College. In the past I have done work in short film, touring theatre, musical theatre, new writing, murder mystery performance, live art and immersive theatre.

You can find me on Instagram @aliceunds and also on Mandy.com and Spotlight.

CARRIE-ANN SIMMONDS

REBECCA

My name is Carrie-Ann Simmonds and I will be playing the role of Rebecca in Stomping Ground and I can't wait!
I have always been a person that has loved getting creative; whether through dance from childhood or sports, acting, art or even reading to get lost in the story. They have always given me an outlet to express myself. As time goes on, I have developed my passion in acting and in the last few years have worked on some absolutely amazing projects within; Theatre, film and voiceover. This year I will be no different, as I start courses in London to further is amazing career and working with this brilliant team of creatives in Stomping Ground.

When I read the script, I knew it ticked all the right boxes. Tom the director and writer has created a brilliant thought provoking story and it will be great to see the audiences reactions; with powerful and diverse characters surrounded by mystery and a dash of dance…. Which will be so great to get back into from the year we have all had! Away from performing I love baking, making candles, going on lovely long walks (wishing I have a dog) and getting stuck into either more books or a good film / tv show!

I really look forward to working with this great team of people and diving into Rebecca's extremely fun and complex character, you will have to come and watch to find out what happens!!!!

Feel free to follow me on social media or review my websites through the link below:
https://linktr.ee/CarrieAnnSimmonds

CARLY HARDING

CHRIS

Hi, I’m Carly and I’ll be playing the role of Chris! I trained with Spotlites Theatre Company and later studied Drama Performance and Musical Theatre Performance at the University of Cumbria. The script is what really drew me to this project and I am very excited to help bring the thrilling world of Stomping Ground to life.

You can find me on Spotlight.