Slapp Chat with Sofie Golding-Spittle, Casting Director
Meet Sofie; drop-dead-gorgeous mum of one, film buff with determination for days, and casting director for Zimmermann Casting. Sofie’s job sees her hand-picking new talent and shaping the face of the films and TV shows we love… looking amazing while acing it isn’t a job requirement, but she just happens to deliver anyway. Shrewd, focused, funny and savvy, Sofie is an inspiration to us for her work ethic and her vocal belief in empowerment - especially in women uplifting and celebrating one another. We’re here for it.
We caught up with Sofie to talk about everything from motherhood to career success, and the importance of perseverance and red lipstick.
Why did you choose to get into film?
My brother showed me Jim Henson's Labyrinth with David Bowie when I was probably four or five, and I remember feeling completely awestruck. I was ensorcelled by the idea that I could be sitting in my front room but feeling like I was part of this whole other world that I was watching. Film has always had an element of magic to me and I knew one way or another I wanted to be involved in bringing that magic to other people.
What do you love most about your job?
Being in the audition room is always the best part. You never know how people will perform on the day and there have been so many moments where it's taken all the little core strength I have to hold myself together and not laugh. I know it sounds awful, but is also very true. Meeting new people all the time is second best. I've been lucky enough to meet incredible, talented people not just in film (I tell people I don't name-drop so they think I'm being humble but honestly, my memory is terrible and I just can't remember!).
Could you tell us what an average day looks like for you?
My average day is a busy one. I'm a single mum of a two year old and she's part demon and part angel, so getting her ready for nursery in the morning is like a military drill which I usually fail. But once I've dropped Indii to nursery, it's straight to the office where every day is different.
We have meetings most days, whether it’s with actors (mostly agents pushing us to meet with their clients) or producers/writers/directors giving us their scripts and seeing if it's something we can work on. If we have big projects on we'll normally spend the majority of the day in auditions so it really does vary day to day.
Part of my job responsibility includes watching theatre performances or going to screenings to watch actors, but if I'm not doing that, I'm picking Indii up from nursery and cooking dinner, putting her to bed, and if my eyes are still open, drinking wine and catching up on boxsets - keeping my eye out for new talent obviously!
Which achievement from all of the above are you proudest of?
My biggest achievement is my daughter. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am the last person they'd ever have thought would have a baby! I used to be a party girl and known to be wild, so giving that up in exchange for nappies and Peppa Pig has been kind of a lifestyle change. But seeing this little human evolve and learn and flourish every day is overwhelming, and knowing that you're the one who is responsible for it is an amazing, and sometimes bewildering feeling. I keep looking at her and thinking 'I grew you all by myself, how the fuck did that happen?’ The female body never ceases to amaze me.
What would your advice be to young girls hoping to get into the industry?
I’d tell you that persistence and hard work is key. For actors specifically, there are thousands of other girls who want to be doing what you're doing, so you need to be prepared for a lot of setbacks and 'no's'. Join amateur theatre groups so you can invite professionals to come and watch you perform, do short films or duologues so you have enough material to clip a showreel together - film students are always on the lookout for actors to appear in their projects.
Go out and try and get experience behind the camera so your knowledge extends beyond acting - be a runner on set, work in a production office, learn how to edit film, write your own script! Showing a willingness to learn is always welcomed within any professional field. Most importantly, don't give up. If you're truly passionate about what you want to do, do not let anyone make you think you're not capable of reaching your goals.
Acting is a lot more restricted to women because we're put into brackets which will usually rely on our looks and age rather than talent, so we constantly have to fight against those stereotypes. Luckily there are more and more female filmmakers emerging, so women are finally leading films and the set floor.
When women stop competing against one another and build each other up instead, beautiful things happen and more opportunities are created.
What motivates you?
Firstly, my daughter motivates me to get out of bed and get to work so I can not only be an example to her, but also create a life for the both of us. In my career, I'm motivated by new people all the time, it might be a new young actor with hunger that shows real potential, or it may be a writer with a script that gets me excited to work. When you really enjoy your job, it's easy to stay motivated. Being motivated to get to the gym, however, is a different story. I'm one of those people who follows a hundred different fitness pages on Instagram and instead of actually doing the exercises, I sit there eating my chocolate and wishing I could magically look like all the coaches and gurus!
Who, if any, are your style icons?
Anyone with an 'I don't give a fuck’ attitude is my style icon. I've always loved Debbie Harry and I'm pretty sure that's her mantra. At the age of 72 she's still out there, wearing whatever she wants and looking fabulous. Style is what you make it, it's down to your own personal preferences and honestly, since the age of 25 I don't think my style has evolved much. I'm still wearing Docs and dungarees like I was when I was three!
What is beautiful to you?
I believe beauty is skin deep rather than an aesthetic appreciation. My daughter's laugh is one of the most beautiful things to me in the world!
What's signature to your beauty look?
My signature beauty look would probably be winged eyeliner with a bold lip. I think I adopted that look aged sixteen and I'm still working with it nearly ten years later! I have really big features so I'm likely to look quite ‘drag’ if I wear heavy make up, and I can't contour to save my life, so I keep it classic and simple. On a weekday I rarely get the time to leave the house with my face looking even half respectable, but I always put something on my lips (and Chanel bronzer so I don't look like I'm on my deathbed). Mascara is a must too, even though it is literally the most tedious part of a beauty routine, Because of my big eyes I think I look like an alien or a frog without it…
How do you stay healthy, body and mind?
We've established I'm lacking in keeping a healthy body, but I do try to get in my five a day and keep somewhat of a balanced diet. Running around after a two year old is an exercise in itself; see how many calories you burn by running after squirrels in the park or pretending to be a dinosaur!
Because I have so much going on it's easy for my mind to get cluttered and become overwhelmed, so I try to make lists of things I need to do to stay on top of and give myself realistic time frames to get it done. Making time for myself is essential. My family are amazing when it comes to taking Indii, when I need time to recuperate or let my hair down. When you're a mother it's easy to forget that you still have your own identity and at 25, it's definitely way too early to retire from my party animal antics.
If you could only Slapp On one beauty product which would it be?
If I could Slapp on just one product it'd probably be Bobbi Brown lipstick in Parisian Red. During the week I'll opt for their Bare Lip Liner and just some Vaseline on top but right now I'm on holiday and I'm swearing by a red lip because it's bringing out my tan! I think a bold lip can lift any look and make it seem like you've made an effort without actually making an effort. It's effortlessly chic, if you will!
What’s in store for you?
We've got quite a lot of projects on at work at the moment so it's all pretty hectic and we're heading to the states at the end of the month to finalise some casting for a feature film. I'm also in the process of starting up my own production company with my friend who's a producer so that, along with raising the next Beyoncé, is keeping me pretty busy right now.
Follow Sofie on Insta: @Goldspit