Who we are
At Line + Lens, everything is shaped by experience on both sides of the camera. I’m Ollie Powell - an actor who’s featured in TV series and films for the BBC, FX, Disney+ and Warner Bros, working with actors including Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessie Buckley and Nick Offerman and Directors including Peter Kosminsky, Alex Garland and Paul Andrew Williams. As a writer I have TV series in development in both the UK and US, and am also a producer running my own independent production company.
Alongside this, I’ve appeared in over 25 commercials myself and organised more than 600 workshops with casting directors, giving me unique insight into what they expect from self-tapes across both drama and commercial work.
If you ask for it, the direction I offer is detailed but concise - designed to help you sharpen your choices without overwhelming your performance. Over the years I’ve helped actors secure international commercial campaigns, land roles in TV series, and progress to recalls and screen tests for major productions, and am currently operating at around a 60% hit rate for clients either booking the job or getting a recall/pencil.
That mix of skills and experience is at the heart of Line + Lens. A place where your performance comes first, and where the technical side of taping is handled with clarity, care, and professionalism.
FAQ
Do I need my own equipment?
No. We provide tripod, lights, and a backdrop. For in-person sessions, we record on your phone so the files are ready to upload straight to Tagmin or your agent’s preferred platform.
Is editing included?
Yes. Light editing is included in the in-person hourly price. For Zoom sessions, we can either record the session and send it to you, or you can record yourself on another device (recommended for best results). Additional editing support can be arranged if needed.
Where do you travel to?
In-person sessions are available anywhere within Zones 1–4 in London. If you’re outside this area, get in touch and we’ll see what’s possible. For Zoom sessions, we’ll see you online!
Who will be running my session?
At the moment, all in-person sessions are run by Ollie himself. He also runs many of the Zoom self-tapes, but we do have a select team of additional readers and creatives available to step in on Zoom, so scheduling is as flexible as possible.
Can you rush a tape if I get a last-minute audition?
Yes — subject to availability, we’ll always do our best to fit you in and turn tapes around quickly.
What kind of roles do you help with?
Anything from a quick commercial tape to multi-page drama auditions. We’ll make sure you get a performance you’re confident sending.
What if I need longer or we run over?
All sessions are booked in 1-hour slots. If you think you’ll need more time, we’d suggest letting us know upfront so we can plan accordingly. Extra time is charged in half-hour increments and can only be added if there’s availability after your booking.
Why do you use my own phone?
Modern smartphones record at more than good enough quality for casting directors, so there’s no need for extra equipment. Using your own phone means your files are instantly ready to upload to Tagmin or your agent’s preferred platform, without waiting for transfers — and everything stays secure on your own device.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Payment is taken in full at the time of booking.
Cancel more than 24 hours in advance → full refund.
Cancel within 24 hours → 50% refund.
Cancel under 1 hr or No-shows → unfortunately no refund can be given.
What if I’m running late?
If we don’t have another appointment after, we’ll do our best to be accommodating. Otherwise, your session may have to be shorter. We suggest treating it like an audition — and you probably wouldn’t be late for that!
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message with any specific requests or questions before booking, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.