Testimonials
Directors I’ve worked with
“The particular challenge for all actors on a film set is to maintain their concentration, to stay ‘in the zone’, through periods of downtime during changes of camera angle and lighting set-up. Even when the camera is turning this is often problematic, especially when the set-up involves an all-encompassing shot where the camera visits each character in turn. Then the actors have to be aware of technical considerations while remaining emotionally engaged.
Nicola Goodchild was set a fiendishly difficult task in an episode of ‘Casualty’ that I directed. She played a woman in the midst of a nervous breakdown, who attempts a suicide bid by taking her hands off the steering wheel while driving on a motorway. The resulting crash involves a number of other vehicles, killing some passengers and maiming others. Ambulances bring the wounded into casualty and the drama visits each of them in turn, describing their individual stories. At the centre of it all is Nicola’s character, the eye of the storm. She is in pieces, not just because of the underlying distress that led her to take her hands off the wheel, but now because she knows she is the cause of other people’s suffering.
During shooting I was impressed by Nicola’s ability to remain utterly focused. Whenever the camera came to her, she seemed like Niobe, about to drown in her own tears. However, the pain on each occasion was specific, not generalised, which meant that when we came to edit the raw material we were able to track the development of a character in the deepest pit of despair without ever running the risk of repeated behavioural tropes. Her performance was a tour-de-force.”
Christopher King – Director Nov 16
“I directed Nicola Goodchild in the role of Donna Lucia in Charley’s Aunt three years ago. She was very impressive indeed. It was a very polished production featuring experienced actors who knew their stuff, and Nicola was one of the best. Her comic timing is excellent, she is creative and funny, and brings weight to a role. She’s brilliant in a rehearsal room, ticks off the necessaries without effort and delivers new ideas constantly. Nicola is an excellent company member who is quite simply good to have around.”
Jonathan Holloway, Director, Nov 2016.
Directors I’ve worked with
“The particular challenge for all actors on a film set is to maintain their concentration, to stay ‘in the zone’, through periods of downtime during changes of camera angle and lighting set-up. Even when the camera is turning this is often problematic, especially when the set-up involves an all-encompassing shot where the camera visits each character in turn. Then the actors have to be aware of technical considerations while remaining emotionally engaged.
Nicola Goodchild was set a fiendishly difficult task in an episode of ‘Casualty’ that I directed. She played a woman in the midst of a nervous breakdown, who attempts a suicide bid by taking her hands off the steering wheel while driving on a motorway. The resulting crash involves a number of other vehicles, killing some passengers and maiming others. Ambulances bring the wounded into casualty and the drama visits each of them in turn, describing their individual stories. At the centre of it all is Nicola’s character, the eye of the storm. She is in pieces, not just because of the underlying distress that led her to take her hands off the wheel, but now because she knows she is the cause of other people’s suffering.
During shooting I was impressed by Nicola’s ability to remain utterly focused. Whenever the camera came to her, she seemed like Niobe, about to drown in her own tears. However, the pain on each occasion was specific, not generalised, which meant that when we came to edit the raw material we were able to track the development of a character in the deepest pit of despair without ever running the risk of repeated behavioural tropes. Her performance was a tour-de-force.”
Christopher King – Director Nov 16
“I directed Nicola Goodchild in the role of Donna Lucia in Charley’s Aunt three years ago. She was very impressive indeed. It was a very polished production featuring experienced actors who knew their stuff, and Nicola was one of the best. Her comic timing is excellent, she is creative and funny, and brings weight to a role. She’s brilliant in a rehearsal room, ticks off the necessaries without effort and delivers new ideas constantly. Nicola is an excellent company member who is quite simply good to have around.”
Jonathan Holloway, Director, Nov 2016.