Nexus Virtual Networking - Q&A with Mike Leigh

Join us on Zoom for this month's networking event where we'll be joined by director Mike Leigh for a Q&A session.

Mike Leigh OBE FRSL is a British writer and director whose works have appeared on film, television, and the stage. His most notable works are the black comedy-drama 'Naked' (1993), for which he won the Best Director Award at Cannes, the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA and Palme d'Or-winning drama 'Secrets & Lies' (1996), the Golden Lion winning working-class drama 'Vera Drake' (2004), and the Palme d'Or nominated biopic 'Mr. Turner' (2014). His stage plays include 'Smelling A Rat', 'It's A Great Big Shame', 'Greek Tragedy', 'Goose-Pimples', 'Ecstasy' and 'Abigail's Party'.

Leigh is often noted for his unusual devising process in which he begins work without a script and collaborates closely with his actors through a lengthy rehearsal period. The process includes detailed character development, real-time improvisations and lots of research.

For more information about Mike Leigh's process & filmography ahead of the Q&A, click here.

The audience asks the questions

This Q&A will be a slightly different set up to what you're perhaps used to. It will be a Zoom Meeting set-up where everyone's cameras can be seen (unless you choose to have yours off). We won't be starting with a hosted interview- instead, we'll be kicking straight off with audience questions, so think about what you'd like to ask!

At the beginning, we'll remind you to change your screen name to include what you do (e.g. 'Ava DuVernay | Director'). Then if you have a question for Mike Leigh, we'll use the chat box as a queue system so you can let us know, and then we'll call your name so you can unmute yourself and ask it directly.

Structure of the session

Please note: times are approximations only.

19:50 - Zoom link will be open for people to start joining

20:00 - Introduction

20:05 - Q&A will begin with participants asking questions directly

21:35 - Q&A will end*. 'Pitch Up' session will soon begin where people can opt in to make a 60 second pitch to the 'room' about themselves or a project

21:50 - Networking will begin for those wanting to stay. This will be managed with breakout rooms of 6-8 people that will be rotated every 15-20 minutes.

23:00 - Session will end

*Participants are not expected to stay after the Q&A has ended. Pitch Up and Networking are optional.

Joining the event

When you have registered your ticket, you will receive details for joining the meeting. You can download Zoom onto your computer, tablet or phone and join with the meeting link or the Meeting ID and Password.

IMPORTANT: This event has limited spaces. If you register and can no longer attend, PLEASE CANCEL YOUR TICKET.

If the event is full, you will be prompted to join the Waiting List. We will then release the link to everyone on the Waiting List at 8pm on the night if any spaces have not been filled.