FOUNDER
Inspiring Drama was founded by Tom Brooks in 2012. He wanted to build a principle based company that would develop confidence, creativity and communication skills in young people, helping them to realise their potential whilst having fun and making friends.
Tom trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School and worked a few professional jobs as an actor before studying screenwriting and developing film-directing, writing and producing skills in Oxford.
Over the past decade Tom and his team have led workshops at numerous British schools, summer schools and youth organisations, working with students from more than 60 countries. Reaching thousands of students in the UK and internationally, Tom and the team have led workshops in France, Zimbabwe, Peru and more!
Tom hosting an awards ceremony for Oxford Prospects Programme, at Trinity college, Oxford University.
Tom was also co-producer, co-writer and co-director of Edit/ Undo which was nominated for 5 awards, including best screenplay at the London 48 Hour Film Project. He’s taught and coached numerous students who have developed personal confidence and/or gone on to secure professional agents and acting work .
He has also produced and written a series of animations promoting Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility Suite, penned scripts for large UK publishers and continues to develop a host of TV comedy drama concepts.
Tom Playing a hitman in Film Innovation’s ‘Man Meets Chicken’
Samples of Tom’s public speaking work include three tours to China as guest speaker and presenter (First UK Education & Tourism), an event speaker for Budiriro Trust and a business launch host for Cambridge China Centre. He has presented videos for New Music Connection and Film Innovation and has been an awards host for a bunch of educational companies.
Tom leading a group on the Mini Oscar Film Course at Oxford University.
Tom has been invited to China on several occasions to showcase Inspiring Drama’s methods and courses, delivering a series of talks and workshops for students, parents and teachers alike about developing confidence and utilising drama in the classroom.
Tom also runs Oxford and London video production company Inspiring Film, having produced a wealth of video content. A few clients include Greenpeace, Blue Cross, Oxford City Council and Budiriro Trust. Tom has directed videos for organisations in France, India, the UK and Zimbabwe respectively and Inspiring Film content has been seen by over 1.5 million people.
Tom Playing a politician, one of many characters in ‘What is Brexit?’
Tom’s early film making experience grew from running on shoots including the Great Garden Challenge (Princess Productions) , 'Young and Beautiful' (Lana Del Rey) and 'Love She Wants' aired on Channel 4’s Random Acts. Developing skill in coaching and directing actors, Tom went on to become an assistant director and acting coach. He worked with young actors on shoots directed by an ex-BBC producer and assisted professionals creating short films to get the best performances out of actors.
Tom’s acting successes include performing at FIFA World Club Football Championships, playing roles in What Is Brexit? (30000 views), Walnut Men (selected for a BAFTA Qualifying Film Festival) and working as an improviser for Google.
Tom directing students in Harare, Zimbabwe for a promotional film for the Budiriro Trust. The students also participated in a creative workshop lead by Inspiring Drama to support them with expression and performance onscreen.
Tom has been inspired by great teachers and has a desire to pass this on to his students, helping them to develop confidence, realise their potential and have fun in the process.
TEAM
Our team of freelance trainers, collaborators and coaches are comprised of passionate individuals from the University of Oxford, UK & international universities, top UK drama schools and international film academies.
Oliver Coward
As a freelance filmmaker Oliver has over 10 years of experience, with professional skills in cinematography, editing, producing and directing. He has a Masters degree in Engineering from The University of Oxford.
Working with clients such as the BBC, Sky Sports, Open University Press and Getty Images, Oliver has filmed projects across Europe, the US and Asia, including shoots with Nobel Laureates, Westminster politicians, Paralympic athletes as well as Ludovico Einaudi and the Queen.
Oliver enjoys bringing his professional experience and patient approach to our young learners and has been a Director of Photography and semi-frequent co-producer for many Inspiring Drama shoots and workshops.
Sophie Sparkes
Sophie is a London based filmmaker and composer, with skills in cinematography, editing, writing, acting and directing. She’s worked on a range of short narrative films, documentaries and commercial content in various capacities (clients include John Lewis).
Sophie is also a tutor and has passion for acting and teaching young people.
As a composer, Sophie’s music has been played in venues including The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Saatchi Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields and she’s worked with ensembles including The Helsinki Chamber Choir, The Latvian Radio Choir, The Aurora Orchestra, The BBC Singers, the Villiers Quartet and Music Off Canvas.
Sophie studied Music at The University of Oxford before attending the Royal College of Music.
Sandra Lopez Berkane
Born in Madrid, Sandra is an illustrator, animator and film editor. After graduating from film school she has worked creatively for many global brands such as Fanta, Greenpeace and Starbucks.
Sandra loves working with young people and is really passionate about every project she's part of, enjoying every creative challenge she is presented with. You’ll often see her creating humourous and colourful drawings in our workshops to teach film making or inspiring students in the editing process.
Merlin Porter
Merlin is an Oxford based artist who enjoys bringing his gifts to the world by inspiring and collaborating with others to create art that both uplifts and provokes new ways to see the world. Merlin has a prolific creative output and is known locally for his plethora of paintings produced in the beautiful city of Oxford and at many surrounding events.
Merlin is one of our art teachers who leads workshops that form a colourful contribution to wider courses.
Gregory A. Smith
Gregory trained through Lee Strasberg Method in Los Angeles, California. He has worked predominantly in theatre for the past twenty years including several Shakespeare plays and has also acted in feature films, television and short films. He has toured in the United States, France, Germany and across the U.K and is passionate about the value of communication skills, speaking French and Italian fluently.
Previously a drama and comedy tutor with Pauline Quirke Academy, Gregory is also a facilitator of historical workshops in the U.K, drama workshops in France and public speaking workshops across a multitude of British schools. Gregory also writes novels, poetry, plays (one so far!) and paints in oils and pastels.
Elwin Hendrijanto
Elwin is an award winning international film composer and pianist based in Jakarta and London. Born in Indonesia, his field of expertise crosses across multiple genres including classical, film music, world music, orchestral, and pop/rock.
As a composer, Elwin composes music for films, advertisements, games, and animations as well as concert pieces. His works have been performed, broadcasted, and screened all across the globe. His notable projects includes music for the 2018 ASIAN GAMES, Beach Boys, 88Rising, Roy Orbison, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and London Symphony Orchestra.
Elwin is the person we call on when we need that extra special piece of composed music for a shoot and acts as a music consultant where required.