Casarotto Ramsay & Associates appoints Bridge06’s Johnson and Fernandez
November 28, 2023
Ttheatre, film and television agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates has announced the appointments of industry creative Sara Johnson and pioneering access coordinator and actor Julie Fernandez, co-founders of Bridge06, as it expands its commitment to disability representation across the UK Creative Industries.
Becoming full-time Casarotto Ramsay and Associates Agents, Johnson and Fernandez will continue in their industry defining work at the heart of the Casarotto family. Beginning 4th December, Johnson and Fernandez will represent, train and develop talent, supporting all those with access requirements across the film, television and theatre industries. Working closely with Casarotto’s HOD team, they will grow careers and create meaningful change with every production their Access Coordinators work within.
As one of the first pioneering Access Coordinators herself, Fernandez will lead on training and then representation for the raft of new Access Coordinators coming into the industry, ensuring that Casarotto are able to meet the growing demand for this vital role, which begins in development, runs throughout production and beyond.
In partnership with representing Access Coordinators, Johnson will continue her industry-wide work, leveraging the expertise and reach of Casarotto Ramsay & Associates to continue building meaningful change in the UK creative industries. Johnson will lead on supporting broadcasters, studios and other industry bodies to both underscore and understand the importance of an Access First approach, and ensure a cohesive, collaborative industry approach in this critical area.
With these appointments, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates is further strengthening its commitment to representing, developing and supporting talent, inclusive of all Access Requirements across the film, television, theatre and entertainment industries. The agency already represents a range of leading (DDN) disabled, d/Deaf and neurodiverse talent including Jack Thorne, Genevieve Barr, Daneka Etchells, Annalisa Dinnella, Justin Edgar, Hope Dickson Leach, Ted Evans, Julia Jackman, Rupert Jones and Rebekah Fortune.
Anna Higgs, Managing Director, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates said, “Casarotto has always represented the most exceptional talent in the most inclusive ways, and as such we have strong DDN representation in our client list. Talking to Sara and Julie about their work to date and their ambitious vision for continuing to build an Access First industry presented an exciting opportunity to literally put our money where our mouth is and bring these exceptional industry experts and advocates into the team. While some might simply host such a company, we at Casarotto felt it would be much more meaningful to fully integrate the training, consultancy and representation offer into the heart of our business. The innovative bespoke approach of Casarotto is why I joined the Agency, and I’m really proud that this is the first big evolution to our team. Being part of the BAFTA Awards Review in 2020, I heard powerful testimony on the critical issues facing DDN talent in front of and behind the camera, and to be a part of supporting meaningful commercial and creative change in this space is at once an honour and a no-brainer.”
Johnson said: “Our creative industries play a significant part in reflecting and shaping our societies, and they can only do that if we have inclusive and representative practitioners working together to tell the best stories on stage and for screens of all sizes. Bridge06 was rooted in our belief that representation isn’t difficult, but that it takes commitment and fresh thinking to enact the practical and attitudinal changes necessary. This is a belief shared by the Casarotto family and we couldn’t be more proud to be joining this trailblazing organisation.”
Fernandez added: “Being an Access Coordinator myself, I know how valuable this role can be to talent and crew alike. Sara and I will work in our new roles as Agents that strive to level the playing field in the theatre, film, television and entertainment industries. I’m so pleased to be a part of Casarotto’s commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities. Their renewed dedication to representation for deaf, disabled or neurodivergent people is a game-changer and I’m truly honoured to be a part of this new chapter.”