Craft Collective is a film and theatre creative collective based in Elephant and Castle, South London, founded by actors and directors Joseph Ollman and Sam John.
We offer acting classes focused on film and theatre training, alongside creative development programmes for actors, directors, writers, and creatives of all experience levels. Our mission is simple: to create a supportive and collaborative environment where artists can deepen their craft - developing technique, courage, and creative confidence.
Craft Collective is a space to experiment, take creative risks, refine performance technique, and collaborate across disciplines. Through our acting and writing workshops in London, we aim to foster a vibrant artistic community where actors, directors, and writers build meaningful creative partnerships.
Our ambition is to become a creative hub for bold new theatre and film work - empowering artists to generate, develop, and produce their own projects for stage and screen.
Whether you're beginning your creative journey or developing your professional practice, Craft Collective offers a space to train, connect, and create.
Join the community. Develop your craft. Create your work.
Sam began his training at the Oxford School of Drama before continuing his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He is now an established acting coach, delivering one-to-one tuition and group classes for both stage and screen. Drawing on his professional career and a range of developed techniques, Sam’s teaching is influenced by practitioners including Declan Donnellan, Uta Hagen, and Stanislavski. His approach focuses on cultivating bravery, emotional truth, and rigorous storytelling in his students’ work.
Alongside his coaching, Sam works as a writer and dramaturg. In 2025, he produced and performed in his debut original show, Joseph and the Stag. His screen credits include World on Fire (BBC), The Spanish Princess (STARZ), Casualty (BBC), and a range of commercial work. His stage credits include Buddy, In the Next Room (Richard Burton Theatre Company), and Mark Ravenhill’s adaptation of Candide.
Joseph Ollman is a BAFTA Cymru–nominated writer/driector, actor and screen acting coach. From his award‑winning debut short Throw Me to the Dogs, which gained festival acclaim and distribution on MUBI to the critically acclaimed Bitter Sky and Meat on Bones, Joseph’s films have screened at BAFTA and Oscar‑qualifying festivals and aired on the BBC, BFI Player and MUBI. He’s written for both theatre and screen, winning a place on the BBC Writersroom course in 2023. He also works as a script editor and cosultant.
As an actor, he's delivered standout roles in BBC/HBO’s Industry, Sky’s Domina, Channel 4’s Queenie, BBC comedy Spent and the hit four-part BBC drama The Guest.
Joseph has worked on both sides of the camera, bringing his unique persepctive of both acting and directing into every coaching session. He’s passionate about helping actors craft emotionally truthful, camera-ready performances and has guided emerging and professional talent alike.
If you’re interested in working with us, or if you have any questions at all - we’d love to hear from you.
Simply fill out this form or email us at
info@craftcollectivelondon.co.uk
and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.