The Business: An Evening with Casting Directors

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• published: 11 Jul 2013
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The SAG Foundation LifeRaft program proudly hosted "An Evening with Casting Directors" with stellar veteran CDs Ronna Kress, Mindy Marin, Jeanne McCarthy and Vicki Thomas. With a combined work experience in over 338 films and 57 television shows, these panelists shared stories and anecdotes as they reflected over their careers. Gain a big picture perspective of what it is like for these top industry professionals to work with agents, managers, directors, producers, studio executives and actors. The panel was hosted by Gregg Kilday, film editor at The Hollywood Reporter. TIMESTAMP 07:26 - “Historically, there are many female casting directors. So you think women bring special talents to this field?” 10:07 - “Do you feel that you nurture directors and give them help in areas where they may not even realize they need it?” 12:00 - “What’s it like working with a new director? How much time do you have to spend with a new director to know what he’s looking for?” 14:00 - “How much time do you have to spend, especially with key roles, convincing people beyond the director that someone is the right choice?” 17:56 “Are you finding with studio movies or independent movies that have to raise a lot of international financing, you are being asked to if not directly to cast an actor of a given nationality to at least open yourselves up to the possibility of bringing in actors beyond ‘Americans’?” 20:20 - “Do producers lay down any rules about what you can say about a film on social media? Like about what actors are working on a film?” 22:40 - “Can you be cast in something with a reading that is unrelated to that role? That is not actually a part of the script?” 28:09 - “How open are people you work with these days to diversity casting?” 30:47 - “How has the digital revolution changed your job?” 35:52 - “Now with technology and being able to cast such a wide net, how do you know when to call off the search?” 39:24 - “Are most casting decisions still made in the room in front of the director?” 43:23 - “How often do you share information about new actors with other casting directors?” 44:37 “When you’re working on a movie and you have the opportunity to reach out globally how much beyond media projects and immediate parts you’re looking to fill how much time are you able to devote to scouting talent that you may not use right now but down the road you would hope to?” 47:49 - “Do you find yourselves moving back and forth between TV and film?” 53:38 - “What are the qualities of a prepared actor in the audition room? What do you look for?” 56:25 - “If an actor feels their first choice was off, how do they gracefully ask if they can do it differently?” 57:34 - “What’s a piece of advice to sustain an actor when the acting jobs are not forthcoming?” 1:00:50 - “If you’ve already cast the female lead, and a man auditioning for her romantic interest is shorter than her, are his chances of getting cast slim?” 1:02:50 - “What projects inspire you to do what you do?” 1:06:25 - “Do documentaries help you in your job?” 1:06:45 - “How close to the shooting date are you casting roles?” 1:11:20 - “Do casting directors have their own representation?” 1:12:24 - “How much and when should an actor with some physical limitation reveal that fact in the casting process?” 1:16:50 - “What is the greatest pitfall of new technology for casting directors or performers?” 1:18:45 - “You’re the only category that isn’t included in the Academy Awards. What would you say to convince them to add casting directors as a category?”