David Lynch's "Dune" was mostly seen as a misstep for the celebrated director back in 1984. As we gear up for the bleak blockbuster that is Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two," Lynch's "Dune" now occupies an unusual space in the public consciousness — somewhere between cult classic and historic blunder. There are undoubtedly plenty of things wrong with "Dune" 1984, and the film suffered a brutal critical and commercial reception. But forty years after Lynch's $40 million spectacle bombed at the box office, some have come to see the films' positives, arguing that "Dune" 1984 is better than its reputation suggests.
Which, as it happens, is a perfectly reasonable point of view. Aside from the impressive set and costume design, "Dune" actually featured some pretty good visual effects for the time. What's more, the casting was excellent. Lynch may have ruthlessly denied Glenn Close for a part in "Dune," but luckily for him,...
Which, as it happens, is a perfectly reasonable point of view. Aside from the impressive set and costume design, "Dune" actually featured some pretty good visual effects for the time. What's more, the casting was excellent. Lynch may have ruthlessly denied Glenn Close for a part in "Dune," but luckily for him,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
John Milius' Reagan-era action hit "Red Dawn" wasn't just a running "Hot Tub Time Machine" gag; the Cold War fantasy of guerilla patriot youths marked a new peak of commercial success for the "Wind and the Lion" director and stimulated the careers of several of its young stars.
The story, of teen freedom fighters repelling commies in Soviet-invaded Colorado, was a box-office smash in the summer of 1984, nestled alongside the Los Angeles Olympics — which the Soviets were boycotting after the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics four years prior. Filled with All-American treasures like Chevy pickup trucks and Coca-Cola to defend, the movie depended on strong performances from the actors who would play the "Wolverine" partisans. These kids weren't particularly political; their claim was a simple 1:1 reaction to being invaded. Among them, city sisters Erica and Toni Mason -- played by a pre-"Back to the Future" Lea Thompson...
The story, of teen freedom fighters repelling commies in Soviet-invaded Colorado, was a box-office smash in the summer of 1984, nestled alongside the Los Angeles Olympics — which the Soviets were boycotting after the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics four years prior. Filled with All-American treasures like Chevy pickup trucks and Coca-Cola to defend, the movie depended on strong performances from the actors who would play the "Wolverine" partisans. These kids weren't particularly political; their claim was a simple 1:1 reaction to being invaded. Among them, city sisters Erica and Toni Mason -- played by a pre-"Back to the Future" Lea Thompson...
- 2/8/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Of all the modern day romantic comedies, few are written as confidently as Nora Ephron's "When Harry Met Sally..." The story is deceptively simple, yet devastatingly witty — and that has as much to do with Ephron's crackling grasp on syntax as it does with the conversations that inspired her. Ephron was notorious for taking inspiration from everything around her in her work. For "When Harry Met Sally," she was partly inspired by interviews (and heated debates) with actor-slash-director Rob Reiner. He provided the template for one half of the film's titular duo, the cynical, recently-divorced Harry Burns. Sally was, of course, inspired by Ephron herself. Their dynamic (or at least the dramatization of it) built up fascinating stakes in a story where nothing "really" happens. Writing it had been easy enough, but finding two actors that could carry the weight of it would prove slightly challenging.
Casting the role of Sally was a breeze,...
Casting the role of Sally was a breeze,...
- 1/28/2023
- by Lyvie Scott
- Slash Film
Legendary casting director Chemin Bernard has been honored by the Casting Society of America, which has awarded her with Emeritus Member Status in recognition of her “remarkable contributions to the organization, the profession, and the art of casting.” Bernard, who served as Csa president from 2006-08, was chosen for the honor by the Csa’s board of directors and by the Csa Black, Indigenous and People of Color Alliance.
“Chemin Bernard is an exemplary casting director who has built an esteemed career by championing actors and helping tell stories that make an impact on culture,” said Csa president Russell Boast. “She has been a cornerstone to our craft who continues to inspire the next generation of artists.”
“I am humbled by this honor and share it with the African American casting directors on whose shoulders I stand,” said Bernard, who is now retired. “My mission as a casting director was...
“Chemin Bernard is an exemplary casting director who has built an esteemed career by championing actors and helping tell stories that make an impact on culture,” said Csa president Russell Boast. “She has been a cornerstone to our craft who continues to inspire the next generation of artists.”
“I am humbled by this honor and share it with the African American casting directors on whose shoulders I stand,” said Bernard, who is now retired. “My mission as a casting director was...
- 9/10/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Life goes on this summer for Academy internships, in a virtual way. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is plowing forward with the fourth year of Academy Gold, its entertainment industry internship enhancement and mentorship program for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. During the summer, as the pandemic continues, the program will be virtual, with an extension program in the fall for those students who delayed their summer internships.
“In the face of a pandemic and our continued efforts to drive equity in our industry, the decision on whether or not to proceed with the Academy Gold program this summer was very clear,” said Academy COO Christine Simmons. “Our pipeline program is even more critical at a time when underrepresented communities are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The needs are heightened, and we are dedicated to delivering an educational, fun and rewarding virtual experience for these...
“In the face of a pandemic and our continued efforts to drive equity in our industry, the decision on whether or not to proceed with the Academy Gold program this summer was very clear,” said Academy COO Christine Simmons. “Our pipeline program is even more critical at a time when underrepresented communities are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The needs are heightened, and we are dedicated to delivering an educational, fun and rewarding virtual experience for these...
- 6/17/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Life goes on this summer for Academy internships, in a virtual way. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is plowing forward with the fourth year of Academy Gold, its entertainment industry internship enhancement and mentorship program for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities. During the summer, as the pandemic continues, the program will be virtual, with an extension program in the fall for those students who delayed their summer internships.
“In the face of a pandemic and our continued efforts to drive equity in our industry, the decision on whether or not to proceed with the Academy Gold program this summer was very clear,” said Academy COO Christine Simmons. “Our pipeline program is even more critical at a time when underrepresented communities are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The needs are heightened, and we are dedicated to delivering an educational, fun and rewarding virtual experience for these...
“In the face of a pandemic and our continued efforts to drive equity in our industry, the decision on whether or not to proceed with the Academy Gold program this summer was very clear,” said Academy COO Christine Simmons. “Our pipeline program is even more critical at a time when underrepresented communities are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The needs are heightened, and we are dedicated to delivering an educational, fun and rewarding virtual experience for these...
- 6/17/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Casting Society of America has set its 35th annual Artios Awards for January 30, 2020, with ceremonies to be held simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York and London. The awards honor the contribution of casting directors to film, TV and theater.
The Los Angeles ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton, with the other venues not yet locked down. Nominations in the TV and theater categories will be announced September 24, with feature film nominees to be revealed January 2 (see the full timeline below).
Timed to this year’s awards season, the society today also kicked off its inaugural archival project that features video interviews with some of the industry’s leading casting directors released each week leading up to the awards show. First up is Juliet Taylor.
Other subjects include Reuben Cannon, Mike Fenton, Jane Jenkins & Janet Hirshenson, Wallis Nicita and newly elected Motion Picture Academy president David Rubin.
“Our new archival project is the perfect way to ramp up to the 35th Artios Awards, as it allows us to further share the remarkable stories and acknowledge the lasting contributions casting directors have made to film, television and theater,” Csa VP Rich Mento said.
Here’s the full 2020 timeline:
August 28
Open 1st ballot – Television and Theatre
September 20
Close 1st ballot – Television and Theatre
September 24
Television and Theatre Nominees Announced
Open final ballot – Television and Theatre
October 7
Close final ballot – Television and Theatre
November 5
Open submissions – Features
December 6
Close submissions – Features
December 9
Open 1st ballot – Features
January 1, 2020
Close 1st ballot – Features
January 2, 2020
Feature Nominees Announced
Open final ballot – Features
January 15, 2020
Close final ballot – Features
January 30, 2020
35th Artios Awards...
The Los Angeles ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton, with the other venues not yet locked down. Nominations in the TV and theater categories will be announced September 24, with feature film nominees to be revealed January 2 (see the full timeline below).
Timed to this year’s awards season, the society today also kicked off its inaugural archival project that features video interviews with some of the industry’s leading casting directors released each week leading up to the awards show. First up is Juliet Taylor.
Other subjects include Reuben Cannon, Mike Fenton, Jane Jenkins & Janet Hirshenson, Wallis Nicita and newly elected Motion Picture Academy president David Rubin.
“Our new archival project is the perfect way to ramp up to the 35th Artios Awards, as it allows us to further share the remarkable stories and acknowledge the lasting contributions casting directors have made to film, television and theater,” Csa VP Rich Mento said.
Here’s the full 2020 timeline:
August 28
Open 1st ballot – Television and Theatre
September 20
Close 1st ballot – Television and Theatre
September 24
Television and Theatre Nominees Announced
Open final ballot – Television and Theatre
October 7
Close final ballot – Television and Theatre
November 5
Open submissions – Features
December 6
Close submissions – Features
December 9
Open 1st ballot – Features
January 1, 2020
Close 1st ballot – Features
January 2, 2020
Feature Nominees Announced
Open final ballot – Features
January 15, 2020
Close final ballot – Features
January 30, 2020
35th Artios Awards...
- 8/22/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane Jenkins, the casting director of “The Princess Bride,” looked at a lot of tall men for the part of the giant Fezzik. But in her mind, there was only one giant who could plausibly haul three people up the Cliffs of Insanity: André the Giant.
In speaking with TheWrap, Jenkins explained how André Roussimoff, better known as André the Giant and quite literally the biggest wrestler in the world, got out of a wrestling match in Tokyo and ended up cast in Rob Reiner’s cult classic comedy “The Princess Bride.” Jenkins and Reiner met with the book’s author William Goldman to find out just what they were dealing with.
“So this Fezzik character, this giant, what are we talking about? Am I looking for a basketball player,” Jenkins recalls asking Goldman. “Oh no, I want a giant like André the Giant,” was his reply, referring to the late star who is the subject of a new HBO documentary produced by Bill Simmons’ Ringer Films titled “André the Giant.”
Also Read: 'Groundhog Day' at 25: How Bill Murray Rom-Com Became an Accidental Classic
The first problem was, Jenkins didn’t know who that was. “You don’t know who André the Giant is,” her friend told her at the time. “He is, pardon the pun, a huge wrestler!” (Roussimoff was billed to be 7 feet 4 inches tall.)
Jenkins then tracked down his contact at the World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE) and simply asked to meet him for a movie Reiner was directing. But they learned that André had a conflict with a wrestling match in Tokyo for which he would be paid millions, and unless they were willing to buy it out and match his salary, he was unavailable.
“So we did not have André the Giant,” Jenkins said. “So I proceeded to meet every tall person in L.A. and say ‘if you didn’t duck in through my doorway, you were way too short.'”
Also Read: 'Princess Bride's' Cary Elwes Talks Drinking 'Airplane Fuel' With Andre the Giant (Video)
Among some of the other potential Fezziks, Jenkins met with Carel Struycken, another 7-footer who was already committed to do a part in “The Witches of Eastwick.” She met a Scottish man who was known as the strongest man in the world, but wasn’t “the tallest man in the world.” And she even met a man she described as being like Ichabod Crane who, when they shook hands, made her own hand feel like “an infant’s hand inside a catcher’s mitt.”
“He said in a British accent, ‘I see there are a lot of fight scenes. I have a rather awkward center of gravity. Would there be a double for me,'” Jenkins recalled. “I don’t think that we can double you,” she responded.
But as if bestowed by Miracle Max himself, André’s fight was canceled, so Reiner and producer Andrew Scheinman dropped everything — literally leaving during an audition — to fly out to Paris and meet the Frenchman. Reiner told TheWrap via email that Scheinman read lines along with André, and Reiner ultimately put all of Fezzik’s lines onto a tape recorder for André to study and learn.
Also Read: Andre the Giant Biopic in the Works About Pro Wrestler, 'Princess Bride' Star
In upcoming HBO doc, Reiner explains that André had auditioned for the part, but upon their first meeting, the filmmaker couldn’t understand a word he said. Reiner also added that André’s sensitive side came to define the cliche of the “gentle giant.”
“André the Giant” airs Tuesday, April 10, on HBO at 10 p.m.
Read original story How André the Giant Was Cast in ‘The Princess Bride’ At TheWrap...
In speaking with TheWrap, Jenkins explained how André Roussimoff, better known as André the Giant and quite literally the biggest wrestler in the world, got out of a wrestling match in Tokyo and ended up cast in Rob Reiner’s cult classic comedy “The Princess Bride.” Jenkins and Reiner met with the book’s author William Goldman to find out just what they were dealing with.
“So this Fezzik character, this giant, what are we talking about? Am I looking for a basketball player,” Jenkins recalls asking Goldman. “Oh no, I want a giant like André the Giant,” was his reply, referring to the late star who is the subject of a new HBO documentary produced by Bill Simmons’ Ringer Films titled “André the Giant.”
Also Read: 'Groundhog Day' at 25: How Bill Murray Rom-Com Became an Accidental Classic
The first problem was, Jenkins didn’t know who that was. “You don’t know who André the Giant is,” her friend told her at the time. “He is, pardon the pun, a huge wrestler!” (Roussimoff was billed to be 7 feet 4 inches tall.)
Jenkins then tracked down his contact at the World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE) and simply asked to meet him for a movie Reiner was directing. But they learned that André had a conflict with a wrestling match in Tokyo for which he would be paid millions, and unless they were willing to buy it out and match his salary, he was unavailable.
“So we did not have André the Giant,” Jenkins said. “So I proceeded to meet every tall person in L.A. and say ‘if you didn’t duck in through my doorway, you were way too short.'”
Also Read: 'Princess Bride's' Cary Elwes Talks Drinking 'Airplane Fuel' With Andre the Giant (Video)
Among some of the other potential Fezziks, Jenkins met with Carel Struycken, another 7-footer who was already committed to do a part in “The Witches of Eastwick.” She met a Scottish man who was known as the strongest man in the world, but wasn’t “the tallest man in the world.” And she even met a man she described as being like Ichabod Crane who, when they shook hands, made her own hand feel like “an infant’s hand inside a catcher’s mitt.”
“He said in a British accent, ‘I see there are a lot of fight scenes. I have a rather awkward center of gravity. Would there be a double for me,'” Jenkins recalled. “I don’t think that we can double you,” she responded.
But as if bestowed by Miracle Max himself, André’s fight was canceled, so Reiner and producer Andrew Scheinman dropped everything — literally leaving during an audition — to fly out to Paris and meet the Frenchman. Reiner told TheWrap via email that Scheinman read lines along with André, and Reiner ultimately put all of Fezzik’s lines onto a tape recorder for André to study and learn.
Also Read: Andre the Giant Biopic in the Works About Pro Wrestler, 'Princess Bride' Star
In upcoming HBO doc, Reiner explains that André had auditioned for the part, but upon their first meeting, the filmmaker couldn’t understand a word he said. Reiner also added that André’s sensitive side came to define the cliche of the “gentle giant.”
“André the Giant” airs Tuesday, April 10, on HBO at 10 p.m.
Read original story How André the Giant Was Cast in ‘The Princess Bride’ At TheWrap...
- 4/4/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Jane Jenkins, the casting director of “The Princess Bride,” looked at a lot of tall men for the part of the giant Fezzik. But in her mind, there was only one giant who could plausibly haul three people up the Cliffs of Insanity: André the Giant. In speaking with TheWrap, Jenkins explained how André Roussimoff, better known as André the Giant and quite literally the biggest wrestler in the world, got out of a wrestling match in Tokyo and ended up cast in Rob Reiner’s cult classic comedy “The Princess Bride.” Jenkins and Reiner met with the book’s author William...
- 4/4/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
We take a look at new Blu-rays of two ’80s classics.
Shout! Factory’s relatively young collectors label, Shout Select, is something of an odd duck. This is less of a criticism than an observation as their releases so far bear no real discernible through line. We’ve gotten well-deserved Blu-rays of eagerly awaited ’80s classics like To Live and Die in La, Road House, and Midnight Run, but the label has also released/announced titles like Death of a Salesman, The Chinese Connection, and Simon Pegg’s forgettable 2012 film, A Fantastic Fear of Everything. So yeah, there’s something of an odd inconsistency across the catalog.
For now though we’re here to discuss their latest releases, two ’80s films of varying acclaim and renown — John Milius’ Red Dawn and Dennis Hopper’s Colors.
Red Dawn (1984)
A small town in Colorado begins its day like any other until strangers drop from the sky. Soviet...
Shout! Factory’s relatively young collectors label, Shout Select, is something of an odd duck. This is less of a criticism than an observation as their releases so far bear no real discernible through line. We’ve gotten well-deserved Blu-rays of eagerly awaited ’80s classics like To Live and Die in La, Road House, and Midnight Run, but the label has also released/announced titles like Death of a Salesman, The Chinese Connection, and Simon Pegg’s forgettable 2012 film, A Fantastic Fear of Everything. So yeah, there’s something of an odd inconsistency across the catalog.
For now though we’re here to discuss their latest releases, two ’80s films of varying acclaim and renown — John Milius’ Red Dawn and Dennis Hopper’s Colors.
Red Dawn (1984)
A small town in Colorado begins its day like any other until strangers drop from the sky. Soviet...
- 3/17/2017
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
No more meth for Bryan Cranston. The former “Malcolm in the Middle” dad is about to cook up an onscreen presidency. And “All The Way,” cast by David Rubin of Firefly Casting, is adding actors left and right. The newest include recent Emmy winner Bradley Whitford (“Transparent”), Frank Langella (“The Americans”), Bruce Nozick, and Aisha Hinds. The HBO TV movie will follow Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson during his unexpected first year in office. The film, based on the Tony-winning play of the same name by Robert Schenkkan in which Cranston made his Broadway debut, is currently filming in Los Angeles. Proving that Hollywood loves a good trend, Cranston’s not your only 1963 Potus player. Woody Harrelson is also taking on the controversial Texan in the feature “Lbj.” Jane Jenkins is casting the project that will include Jeffrey Donovan as President John F. Kennedy and Bill Pullman as Sen.
- 9/23/2015
- backstage.com
Each ring of the phone can sound like a nervous beat that thunders and echoes outward until your mind pulses. Just the name of Irvine Welsh inspires nervous anticipation that is until the sound of his friendly voice calms the nervous anxiety, as one finds oneself talking with the acclaimed Scottish writer from the eye of a Pornstorm. “I think the tropical storm will be a flash flood thing that will be over in a second. The hotel next door is having a wee pornography shoot, and they are filming something around the swimming pool, and so the storm interrupted it. I look right down onto it, and so whenever I open my window there is always something weird going on, and this time it’s a porno shoot.” The susceptibility of pornography shoots to acts of God having been established, the conversation transitions onto the subject of the adaptation...
- 2/5/2014
- by Paul Risker
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"Casting By," the critically acclaimed documentary about the role of the casting director in the movie-making process, makes its Hollywood debut this weekend at Arena Cinema. To celebrate, the filmmakers have scheduled Q&As with some of the industry's top CDs to follow this weekend's screenings: Nov. 15, 7:45 p.m.: Deb Aquila; Wally Nicita; Robin Lippin; Cathy Sandrich Nov. 16, noon: Gary Zuckerbrod, Marci Liroff Nov. 16, 2 p.m.: Richard Hicks; Jane Jenkins Nov. 16, 7:45 p.m.: Barbara McCarthy, April Webster Nov. 17, noon: Deb Zane; Roger Mussenden; John Papsidera; Julie Hutchinson; Deb Barylski Nov. 17, 2 p.m.: Ronna Kress, Heidi Levitt Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: Risa Bramon Garcia; Caroline Liem For updates and ticket information, visit arenascreen.com...
- 11/13/2013
- backstage.com
A planned auction of celebrity actor audition tapes scheduled to take place this week in Beverly Hills will not go forward. A representative for Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson, the two casting directors who had planned to sell 54 VHS tapes of early-career auditions by actors such as Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock, confirmed to Backstage that the tapes have been withrawn from the auction and will instead be donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "I got an email this morning from Janet and Jane saying that there's a big hoopla over this and that they're going to give it to the Academy," said Darryl Marshak of Marshak/Zachary management company. "The Academy now is the keeper of the tapes, and anyone in there can go in and look at them. They're for the whole world to see once they're at the Academy library." Martin Nolan, executive director of Julian's Auctions,...
- 4/2/2013
- backstage.com
A planned auction of 54 VHS tapes featuring early auditions by actors Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, and many others has touched off a fit of handwringing in the casting community and endangered the age-old idea of the audition room as sacred space.On April 5–6, Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills will put the tapes up for sale, some with suggested values as high as $2,000–$4,000. Darren Julien and Martin Nolan appeared on NBC’s “Today” March 29 to publicize the auction and claimed that the tapes were being sold by three casting directors who wished to remain anonymous. But the tapes are widely believed to have come from CDs Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson, who cast most of the projects associated with the auditions. Letterhead from their office can be seen in the catalog for the auction. Kathleen York, whose auditions for the films “Jersey Girl” and “Ransom” are included in the auction,...
- 4/2/2013
- backstage.com
This story first appeared in the Sept. 28 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Joaquin Phoenix and his family made a life-changing trip to the Century City mall in 1981. It was there that the future star of The Master was spotted busking by top children's agent Iris Burton. She immediately signed Joaquin (then calling himself Leaf), 7, and his guitar-playing brother, River, 11. Photos: Venice Film Festival Days 4 Through 6: 'The Master,' 'Love Is All You Need' Premiere Casting director Jane Jenkins, who put River in Stand by Me and later Joaquin in Parenthood, said
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- 9/21/2012
- by Bill Higgins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – John Hughes’s creative peak in the 1980s was brought about by a great deal of writing in a very small period of time. According to legend, Hughes wrote the script for his 1986 cult classic, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” in only seven days while under the threat of a writer’s strike. He was gifted at churning out films, but his prolific nature caused him to noticeably repeat himself.
Like “Home Alone,” the box office monster that ultimately tarnished Hughes’s career, “Bueller” is an infectiously silly exercise in wish fulfillment. It lacks much of the insight that fueled his influential portraits of adolescent hell (such as his lovely debut, “Sixteen Candles”), opting for a cartoonish battle of wits between a smart-aleck student, Ferris (Matthew Broderick), and his vengeful principal (Jeffrey Jones). The film often plays like a Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon crossed with a Chicago travelogue,...
Like “Home Alone,” the box office monster that ultimately tarnished Hughes’s career, “Bueller” is an infectiously silly exercise in wish fulfillment. It lacks much of the insight that fueled his influential portraits of adolescent hell (such as his lovely debut, “Sixteen Candles”), opting for a cartoonish battle of wits between a smart-aleck student, Ferris (Matthew Broderick), and his vengeful principal (Jeffrey Jones). The film often plays like a Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon crossed with a Chicago travelogue,...
- 8/10/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
When the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony takes place Feb. 27, winners will be honored in 24 categories—with trophies going to art directors, sound mixers, costume designers, and makeup artists, among others. But, once again, no casting directors will be receiving awards.Many within the casting profession have questioned why there is no Oscar for casting. Other organizations honor casting directors, such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which gives Primetime Emmys in three casting categories. So why, they ask, doesn't the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award at least one Oscar for film casting?In response to a request for comment on the subject, the Casting Society of America released the following statement: "Casting directors already receive Emmys, Media Access Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards. The Csa has been in conversation with various other organizations for a while now, and all parties are definitely invested in searching the...
- 12/8/2010
- backstage.com
Lisa Soltau was living in Seattle when her friend Bonnie Gillespie sent her a book she had written called "Casting Qs," a compilation of interviews with casting directors. "I read it and I absolutely loved all the aspects of the job," says Soltau. "I loved the entertainment industry and movies and television. The process of casting sounded wonderful."She called one of the two casting offices in Seattle and ended up working as an intern there for about six months. But the CD told her she should move to New York or Los Angeles if she really wanted to pursue a career in casting. "I picked L.A. because I had lived there once for about three years and I thought it would be easier to acclimate there," Soltau says. "Plus I wanted to work on 'Six Feet Under,' which was airing at the time.
- 10/20/2010
- backstage.com
Forget about all those scary-skinny stars -- fat is making a comeback in Hollywood. Like ABC's "The Bachelor," which spawned a spate of reality dating shows, NBC's "The Biggest Loser" has hatched a ton of weight-loss look-alikes. There's "Celebrity Fit Club" on VH1, "Too Fat for Fifteen: Fighting Back" on Style, "Obese" and "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" on ABC and "Thintervention" on Bravo. All feature contestants sweating, whining, quitting and reflecting.
And in a nod to "The Honeymooners," "Roseanne" and more recently "The King of Queens," the new TV season brings us "Mike & Molly," a Chuck Lorre sitcom on CBS that features plus-size stars Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell as regular (read overweight) people who meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.
"Nobody cannibalizes better than Hollywood," said J.D. Roth, co-creator of "Biggest Loser" who also produces "Obese" and is prepping "What's Eating You" for E! "As soon as something is working,...
And in a nod to "The Honeymooners," "Roseanne" and more recently "The King of Queens," the new TV season brings us "Mike & Molly," a Chuck Lorre sitcom on CBS that features plus-size stars Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell as regular (read overweight) people who meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.
"Nobody cannibalizes better than Hollywood," said J.D. Roth, co-creator of "Biggest Loser" who also produces "Obese" and is prepping "What's Eating You" for E! "As soon as something is working,...
- 9/16/2010
- by By Allison Hope Weiner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Forget about all those scary-skinny stars -- fat is making a comeback in Hollywood. Like ABC's "The Bachelor," which spawned a spate of reality dating shows, NBC's "The Biggest Loser" has hatched a ton of weight-loss look-alikes. There's "Celebrity Fit Club" on VH1, "Too Fat for Fifteen: Fighting Back" on Style, "Obese" and "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" on ABC and "Thintervention" on Bravo. All feature contestants sweating, whining, quitting and reflecting.And in a nod to "The Honeymooners," "Roseanne" and more recently "The King of Queens," the new TV season brings us "Mike & Molly," a Chuck Lorre sitcom on CBS that features plus-size stars Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell as regular (read overweight) people who meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting."Nobody cannibalizes better than Hollywood," said J.D. Roth, co-creator of "Biggest Loser" who also produces "Obese" and is prepping "What's Eating You" for E! "As soon as something is working,...
- 9/16/2010
- backstage.com
Bringing an end to the mounting suspense surrounding one of the biggest talent hunts in years, director David Fincher placed a call on Monday to Rooney Mara, a relatively unknown young actress, to break the news.Moments later, Columbia announced that Mara had been chosen to play punk hacker Lisbeth Salander in the English-language movie adaptation of Stieg Larsson's international best-seller, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Until the surprise announcement, Mara was best known -- at least among hard-core horror movie fans -- as the girl who fought Freddy Krueger in the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" that hit theaters in April. But all that is changing rapidly. Not only has Mara landed the coveted "Dragon" role opposite Daniel Craig, who will play investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she also will appear in Fincher's new movie about the early days of Facebook, "The Social Network," which...
- 8/17/2010
- backstage.com
Casting directors came out from behind the curtain to be honored by their peers last night at the 25th Annual Artios Awards. The bi-coastal awards, which were held simultaneously at the new Times Center in New York City and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, are presented yearly for outstanding achievement in casting in theater, film, and television categories on the criteria of originality, creativity, and contribution of casting to the overall quality of a project.Celebrity awards presenters in New York were Patrick Wilson ("Little Children," "Angels in America"), Carrie Preston ("True Blood"), Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road"), Jennifer Morrison ("House"), Bill Pullman ("Oleanna"), Christine Ebersole ("Grey Gardens"), Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men"), and Elizabeth Reaser ("Twilight"). Stanley Tucci and producer Daryl Roth presented the New York Big Apple Award to Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, whose "Love, Loss and What I Wore" recently opened Off-Broadway to rave reviews.
- 11/3/2009
- backstage.com
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