sherry thomas lane casting director sherry thomas lane casting director

Through conversation and through hearing about what the role is about in detail and where it will go, the list gets smaller and smaller. With Tyler as Diamond, when you see him experience that, you dont question whether or not thats his truth., We all loved [Harriett] from the beginning. Shes amazing with hair, and I have a love for it, too. ST: Not for us particularly. Despite the mega success of Breaking Bad at the Emmys including three acting wins for Bryan Cranston, a pair for Aaron Paul and one for Anna Gunn casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas have been mysteriously overlooked by the TV Academy year after year. But what they don't realize is that not only are they watching closely, they might . We didnt want someone who would be instantly recognizable to the world. But this is definitely a collaboration between Jack and Luca, and who teenagers are today, in this moment., [The character of Sam Pratchett] was really about mixing and matching with whoever [would be playing his girlfriend] Caitlin. SB: It will change, but we are hoping once this is over to be able to go back to that mixture of in-person and self-tapes. Big titles like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and The Handmaid's Tale may first come to mind. There would be years where people would be like, Where did you get all these drug addicts? . But oddly enough, on this show, because on others, we have done producer callbacks over Zoom, we didnt do any. Im in LA. She came in for Mo [Zoeys neighbor, played by gender-fluid actor Alex Newell], and everybody remembered her when we were casting [Zoeys sister-in-law] Emily, says Ulrich. Shes the real deal.. We needed him to feel younger than the other boys, other than Jack. Casting Director. I think a lot of people have made that shift in their mentality. Five seasoned entertainment journalists predict the shows and performances the Television Academy will honor with Emmys; do you agree with their picks? We dont get the opportunity to give immediate feedback and really do the other part of our title which is direct. She is a positive, light person, and that carries into her portrayal of [dancer] Gidget. Thomas adds that they sometimes develop relationships with actors, calling them in time and again for reads. Quickly send your headshot and resume to hundreds of casting directors, agents, and managers. That was a really nice way to come back into the second season. So now, if I leave at one oclock today [at time of interview] to go pick up my kids from camp, its OK. Pros from five of the years newest dramas and comedies including 'Perry Mason' and 'We Are Who We Are' also reveal the surprising obstacles they hurdled before production began. Sherry Thomas Lane is on Facebook. So, theres time to do a little bit of research and we tried to educate people as much as possible that this was based on the podcast based on a true story. But if it is a more substantial role with several scenes, two is fine to send to us. Thats me, Thomas says. 2023 Casting Networks, LLC. (photo: Mark Seliger/FOX) Welcome to tvDownload's " Ask a Casting Director ," a new series in which we talk to the men and women . We actually hit the limit of how many emails Gmail can accept in a day. After Kaling posted the open call on her social media and more than 13,000 submissions poured in, the duo discovered Toronto-based, then-17-year-old Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. And my sister has had her own salon for about 35 years now its called the Hairspace Salon in Easthampton, Massachusetts. I dont know if theres a generic answer that fits every person when it comes to managing work/life balance, though. Required fields are marked *. Michael Ordoa covers film and television for the Los Angeles Times. 14.1k Followers, 269 Following, 782 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sharon Bialy (@sharonbialy) Liz Feldman has a great knowledge of actors and comedic actors. There was something she found the strength in that character, the fearlessness in her eyes., We werent identifying what roles would be people of color, adds her colleague Sherry Thomas. You dont have to drive an hour and a half to two hours for an audition when youre getting the pages two or three days before. It is how we really modulate a performance. She needed the right role to be able to show that shes not just someone whos gorgeous, and Mississippi allows her to do that., Elarica [as dancer Autumn Night] has a very openhearted vulnerability that comes forward when you just look in her eyes, says Ingram. Hes coming in this week. . When you read that someone is meant to be beautiful, what does Luca think beautiful is? says Cuba. Its a natural human thing to think of somebody in one way. Awards Daily: What was it like jumping back into Dead to Me after the first season became such a breakout hit? Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. Hes a very soulful actor and person, and his craft is unbelievable. It felt like he was going to be her enemy the whole time, Greenstein says of Lewisons character, Ben Gross. And if an actor does the wrong choice and they come in the room, you can easily give them direction and play with it and get them more relaxed and support them. This cast is definitely a combination of people who Luca knew hed have to shepherd along. Of Seamn, whose outwardly confident Caitlin struggles with gender identity, Cuba adds, But its funny, because we thought this going in, and then Jordan turned out to somehow be a savant and know how to do everything, even though shed had no experience., I have auditioned [Scott] over the years for various things. What is the craziest audition story that you have? Okay. Name one of your favorite television shows and its a sure bet that Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas were the casting directors for at least one of them. We put out the offer, and he was on board. We were finding choices and some incredible singers, but it just clicked when it became Alex. Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. Producer: Indecent Proposal. What are some self-tape tips that you have? Livin' the dream. That is such a skill, and one I wish I had. For the vampire mockuseries What We Do in the Shadows, nominees Gayle Keller, Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay find themselves looking for actors who dont look like typical actors. AD: What character in the second season proved to be the most challenging? So, I knew Id have a paycheck once I arrived and took my two weeks vacation to make the trip over and get settled. Part of our journey is the process of learning about the actor, says Bialy. Well, Russell was able to work with production to make it happen, adds Thomas. For Season 2 of Handmaids, we were surprised with Sydney Sweeney [as Eden]. Bruce and Lizzie were thrilled with him. Sharon Bialy: I think actors often think, Oh, they only think of me for this. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. So find somebody who really is going to, give you a little bit of something to play off of, but not try to sort of make it about them, because thats not what theyre there for. WEBN Reporter Ali Inglese sat down with "Breaking Bad" Casting Directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas. And, Id imagine, completely challenging. We would give a little context of the tone. And so I said, Oh my God, oh my God, Michael Rispoli is going to be in town from New York and we need to get him in. Sherry Thomas: If a reader is really distracting, its not about the reader, its about the actor. So we can say, No, this is the Bob Odenkirk character youre reading with. And its like, oh, a light bulb goes off, but we cant in email. Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. It feels like thats not as much of a requirement anymore, though, and I want to help fully facilitate that change for the next generation of women. We always want to be readily available to talk as they prepare their tapes so that there is that sense that weve been in the room with them. He is so wonderful. Speaking with Awards Daily, the 2020 Emmy nominees walked us through the challenges of the second season from chasing down Natalie Morales as the second seasons biggest addition to a number of high-profile cameos. And it worked! Sign up to get must-read entertainment headlines and audition advice delivered to your inbox every weekday. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Casting Director Casting Department Producer IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Sharon Bialy is known for Rudy (1993), The Handmaid's Tale (2017) and Barry (2018). I dont have to deal with traffic or anything like that, but being in the room, I totally miss. John Ennis is a character actor weve known for a long time and he was amazing as the exterminator. Weve been bringing him in and casting him for some time, so he was somebody right from the start. Mercedes is the one who draws all the crowds into The Pynk, so you have to have someone that has this magnetism about them., Oh, what can you say? And it happens. You have this sort of visceral, gut reaction when its right, and thats how it was for me with casting. A lot of it is having support. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. We have to experience the duality of his life, and that heartbreak, and the choices he makes., I remember in the audition process, the actors had to say to Mississippi how they could take care of her abusive boyfriend, Ingram recalls. She and Bialy relied on their stable of talent from decades in the profession. And people. , Keller says, They said they wanted boring. Like if you were to go to a town meeting to talk about zoning.. You really want to buy into that environment. He was shooting a really naturalistic portrait of this group, and so much of this was about how these kids are as themselves: How are they when theyre not doing the scene? What sets this young cast apart from many other series starring young adults is the actors age range. While eager to gather a diverse troupe for Mindy Kaling and Lang Fishers series, casting directors Collin Daniel and Brett Greenstein quickly realized that until they had nailed down their series leads, there was no ensemble to assemble. How did you come to realize that casting was the job for you? But it really feels good to be recognized by our peers. Follow Gold Derby onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,Tumblr,iTunesandYouTube, Gold Derby is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Stars Sharon Bialy Theo Park Lucinda Syson See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist Photos Add photo Top cast I think Mindy had said she ran into him at a Vanity Fair party and said something to him. She came in and was so natural, so funny. I feel like I get him. Sharon Bialy: Right. I think we will all be more mindful of that process, but I also dont want to be in a room with an actor with a giant piece of plexiglass between us. ST: It is a challenge when there are so many components beyond Are they a great actor? and Are they right for the part? The age had to be right so that it felt right appropriate for Diana. Im getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it. She created a book this big between her read with casting and her read with Bruce, of her story as the character. Natalie [Morales] was someone [showrunner Liz Feldman] had in mind from the beginning, but she was working on a movie. Send it to the producers. Sharon Bialy: I mean, I watch the whole thing. Then he went to dinner with Regina and came back and said, Why didnt I just I feel so ashamed. Because here, on a plate, is this great actress. . Legitimately dead? We had no idea that was the plan. Interview: Jeremy Davis on Playing Olaf in Frozen, Costume Mishaps and Making the Role His Own, Interview: Casting Director Kim Coleman on Five Days at Memorial, Self-Tape Tips and Portraying Real People, Interview: David Christopher Wells on His Role in To Kill a Mockingbird, Being an Understudy and Getting His MFA, Interview: Clifton Collins Jr. and Molly Parker on Jockey, Research and Bad Auditions, Ted Lasso Star Phil Dunster on How He Got the Role of Jamie Tartt, Theres No Such Thing As Chemistry In Acting. And I think you can do that because you have more time, youre at home. Better Call Saul, were not even allowed to give you anything. You learn what you want to change moving forward. And thats exciting when were able to do that. We had read her for The Handmaids Tale one season, and we had read her for an independent movie that was a really deep and layered character. She gave so much more than was even on the page [in the role of Mercedes mom], Ingram says. Its a visceral feeling, says Ingram, when you see an actor who you really know should be in a role., [Brandee] really had the strength and the forcefulness and chutzpah that [lead dancer] Mercedes needs, Hopkins says. It was fun to be able to draw on somebody that I had thought was so talented for so long.. [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. We received a lot of calls from agents and managers who loved the show with their clients who would love to be a part of it. Awards. Sherry Thomas: Yeah. Sherry was born in Chicago and pursued an acting career after graduating from Northwestern University. So, I didnt necessarily find casting it found me. Shes just perfect. Get ready with our TV viewers guide, Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, The Buzzmeter: Our experts predict the 2020 Emmy winners - and so can you, The secret to What We Do in the Shadows success? Three if theres one in there that you just want to give it a shot. Alice Lee was just a discovery. When we got the initial call we looked at each other, and were like Isnt he dead? Creator Katori Hall made a short film of her intended pilot that featured several castmembers, but the search still encompassed thousands of auditions and extensive chemistry reads. In 1975 she joined MGM as an executive story editor. We were so touched that people were really moved by the show and actually watched it. That openheartedness that Gidget needed to have, Skyler innately has., J. It has all come down to this, friends. And also sometimes not having all the producers in the room gives the actor, even on a zoom call back with us, we can play with them more and theyre not trying to please everybody, theyre just concentrating on the work. RS: A lot of times those small roles are the hardest to cast. Primetime Emmy Awards. And I also just love her as a person. Thats what it is all about. There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. We had readings for that part. Luca is a director whos interested in the rawness and the grounding of truth., Because of City of God, [Alice] is somebody Ive always looked at and always been really curious about, says Cuba of the actress, who plays one of protagonist Frasers mothers, both in the military. At that point, I feel like Ive got it I know who the character is. We knew her, but I wouldnt say that a lot of people knew her, Greenstein adds. This interview has been edited and condensed. But in a series that tonally feels more like an independent feature, not just any teenagers would do. Im not saying he is like Fraser, because that was never our feeling. Luca was definitely familiar with his music [as Kid Cudi] and loves it. It was a surprise to us. gofund.me/2fffe14f Posts Reels Videos Tagged Search Log In Sign Up Mindy did, probably, because she had her on The Mindy Project. Despite the mega success of "Breaking Bad" at the Emmys -- including three acting wins for Bryan Cranston, a pair for Aaron Paul and one for Anna Gunn -- casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry . Our job is to connect with people to bring out the best performance. But he also, as himself, has a real confidence and a unique and very modern feel, which I think really lends itself to Fraser. AD: This wasnt your only nomination this year. He put himself on tape, and Tim really responded to his audition [for the beat-cop role].. And our associate, Alyssa Morris, did the same with the smaller roles. I dont want to make it sound so righteous, but I think it was just a good, interesting, and different way to go. Was that hard at all? The testing was very rigorous and I think production did such an amazing job with what they had to accomplish in the way that they had to accomplish it. I grew up thinking that acting was going to be my path in life, so when I was 22, I packed up my car and drove cross-country to LA with just 150 bucks in my pocket. ST: Not at all! Sherry Thomas: Ive been a longtime fan of Casey. He fell in love with doing the show. The driving force was that this world felt real, [that] we could see these people living here, Ingram says. I brought in this guy from New York, hes actually a playwright, his name is Jeremy O. Harris. She was channeling her own mother, is what she told us. Luca was intrigued [by Alice] and it seemed like a great match. Everything was requested self-tapes, so we would discuss ideas with them for the series regulars, our main players in the piece. My wife is my reader and shes terrible. Jonathans secretary. Its when I really first started, when I was having a lot of autonomy with Sharon. Like with Colins office mates; they have like one line here and there and Jemaine said, I need them all back. You dont see loyalty like that a lot.. When we started out, I was her associate for about two years, and then we became partners. You guys cast this while everything was locked down. Kay says, I met with [showrunners Jemaine Clement and Paul Simms] in the beginning, and they were like, You know, just bring us good faces. Good lighting is typical, and shooting from the right angle, and just be yourself in the slate. Sherry Thomas: I think it is a little bit of both. Why Netflix is dabbling in livestreaming. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. So, you give each actor more of an opportunity to really get the role in some ways. ST: We hadnt discussed the idea in general, probably because of the previous relationship with Christina, and we didnt want to pull anybody out of it. Id read about her ability, Ulrich says of the Oscar winner, a prolific singer-songwriter. AD: The biggest addition of the second season was the character of Michelle, who is played by Natalie Morales. And Sherry was like, Shes so smart. Name one of your favorite television shows and it's a sure bet that Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas were the casting directors for at least one of them. So, we really didnt do any producer sessions over Zoom. Jeremy O. Harris was cast in a small role in FXs What We Do in the Shadows. Co-showrunner Jemaine Clement then wrote an episode just for him. Were just gonna have a great time.. Lets try it. One of their latest shows, the wonderful The Shrink Next Door, just finished its run on Apple+ and the pair took some time out of their busy schedule to talk about casting the show, their thoughts and advice on self-tapes and much more! With larger roles, you have time to build an arc, but with something so small, the challenge is how to make it memorable. But going into the second season, the world knows the show, and we dont have to explain what it is. He did come in and audition and just blew everybody away., The most fun bit of casting was the fact that Mo was written as a woman. We rely so heavily on the loudness, and the shoutiness, and the calling out ideas and really kind of collaborating in that way. She has been nominated for eight Emmys (The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Breaking Bad) and 19 CSA nominations. From encouraging this writer about her questionable hair choices to estimating how many times shes forgotten to pick her kids up from school, Thomas candor in our interview provided an intriguing look into the person behind all the casting credits. Sherry Thomas: Yep. You can see so many more people for a role, because you can take chances because you dont have to slot people in to 15-minute time periods with the producers. Its an amazing collaboration, and the work is very gratifying and just so much fun. With Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd attached to it, if I went in for an audition, Id automatically think, this was like a more comedic sort of thing. I love her performances and everything she does, and Luca felt the same way., Jack has a lot of experience in movies and TV, so he had a flexibility as far as craft goes, Cuba says. Do you guys prefer two takes on the self-tape? We started back in February of 2020, right before everything shut down, so Covid added some new challenges and parameters that we had to work within. Stacia Kimler, Casting . What she did to prepare for that role was incredible. We are very, very excited for season three. As for the ladies favorite guest stars over the years, they bring special attention to Charles Baker (Skinny Pete), Matt Jones (Badger) and Daniel and Luis Moncada (the Cousins), but they admit that Emmy nominee Mark Margolis may be their favorite casting scoop for the show. Actors often think casting directors hardly even pay attention during their auditions. If life begins at conception, why aren't Republicans making sure that the men who cause pregnancies take any responsibility? Were just gonna shove everybody out of the way! Let me try it. When you work in television and when you work with really great material, you do get excited for this time of year. We really needed someone for that role who would be able to come in and immediately keep up with Linda, Christina, and James who had already gelled. The Commander that Christopher Meloni played [Commander Winslow] was challenging because often times the first script doesnt tell you what the journey is going to be. To see somebody with natural comedic timing who really got the nuances of the scenes and really got the multidimensional character she wasnt just reading lines. And before we wrap, can you share your secret for managing work/life balance? Was that something you were both conscious of when originally casting him? The cast of Gotham. [Tim] talks about the spirit and the soul of the actor marrying with the spirit and the soul of the character, says Thomas. Thomas says, Damon tried to give me a hint: He should be a little unusual. My associate, Elizabeth, who knows the comics very well, she guessed it.. No. The Robert Downey Jr. -produced HBO series Perry Mason -which places the famed criminal defense lawyer played by Matthew Rhys in the era he debuted in literature, the 1930s-features a stellar cast. Did you specify that in the breakdowns or did you have to redirect people? But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Shifting gears again, I have a true get-to-know-you question. Sharon and I have been business partners for 25 years, and were very inserted in each others lives at this point. Were lucky., I was a giant fan of Janes for many, many years, from Suburgatory, Robert J. Ulrich says of the lead actress whose Zoey can see and hear what others are feeling via fantasy musical numbers. Her emotional depth and ability, in the scene, to always find the deepest but most surprising way to play it, is amazing and then to be able to sing on top of it. She had a feeling I was going to end up in casting, but I wasnt so sure at the time. For 'The. AD: The second season also featured two major guest stars in Frances Conroy and Katey Sagal. Its good to be (Regina) King: The Oscar winner might win her fourth Emmy for her portrayal of Angela Aybar/Sister Night in Watchmen., The Doctor is in: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was a surprise choice to play Dr. Manhattan in HBOs Watchmen.. Then he was totally game to be in the last episode in front of the camera., After co-creator and executive producer Mindy Kaling tweeted an open casting call for series lead Devi Vishwakumar, the casting directors discovered newcomer Ramakrishnan. The others laugh a little. Sherry Thomas: Theres an energy. Its really wonderful to see that. But honestly, I had no idea how well Jane could sing., I knew she could sing because she had been on Broadway, and she just brought such a fun element to the show, says Ulrich of the Gilmore Girls and Parenthood vet, who made her Broadway debut in a 2009 revival of the musical comedy Guys and Dolls; Graham plays Zoeys boss. sherrythomaslane Follow 284 posts 5,086 followers 587 following Sherry Thomas Lane Casting Director / Owner @ Bialy Thomas & Associates Blue collar Northampton, MA native who is Livin' the dream. John Lithgow, for E.B. No, but it made me feel like just more confident. Hes like 6-foot-5, hes got this huge fro. Over the course of my daughters lives my oldest is going to be 12 in September and my youngest is 10 Ive probably forgotten to pick them up from school about 20 times. We can be a force of nature in our career and still want to spend more than an hour and a half with our newborn baby. Were in a very different time and our priorities are a little different, but it doesnt take away from the pride of it and the love and passion we have for it. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company. Michael was one of those extraordinarily talented people who did not make it onto the show, but I kept in mind and saw him in stage productions and For the Record.