sherry thomas lane casting director

She works constantly in New York, but she was this undiscovered gem to the rest of the world, and now everybody knows who she is., To populate Luca Guadagninos vision of an American Army base in coastal Italy, casting director Carmen Cuba knew she had to build her cast out from the kids at the center of the story. ST: Not at all! It might help for other projects more so than this, just to get a sense of it when youre in the room with us. Were just gonna have a great time.. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Add to list Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys 1 win & 41 nominations total Photos Known for Rudy 7.5 Casting Director 1993 The Handmaid's Tale 8.4 Hes coming in this week. . In the case of Lawrence Gilliard, that role was. If we cant connect its very hard to do our jobs. Now in the shows second season, casting directors Sherry Thomas and Russell Scott were tasked with the challenge of expanding on that world and filling out an ensemble that were able to keep up with Applegate and Cardellini. Its all so seamless, though, that you cant see any of those divisions in his performance. Once we started to figure out that it was Jordan [Kristine Seamn], Ben was a perfect match. RS: With Katey, we wanted someone who is very special because there is a lot to unpack there with Lindas mother being in prison. Once the lead was in place, the other puzzle pieces of this ethnically and neuro-diverse cast started to land. Through conversation and through hearing about what the role is about in detail and where it will go, the list gets smaller and smaller. Alyssa Morris is our associate on this project and it was really, honestly the first time were working on a project where all of us are not together. Russell Scott, Casting Director. ST: Not for us particularly. Luckily he did. 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. 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. And I write on something next to me, I had Michael Imperioli in my head. Christina Applegate has done amazing dramatic work on the show, but she has largely been known as a comedic actor. Closing out the conversation we were joined by their casting partner Sharon Bialy to discuss their second nomination of the year for their work on The Handmaids Tale. Of course she would have a crush on him. Darren was somebody who had this quality that was a little mysterious, obviously very handsome and surprisingly funny., We never really expected there to be a love triangle, because in the pilot Devi and Ben are just so nasty and mean toward each other. Sharon and I have been business partners for 25 years, and were very inserted in each others lives at this point. Oh my God, this is completely the wrong actor that was in my head., And everybody was so nice and so lovely because hes a wonderful actor. And tonally, youd had to have both here. Liz Feldman, Christina Applegate, Jessica Elbaum, and all of our producers fell in love with working with him and figuring out a complex way to bring him back. I knew that Mary could sing. Although the self Read More, Your email address will not be published. A lot of offices have become that even prior to pandemic, to COVID, but thats just never been the way that we like to generate the work. Often times we are reading more people for those roles than anything else. We were able to find actors like Ericka Kreutz who played Shandys mother, and you had Adora Bricher who played Shandy who is amazing as the dark, dark little girl. ST: I dont think any character was as challenging as Natalies. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. Sherry Thomas: But everybody was generous and kind. And then when I did it, you kind of jumped up in your chair. We had to make sure all of the players were lined up, and from there, it was a lot of immediate yess. Im getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it. We are very passionate about not pigeonholing actors. Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. A lot of it is having support. All rights reserved. ST: I mean I cant even Its ridiculous. It was really about getting Devi and her mother cast, as they are the heart of the story, says Greenstein. By Vinnie Mancuso 12/30/15 10:00am. Samira Wiley plays Moira in The Handmaids Tale, a performance that has brought her a third supporting actress Emmy nomination. 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. If its a co-star role and its one scene, a few lines, two takes. Once I opened that door, though, there was no going back. She then added, To be perfectly honest with you, I think that were all in the reality that there are several other huge nominees in there, and so were blessed and honored to be there. It was really sort of a meeting of the minds and people coming together on the choices. Seriously. And were really fing funny! Weve always requested self-tapes and explored actors from all over the world. Casting Director. From our perspective though we are still always trying to surprise the producers. He was a great audition, for sure, but he also really interested Luca as a person. Im just blown away with how Bill can be in a scene, fully connected to it as an actor, even when I know his eye as the director and ear as the writer are simultaneously at work. We sent the audition, and Jemaine fell in love with him: We have to have him! And the next season, they wrote an episode for him, but he couldnt do it. His instinct was that she was the perfect fit for the part, and he didnt give up. Now, here comes my favorite question to ask, Sherry. 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. Thank God. 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. 2006 To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. If its somebody that we have known for a long time and we just say, not sure if its right, but just want to see if there is something there that connects the spirit of the actor to the spirit of the character, but its not right, then we can sort of move on and with respect because we know its not the perfect fit. So now, if I leave at one oclock today [at time of interview] to go pick up my kids from camp, its OK. AD: I imagine one of the more interesting challenges of that character is finding someone who can believably portray someone who has both dated Ana (Diana-Maria Riva) and Judy. Natalies name came up at the very beginning, and she is someone who Liz liked but we were originally told she wasnt available. I wrote a brief commentary of why there was only one Emily Dodson [mother of kidnapped boy]. What are some self-tape tips that you have? And at that time, there were not vaccination mandates in place. Among them, theyre responsible for five of the shows nominated for casting Emmys this year as well as a host of others that have received acting nominations in the past. Shes the real deal.. I dont see it. Sign up for emails from Casting Networks News. So, to be able to support her in a role like this, where she really gets to show what she can do as an actress and the layers and the levels that she has and that she is nuanced, is its exciting. She is known for Breaking Bad (2008), Barry (2018) and The Handmaid's Tale (2017). However, theres a great deal of team Read More, Two in five Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 experience a mental disorder at some time in Read More, From college basketball tournaments to St. Pattys Day, the new month is synonymous with more than a few events. Read More, I believe there is some anxiety in the air over the expectations for commercial self tapes. 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. Your email address will not be published. Now, I would never assume that Melissa McCarthy would be so interested in my life that she would say yes to playing me in a series about it. [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. Casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas, who have worked on "Better Call Saul" and "The Walking Dead," say: "You tell where casting directors are making the effort. 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. If its somebody who were like, Ive never seen them audition for us before. Theyre opposite sides of a coin., Skyler has an exuberance that is hard to describe, Ingram says. And it isnt so much that we only do dramas, we love comedies. And he even was like, Im not right for this, but Im here. Part of our journey is the process of learning about the actor, says Bialy. So weve always cast in a broad, worldly way. 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. 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. Bruce and Lizzie were thrilled with him. Luca was intrigued [by Alice] and it seemed like a great match. And from there, we would have further discussion or conversation. 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. . And it happens. 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. But Thomas and Scott have been able to channel their passion into rounding out the ensemble of the second season with big name guest stars from Frances Conroy and Katey Sagal to utilizing some of the best character actors working today. In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. We wanted the fans to believe this, too, like, Oh my God, hes so cute. Were they names you wanted from the beginning, and did you go out of your way to reunite Katey and Christina Applegate? The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. Were just gonna shove everybody out of the way! Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Fuck yeah!. Send it to the producers. He is so wonderful. Its an amazing collaboration, and the work is very gratifying and just so much fun. We were trying to find the perfect person that would excite Liz to the point where she would want to continue writing for if the character came back. Our job is to hopefully bring her people that she doesnt know yet. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about how we use cookies. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The 2020 Emmys are closer than you think. I was doing a virtual Pilates class when I got a text from Christina that said, Congrats lady! From Thomas passion for her work to her passion for her family, this has been a candid look into the person behind all the casting credits. I dont think it took an hour for every creative to say, Shes perfect. , The most exciting thing is taking that actor everybody sees one way and flipping expectations, Bialy says. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. She was the lead casting director on this one and what she did was really take actors that are known for one thing and respect them and the breath of their talent and say, Im going to try something else here. You always want to work with people who inspire you and who you can learn from, and Bill is one of those people. It is one of our most rewarding jobs., [John McEnroe] was in the original script, and I remember nobody was dealing with it. For Perry Mason (originally set to star Robert Downey Jr., who serves as executive producer with his wife, Susan), casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas discussed their suggestions for . Survivor Users Leaderboard Coming Soon! You dont have to try to crack jokes and just be yourself. It all kind of comes together. 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.. gofund.me/2fffe14f Posts Reels Videos Tagged Search Log In Sign Up So he was intrigued. We were like, Wait, did we just see somebody who literally has zero acting experience and was that great? says Brett Greenstein. And I have now grown to see what a great dramatic actor he is, in the role of Zoeys brother, says Ulrich. The bar has been set and we set it for ourselves as creative people with high standards. Shes amazing with hair, and I have a love for it, too. You learn what you want to change moving forward. Instagram Icon Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. 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. 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. Toothpicks and blue jeans. With self-tapes and zoom callbacks. So, I get an idea for the cadence and tone of the role, which I add to what I already have about it on paper. Thats me, Thomas says. Get our L.A. Oftentimes you have to stay on your leading guy because other actors cant hold [their own]., The challenge is getting that first person of well-known stature to say yes, then you build from there, says Thomas. ST: Russell worked very, very hard on that. Sherry Thomas: They called him, pitched him and Sharon says, huh. Im in LA. (photo: Mark Seliger/FOX) Welcome to tvDownload's " Ask a Casting Director ," a new series in which we talk to the men and women . Sherry Thomas: Theres an energy. The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. And thats exciting when were able to do that. As an art form, acting is often viewed as a personal endeavor. We checked in on her, and the challenging part was convincing producers to take a chance on an actor that youre very familiar with but they might not be. Let me try it. THE PHIL SPECTOR BIOPIC (HBO Movie): David Mamet, Writer-Director Barry Levinson, Michael Hausman, Exec Producers Starring: Al Pacino, Helen Mirren, Jeffrey Tambor, Chiwetel Eji of or (HBO) WIDOW DETECTIVE (pilot): Carol Mendelsohn, David Hubbard, Julie Weitz, Davis Guggenheim, Exec Producers TV casting directors receiving multiple nominations include Alexa L. Fogel (The Politician, . It is how we really modulate a performance. Weve been able to give multiple women over a certain age really complex material. 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. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company. RS: We went through that entire process and read a lot of people. Its going to be hard for us because we love to be in the room with them. Sorry I had to jump in because he is very humble! Sherry was born in Chicago and pursued an acting career after graduating from Northwestern University. The second it became Alex, I ran with it, pushed it, said its a way to really enlighten the world. Liz Feldman has a great knowledge of actors and comedic actors. Required fields are marked *. Sometimes Clement will become inspired by the actors. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. Its also an emotional drama. 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.

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