sherry thomas lane casting director

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. 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. We knew her, but I wouldnt say that a lot of people knew her, Greenstein adds. And now jumping to present day, congrats are in order regarding the recent Emmy nomination you received with Sharon Bialy for your teams work casting Barry. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. Now, here comes my favorite question to ask, Sherry. Those interested in learning more about the stacked list of TV and film titles on her rsum can find them listed on IMDb. Hes like 6-foot-5, hes got this huge fro. And sometimes the sides are fake. 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. And then, Sherry, you redirected me to do something. I was doing a virtual Pilates class when I got a text from Christina that said, Congrats lady! Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. You are known for bringing in people who are looked at one way, and then you sort of have given this whole new sort of light, this new career almost to them. I get told all the time that I remind people of Melissa McCarthy. Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. And one of the first things that we did together as Bialy/Thomas was The Unit with Shawn Ryan and David Mamet and Eric Haney. And I also just love her as a person. 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. ST: I think this year is so off kilter. What are some self-tape tips that you have? I feel like this is not in my wheelhouse, or Im not right for this at all, but wanted to come and meet you guys.. And Peter [Gallagher, as Maggies husband, Mitch] obviously had been on Broadway. We talk about what hes looking for, and I like to ask if he has any prototypes dead or alive for the characters. 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. When you read that someone is meant to be beautiful, what does Luca think beautiful is? says Cuba. We will never, ever be an office that is strictly self-taped. Thats a fantastic pick! Did you specify that in the breakdowns or did you have to redirect people? She is known for Breaking Bad (2008), Barry (2018) and The Handmaid's Tale (2017). Thats why you guys are so successful and all the shows you do, which are fantastic. Sign Up. So youll see Breaking Bad is peppered with stand-up guys doing their first drama., Join the fiery discussion of Breaking Bad in our forums, Thomas added, But really what we just love to do is great material and hire really interesting actors. And it isnt so much that we only do dramas, we love comedies. He was pursuing editing work on the side. All Rights Reserved. Hes often the heavy for this, he was a father who had a lost son., We cast Chris in Gotham but have known him for years, says Thomas. For Season 2 of Handmaids, we were surprised with Sydney Sweeney [as Eden]. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. And then when I did it, you kind of jumped up in your chair. We really relied on people that we have cultivated relationships with over a period of time as casting directors do. We got so many emails from agents asking, Where did you find these actors? Everybody was blown away, says Greenstein. What can you tell us about the process of assembling the cast for its long-awaited third season? If you have one weak link, it becomes obvious. According to Ashley Ingram, who also served as casting director on the show, an added challenge of populating the struggling Mississippi Delta strip joint was the desire for authenticity over recognizability. 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.. ST: I dont think any character was as challenging as Natalies. Once I opened that door, though, there was no going back. This story first appeared in a January stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. We were finding choices and some incredible singers, but it just clicked when it became Alex. The parameters of that character were a tall order to fill. I appreciate that insight into collaborating with such a talented multi-hyphenate. And at that time, there were not vaccination mandates in place. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? We make several-page lists of actors who might be a good fit. But what they don't realize is that not only are they watching closely, they might . The theater is located at 38 Commerce Street between Barrow and Bedford Streets in the West Village neighborhood of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City.The Cherry Lane Theatre contains a 179-seat main stage and a 60-seat studio. Get our L.A. Did you experience a lot of actors who struggled to nail the specific tone and how did you help them get there in the audition room? [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. That openheartedness that Gidget needed to have, Skyler innately has., J. After appearing in two films, Loving (1970) and Rio Lobo (1970), Sherry decided to leave the acting field. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. 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. Quickly send your headshot and resume to hundreds of casting directors, agents, and managers. But he also, as himself, has a real confidence and a unique and very modern feel, which I think really lends itself to Fraser. Big titles like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and The Handmaids Tale may first come to mind. Casting Networks uses cookies to analyze our traffic and to personalize content and ads. Through conversation and through hearing about what the role is about in detail and where it will go, the list gets smaller and smaller. 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. Im not saying he is like Fraser, because that was never our feeling. Its an amazing collaboration, and the work is very gratifying and just so much fun. 2021 Nominee Primetime Emmy: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series . It is one of our most rewarding jobs., [John McEnroe] was in the original script, and I remember nobody was dealing with it. I love it you all sound like youre very close casting partners! One day, Damon said, Hey, theres this guy, Yahya! I went, Yeah. We had to make sure all of the players were lined up, and from there, it was a lot of immediate yess. 1 on iTunes Charts, Jussie Smollett finally appeals his conviction stemming from 2019 hate-crime hoax, Gayle King surprises Angela Bassett with her Whats Love Got to Do With It dress, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Daisy Jones & the Six review: Riley Keough fronts a rock soap opera, Sweetie Pies alum Tim Norman gets life sentence for planned execution of nephew, Fox News finally reveals its kryptonite: the bottom line, Unlike Andor, Mandalorian is going all in on Star Wars lore. 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. We started talking with her agent, and they basically said to make sure this was the direction we wanted to go in because if Katey found out she would certainly want to do it. But if it is a more substantial role with several scenes, two is fine to send to us. And, Id imagine, completely challenging. The others laugh a little. Women of that level and age arent coming in to read at that point in their careers, so we kept combing through this huge list. Its interesting, because I think what happens to actors often happens to casting directors, Bialy explained. 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. Id read about her ability, Ulrich says of the Oscar winner, a prolific singer-songwriter. 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. 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. And I have now grown to see what a great dramatic actor he is, in the role of Zoeys brother, says Ulrich. Required fields are marked *. Sherry Thomas: Theres an energy. I remember going in for you guys a couple times and unlike a lot of rooms, you guys made it so comfortable, and it was just so warm. Sherry Thomas: Fortunately, I feel like everybody did a little bit of research, which was interesting. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? 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. [Niccos] brilliant, says Hopkins. And it worked! That was a very, very challenging role, Thomas says of the eager young econowife character who comes to learn just how divorced love and marriage are in the Gilead dystopia. Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. But filling the role of a Sherman Oaks-grown teenager of South Asian heritage proved harder than expected. Hes a very soulful actor and person, and his craft is unbelievable. There would be years where people would be like, Where did you get all these drug addicts? . Were just gonna have a great time.. You learn what you want to change moving forward. And I said, Yeah, I think its going to be really cool and really interesting. Okay. ST: Not for us particularly. It is how we really modulate a performance. We went back to our theatre brains, and Laila Robins is someone I had seen over 25 years ago doing The Real Thing opposite Jeremy Irons. She was channeling her own mother, is what she told us. How did you end up finding her for the role? So, I was working with Shawn Ryan and Sharon was working with David Mamet, I mean, it was like a big deal. Its great to virtually meet you, Sherry, and lets kick things off right at the beginning of your career. And I think you can do that because you have more time, youre at home. 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 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. There was somebody we just couldnt hire recently that is absolutely not known for comedy. The Emmys may be in September but its never too early to look out for potential nominees, including Succession, Schitts Creek and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. We have been very lucky on this show. Sometimes the casting session is slammed, and you have several actors in the waiting room. And Sherry was like, Shes so smart. She is a positive, light person, and that carries into her portrayal of [dancer] Gidget. RS: We went through that entire process and read a lot of people. Oscars 2023: Preview and Predictions + Contest! Michael Ordoa covers film and television for the Los Angeles Times. Then, I go through my notes and consider actors that I love, as well as some new actors. One of the limited series biggest secrets spoiler alert: If you havent seen Watchmen, skip down several paragraphs was that perhaps the most iconic character from the comic would indeed appear in the show, set years after the source material. Casting just felt right for me. 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 . Sherry Thomas: Good reader whos not too close to the camera and not trying to audition for themselves. Sometimes our job is basically that of a casting director/producer. You dont have to try to crack jokes and just be yourself. You have this sort of visceral, gut reaction when its right, and thats how it was for me with casting. It sounds like you didnt look back after the job found you. 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. I recently got a perm, Sherry, and its been a real challenge. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Its definitely a world that were extremely interested in.. If we cant connect its very hard to do our jobs. Thanks, and Ill add that working from home with your kids during the pandemic really shows you what youve been missing out on. Producer: Indecent Proposal. I had the highest hopes and no idea that he could sing as well as he could sing. I think a lot of people have made that shift in their mentality. Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). Sometimes the nomination day is like Christmas morning, but this year we completely forgot. We ultimately will probably only send one take, unless were really questioning We dont edit it ourselves too much sometimes because the producers could come back and say, You know, theyre missing a moment, and thats exactly what was in the other take. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company. Our job is to connect with people to bring out the best performance. We wanted to see her because we were such huge fans from all the things that shes done, especially The Night Of. I truly love doing hair and have always told people that if I somehow just sh-t the bed and was no longer able to be in casting, I would do hair instead. Sherry Thomas: Well, its crazy. Sign up to get must-read entertainment headlines and audition advice delivered to your inbox every weekday. 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. 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. This is my first experience with Luca, so the process involved me figuring out how he defines a lot of the things in the script. I knew him from The Glee Project and I just think he is one of the most extraordinary talents around. What she did to prepare for that role was incredible. Were just gonna shove everybody out of the way! Deadline Media, Get our free, urgent prediction updates and news, 9 Emmy nominees you didnt know were already on Netflix: , Leaderboards: See All Past Prediction Accuracy Scores, Leaderboards: Best Prediction Accuracy Scores for Film, TV and Music Awards, Leaderboards: Best TV Show Predictions by Gold Derby Users, Find a User or Expert / Download Gold Derbys Free, New App. The thing that Luca seemed to be connecting to is a real combination of, could they do the material, but also could he engage in real dialogue with them about what it means to be their age in this moment and incorporate that into the vision that he had., Jordan didnt even have an agent. Aug. 21, 2020 2 PM PT. Sherry Thomas: I think it is a little bit of both. 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. He is so wonderful. 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. When youre chasing after an actor with a name, you need them to trust you. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. She has been nominated for eight Emmys (The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Breaking Bad) and 19 CSA nominations. That makes sense. I feel like I get him. Even the actor didnt know until that episodes script rolled around. He goes right to the edge, and it works. When people used to ask us, I used to say, Oh, our reward is working with Vince Gilligan every day, which we continue to do and thats still true, Bialy told Gold Derby during our recent webchat (watch below). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thats why the character [club owner Uncle Clifford] is so exciting and real because Nicco is willing to take those risks., Shannon [as dancer Keyshawn] is shockingly gorgeous. 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. He fell in love with doing the show. Those things are leaps of faith, right? Learn how your comment data is processed. Casting Director. When we got the initial call we looked at each other, and were like Isnt he dead? Defying past portrayals of female friendship on television, Dead To Me enamoredaudiences with its unexpected casting choices of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. For Lady Sherlock series publicity inquiries (media coverage, review copies, and interviews), please contact Tara O'Connor at Penguin Random House And then there were some people that we redirected and from the day players up to our more significant roles that were prominent in the piece. Sherry Thomas: If a reader is really distracting, its not about the reader, its about the actor. 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. 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. 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. She was kind of in my head when I read it. While leaving no stone unturned in his search for the perfect San Francisco enclave, Ulrich ended up with more than a few recognizable names of both stage and screen in key roles. 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. 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. It seems that reboots are a dime a dozen these days. 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. Her role in "Barry" came about thanks to its casting director, nine-time Emmy nominee Sherry Thomas, as well as the Hollywood satire's dedication to meta humor. And then we pulled from that to go and seek out the right people for the roles. 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. Two different ways? This weekend, we'll hear from three more guilds: the ACE (Eddie Awards), the ASC, and the WGA. Once the lead was in place, the other puzzle pieces of this ethnically and neuro-diverse cast started to land. As continuing shows, all three series have established universes and tones, says Thomas. Fuck yeah!. New to Casting Networks? Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Like everyone else on the planet we love her. Sherry Thomas: Yeah, it was. When we circled back, I remember looking at the date and I was like, Holy shit, I think shes available. , Theres an assuredness to Sister Alice that the audience has to buy because she believes [her evangelism] so strongly, Bialy says. I think in this particular project that Georgia [Pritchetts] writing was incredible, and the tone was on the page, but still it helped. I think Mindy had said she ran into him at a Vanity Fair party and said something to him. Photo Credit: Deanna Baldwin Boyd, courtesy of Sherry Thomas. They tell the story of when they had to call Margolis in New York and ask him to put himself on tape, despite the fact that his character had no lines. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The vampire mockumentary series was a surprise Emmys 2020 comedy series nominee, but dont look for hidden meaning behind the fun, say its writers. John Ennis is a character actor weve known for a long time and he was amazing as the exterminator. 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. Its OK because now youll get great volume when you blow dry it. I would own my own version of a Drybar. I forgot to mention Casey Wilson. We had lots of auditions. In 1975 she joined MGM as an executive story editor. Year Program Casting Network Sauls Rhea Seehorn was one they called in many times before she booked the key Kim Wexler role. If its a co-star role and its one scene, a few lines, two takes. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. A lot of casting people their choices have shifted to self-tapes and some of them only self-tapes, but for us our choice will always to be in the room with actors. And tonally, youd had to have both here. He just had a great rawness and innocence., As Sams older brother Craig, Corey had not had any experience. 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. 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. And when they feel that support, they just blossom right in front of the camera. I really hope the industry is changing to be better in that area, especially for women who want to work and also be moms. Its also an emotional drama. He hadnt done anything either. Co-Owner Bialy Thomas & Assoc. Five seasoned entertainment journalists predict the shows and performances the Television Academy will honor with Emmys; do you agree with their picks? 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. Personnel: Sharon Bialy, Casting Director. She read the whole book in like 48 hours. She gets it. We were like, Wait, did we just see somebody who literally has zero acting experience and was that great? says Brett Greenstein. AD: The second season also featured two major guest stars in Frances Conroy and Katey Sagal. And were really fing funny! If life begins at conception, why aren't Republicans making sure that the men who cause pregnancies take any responsibility? 2006 Its so much more fun when youre doing a musical, because people are singing and your days suddenly better, says Robert J. Ulrich. All rights reserved. Its when I really first started, when I was having a lot of autonomy with Sharon. We discussed a bunch of people [for the role of Caitlins father, an Army lieutenant] and then it just felt natural for Scott and Luca to meet. He doesnt necessarily work with people twice in a row, so we didnt immediately go to Regina, says Thomas. Elarica leads more with vulnerability, and Brandee leads more with strength. Its been a long time coming and were very proud of it., 9 Emmy nominees you didnt know were already on Netflix: Breaking Bad, Scandal, , If they do win the Emmy, they arent worried about getting kicked off the stage if their acceptance speech lasts too long. Sorry I had to jump in because he is very humble! Primetime Emmy Awards. Thats what I did back in 2012 after my second daughter was born. Gohar Gazazyan, Casting Director. But in a series that tonally feels more like an independent feature, not just any teenagers would do. It was a surprise to us. Keep reading for a window into everything from how she works including her Emmy-nominated casting of Barrys third season to what shed be doing if her chosen profession werent an option. I have no history with her. Part of our journey is the process of learning about the actor, says Bialy. [Tatiana is] someone we really believed in and highly recommended to Tim and the producers., [Gayle was] the only one who read, Thomas says. Kids is the movie that made me recognize that this was something I could do, and the first movie I did on my own as a casting director was a movie called Bully, which was by the same director as Kids [Larry Clark].

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