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. The parameters of that character were a tall order to fill. And say, Lets try them for this.. 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. So now, if I leave at one oclock today [at time of interview] to go pick up my kids from camp, its OK. And thats part of our job is to continue education. Casting Yvonne Strahovskis mother, we needed someone who could be formidable. And I said, Yeah, I really feel like it could be really cool, and okay, great. 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. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. He was tied to a play in New York., Jemaine does that so much, says Kay. She created a book this big between her read with casting and her read with Bruce, of her story as the character. Sharon Bialy: I think actors often think, Oh, they only think of me for this. Wiley plays the rebellious Moira on Handmaids and has one Emmy win in three nominations for the role. Why Netflix is dabbling in livestreaming. 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.. Weve read her over the years and have been a fan of hers, says Daniel of the role Moorjani eventually landed, as the cousin who initially inspires envy in Devi. Thomas says, His agent called me: Oh my God, Vicky, we just learned who he was! and they screamed. I knew him from The Glee Project and I just think he is one of the most extraordinary talents around. Theres a lot of complexity to the role and we needed someone funny. After a 2007 surgery that required general anesthesia, Steenburgen, who plays Zoeys mother, Maggie, began hearing original music in her head. She had to go to some places and the work was beautiful. Slowly they realized that Maitreyi and Jaren have this really great chemistry, so it naturally evolved into this love triangle, which was really fun to see., Finding stars for a show that centers entirely on musical numbers is not the daunting task one imagines especially if you were the casting director of Glee and have an enormous roster of singing actors at your disposal. 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. Because they're not "pro-life". Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. What can you tell us about the process of assembling the cast for its long-awaited third season? Type above and press Enter to search. It has this sense of urgency that I love and the tangible aspect of running a business, but then theres also the creative side of it. There would be years where people would be like, Where did you get all these drug addicts? . Our job is to connect with people to bring out the best performance. The age had to be appropriate so there would be chemistry with Linda. And people. , Keller says, They said they wanted boring. Like if you were to go to a town meeting to talk about zoning.. Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. Im always thrilled when stunt casting works, because people immediately feel a sense of connection by knowing somebody from the past, he says. Theyre opposite sides of a coin., Skyler has an exuberance that is hard to describe, Ingram says. It was the biggest new role of the season. I was doing a virtual Pilates class when I got a text from Christina that said, Congrats lady! 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. But I dont believe she had ever been a series regular before. 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. We really kind of leave it up to the actor. 2021 Nominee Primetime Emmy: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series . John Ennis is a character actor weve known for a long time and he was amazing as the exterminator. 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. AD: As our readers can imagine, casting can be a very hands-on role where you are meeting dozens of new people every day. So, there you have it. We are very, very excited for season three. We rely so heavily on the loudness, and the shoutiness, and the calling out ideas and really kind of collaborating in that way. casting director Casts for Film, TV, Theatre, New Media California About Sharon Bialy Sharon Bialy is an award winning Casting Director for television, film and theater. 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). The Cherry Lane Theatre is the oldest continuously running off-Broadway theater in New York City. When you guys watch a self-tape, how long do you spend on it until you move on. And especially for kids, dont try that hard in the slate to be liked and all of that, its just, Hey, Im Lance Carter, Im five foot 10. 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. Casting just felt right for me. I wrote a brief commentary of why there was only one Emily Dodson [mother of kidnapped boy]. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. I dont know if theres a generic answer that fits every person when it comes to managing work/life balance, though. 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. 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. We were so touched that people were really moved by the show and actually watched it. #LucindaSyson #TheoPark #SherryThomas SharonBialy #CastingDirectorsQ&A with casting directors from several Apple TV+ series; Lucinda Syson (Foundation), Theo. ST: Not at all! I had the highest hopes and no idea that he could sing as well as he could sing. 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. Hes coming in this week. . Seriously. Its hard to pick just a handful of credits that cover the breadth and depth of Sherry Thomas casting rsum. Oscars 2023: Just How Many Oscars Will Everything, Everywhere All at Once Win? 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. 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. You always want to work with people who inspire you and who you can learn from, and Bill is one of those people. Then there are recent series like Vanessa Bayers I Love That for You and Danny McBrides The Righteous Gemstones. Did it make your job easier or was it challenging having actors come in with a preconceived notion of what the show should be? But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. Send it to the producers. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. By Vinnie Mancuso 12/30/15 10:00am. As an art form, acting is often viewed as a personal endeavor. Thats me, Thomas says. Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. It was the biggest casting search weve ever done in our career, says Daniel. My partner Sherry Thomas, who casts the show with me, and I have a history of colorblind casting, so we're always looking for the best actor. They met and he loved him, and that was that., There is no shortage of star wattage in the dark origin story of the legendary defense lawyer, but there is an art to combining such talent. As continuing shows, all three series have established universes and tones, says Thomas. For Austin Winsbergs musical extravaganza, Ulrich was asked to put together a cast that could sing, dance and pretend none of it is really happening. How did you end up finding her for the role? 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. 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 definitely a world that were extremely interested in.. From our perspective though we are still always trying to surprise the producers. That is such a skill, and one I wish I had. 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. 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. 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. Shes fantastic. If we cant connect its very hard to do our jobs. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Sharon Bialy: I think thats a really good note. She even officiated when my husband and I were married. Sharon and I have been business partners for 25 years, and were very inserted in each others lives at this point. 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. Weve always requested self-tapes and explored actors from all over the world. His instinct was that she was the perfect fit for the part, and he didnt give up. And I said, Yeah, I think its going to be really cool and really interesting. He put himself on tape, and Tim really responded to his audition [for the beat-cop role].. 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. Thomas says of the then-not-so-well-known Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, I kind of always knew Yahya was it. I think we all miss being in the room with actors and I think a lot of the actors miss it as well, because theres something that you just get from being in the room with someone and the ability to play. Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. 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. She is known for Breaking Bad (2008), Barry (2018) and The Handmaid's Tale (2017). Hes like 6-foot-5, hes got this huge fro. She read the whole book in like 48 hours. RS: With Katey, we wanted someone who is very special because there is a lot to unpack there with Lindas mother being in prison. Year Program Casting Network 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. 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. Luckily he did. This weekend, we'll hear from three more guilds: the ACE (Eddie Awards), the ASC, and the WGA. New to Casting Networks? But Cornell Womack, hes a pro, we know him. I think within that the process will change a bit. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The 2020 Emmys are closer than you think. ST: Russell worked very, very hard on that. It was fun to be able to draw on somebody that I had thought was so talented for so long.. Sherry Thomas: Yeah, it was. I dont see it. RS: It was a very extensive search. 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? 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 . 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. 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. And I think were all waiting for the moment in time where we can be together again, for sure. We wanted to see her because we were such huge fans from all the things that shes done, especially The Night Of. You really need to find actors who can do all of those things which can be challenging. Wow. She had been around and doing guest star work, but to get a series regular gig was a big step for her., Poorna has for most of her career been a dramatic actress, and she was like, I never get to come in on comedies because nobody thinks Im funny, says Greenstein about the role of Devis mother for Jagannathan. Id imagine that at this point, after collaborating with Hader since the first season of Barry, you all are very familiar with how you work together. 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. Aug. 21, 2020 2 PM PT. Hes daring. 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. 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. 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 The driving force was that this world felt real, [that] we could see these people living here, Ingram says. She was kind of in my head when I read it. And I think that people know her in one lane and it was very exciting. He is fantastic. 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. Those interested in learning more about the stacked list of TV and film titles on her rsum can find them listed on IMDb. Sherry Thomas: If a reader is really distracting, its not about the reader, its about the actor. Jonathan [Masons employer], was the first one. Sherry Thomas retweeted. There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. The actors dont care that they come in 10 times and didnt get the part, because they know that one time with us they will., Once you have Matthew Rhys, you want to make sure whoever is opposite isnt wiped off the screen, says Bialy of their lead. 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. Join Facebook to connect with Sherry Thomas Lane and others you may know. Twitter Icon For the full interview, check out the video below or on YouTube. In the meantime, make your predictions for Best Drama Series below the interview using our easy drag-and-drop menu. 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. 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. Was that hard at all? 2023 Oscar Predictions Who Are the Oscar Voters? Instagram Icon Shifting gears again, I have a true get-to-know-you question. Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). It's a game A Tale of Two Cities One City: The BAFTA voters chose to give just one award to Everything, Everywhere All 2023 Golden Reel Award Sound Editorial Winners Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing Feature Dialogue / ADR The Banshees of 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. Sherry was born in Chicago and pursued an acting career after graduating from Northwestern University. 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 each role with director and executive producer Timothy Van Patten. Mindy did, probably, because she had her on The Mindy Project. Its also a thriller. 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. 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? Everything was requested self-tapes, so we would discuss ideas with them for the series regulars, our main players in the piece. Backstage provides its members with the best tools to grow their careers in the performing arts. Sherry Thomas Lane is on Facebook. Its really wonderful to see that. No, but it made me feel like just more confident. Producer: Indecent Proposal. Sherry Thomas: I think it is a little bit of both. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Elarica leads more with vulnerability, and Brandee leads more with strength. These are edited excerpts from that conversation. Sauls Rhea Seehorn was one they called in many times before she booked the key Kim Wexler role. You really want to buy into that environment. Quickly send your headshot and resume to hundreds of casting directors, agents, and managers. This story first appeared in a January stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. When Breaking Bad started, we really rebelled and kept looking for stand-up actors. So, I knew Id have a paycheck once I arrived and took my two weeks vacation to make the trip over and get settled. We knew her, but I wouldnt say that a lot of people knew her, Greenstein adds. I dont have to deal with traffic or anything like that, but being in the room, I totally miss. The Envelope spoke with some of TVs top casting directors about their part in helping stories get told and actors get Emmy nominated. But even with such a rsum, the highly sought-after casting director came across as nothing short of a grounded, down-to-earth individual when she sat down with Casting Networks via Zoom. 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. It seems that reboots are a dime a dozen these days. ST: Vice versa for Linda Cardellini, who has typically been known for drama to come in and wow everyone with her great sense of timing and comedic skills without ever making it too big. Sherry Thomas: Good reader whos not too close to the camera and not trying to audition for themselves. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? She cites the scenes with Mark Proksch as energy vampire Colin Robinson in his workplace. They have to be funny and in the moment with so few lines, and that is such a hard thing to do. For Lady Sherlock series publicity inquiries (media coverage, review copies, and interviews), please contact Tara O'Connor at Penguin Random House Every time we had a conversation or auditioned actresses that werent a perfect fit, Russell would get on the phone and see if her availability changed. Although the self Read More, Your email address will not be published. And I also just love her as a person. He once told me, Youre weird too. . Photo Credit: Deanna Baldwin Boyd, courtesy of Sherry Thomas. Sherry was born in Chicago and pursued an acting career after graduating from Northwestern University. Thats what I did back in 2012 after my second daughter was born. 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. 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. A lot have to be able to do comedy, drama, all of it.. . Its so much more fun when youre doing a musical, because people are singing and your days suddenly better, says Robert J. Ulrich. We put out the offer, and he was on board. And my sister has had her own salon for about 35 years now its called the Hairspace Salon in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Oscars 2023: Preview and Predictions + Contest! 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. With self-tapes and zoom callbacks. Yahya took a leap of faith. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas Cat Elliott August 2, 2022 It's hard to pick just a handful of credits that cover the breadth and depth of Sherry Thomas' casting rsum. Sharon Bialy: Sometimes well know somebody really well and have them read and literally in two lines, Im like, thats it, shes the one. 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. 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. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. 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. Sometimes Clement will become inspired by the actors. It is how we really modulate a performance. 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. And, speaking from first hand experience, they are the best people to audition for. Sharon Bialy: Also, because sometimes youre only getting a couple of pages, so you have to guess and when youre in the room, we can give you context. 14.1k Followers, 269 Following, 782 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sharon Bialy (@sharonbialy)