Having delivered an Oscar nominated performance from their previously-unknown-but-now-endorsing-your-bubblebath star, any director will tell you that casting 'was 80% of the job' What they won't tell you is that is was the Casting Director, (who appears half way down the opening credits) probably spent the previous six months in fringe theatre, finding the star in the first place.
Meet casting directors Priscilla John and Toby Whale (pictured) and learns what casting the talent is all about.
Describe the life of a casting director
PJ
First of all, it's not a glamorous life. I spend four nights a week going to the theatre, then when I get back, watching stuff that I've recorded on TV and after that take calls from Los Angeles. At midnight I put my answer phone on, but as a film gets closer to shooting you have to take the calls. So you have to live it.
TW
I pretty much do the same. It's always worth going to the theatre even if a play isn't that great, because it's likely there will be someone in it worth remembering.
How does thecasting process begin?
PJ
Once I get sent a script and find out what the director wants, I have a chance to understand the characters. If it's an American production, the director will be looking at them on a tape, so it's my job to get the best performance I can out of the actor when we meet. If a director expresses interest in an actor they might want to meet them. Or get them on tape a different way. If they ever say, 'I am not sure about that person', I always try and encourage the director to see them.
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