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. But in a series that tonally feels more like an independent feature, not just any teenagers would do. The storylines and arcs are massive, and youre also in a period piece, so it was important to make sure that each actor [remained] defined within their own self, even if the character wasnt around all the time, says Thomas. I knew that Mary could sing. And Peter [Gallagher, as Maggies husband, Mitch] obviously had been on Broadway. 2023 Oscar Predictions Who Are the Oscar Voters? Jonathans secretary. Was that something you were both conscious of when originally casting him? You believed everything that was coming out of her mouth., We did an open call for Kamala and I feel like [Richa Moorjani] came in pretty early on. 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. Casting Networks acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Australia. 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. And he even was like, Im not right for this, but Im here. A lot of times in these teenage parts, you have 20-year-olds playing 15, and that wasnt the case, says Cuba, who wanted the coming-of-age roles to be occupied by fresh faces. Thats what I did back in 2012 after my second daughter was born. How do you like the way casting is right now? Its also a thriller. But Id love to work with her, so let me just say shed be my choice. 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. 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. Co-Owner Bialy Thomas & Assoc. Hes a very soulful actor and person, and his craft is unbelievable. These are edited excerpts from that conversation. 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. 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. But I dont believe she had ever been a series regular before. Listen, come to my office and Ill do your hair youll be fine. The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Stacia Kimler, Casting . Being in the room with actors is so exciting, especially when youre discovering talent. Five seasoned entertainment journalists predict the shows and performances the Television Academy will honor with Emmys; do you agree with their picks? Sherry Thomas: Yeah, it was. She had to go to some places and the work was beautiful. I mean, its just, its incredible. He was a great audition, for sure, but he also really interested Luca as a person. 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And thats part of our job is to continue education. Defying past portrayals of female friendship on television, Dead To Me enamoredaudiences with its unexpected casting choices of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. And I think you can do that because you have more time, youre at home. You were also nominated for your work on the third season of The Handmaids Tale. Hes daring. 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. Oscars 2023: Just How Many Oscars Will Everything, Everywhere All at Once Win? Sometimes our job is basically that of a casting director/producer. Good lighting is typical, and shooting from the right angle, and just be yourself in the slate. It is one of our most rewarding jobs., [John McEnroe] was in the original script, and I remember nobody was dealing with it. She was channeling her own mother, is what she told us. And thanks for sharing about the magic of working with the person who not only co-created the show, but who also produces, writes, directs, and stars in it. That was a really nice way to come back into the second season. Better Call Saul, were not even allowed to give you anything. Its just a wonderful place to be to be able to cast these amazing actresses from Frances Conroy to Katey Sagal to Valerie Mahaffey. 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. Bradley Whitford @BradleyWhitford 10 months ago. (photo: Mark Seliger/FOX) Welcome to tvDownload's " Ask a Casting Director ," a new series in which we talk to the men and women . In person its almost distracting how gorgeous she is, says Ingram. Every actor that comes in, even if they dont get the job, we keep a lot of notes . Well often write notes like, Remember for BCS because theres a naturalistic approach to the acting on the show; its not showy at all. 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 . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now in the show's 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. So that bar was set very high., She had been finishing up something and was not available, Thomas says of the actress who plays E.B. I would own my own version of a Drybar. So, I was working with Shawn Ryan and Sharon was working with David Mamet, I mean, it was like a big deal. Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. She created a book this big between her read with casting and her read with Bruce, of her story as the character. But, just like any other season, we got the scripts and then talked with [co-creator/star] Bill [Hader] and [co-creator/showrunner] Alec [Berg] to hear what they were identifying within the new characters. He goes right to the edge, and it works. By Vinnie Mancuso 12/30/15 10:00am. Sharon Bialy: There are always challenges, but this season there were a couple of roles that caused some particular challenges. AD: This wasnt your only nomination this year. Learn more about how we use cookies. Press Esc to cancel. 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? Oscars 2023: Preview and Predictions + Contest! Theyre opposite sides of a coin., Skyler has an exuberance that is hard to describe, Ingram says. Thank God. 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. 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. 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. She read the whole book in like 48 hours. John Lithgow, for E.B. Casting Networks uses cookies to analyze our traffic and to personalize content and ads. We are very passionate about not pigeonholing actors. 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. At the time, there wasnt really a choice you had to prove yourself at work by being at your desk. At that point, I feel like Ive got it I know who the character is. I feel like I get him. Did you specify that in the breakdowns or did you have to redirect people? We thought wed cast an unknown. He just had a great rawness and innocence., As Sams older brother Craig, Corey had not had any experience. He hadnt done anything either. Bruce and Lizzie were thrilled with him. Matthew Dodsons father is not a role he typically plays. Aug. 21, 2020 2 PM PT. Sherry Thomas: Good reader whos not too close to the camera and not trying to audition for themselves. How did you come to realize that casting was the job for you? We had lots of auditions. 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. I have no history with her. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. #LucindaSyson #TheoPark #SherryThomas SharonBialy #CastingDirectorsQ&A with casting directors from several Apple TV+ series; Lucinda Syson (Foundation), Theo. The driving force was that this world felt real, [that] we could see these people living here, Ingram says. He once told me, Youre weird too. . Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). 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. 2023 Oscar Nominee: Director Santiago Mitre on Why the Message Behind Argentina, 1985 Remains More Relevant Than Ever, 2023 Oscar Nominee Fire of Love: How Editors and Co-Writers Erin CasperandJocelyne Chaput Crafted the Krafft Love Story, Double Oscar Nominee & Producer Shane Boris Talks What Fire of Love & Navalny Have in Common, Inaugural Television Publicity Executives Committee (TPEC) Submissions Are Now Open, Amazons Daisy Jones and the Six is the First Great Limited Series of 2023, Melissa Rauch On Presiding Over a New Night Court Era, 'The Morning Show' Director Mimi Leder on Why Cable is Better for Female Characters. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Add to list Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys Seriously. Our approach to that is a direct line of communication. Watch our video interviews with top awards contenders: directors, producers, below-the-line artisans and , Watch our lively predictions slugfests with Experts and Editors. But he also, as himself, has a real confidence and a unique and very modern feel, which I think really lends itself to Fraser. As a freelance writer for me at Modern Luxury, NS magazine, Sherry pitched and wrote creative . 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. . Natalie [Morales] was someone [showrunner Liz Feldman] had in mind from the beginning, but she was working on a movie. I dont see it. 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. Toothpicks and blue jeans. 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. What are some self-tape tips that you have? I think she had auditioned for Rocky Horror Picture Show several years before, so I knew she could sing. Sign up to get must-read entertainment headlines and audition advice delivered to your inbox every weekday. 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. 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. 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. It was the biggest new role of the season. Get our L.A. You can see a number of actors for an audition before that one person comes in, and everything just clicks. But Luca is very connected to the human side of actors, so I think he connected with her., Chlo [as Frasers other mother] is someone I have loved from the beginning. Im getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it. Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. In 1975 she joined MGM as an executive story editor. WEBN Reporter Ali Inglese sat down with "Breaking Bad" Casting Directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas. AD: The second season also featured two major guest stars in Frances Conroy and Katey Sagal. ST: I dont think any character was as challenging as Natalies. Liz responds to actors who arent hitting the jokes but have a sense of humor, not typical sitcom, playing-to-the-audience types you might see on traditional multi-camera shows. I appreciate that insight into collaborating with such a talented multi-hyphenate. Type above and press Enter to search. It was the soul of the actor and what [showrunner Bruce Miller] was looking for.. 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. Its going to be hard for us because we love to be in the room with them. I really hope the industry is changing to be better in that area, especially for women who want to work and also be moms. We talk about what hes looking for, and I like to ask if he has any prototypes dead or alive for the characters. 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.. AD: The biggest addition of the second season was the character of Michelle, who is played by Natalie Morales. We would give a little context of the tone. 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.. I think within that the process will change a bit. Thats a fantastic pick! 14.1k Followers, 269 Following, 782 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sharon Bialy (@sharonbialy) Burrows eventually recommended Thomas for her first paying job in the industry, working as an assistant to the location casting director the person charged with hiring extras for movie and TV . 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. So, I knew Id have a paycheck once I arrived and took my two weeks vacation to make the trip over and get settled. But going into the second season, the world knows the show, and we dont have to explain what it is. 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. Hes not afraid to try things. 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. At the time [we started casting], she was working with one of my best friends on What/If, and I was hearing a lot about her and how she would sing karaoke. AD: One of the reasons the show has become so popular is because of the way it straddles this really thin line between comedy and drama in ways we rarely see on television. Big titles like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and The Handmaids Tale may first come to mind. Yahya took a leap of faith. Elaine Doremus. 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. I think Chris Meloni brought so much value to that role. Its OK because now youll get great volume when you blow dry it. Sharon Bialy: I think actors often think, Oh, they only think of me for this. Sharon Bialy: I think thats a really good note. I get told all the time that I remind people of Melissa McCarthy. So, there you have it. But filling the role of a Sherman Oaks-grown teenager of South Asian heritage proved harder than expected. Thomas says, His agent called me: Oh my God, Vicky, we just learned who he was! and they screamed. Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. Sharon Bialy: I think theres going to be a hybrid. He was tied to a play in New York., Jemaine does that so much, says Kay. Russell Scott: The show is a comedy, but tonally it is pretty tricky because its also a mystery. 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. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. Personnel: Sharon Bialy, Casting Director. There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. 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 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. 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. If someone made a series about your life story, which actor would you cast to play the role of Sherry Thomas? 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. Like everyone else on the planet we love her. 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. 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. And then, Sherry, you redirected me to do something. She has been nominated for eight Emmys (The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Breaking Bad) and 19 CSA nominations. So, you give each actor more of an opportunity to really get the role in some ways. The Envelope spoke with some of TVs top casting directors about their part in helping stories get told and actors get Emmy nominated. 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. And tonally, youd had to have both here. Because they're not "pro-life". 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. When you work in television and when you work with really great material, you do get excited for this time of year. We were finding choices and some incredible singers, but it just clicked when it became Alex. I love it you all sound like youre very close casting partners! 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 . Learn how your comment data is processed. Im fully vaxed. Boom. Its interesting, because I think what happens to actors often happens to casting directors, Bialy explained. 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. Everybody knows he is a wonderful actor. It has all come down to this, friends. 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 Okay. In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. But now that the show has cooked its last batch of blue meth and said goodbye to the Albuquerque sunset, Bialy and Thomas finally heard their names called on nominations morning, along with Kiira Arai, in the Best Drama Casting category. They also discuss what its like to be casting directors in the middle of a pandemic and if they think their profession is permanently changed by it. We didnt want someone who would be instantly recognizable to the world. Im always thrilled when stunt casting works, because people immediately feel a sense of connection by knowing somebody from the past, he says. This website uses cookies. 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. It felt like he was going to be her enemy the whole time, Greenstein says of Lewisons character, Ben Gross. But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. 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. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? Those things are leaps of faith, right? Thats why you guys are so successful and all the shows you do, which are fantastic. 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. 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. 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 . You guys cast this while everything was locked down. 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. And were really fing funny! We were like, Wait, did we just see somebody who literally has zero acting experience and was that great? says Brett Greenstein. 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. That helps give me the essence of what Bill has in mind, and then as I get him going, hell just start going into the characters dialogue in a voice that reflects how he hears it in his head. RS: It was a very extensive search. Thomas adds that they sometimes develop relationships with actors, calling them in time and again for reads. And my sister has had her own salon for about 35 years now its called the Hairspace Salon in Easthampton, Massachusetts. . Id read about her ability, Ulrich says of the Oscar winner, a prolific singer-songwriter. Facebook Icon. 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. He is so wonderful. She and Bialy relied on their stable of talent from decades in the profession. 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. 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. Sauls Rhea Seehorn was one they called in many times before she booked the key Kim Wexler role. 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? Shes just perfect. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Sherry Thomas: Fortunately, I feel like everybody did a little bit of research, which was interesting. So, I didnt necessarily find casting it found me. Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. Its really wonderful to see that.