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. We are very, very excited for season three. Instagram Icon Bialy, Thomas and Russell Scott are nominated twice this year, for Dead to Me along with Handmaids Tale. Another of their shows, Better Call Saul, now has 11 acting nominations. So, there you have it. Casting Networks acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Australia. One thing I love about casting this show is that its not just a lot of offers. I hope she never sees us. 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. 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. Russell Scott: The show is a comedy, but tonally it is pretty tricky because its also a mystery. My wife is my reader and shes terrible. The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. 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. What she did to prepare for that role was incredible. This website uses cookies. It was a surprise to us. Im not just saying that because hes my boss Im saying that because Ive had the privilege of watching the dailies [raw, unedited footage shot during a filming day] for Barry and have gotten to see his work from all angles. Its interesting, because I think what happens to actors often happens to casting directors, Bialy explained. Hes like 6-foot-5, hes got this huge fro. We all miss it. Affiliate links provides compensation to Daily Actor which helps us remain online, giving you the resources and information actors like you are looking for. 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. 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. Sign Up. Through conversation and through hearing about what the role is about in detail and where it will go, the list gets smaller and smaller. So, I didnt necessarily find casting it found me. Casting Networks uses cookies to analyze our traffic and to personalize content and ads. I had the highest hopes and no idea that he could sing as well as he could sing. Its so much more fun when youre doing a musical, because people are singing and your days suddenly better, says Robert J. Ulrich. You guys cast this while everything was locked down. She and Bialy relied on their stable of talent from decades in the profession. And I said, Yeah, I really feel like it could be really cool, and okay, great. Look, I think Bill Hader is in a category all his own. What can you tell us about the process of assembling the cast for its long-awaited third season? I get on the phone with agents, and the casting process goes on from there. It was really sort of a meeting of the minds and people coming together on the choices. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. And were really fing funny! Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. He goes right to the edge, and it works. Theyre opposite sides of a coin., Skyler has an exuberance that is hard to describe, Ingram says. Hes daring. We started back in February of 2020, right before everything shut down, so Covid added some new challenges and parameters that we had to work within. The others laugh a little. With larger roles, you have time to build an arc, but with something so small, the challenge is how to make it memorable. Wiley plays the rebellious Moira on Handmaids and has one Emmy win in three nominations for the role. Seriously. The Envelope spoke with some of TVs top casting directors about their part in helping stories get told and actors get Emmy nominated. Michael Ordoa covers film and television for the Los Angeles Times. We thought wed cast an unknown. It was fun to be able to draw on somebody that I had thought was so talented for so long.. ST: Not at all! Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. There would be years where people would be like, Where did you get all these drug addicts? . As a freelance writer for me at Modern Luxury, NS magazine, Sherry pitched and wrote creative . 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. Were just gonna have a great time.. 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. 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. Sharon Bialy: Sometimes well know somebody really well and have them read and literally in two lines, Im like, thats it, shes the one. That makes sense. 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. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. All rights reserved. She created a book this big between her read with casting and her read with Bruce, of her story as the character. But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. So, theres support at every turn, but balancing a family and a career isnt easy. We make several-page lists of actors who might be a good fit. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? 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 . He once told me, Youre weird too. . RS: It was a very extensive search. 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? 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. 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. Part of our journey is the process of learning about the actor, says Bialy. Sherry Thomas: Yep. Its when I really first started, when I was having a lot of autonomy with Sharon. 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. These are edited excerpts from that conversation. Stacia Kimler, Casting . The cast of Gotham. Sherry Thomas: Theres an energy. Good lighting is typical, and shooting from the right angle, and just be yourself in the slate. gofund.me/2fffe14f Posts Reels Videos Tagged Search Log In Sign Up 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. Fuck yeah!. We ended up moving the schedule around a little bit for her through communication with her reps and our production team. Back in 2019, Jones played. The parameters of that character were a tall order to fill. 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. 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. And he even said, coming in, I dont really know why Im here. 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.. I dont know if theres a generic answer that fits every person when it comes to managing work/life balance, though. 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. Actors often think casting directors hardly even pay attention during their auditions. Craig Fincannon (Location Casting Director) 2010 Nominee Artios Award: Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Series - Drama Breaking Bad (2008) Shared with: Sharon Bialy. In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. Sharon Bialy: I think thats a really good note. But filling the role of a Sherman Oaks-grown teenager of South Asian heritage proved harder than expected. 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. He was playing a husband. He was kind of signing on to play the girl part., As to King (she and Abdul-Mateen II are nominated, along with costars Jovan Adepo, Louis Gossett Jr., Jeremy Irons and Jean Smart), the Oscar winner and three-time Emmy winner who worked on Lindelofs The Leftovers wasnt a slam dunk precisely because shed worked on Lindelofs The Leftovers.. We had to make sure all of the players were lined up, and from there, it was a lot of immediate yess. But I dont think that it is ever more important than having the right person. Of course, the greatest discovery of this musical comedy is its lead, Jane Levy, best known to viewers for her comedic skills on the ABC series Suburgatory. Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. And I think you can do that because you have more time, youre at home. Sherry Lansing. 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. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. And I said, Yeah, I think its going to be really cool and really interesting. (photo: Mark Seliger/FOX) Welcome to tvDownload's " Ask a Casting Director ," a new series in which we talk to the men and women . Now, here comes my favorite question to ask, Sherry. You were also nominated for your work on the third season of The Handmaids Tale. Theres a lot of complexity to the role and we needed someone funny. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. 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: But everybody was generous and kind. No. In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. I mean, its just, its incredible. All of the shows we do from The Walking Dead to Better Call Saul to The Righteous Gemstones are all over the country. When youre chasing after an actor with a name, you need them to trust you. 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.. sherrythomaslane Follow 284 posts 5,086 followers 587 following Sherry Thomas Lane Casting Director / Owner @ Bialy Thomas & Associates Blue collar Northampton, MA native who is Livin' the dream. 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. She had a feeling I was going to end up in casting, but I wasnt so sure at the time. 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. So, I was working with Shawn Ryan and Sharon was working with David Mamet, I mean, it was like a big deal. 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. Wow. Sharon Bialy: There are always challenges, but this season there were a couple of roles that caused some particular challenges. RS: We worked through a lot of hard work and cooperation between our production and the movie because she is someone who really understood the tone of the show. And tonally, youd had to have both here. He fell in love with doing the show. 2021 Nominee Primetime Emmy: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series . That is such a skill, and one I wish I had. 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. In 1975 she joined MGM as an executive story editor. Bradley Whitford @BradleyWhitford 10 months ago. I mean, I was still completely nervous, but I felt more comfortable in that sort of nervousness. I didnt know anyone here, but was a manager at The Gap at the time and got transferred to an LA location of the store. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Better Call Saul, were not even allowed to give you anything. Its great to virtually meet you, Sherry, and lets kick things off right at the beginning of your career. Sharon Bialy: What a nice way to start the day. Alice Lee was just a discovery. She has been nominated for eight Emmys (The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Breaking Bad) and 19 CSA nominations. I forgot to mention Casey Wilson. I brought in this guy from New York, hes actually a playwright, his name is Jeremy O. Harris. 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. 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. Survivor Users Leaderboard Coming Soon! So, I knew Id have a paycheck once I arrived and took my two weeks vacation to make the trip over and get settled. 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. . In the case of Lawrence Gilliard, that role was. And I think that people know her in one lane and it was very exciting. [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. From our perspective though we are still always trying to surprise the producers. Its OK because now youll get great volume when you blow dry it. 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. 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. Luckily he did. Oscars 2023 Voting Begins Dear Oscar, Hear My Plea, Why Steven Spielberg Deserves to Win His Third Best Directing Oscar. 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. 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. And, speaking from first hand experience, they are the best people to audition for. 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. So, we really didnt do any producer sessions over Zoom. And I write on something next to me, I had Michael Imperioli in my head. Its really wonderful to see that. 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. Thats why you guys are so successful and all the shows you do, which are fantastic. Its about finding complex and compelling actors that can bring nuance even to comedy. 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. Press Esc to cancel. Sherry Thomas: Fortunately, I feel like everybody did a little bit of research, which was interesting. She had to go to some places and the work was beautiful. I think we got to try. And she says, You feel really passionately about it. 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. 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. Get our L.A. You learn what you want to change moving forward. We talk about what hes looking for, and I like to ask if he has any prototypes dead or alive for the characters. At some point Sherry suggested Katey Sagal. 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. Casting Networks is a registered trademark of Casting Networks, LLC. Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. Stars Sharon Bialy Theo Park Lucinda Syson See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist Photos Add photo Top cast ST: I think thats one of the reasons we love to be in the room with actors and why right now it is really hard with the world of COVID. Elaine Doremus. AD: This wasnt your only nomination this year. Sign up for emails from Casting Networks News. Shes fantastic. We really kind of leave it up to the actor. Thank God. And it worked! Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). As a casting director, the joy is in discovering talent, says Ulrich. 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. John Lithgow, for E.B. Elarica leads more with vulnerability, and Brandee leads more with strength. And then they would audition and then we would present the people that we really felt were the most right for it. 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. Its a natural human thing to think of somebody in one way. Im always thrilled when stunt casting works, because people immediately feel a sense of connection by knowing somebody from the past, he says. But it really feels good to be recognized by our peers. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. Its hard to pick just a handful of credits that cover the breadth and depth of Sherry Thomas casting rsum. 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. Aug. 21, 2020 2 PM PT. We had readings for that part. And sometimes the sides are fake. AD: What character in the second season proved to be the most challenging? I wrote a brief commentary of why there was only one Emily Dodson [mother of kidnapped boy]. 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. After a 2007 surgery that required general anesthesia, Steenburgen, who plays Zoeys mother, Maggie, began hearing original music in her head. A lot of it is having support. Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. 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. Actors often think casting directors hardly even pay attention during their auditions. We have been very lucky on this show. You always want to work with people who inspire you and who you can learn from, and Bill is one of those people. For Season 2 of Handmaids, we were surprised with Sydney Sweeney [as Eden]. A lot have to be able to do comedy, drama, all of it.. I think a lot of people have made that shift in their mentality. A naturalistic performance, I think, is what was required in The Shrink Next Door. To see somebody with natural comedic timing who really got the nuances of the scenes and really got the multidimensional character she wasnt just reading lines. 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. We didnt want someone who would be instantly recognizable to the world. 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. Natalies name came up at the very beginning, and she is someone who Liz liked but we were originally told she wasnt available. We wanted the fans to believe this, too, like, Oh my God, hes so cute. Send it to the producers. Samira Wiley plays Moira in The Handmaids Tale, a performance that has brought her a third supporting actress Emmy nomination. 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. After appearing in two films, Loving (1970) and Rio Lobo (1970), Sherry decided to leave the acting field. ST: Russell worked very, very hard on that. AD: Before we jump into the new characters of the second season, I wanted to talk about the shocking twist at the beginning of the season; the return of James Marsden with a new character. Thomas says of the then-not-so-well-known Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, I kind of always knew Yahya was it. How did you guys bring her on? You dont have to try to crack jokes and just be yourself. Thats a fantastic pick! Twitter Icon But Id love to work with her, so let me just say shed be my choice. 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. 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. 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 . 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. 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. And our associate, Alyssa Morris, did the same with the smaller roles. Sherry Thomas: And the show director, Jesse Peretz, just really kind of took everybody and, everybody shines. 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. Sherry Thomas: Good reader whos not too close to the camera and not trying to audition for themselves. Weve been able to give multiple women over a certain age really complex material. We are very passionate about not pigeonholing actors. She is a positive, light person, and that carries into her portrayal of [dancer] Gidget. 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. He was the heart of the show the first season., Andrew is absolutely hilarious. He doesnt necessarily work with people twice in a row, so we didnt immediately go to Regina, says Thomas. Victoria Thomas, who is nominated this year for casting both Insecure (with Matthew Maisto) and Watchmen (with Megan Lewis), said the latter had unusual secrecy concerns: There were dummy sides or fake names on a breakdown. I dont see it. "I've known and worked with Sherry in different capacities over the past 7 years. 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. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. He is fantastic. What kind of challenges are there for a show like that where you are three seasons in already? I love it you all sound like youre very close casting partners! If we cant connect its very hard to do our jobs. Why Netflix is dabbling in livestreaming. What are some self-tape tips that you have? Luca was definitely familiar with his music [as Kid Cudi] and loves it. Im not saying he is like Fraser, because that was never our feeling. As part of our inaugural BackstageFest, longtime casting directors Theo Park ("Ted Lasso," "Master of None"), Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas ("Perry Mason," "The Comey Rule," "The. AD: Im sure you cant say anything about the final season, but Im curious if you have a dream guest actor that you think would fit perfectly into the world of the show? 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. 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. The Cherry Lane Theatre is the oldest continuously running off-Broadway theater in New York City. Photo Credit: Deanna Baldwin Boyd, courtesy of Sherry Thomas. 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. It was the biggest new role of the season. Once I opened that door, though, there was no going back. Top Gun: Maverick, Banshees of Inisherin, All Quiet on the Western Front Win at MPSE. Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. For 'The. 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. Sometimes Clement will become inspired by the actors. By Vinnie Mancuso 12/30/15 10:00am. He felt just perfect for Bruce. 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.. Showing all 1 wins and 28 nominations. And as a casting director, it feeds my soul to get to go through the whole collaborative process of finding that person who just pops in a role.