Anybody who has ever taken a stab at acting knows one aspect of the process deemed the absolute worst: the audition. Imagine stepping foot into a room filled with several people who are all there to judge you. Your looks, personality, emotions… every aspect of who you are on display for a room full of strangers. Well, in Hollywood, there is a legend of one audition that has been deemed the best put on tape. It was an audition for a new film by a director who was credited with single-handedly creating the summer blockbuster and who had a dream about crafting a more intimate family story about a kid and an alien. Imagine the immense pressure any actor, let alone a ten-year-old child, would be under to nail this audition. Yet this audition was so good that within seconds, the director, Steven Spielberg, uttered the words that would forever change this ten-year-old life: “Ok,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
When Bonnie Timmermann is helping Ridley Scott or Michael Mann find the perfect person for a role in films like “Black Hawk Down” and “Heat,” she will buy auditioning actors pizza or Chinese food and grill them about their lives and ambitions. Sooner or later, they’ll get around to reading the scenes, but Timmermann has an innate sense of what to do to put performers at ease.
“You need to understand who they are, so when they get in front of a director you know how to help them deliver their best work,” she says. “The only way you can do that is to understand their psyche.”
And when she’s not overseeing casting calls, you’ll find Timmermann at screenings or plays on the prowl for talent. She likes to keep Polaroids and videos of actors she’s tried out — even the ones that she’s turned down,...
“You need to understand who they are, so when they get in front of a director you know how to help them deliver their best work,” she says. “The only way you can do that is to understand their psyche.”
And when she’s not overseeing casting calls, you’ll find Timmermann at screenings or plays on the prowl for talent. She likes to keep Polaroids and videos of actors she’s tried out — even the ones that she’s turned down,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Brent Lang and Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
To celebrate the casting community and spotlight its members, the Casting Society of America (CSA) and IMDbPro are collaborating to present a monthly series of interviews between CSA casting directors and actors about their careers, the casting process, and how IMDbPro helps them advance their careers. This month, Marci Liroff, CSA, interviewed Amin El Gamal.
Read the full interview.
Read the full interview.
- 7/13/2023
- IMDbPro News
Ever since “The Idol” premiered earlier this month, there’s been much critique about its sexual material, including a scene in the premiere episode where pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) decides to flash her nipples during a photoshoot, despite the nudity rider in her contract.
In the scene, her intimacy coordinator (played by Scott Turner Schofield) immediately interrupts the shoot for her album cover and reminds the photographer (Eddy Chen) about the nudity rider, which only permits Jocelyn to show her “side-boob, under-boob and side flank.” He emphasizes that the contract has been reviewed by “the label and her people,” and that any changes require the photo session to be delayed 48 hours, even though Jocelyn took it upon herself to expose her breasts.
Read More: HBO Denies ‘The Idol’ Season 2 Cancellation Reports Amid Backlash: ‘It Hasn’t Been Determined’
She asks the coordinator, “I’m not allowed to show my body?...
In the scene, her intimacy coordinator (played by Scott Turner Schofield) immediately interrupts the shoot for her album cover and reminds the photographer (Eddy Chen) about the nudity rider, which only permits Jocelyn to show her “side-boob, under-boob and side flank.” He emphasizes that the contract has been reviewed by “the label and her people,” and that any changes require the photo session to be delayed 48 hours, even though Jocelyn took it upon herself to expose her breasts.
Read More: HBO Denies ‘The Idol’ Season 2 Cancellation Reports Amid Backlash: ‘It Hasn’t Been Determined’
She asks the coordinator, “I’m not allowed to show my body?...
- 6/17/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
HBO made history in 2018 for hiring Alicia Rodis on “The Deuce,” making her the first-ever intimacy coordinator on a major U.S. production. Then, in the June 4 premiere episode of HBO’s “The Idol,” a fictional intimacy coordinator got locked in a bathroom for doing his job.
In the scene, pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) is shooting photos for her album cover when she pulls open her robe to reveal her nipples. Immediately, the mousy and neurotic intimacy coordinator on set (played by Scott Turner Schofield) interrupts to remind the photographer (Eddy Chen) that the nudity rider in Jocelyn’s contract only permits the depiction of her “side-boob, under-boob and side flank.” The contract has been reviewed by “the label and her people,” he says, so any changes made require a 48-hour delay of the photo shoot, despite that Jocelyn chose to show her breasts without being directed to.
“I...
In the scene, pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) is shooting photos for her album cover when she pulls open her robe to reveal her nipples. Immediately, the mousy and neurotic intimacy coordinator on set (played by Scott Turner Schofield) interrupts to remind the photographer (Eddy Chen) that the nudity rider in Jocelyn’s contract only permits the depiction of her “side-boob, under-boob and side flank.” The contract has been reviewed by “the label and her people,” he says, so any changes made require a 48-hour delay of the photo shoot, despite that Jocelyn chose to show her breasts without being directed to.
“I...
- 6/16/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Amanda Seyfried says Blake Lively almost lost playing the iconic character Karen Smith in 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’. During a video interview with Vanity Fair published Wednesday, Seyfried, 37, said that she believes she was cast in the role because she “played that person in high school in order to stay out of the drama” before recalling the specifics of her audition, reports people.com.
“I’d first auditioned for Regina, and I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried, who was 17 at the time, said of her first film role. “I met (Gretchen Wieners actress) Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
“I flew home, and they were like, ‘You know what, let’s – we think you’re more correct for Karen,...
“I’d first auditioned for Regina, and I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried, who was 17 at the time, said of her first film role. “I met (Gretchen Wieners actress) Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
“I flew home, and they were like, ‘You know what, let’s – we think you’re more correct for Karen,...
- 2/24/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Blake Lively almost made it into The Plastics.
Amanda Seyfried spoke about playing Karen Smith in 2004’s “Mean Girls” in a new interview with Vanity Fair, revealing that Lively first auditioned for Karen and she went for the role of Regina George.
Rachel McAdams eventually ended up nabbing the part of Regina.
Seyfried recalled, “I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting.
“I met Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room, and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
“The Dropout” star went on, “I flew home, and they were like, ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen.’
“So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.’”
Read More: Amanda Seyfried’s Critics Choice Awards Dress ‘Keeps Breaking’ On Her
Seyfried said of playing the beloved character, “I think the reason...
Amanda Seyfried spoke about playing Karen Smith in 2004’s “Mean Girls” in a new interview with Vanity Fair, revealing that Lively first auditioned for Karen and she went for the role of Regina George.
Rachel McAdams eventually ended up nabbing the part of Regina.
Seyfried recalled, “I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting.
“I met Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room, and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
“The Dropout” star went on, “I flew home, and they were like, ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen.’
“So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.’”
Read More: Amanda Seyfried’s Critics Choice Awards Dress ‘Keeps Breaking’ On Her
Seyfried said of playing the beloved character, “I think the reason...
- 2/23/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
The plastics in Mean Girls almost looked a little different.
Amanda Seyfried, who played Karen Smith in the 2004 film, originally auditioned for the role of Regina George, which eventually went to Rachel McAdams.
“I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried told Vanity Fair in a recent interview. “I met Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room, and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
The Emmy-winning actress left the room thinking she’d get a call either telling her that she did or didn’t get the part of the Queen Bee, but instead, they had another offer for her.
“I flew home, and they were like, ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen,'” she said. “So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.'”
Mean Girls...
Amanda Seyfried, who played Karen Smith in the 2004 film, originally auditioned for the role of Regina George, which eventually went to Rachel McAdams.
“I’d flown out to L.A. for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried told Vanity Fair in a recent interview. “I met Lacey Chabert for the first time, and Lindsay Lohan was in the room, and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.”
The Emmy-winning actress left the room thinking she’d get a call either telling her that she did or didn’t get the part of the Queen Bee, but instead, they had another offer for her.
“I flew home, and they were like, ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen,'” she said. “So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.'”
Mean Girls...
- 2/23/2023
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blake Lively almost played Karen Smith in Mean Girls instead of Amanda Seyfried.
In a new interview, Seyfried recalled how Lively auditioned for her breakthrough role while she had tried out for the part of Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams in the 2004 comedy classic.
“I’d flown out to LA for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried told Vanity Fair.
“I met Lacey Chabert for the first time and Lindsay Lohan was in the room and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.
“I flew home and they were like... ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen.’ So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.’”
In a 2021 interview with Cosmopolitan UK, Mean Girls casting director Marci Liroff said Lively was the top pick for the role of Karen, but she “hadn’t done The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants yet,...
In a new interview, Seyfried recalled how Lively auditioned for her breakthrough role while she had tried out for the part of Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams in the 2004 comedy classic.
“I’d flown out to LA for the first time with my mother. It was very exciting,” Seyfried told Vanity Fair.
“I met Lacey Chabert for the first time and Lindsay Lohan was in the room and Blake Lively was playing Karen, and then I was Regina.
“I flew home and they were like... ‘We think you’re more correct for Karen.’ So I was like, ‘Oh god, Ok, sure.’”
In a 2021 interview with Cosmopolitan UK, Mean Girls casting director Marci Liroff said Lively was the top pick for the role of Karen, but she “hadn’t done The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants yet,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Peony Hirwani
- The Independent - Film
To celebrate the casting community and spotlight its members, the Casting Society of America (CSA) and IMDbPro are collaborating to present a monthly series of interviews between CSA casting directors and actors about their careers, the casting process, and how IMDbPro helps them advance their careers. This month, Marci Liroff, CSA, interviewed Joanna Lipari, whose filmography includes the show Persons Unknown.
Read the full interview.
Read the full interview.
- 9/15/2022
- by CSA
- IMDbPro News
Marci Liroff wants you to know one thing for certain: “This is not porn. This is make-believe.”
Liroff worked as the intimacy coordinator on Season 2 of the Starz drama “Hightown,” which features plenty of sex and stripping — but did not have anyone to coach those scenes in the first season.
“I thought they did a terrific and convincing job in the first season without an intimacy coordinator,” she tells Variety. “But I knew I could make it better.”
Intimacy coordinators started to be more in demand after #MeToo era conversations about sexual misconduct on film and TV sets expanded to include the ethics and protocol surrounding on-screen sex. Notably, “The Deuce” star Emily Meade approached HBO in 2018 about needing someone to help manage the physical demands of acting in a show about sex work. This led to the well-publicized hiring of intimacy coordinator Alicia Rodis.
Liroff worked in film and...
Liroff worked as the intimacy coordinator on Season 2 of the Starz drama “Hightown,” which features plenty of sex and stripping — but did not have anyone to coach those scenes in the first season.
“I thought they did a terrific and convincing job in the first season without an intimacy coordinator,” she tells Variety. “But I knew I could make it better.”
Intimacy coordinators started to be more in demand after #MeToo era conversations about sexual misconduct on film and TV sets expanded to include the ethics and protocol surrounding on-screen sex. Notably, “The Deuce” star Emily Meade approached HBO in 2018 about needing someone to help manage the physical demands of acting in a show about sex work. This led to the well-publicized hiring of intimacy coordinator Alicia Rodis.
Liroff worked in film and...
- 5/31/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein’s lead attorney Donna Rotunno asked the judge to silence Gloria Allred, the high-powered attorney who is representing three women who’ve testified in the New York rape trial.
Before the jury entered the courtroom on Friday morning, the fourth day of deliberations, Rotunno made a complaint on the record to the judge regarding Allred’s “attacks” about her in the media. Rotunno noted that on Feb. 18, the judge issued a gag order, telling the defense to stop speaking to the media. Rotunno argued the same order should apply to Allred.
Rotunno said Allred “feels the need to go out on a daily basis” to speak about her, and claimed the A-list attorney is essentially a mouthpiece for the prosecution, describing her as “an extension of the government.”
“She can attack me all she wants,” Rotunno said, calling Allred’s statements “unprofessional” and her behavior “horrible.”
Rotunno’s...
Before the jury entered the courtroom on Friday morning, the fourth day of deliberations, Rotunno made a complaint on the record to the judge regarding Allred’s “attacks” about her in the media. Rotunno noted that on Feb. 18, the judge issued a gag order, telling the defense to stop speaking to the media. Rotunno argued the same order should apply to Allred.
Rotunno said Allred “feels the need to go out on a daily basis” to speak about her, and claimed the A-list attorney is essentially a mouthpiece for the prosecution, describing her as “an extension of the government.”
“She can attack me all she wants,” Rotunno said, calling Allred’s statements “unprofessional” and her behavior “horrible.”
Rotunno’s...
- 2/21/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Model Lauren Young has accused Harvey Weinstein of groping her, masturbating in front of her and ejaculating onto a towel in a Beverly Hills hotel bathroom in 2013.
Testifying on Wednesday afternoon in the disgraced mogul’s Manhattan criminal trial, Young appeared on the stand as the prosecution’s final “prior bad acts” witness. The model and then-aspiring actress said she had been invited by a friend of Weinstein’s — model Claudia Salinas — to meet up with the producer at the Montage Beverly Hills under the guise of discussing a script Young was working on at the time.
“I was excited to network and pitch my ideas,” Young, now 30 years old, said. “I put on my best dress.”
Eventually, after the group of three had a conversation at the hotel bar, Young said Weinstein told them he needed to bring the conversation up to his room because he had to get...
Testifying on Wednesday afternoon in the disgraced mogul’s Manhattan criminal trial, Young appeared on the stand as the prosecution’s final “prior bad acts” witness. The model and then-aspiring actress said she had been invited by a friend of Weinstein’s — model Claudia Salinas — to meet up with the producer at the Montage Beverly Hills under the guise of discussing a script Young was working on at the time.
“I was excited to network and pitch my ideas,” Young, now 30 years old, said. “I put on my best dress.”
Eventually, after the group of three had a conversation at the hotel bar, Young said Weinstein told them he needed to bring the conversation up to his room because he had to get...
- 2/5/2020
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Wrap
Actress and model Lauren Marie Young, who has said she was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein after being lured to his hotel suite on the pretext of discussing a script she was writing, took the stand at Weinstein’s rape trial in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan today, with her testimony set to continue this afternoon.
Young’s allegations are included in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s case filed January 6, the day the New York trial got underway. The La charges allege Weinstein assaulted Young and raped another woman on consecutive nights in February 2013.
Young’s case is not among those being tried in New York; she and two other women have been called to testify here in the cases of Jessica Mann and Mimi Haleyi in an effort to establish a pattern of broader conduct by Weinstein and a history of what the law considers “prior...
Young’s allegations are included in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s case filed January 6, the day the New York trial got underway. The La charges allege Weinstein assaulted Young and raped another woman on consecutive nights in February 2013.
Young’s case is not among those being tried in New York; she and two other women have been called to testify here in the cases of Jessica Mann and Mimi Haleyi in an effort to establish a pattern of broader conduct by Weinstein and a history of what the law considers “prior...
- 2/5/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A front desk clerk said he was concerned for Jessica Mann’s safety when she checked in at the DoubleTree Hotel on March 18, 2013 with Harvey Weinstein. The hotel employee’s testimony could bolster prosecutors’ criminal case against the movie mogul.
Mann alleges the Weinstein raped her in his hotel room. Her allegations are a key component in the charges that Weinstein is facing, which include first-degree rape, third-degree rape and predatory sexual assault. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Rothschild Capulong, a hotel employee who helped Weinstein check in when he arrived in the lobby around 10:30 a.m., recalled the movie producer entering the hotel with a “female companion.” He observed “discontent” between Weinstein and the woman, behavior so atypical that he made a notation in his end-of-shift report, which was sent to the head of security.
“I specifically wrote that security might want to check Mr. Weinstein at the room,...
Mann alleges the Weinstein raped her in his hotel room. Her allegations are a key component in the charges that Weinstein is facing, which include first-degree rape, third-degree rape and predatory sexual assault. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Rothschild Capulong, a hotel employee who helped Weinstein check in when he arrived in the lobby around 10:30 a.m., recalled the movie producer entering the hotel with a “female companion.” He observed “discontent” between Weinstein and the woman, behavior so atypical that he made a notation in his end-of-shift report, which was sent to the head of security.
“I specifically wrote that security might want to check Mr. Weinstein at the room,...
- 2/5/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline recently reported that Steven Spielberg was planning for his next two projects as director to be Indiana Jones 5 and a remake of West Side Story. Fans seemed to get the answer of which would happen first this week when author Mark Harris (Five Came Back) shared a casting notice for the latter, which Spielberg will direct for Fox from a script by Tony Kushner. Harris had the exclusive on the musical because he's married to Kushner (he also gave credit to cating director Marci Liroff), but he didn't have any other details to offer. Exciting Harris/Kushner household news: Something's coming. Something good. (h/t @marciliroff) pic.twitter.com/IlCV4VnGt6 — Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) January 26, 2018 But in fact West Side...
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- 1/27/2018
- by Christopher Campbell
- Movies.com
Earlier this summer, Scream Factory got down with the sickness with they announced new Collector's Edition Blu-rays for the Dawn of the Dead remake and George A. Romero's Land of the Dead. Now they've announced a new Halloween release date for both Blu-rays, as well as a bunch of new bonus features, including interviews with James Gunn, makeup effects artists David Anderson and Heather Langenkamp Anderson (who also played Nancy in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies), actor Ty Burrell (see a tease of that interview here), and much more:
Press Release: This Halloween, get ready for a double dose of zombie apocalypse mayhem and trips to hell! On October 31, 2017, Scream Factory™ is proud to present Dawn Of The Dead Collector’s Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray andGeorge A. Romero’s Land Of The Dead Collector’s Edition2-Disc Blu-ray. These two definitive collector’s editions boast new 2K transfer,...
Press Release: This Halloween, get ready for a double dose of zombie apocalypse mayhem and trips to hell! On October 31, 2017, Scream Factory™ is proud to present Dawn Of The Dead Collector’s Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray andGeorge A. Romero’s Land Of The Dead Collector’s Edition2-Disc Blu-ray. These two definitive collector’s editions boast new 2K transfer,...
- 9/20/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Three Hollywood insiders explained how they got their first big break in the entertainment industry at TheWrap’s Breaking Into the Business event on Wednesday night. Producer Alex Noyer of You Know Films, actress and screenwriter Katie Nehra and veteran casting director Marci Liroff sat down with TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman in Los Angeles to discuss their careers and give advice to college students looking to break into entertainment and media. Nehra, who co-wrote Chris Messina’s 2014 directorial debut “Alex of Venice,” said that her first break came from playwright John Patrick Shanley, who cast her in his play “Sailor’s Song.
- 12/9/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Veteran casting director Marci Liroff credits “E.T.” director Steven Spielberg with giving her her first big break in the industry. “The producers of ‘Footloose’ were at a restaurant, and they ran into Steven Spielberg and they asked him who cast this movie, and rather than saying my boss — I did the movie with him — he said me,” Liroff said at TheWrap’s Breaking Into the Business event on Wednesday night. Liroff was then brought on to cast the 1984 movie that launched the career of Kevin Bacon. She would go on to cast such films as “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Pretty.
- 12/8/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Veteran casting director Marci Liroff, who is currently spearheading a Casting Society of America committee to probe widespread pay-to-play audition practices, has harshly criticized the industry’s practices, according to a memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter and recently circulated among the embattled casting workshop owners she was apprising. Liroff’s long list of film credits runs from E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and Footloose to Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. The Csa committee was established in April, weeks after THR published an investigation into the proliferating pay-to-play scene. Since then, its most prominent practitioner, Criminal Minds casting director
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- 6/28/2016
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the wake of an in-depth investigation by the Hollywood Reporter into casting director workshop practices in Los Angeles, the Casting Society of America has announced the creation of the Csa Workshop Committee, a five-person group tasked with ensuring that educational opportunities are offered by CDs, and that they are abiding by California state law. Committee members include co-Csa presidents Richard Hicks and Matthew Lessall, “Black-ish” CD Amanda Lenker Doyle, Backstage contributor Marci Liroff, and Kim Marie Swanson. “Csa Casting Directors and Associates are among the industry’s foremost authorities on the alchemic aspects of casting and acting,” said Hicks in a statement. “It’s an expertise which they generously share in various educational settings. “This newly established Workshop Committee intends to ensure that all Csa members fully understand and abide by the Casting Workshop Guidelines wherever they happen to teach. We have begun to explore the creation of new,...
- 4/20/2016
- backstage.com
About 16.9 million people tuned in Friday night to watch Bruce Jenner tell ABC’s Diane Sawyer he was transitioning from male to female. The interview not only scored “20/20’s” highest ratings in 15 years, it sparked a national conversation about transgender issues in America. But Jenner’s high-profile coming out, some experts say, could end up having a ripple effect on Hollywood as well. “For me it was as big as the moon landing,” veteran casting director and producer Marci Liroff told TheWrap. “Hollywood always loves to get on the bandwagon of what’s trending, and so we’re going to...
- 4/28/2015
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Henry Thomas's tearful audition for E.T. is well known, and in a new Academy Originals video Marci Liroff explains how the team behind E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial got to that moment in which Steven Spielberg could say, "Okay, kid, you got the job." Liroff explains that they had focused on another boy who they thought would play Elliott, and had found most of the kids to play his friends. But they wanted to see how the kids would interact, so they invited them over to the writer Melissa Mathison's house to play Dungeons & Dragons. "In about three minutes it...
- 11/3/2014
- by Esther Zuckerman
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences has released a new episode of their fantastic web-series Academy Originals. I've really enjoyed what they've been doing by giving movie buffs a behind the scenes look at the stories behind the films that we love.
This latest episode gives us the story behind how Henry Thomas was cast in the lead role of Elliott in Steven Spielberg's classic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It turns out Thomas wasn't Spielberg's first choice to take on the role, and it was all thanks to a game of Dungeons & Dragons that lead to Thomas' legendary audition that won him the part.
The video features a recount of how everything came together as told by casting director Marci Liroff. ...
This latest episode gives us the story behind how Henry Thomas was cast in the lead role of Elliott in Steven Spielberg's classic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It turns out Thomas wasn't Spielberg's first choice to take on the role, and it was all thanks to a game of Dungeons & Dragons that lead to Thomas' legendary audition that won him the part.
The video features a recount of how everything came together as told by casting director Marci Liroff. ...
- 11/3/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
I really love what The Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences has been doing lately with their Academy Originals series of videos which take a look at the art and stories behind the making of the movies we love. The latest video features Casting director Marci Liroff (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and […]
The post Video: How A Game Of Dungeons & Dragons Changed The Casting Elliott in Et appeared first on /Film.
The post Video: How A Game Of Dungeons & Dragons Changed The Casting Elliott in Et appeared first on /Film.
- 11/3/2014
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
The Academy has announced the new class of invited members for 2014 and, as is typical, many of which are among last year's nominees, which includes Barkhad Abdi, Michael Fassbender, Sally Hawkins, Mads Mikkelsen, Lupita Nyong'o and June Squibb in the Actors branch not to mention curious additions such as Josh Hutcherson, Rob Riggle and Jason Statham, but, okay. The Directors branch adds Jay and Mark Duplass along with Jean-Marc Vallee, Denis Villeneuve and Thomas Vinterberg. I didn't do an immediate tally of male to female additions or other demographics, but at first glance it seems to be a wide spread batch of new additions on all fronts. The Academy is also clearly attempting to aggressively bump up the demographics as this is the second year in a row where they have added a large number of new members, well over the average of 133 new members from 2004 to 2012. As far as...
- 6/26/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 271 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures.
Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2014.
“This year’s class of invitees represents some of the most talented, creative and passionate filmmakers working in our industry today,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “Their contributions to film have entertained audiences around the world, and we are proud to welcome them to the Academy.”
The 2014 invitees are:
Actors
Barkhad Abdi – “Captain Phillips”
Clancy Brown – “The Hurricane,” “The Shawshank Redeption”
Paul Dano – “12 Years a Slave,” “Prisoners”
Michael Fassbender – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
Ben Foster – “Lone Survivor,” “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”
Beth Grant – “The Artist,” “No Country for Old Men”
Clark Gregg – “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Sally Hawkins – “Blue Jasmine,...
Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2014.
“This year’s class of invitees represents some of the most talented, creative and passionate filmmakers working in our industry today,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “Their contributions to film have entertained audiences around the world, and we are proud to welcome them to the Academy.”
The 2014 invitees are:
Actors
Barkhad Abdi – “Captain Phillips”
Clancy Brown – “The Hurricane,” “The Shawshank Redeption”
Paul Dano – “12 Years a Slave,” “Prisoners”
Michael Fassbender – “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame”
Ben Foster – “Lone Survivor,” “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”
Beth Grant – “The Artist,” “No Country for Old Men”
Clark Gregg – “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”
Sally Hawkins – “Blue Jasmine,...
- 6/26/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave were two of the 271 artists and industry leaders invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which determines nominations and winners at the annual Oscars. The entire list of Academy membership—which numbers about 6,000—isn’t public information so the annual invitation list is often the best indication of the artists involved in the prestigious awards process. It’s worth noting that invitations need to be accepted in order for artists to become members; some artists, like two-time Best Actor winner Sean Penn, have declined membership over the years.
- 6/26/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Pop quiz: What do Chris Rock, Claire Denis, Eddie Vedder and Josh Hutcherson all have in common? Answer: They could all be Oscar voters very soon. The annual Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences invitation list always makes for interesting reading, shedding light on just how large and far-reaching the group's membership is -- or could be, depending on who accepts their invitations. This year, 271 individuals have been asked to join AMPAS, meaning every one of them could contribute to next year's Academy Awards balloting -- and it's as diverse a list as they've ever assembled. Think the Academy consists entirely of fusty retired white dudes? Not if recent Best Original Song nominee Pharrell Williams takes them up on their offer. Think it's all just a Hollywood insiders' game? Not if French arthouse titans Chantal Akerman and Olivier Assayas join the party. It's a list that subverts expectation at every turn.
- 6/26/2014
- by Guy Lodge
- Hitfix
Mean Girls may now be one of the Internet’s favorite movies — just look at Twitter whenever the film airs on cable — but it was anything but a surefire hit while in production.
“It was my first movie. I was pretty young,” Rajiv Surendra, who portrayed mathlete Kevin G. in the film, tells EW. ” had worked on really big films that had been shot in Toronto. I remember asking her, ‘How do you think this movie is going to fare?’ and she said, ‘Come on. It’s called Mean Girls and it’s starring Lindsay Lohan. It’s going straight to DVD.
“It was my first movie. I was pretty young,” Rajiv Surendra, who portrayed mathlete Kevin G. in the film, tells EW. ” had worked on really big films that had been shot in Toronto. I remember asking her, ‘How do you think this movie is going to fare?’ and she said, ‘Come on. It’s called Mean Girls and it’s starring Lindsay Lohan. It’s going straight to DVD.
- 4/1/2014
- by Erin Strecker
- EW - Inside Movies
"Casting By," the critically acclaimed documentary about the role of the casting director in the movie-making process, makes its Hollywood debut this weekend at Arena Cinema. To celebrate, the filmmakers have scheduled Q&As with some of the industry's top CDs to follow this weekend's screenings: Nov. 15, 7:45 p.m.: Deb Aquila; Wally Nicita; Robin Lippin; Cathy Sandrich Nov. 16, noon: Gary Zuckerbrod, Marci Liroff Nov. 16, 2 p.m.: Richard Hicks; Jane Jenkins Nov. 16, 7:45 p.m.: Barbara McCarthy, April Webster Nov. 17, noon: Deb Zane; Roger Mussenden; John Papsidera; Julie Hutchinson; Deb Barylski Nov. 17, 2 p.m.: Ronna Kress, Heidi Levitt Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: Risa Bramon Garcia; Caroline Liem For updates and ticket information, visit arenascreen.com...
- 11/13/2013
- backstage.com
Lisa Soltau was living in Seattle when her friend Bonnie Gillespie sent her a book she had written called "Casting Qs," a compilation of interviews with casting directors. "I read it and I absolutely loved all the aspects of the job," says Soltau. "I loved the entertainment industry and movies and television. The process of casting sounded wonderful."She called one of the two casting offices in Seattle and ended up working as an intern there for about six months. But the CD told her she should move to New York or Los Angeles if she really wanted to pursue a career in casting. "I picked L.A. because I had lived there once for about three years and I thought it would be easier to acclimate there," Soltau says. "Plus I wanted to work on 'Six Feet Under,' which was airing at the time.
- 10/20/2010
- backstage.com
To succeed as an actor, you need to run your career as a business, and a new website, YourActorMBA.com, aims to teach actors how—through an 11-week Web series."It's becoming more and more important that actors know about the business side of things to get a leg up and to show off their craft," said casting director Bonnie Gillespie, who co-created the program with actor Mitchell Fink and casting director Marci Liroff. All three host each episode; the first, "Auditioning for Film," was posted Sept. 22. Each episode features industry guests—working actors, directors, writers, casting directors, producers, and agents—who talk about their experiences. The lineup so far includes director Mark Waters, actor Anna Vocino, agent Louise Ward, and actor-producer Mark Gantt."Never before has anybody pulled these many professionals together and gotten them in an involved setting, shot with multiple cameras, in a teaching format," said Fink.
- 10/15/2010
- backstage.com
To friend or not to friend? That is the question Facebook's many users are confronted with on a daily basis. It's even more of a quandary for actors, whose co-workers constantly change as they go from rehearsal hall to temp job to film set. The more names and faces and contacts you collect, the better for your career, right? That may depend on how wisely, and to what end, you use Facebook.Facebook is the perfect platform for keeping your network of contacts informed about that play you're in or when your episode of "Rescue Me" or "The Big Bang Theory" will be airing. Do use it to post credits, photos from shows you're in, and even video clips. Use it to reconnect and network with former classmates and colleagues. But understand its limitations. While it can help you to stay in touch with folks you know, it's not the...
- 7/29/2010
- backstage.com
Thanks to the Internet, a headshot and résumé don't have to be an actor's sole calling card anymore. A website can help you raise your visibility and spotlight your talent. And just as a quality headshot and résumé can brand you an astute pro, so can a top-notch website. But the opposite is also true: A confusing or inferior site can frustrate casting directors. So consider the following advice from some Web-savvy sources.Cost Not only is there the cost of designing and building your website to consider; there's also the fee for registering the domain name (the www.yournamehere.com address) and another for hosting your site on a server, as well as the cost to update the site regularly—unless you're tech-savvy enough to do it yourself. Expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more, depending on the designer and how much content you have,...
- 7/29/2010
- backstage.com
Ellen Lewis on Michael ShannonWhen I was asked to write about an actor I love, Michael Shannon immediately jumped into my mind. It probably stems from the fact that I'm from Chicago, where Michael lived and worked for many years.In 1998 Paula Muzik, an agent in Chicago, called to tell me about Michael, who was coming to New York in the play "Killer Joe." There was an intensity and disturbing quality to Michael's performance in "Killer Joe." Combined with his physical presence and dark humor, he slightly frightened you. He was unlike any actor I had seen before, and it was exciting to think about the roles one could try him for.Years later I was casting "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" for Sidney Lumet. Sid's office at the time was at Sound One. Casting for Sidney, as other casting directors can attest, is an amazing experience—and unusual,...
- 7/7/2010
- backstage.com
Here are the 2010 Los Angeles Reader's Choice results for categories dealing with casting directors. To look at all of the categories, be sure to visit the main page.Favorite Casting Director Workshop: Talent to GoSix years ago, accomplished actors Patricia Tallman and Judy Kain found that work had slowed for each of them. They decided it was time to create a casting director workshop that would help experienced actors further their careers in a way that showcased the actors' strengths."When I get a piece of copy, I get coached and I'm familiar with that copy," says Kain. "We were not going to do one of those cold-reading workshops—not that there's anything wrong with them—but we wanted to do something where the actor could really put their best foot forward. Where it was advantageous for the actor. Where they could really show what they do best, so that...
- 6/23/2010
- backstage.com
Back Stage's Jessica Gardner recently caught up with casting director Marci Liroff at the SAG Foundation. The veteran casting director has worked on many well-known films, starting in 1982 with hits like "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," "Poltergeist" and "Blade Runner." Other credits include "St. Elmo's Fire," "Footloose," and "A Christmas Story." More recent films include "Mean Girls," "Insomnia," and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." She is working on the upcoming adaptation of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." We asked Marci what makes a great headshot. Her answers may surprise you.
- 5/22/2010
- backstage.com
As part of its new monthly series Back Stage at the SAG Foundation, Back Stage presented the panel "Picture This: Your Headshot From Every Angle" May 12 to a packed crowd at the SAG Foundation in Los Angeles. Speakers included casting directors Marci Liroff, Geralyn Flood, and Stuart Stone and photographers Kevyn Major Howard, Alan Weissman, Sara Corwin, and Jeff E Photo. The event was moderated by Back Stage research and casting editor Jessica Gardner. From the outset, this discussion proved to be lively, with Stone calling out photographers who charge actors more than $375 for headshots. Three out of the four photographers on the panel charge more than that, so it sparked an instant debate that lasted throughout the two-hour event.The panel had tension, drama, plenty of arguing, and strong opinions, but, most important, it was honest. Audience members who volunteered to have their headshots critiqued received candid evaluations from the CDs and photographers.
- 5/14/2010
- backstage.com
How to: Audition --The Don'ts and a few Dos • Don't be late. Casting directors are on a busy schedule, and nothing gets things off to a rough start more than not respecting their time.• Don't be a jerk. To anyone—assistants, other actors. Represent yourself positively and professionally.• Don't think you don't need to practice and can just "turn it on" in the room. Spend time getting to know the scene and rehearsing in advance.• Don't dress inappropriately. Business casual is generally a safe bet for attire; don't overdo it and come in wearing a three-piece suit. It's not a bad idea to wear something suggesting the role, but don't take that as a license to come in wearing a full pirate costume.• Don't forget your headshot and résumé. Make sure they are pasted and/or stapled together; don't paper-clip them, as they could get separated. Bring extras just in case.
- 5/5/2010
- backstage.com
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