Atx TV Festival announced new updates to its line-up Wednesday, including screenings of Fargo, Pretty Little Liars and the Season 3 premiere of HBO’s critically acclaimed Industry. All of these are in addition to the previously announced Suits reunion panel that’s set to take place at the annual Austin, Texas event later this spring.
Fargo creator, writer and director Noah Hawley will join for a screening of Season 5, Episode 1 (“The Tragedy of the Commons”), followed by a conversation about the overall season, which stars Juno Temple, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
More from TVLinePretty Little Liars: Summer School...
Fargo creator, writer and director Noah Hawley will join for a screening of Season 5, Episode 1 (“The Tragedy of the Commons”), followed by a conversation about the overall season, which stars Juno Temple, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
More from TVLinePretty Little Liars: Summer School...
- 3/27/2024
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Note: Watch the full rebroadcast of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Award livestream on our YouTube channel. Highlights below.
Thanks to the weather gods for pushing the expected rain back by a day, the 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards returned to Santa Monica this Sunday under hot and somewhat muggy conditions, giving way to a gorgeous sunset which began to touch down just as the ceremony was ending. Which is to say, for the first time in years it was not freezing cold in the press tent (yay!).
As in past years, Official Partner Bulleit Frontier Whiskey was back at the pre-ceremony outdoor reception with multiple stations serving custom cocktails, alongside the official beer of these Spirit Awards, Stella Artois. For guests tackling two or three awards shows within 24 hours this weekend (the SAG Awards and the PGA Awards both fell on the same weekend) and dying for a caffeine boost,...
Thanks to the weather gods for pushing the expected rain back by a day, the 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards returned to Santa Monica this Sunday under hot and somewhat muggy conditions, giving way to a gorgeous sunset which began to touch down just as the ceremony was ending. Which is to say, for the first time in years it was not freezing cold in the press tent (yay!).
As in past years, Official Partner Bulleit Frontier Whiskey was back at the pre-ceremony outdoor reception with multiple stations serving custom cocktails, alongside the official beer of these Spirit Awards, Stella Artois. For guests tackling two or three awards shows within 24 hours this weekend (the SAG Awards and the PGA Awards both fell on the same weekend) and dying for a caffeine boost,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Su Fang Tham
- Film Independent News & More
Before you start roasting New Line Cinema‘s chestnuts on an open fire, there are no official plans for an Elf remake or sequel. However, Elf‘s original casting director, Susie Farris, says she would “love to” work on a remake if the opportunity arises. While speaking with People for the 2003 holiday comedy’s 20th anniversary, Farris floated the name of another Saturday Night Live cast member to replace Will Ferrell for a potential remake. “Off the top of my head, I’m just going to say Bill Hader,” Farris told People. “I just think that he’s quirky and endearing and yeah, I’d like to see Bill Hader,” she added.
While I could see Hader playing Buddy the Elf in an Elf remake, the thought of an Elf remake makes me hesitate. The Jon Favreau-directed film is already a holiday classic. It performs like gangbusters around the...
While I could see Hader playing Buddy the Elf in an Elf remake, the thought of an Elf remake makes me hesitate. The Jon Favreau-directed film is already a holiday classic. It performs like gangbusters around the...
- 11/27/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Elf is still a fan-favorite Christmas movie 20 years after its release!
Released in 2003, the holiday comedy stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City in search for his real father, who was played by the late James Caan.
In a new interview, casting director Susie Farris revealed who she would “love to” cast to replace Will in a potential Elf remake.
Keep reading to find out more…
“Off the top of my head, I’m just going to say Bill Hader,” Susie shared with People. “I just think that he’s quirky and endearing and yeah, I’d like to see Bill Hader.”
A few years ago, Will turned down a huge paycheck to return for an Elf sequel.
Also during her interview, Susie addressed the possibility of Will returning to play Buddy.
“I’ve read that Will felt like he...
Released in 2003, the holiday comedy stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City in search for his real father, who was played by the late James Caan.
In a new interview, casting director Susie Farris revealed who she would “love to” cast to replace Will in a potential Elf remake.
Keep reading to find out more…
“Off the top of my head, I’m just going to say Bill Hader,” Susie shared with People. “I just think that he’s quirky and endearing and yeah, I’d like to see Bill Hader.”
A few years ago, Will turned down a huge paycheck to return for an Elf sequel.
Also during her interview, Susie addressed the possibility of Will returning to play Buddy.
“I’ve read that Will felt like he...
- 11/24/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Casting Society (CSA) on Tuesday announced its nominations in the television, theatre, commercials, short film and short form series for its 2023 Artios Awards.
Netflix led the nominations in the TV categories with eight nods, while HBO/Max, Apple TV+ and Prime Video each received five nominations.
The winners will be announced at a gala on March 7, 2024. Submissions for feature film nominees will open on Nov. 10 and nominees for that category will be announced in February. Honorees for The Hoyt Bowers Award For Excellence In Casting, Lynn Stalmaster Award For Career Achievement, Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and the Associate Casting Director/ Casting Producer Spotlight Award will be announced at a later date.
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment,” said Destiny Lilly, CSA president. “We look forward...
Netflix led the nominations in the TV categories with eight nods, while HBO/Max, Apple TV+ and Prime Video each received five nominations.
The winners will be announced at a gala on March 7, 2024. Submissions for feature film nominees will open on Nov. 10 and nominees for that category will be announced in February. Honorees for The Hoyt Bowers Award For Excellence In Casting, Lynn Stalmaster Award For Career Achievement, Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award and the Associate Casting Director/ Casting Producer Spotlight Award will be announced at a later date.
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment,” said Destiny Lilly, CSA president. “We look forward...
- 10/24/2023
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Casting Society of America has announced the television, theater, commercials, short film and short form series nominees for the 39th Artios Awards. The gala will take place on March 7, 2024, where the winners will be announced.
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment. We look forward to gathering our community together to celebrate these achievements at our 39th Annual event next year,” CSA President Destiny Lilly said in a statement.
Netflix leads the television categories with eight nominations, down from 11 in 2022, when it tied with HBO/Max, which this year received five nominations — the same number as Apple TV+ and Prime Video. Netflix nominations included “Beef,” “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “The Diplomat.”
As for feature film nominees, submissions will open Nov. 10, followed by an...
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment. We look forward to gathering our community together to celebrate these achievements at our 39th Annual event next year,” CSA President Destiny Lilly said in a statement.
Netflix leads the television categories with eight nominations, down from 11 in 2022, when it tied with HBO/Max, which this year received five nominations — the same number as Apple TV+ and Prime Video. Netflix nominations included “Beef,” “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “The Diplomat.”
As for feature film nominees, submissions will open Nov. 10, followed by an...
- 10/24/2023
- by Missy Schwartz
- The Wrap
The Casting Society on Tuesday revealed the television, theater, commercials, short film and short-form series nominees for the 39th Artios Awards, which honor the contribution of casting professionals in these categories. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on March 7, 2024.
Submissions for feature film nominees will open November 10 and nominees in that category will be announced in February. Honorees for The Hoyt Bowers Award For Excellence In Casting, Lynn Stalmaster Award For Career Achievement, Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award, and the Associate Casting Director/ Casting Producer Spotlight Award will be presented that evening.
The honorees will be announced at a later date.
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment. We look forward to gathering our community together to celebrate these achievements at our 39th Annual event next year,...
Submissions for feature film nominees will open November 10 and nominees in that category will be announced in February. Honorees for The Hoyt Bowers Award For Excellence In Casting, Lynn Stalmaster Award For Career Achievement, Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award, and the Associate Casting Director/ Casting Producer Spotlight Award will be presented that evening.
The honorees will be announced at a later date.
“Each year, the Artios Awards celebrates the work of the casting community to represent a diverse range of fascinating stories authentically, and this collection of nominees underscores that commitment. We look forward to gathering our community together to celebrate these achievements at our 39th Annual event next year,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
This past spring, social media lit up around a very new kind of American Sweetheart: 30-year-old Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor who believed he was signing up for a documentary on the jury system and instead ended up being the adored lead presence of Amazon Freevee’s fish-out-of-water comedy “Jury Duty.” Gladden answered a Craigslist ad, the producers took a shine to him, and history was made.
“So, I wasn’t part of the Ronald process,” Emmy-nominated casting director Susie Farris told TheWrap. “Ronald is a real person, and I don’t cast reality. [Laughs] But you know, obviously, the crazy part about the show is that every single person except for one is an actor.”
And that’s what made “Jury Duty” one of the year’s most singular TV challenges: casting buoyant, quick-witted, versatile actors that the general public would not recognize to improvise against Gladden as his fellow jurors,...
“So, I wasn’t part of the Ronald process,” Emmy-nominated casting director Susie Farris told TheWrap. “Ronald is a real person, and I don’t cast reality. [Laughs] But you know, obviously, the crazy part about the show is that every single person except for one is an actor.”
And that’s what made “Jury Duty” one of the year’s most singular TV challenges: casting buoyant, quick-witted, versatile actors that the general public would not recognize to improvise against Gladden as his fellow jurors,...
- 8/18/2023
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
Cody Heller admits she was terrified when she began production on the mockumentary series Jury Duty, which features a cast of actors putting on a fictional civil trial in which one single member of the jury is a non-actor — an everyman named Ronald Gladden — who is unaware that everything around him is completely fake. Over the course of three weeks, Heller ran an experimental production in which much of what happens onscreen was designed to follow Gladden as he serves as the jury’s foreman while sequestered with a motley crew of personalities of varying extremes — including Hollywood actor James Marsden, who earned an Emmy nomination for his supporting turn as a heightened version of himself.
Heller spoke with THR to break down how the series found its hero in Gladden, what extensive preparation was needed to pull off the production and why the end result restored her faith in humanity.
Heller spoke with THR to break down how the series found its hero in Gladden, what extensive preparation was needed to pull off the production and why the end result restored her faith in humanity.
- 8/12/2023
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This season, television was pushed to its limits and into spaces that teetered genres and kept audiences guessing. From an improv show about a fake court trial to mockumentaries about public schools and vampires, a sci-fi drama about nuns, the 2023 Emmy nominations were a grab bag full of interesting television, and artisans helped take them even further.
Variety’s Creative Collaborators: The Nominees brunch, hosted by Variety’s senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay, brought together this year’s Emmy-nominated casting directors, designers, editors and other exciting creators to reflect on how they defied tropes and took fresh approaches to TV.
Panel guests included Tom Campbell, EP of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”; Susie Farris, casting director on “Jury Duty”; Chris Gehrt, casting director on “Abbott Elementary”; Yana Gorskaya, editor for “What We Do in The Shadows”; Michael Harte, picture editor for “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”; Charlene Lee, casting director on “Beef”; Arlene Martin,...
Variety’s Creative Collaborators: The Nominees brunch, hosted by Variety’s senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay, brought together this year’s Emmy-nominated casting directors, designers, editors and other exciting creators to reflect on how they defied tropes and took fresh approaches to TV.
Panel guests included Tom Campbell, EP of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”; Susie Farris, casting director on “Jury Duty”; Chris Gehrt, casting director on “Abbott Elementary”; Yana Gorskaya, editor for “What We Do in The Shadows”; Michael Harte, picture editor for “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”; Charlene Lee, casting director on “Beef”; Arlene Martin,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Seven TV casting directors will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2023 Emmy Awards nominees. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Monday, August 14, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Denton Davidson and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Synopsis: Follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.
Bio: Wendy O’Brien is an Emmy winner for “Abbott Elementary” and is now nominated again for that show and “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Synopsis: Follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.
Bio: Wendy O’Brien is an Emmy winner for “Abbott Elementary” and is now nominated again for that show and “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
- 8/4/2023
- by Chris Beachum and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Variety has announced the programming for its inaugural Creative Collaborations: The Nominees brunch, featuring two panels with the contending directors and artisans behind the year’s top TV series’. The invite-only brunch will take place in Los Angeles on August 8. Both conversations will be moderated and hosted by senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay.
Creative Collaborations: The Nominees will feature two panels with Emmy-nominees from across the various categories. The Creative Collaborators panelists will shine a spotlight on nominated artisans from shows such as “Jury Duty” “Poker Face” “Abbott Elementary,” “ Moonage Daydream”, “What we do in the Shadows” and many more. The panel will focus on how the crafts are essential to the visual storytelling behind this year’s Emmy-nominated shows.
Directors on Directors will feature Emmy-nominated helmers from “Last of Us” “Ted Lasso,” “The Oscars” and “Fleishman is in Trouble” as they share their collaborative process and how working with...
Creative Collaborations: The Nominees will feature two panels with Emmy-nominees from across the various categories. The Creative Collaborators panelists will shine a spotlight on nominated artisans from shows such as “Jury Duty” “Poker Face” “Abbott Elementary,” “ Moonage Daydream”, “What we do in the Shadows” and many more. The panel will focus on how the crafts are essential to the visual storytelling behind this year’s Emmy-nominated shows.
Directors on Directors will feature Emmy-nominated helmers from “Last of Us” “Ted Lasso,” “The Oscars” and “Fleishman is in Trouble” as they share their collaborative process and how working with...
- 8/2/2023
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
The producers of “Jury Duty” found Ronald Gladden — the jury foreman unaware that an entire fictional trial was put on for his benefit — via Craigslist. But everyone else in the courtroom was cast through a scripted process, albeit not one that casting director Susie Farris ever used before.
The unconventional hybrid nature of “Jury Duty” led Farris and the show’s producers down a very life-meets-art path to find gifted improvisers who could hit the level of absurdity the show demanded without making Gladden suspicious. Farris began with self-tapes, partly because of Covid-19 restrictions and partly because, in this particular case, improvising a confessional to camera would more accurately reflect the job than reading sides.
“Don’t get me wrong, I really miss the in-person interaction. There’s really nothing like that,” Farris said. “But for this type of thing, [the actors weren’t] having to read lines. They could choose one of the two prompts,...
The unconventional hybrid nature of “Jury Duty” led Farris and the show’s producers down a very life-meets-art path to find gifted improvisers who could hit the level of absurdity the show demanded without making Gladden suspicious. Farris began with self-tapes, partly because of Covid-19 restrictions and partly because, in this particular case, improvising a confessional to camera would more accurately reflect the job than reading sides.
“Don’t get me wrong, I really miss the in-person interaction. There’s really nothing like that,” Farris said. “But for this type of thing, [the actors weren’t] having to read lines. They could choose one of the two prompts,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
When the genre-bending comedy “Jury Duty” launched its eight-episode run in April, Emmy nominations were the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. Of greater concern was simply having people know it was available at all, given that it was available on the little-known Amazon Freevee streaming service. “Actually, it was a blessing and a curse because it was such a crazy experimental undertaking,” admits Cody Heller, “Jury Duty’s” showrunner and executive producer. “There were moments where I was like, ‘Ok, if the show blows up and fails, at least no one will probably see it.’ But then once we finished it and we were all so proud of the work we’d done, we were like, ‘Oh man, I hope people watch it.'” Added fellow exec producer Nicholas Hatton: “To know that people have received the show in the spirit in which we intended has been beyond rewarding.
- 7/31/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
The Best Comedy Series Casting Emmy category is one where repeat wins should generally not be expected, since the only show to achieve that feat in well over a decade was “Veep” in 2016 and 2017. Most of Gold Derby’s participating users seem to have kept this in mind while making their 2023 Emmy picks, given that former casting winners “Ted Lasso” (2021) and “Abbott Elementary” (2022) are trailing new shows “The Bear” and “Jury Duty” in the current race. However, there is still no obvious consensus among them as to which freshman series will actually take the gold.
The final slot in this year’s comedy casting lineup is filled by “Only Murders in the Building,” which, like “Abbott Elementary,” was first recognized here last year. After 2000, 2007, and 2021, this is only the fourth time that every nominated show in this category consists of no more than three seasons. In addition to “Ted Lasso,...
The final slot in this year’s comedy casting lineup is filled by “Only Murders in the Building,” which, like “Abbott Elementary,” was first recognized here last year. After 2000, 2007, and 2021, this is only the fourth time that every nominated show in this category consists of no more than three seasons. In addition to “Ted Lasso,...
- 7/27/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: A day after Amazon Freevee’s Jury Duty made Emmy history as the first AVOD show to land major nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, the documentary-style half-hour is extending its stay on Amazon’s main platform, Prime Video.
Jury Duty, which is an Amazon Freevee original, had been given a promotional second window on Prime Video, which was slated to end today. As Deadline’s awards columnist Pete Hammond noted in his Emmy analysis yesterday, there was a countdown on Jury Duty‘s Prime Video episodes informing subscribers of their imminent departure. It has now been removed.
It is unclear how long Jury Duty would remain also available on Prime Video, making it more easily accessible to fans as well as TV Academy members beyond the Academy’s site. The second phase of Emmy voting is currently scheduled to wrap on Aug. 28.
Yesterday, Jury Duty was nominated for four Emmys,...
Jury Duty, which is an Amazon Freevee original, had been given a promotional second window on Prime Video, which was slated to end today. As Deadline’s awards columnist Pete Hammond noted in his Emmy analysis yesterday, there was a countdown on Jury Duty‘s Prime Video episodes informing subscribers of their imminent departure. It has now been removed.
It is unclear how long Jury Duty would remain also available on Prime Video, making it more easily accessible to fans as well as TV Academy members beyond the Academy’s site. The second phase of Emmy voting is currently scheduled to wrap on Aug. 28.
Yesterday, Jury Duty was nominated for four Emmys,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It was a big win for the underdog on Wednesday as Freevee’s Jury Duty was nominated for four Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series, Supporting Actor for James Marsden, Writing for Mekki Leeper and Casting for Susie Farris.
Although completely unexpected, the surprise was obviously welcome by executive producer David Bernad, who spoke to Deadline about the momentous occasion.
“I give an incredible amount of credit to the writers, Cody Heller, Andrew Weinberg, Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky; Nick Hatton, one of our incredible producers; the cast who were all exceptional obviously James, and everyone else in the cast who really dedicated so much of their life to the show. They all deserve this award,” Bernad, also a producer on HBO’s The White Lotus and NBC’s Superstore, to name a few, told Deadline.
However, the moment is bittersweet for the producer as the WGA strike is on its...
Although completely unexpected, the surprise was obviously welcome by executive producer David Bernad, who spoke to Deadline about the momentous occasion.
“I give an incredible amount of credit to the writers, Cody Heller, Andrew Weinberg, Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky; Nick Hatton, one of our incredible producers; the cast who were all exceptional obviously James, and everyone else in the cast who really dedicated so much of their life to the show. They all deserve this award,” Bernad, also a producer on HBO’s The White Lotus and NBC’s Superstore, to name a few, told Deadline.
However, the moment is bittersweet for the producer as the WGA strike is on its...
- 7/13/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Earlier today, The Television Academy revealed the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards nominees. Succession emerged as the clear victor. The HBO Max comedy-drama TV series secured the leading position this year with an impressive 27 Emmy nominations. The Last of Us is closely behind, with 24 nominations, The White Lotus with 23, and Ted Lasso with 21.
Related: 74th Primetime Emmy Awards Winners: The Full List
Emmy nominee Yvette Nicole Brown and Academy Chair Frank Scherma disclosed the nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards during a live virtual ceremony on Emmys.com/nominations.
Find the complete list of nominees for the 75th Emmy Awards 2023 below.
Outstanding Animated Program
Bob’s Burgers • The Plight Before Christmas • Fox • 20th Television Animation
Entergalactic • Netflix • Netflix / Mad Solar / Khalabo Ink Society / Edelgang
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal • Shadow Of Fate • Adult Swim • Cartoon Network Studios
Rick And Morty • Night Family • Adult Swim • Rick and Morty LLC, Williams Street
The Simpsons • Treehouse...
Related: 74th Primetime Emmy Awards Winners: The Full List
Emmy nominee Yvette Nicole Brown and Academy Chair Frank Scherma disclosed the nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards during a live virtual ceremony on Emmys.com/nominations.
Find the complete list of nominees for the 75th Emmy Awards 2023 below.
Outstanding Animated Program
Bob’s Burgers • The Plight Before Christmas • Fox • 20th Television Animation
Entergalactic • Netflix • Netflix / Mad Solar / Khalabo Ink Society / Edelgang
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal • Shadow Of Fate • Adult Swim • Cartoon Network Studios
Rick And Morty • Night Family • Adult Swim • Rick and Morty LLC, Williams Street
The Simpsons • Treehouse...
- 7/12/2023
- by Dee Gambit
- buddytv.com
When the list of potential Emmy nominees was officially released on Thursday, the Amazon Freevee genre-bending comedy “Jury Duty” listed six submissions for Emmy Awards comedy supporting actor and actress: James Marsden, David Brown, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, Edy Modica and Rashida Olayiwola. That may not seem particularly significant, but for a series that seemingly against all odds caught hold of the zeitgeist this past spring, it’s massive. The craziest part is that it actually has a chance of pulling in an Emmy nom or two – perhaps even in comedy series and (maybe especially) comedy series casting for its casting director Susie Farris.
In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that “Jury Duty” is going to be the Andrea Riseborough of this Emmy season and shock the awards world as a grassroots phenomenon by cracking the best comedy nominee lineup. And it...
In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that “Jury Duty” is going to be the Andrea Riseborough of this Emmy season and shock the awards world as a grassroots phenomenon by cracking the best comedy nominee lineup. And it...
- 6/19/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
When Jury Duty executive vp David Bernad approached casting director Susie Farris to find the jurors for his Freevee mockumentary series, he knew exactly how to pitch the project. “He said, ‘It’s what you do best: putting together an ensemble comedy,’ ” recalls Farris of the first phone call with the producer, who added that he wasn’t looking “for names.” But when she asked about the script, the response caught her off guard — there wasn’t one.
That’s because the largely improvised Jury Duty follows an entirely fake civil case in which everyone in the courtroom — the judge, the bailiff, the attorneys, the jurors, the plaintiff and the defendant — are all actors. All but one person, that is: Ronald Gladden, a Los Angeles-based everyman who believed from the beginning of jury selection to the trial’s conclusion that all of it was absolutely real.
Farris wasn’t involved...
That’s because the largely improvised Jury Duty follows an entirely fake civil case in which everyone in the courtroom — the judge, the bailiff, the attorneys, the jurors, the plaintiff and the defendant — are all actors. All but one person, that is: Ronald Gladden, a Los Angeles-based everyman who believed from the beginning of jury selection to the trial’s conclusion that all of it was absolutely real.
Farris wasn’t involved...
- 6/5/2023
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The jury is still out on whether Amazon Freevee’s mockumentary sitcom “Jury Duty” will be able to break into the Emmys race, but the excitement for the comedy has taken the TV world by storm, and Amazon sees an opening for it.
Variety has learned exclusively Amazon plans to submit the eight-episode inaugural season for the Emmy comedy categories, seeking recognition in over a dozen key races including acting, writing and directing.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Emmy predictions in all categories.
Created by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, the series follows the inner workings of a jury trial through the eyes of Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego, who is unaware that his jury duty summons was not official and everyone on the jury aside from him, is an actor.
Gladden has been the comedy’s breakout star of the series and will...
Variety has learned exclusively Amazon plans to submit the eight-episode inaugural season for the Emmy comedy categories, seeking recognition in over a dozen key races including acting, writing and directing.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Emmy predictions in all categories.
Created by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, the series follows the inner workings of a jury trial through the eyes of Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego, who is unaware that his jury duty summons was not official and everyone on the jury aside from him, is an actor.
Gladden has been the comedy’s breakout star of the series and will...
- 5/5/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Casting director Susie Farris got the unique opportunity to participate in the meticulous process of jury selection, choosing all but one of 12 jurors — but it was for an entirely made-up court case.
Even with over two decades of casting experience and credits in “Elf,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Speechless” and “Mr. Robot,” she had never been met with a task quite like casting Amazon Freevee’s viral series “Jury Duty,” a hidden-camera, “Truman Show”-esque comedy.
In the weeks after its release, “Jury Duty” has been applauded for its outstanding cast of actors, improv comedians and one Ronald Gladden, the lone, non-actor who believed the entire, absurd court case was real.
Farris spoke with Variety to share her process behind selecting television’s favorite petit jury.
Most casting directors don’t work with improv actors, so what was it like for you? Had you ever done anything like this before?...
Even with over two decades of casting experience and credits in “Elf,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Speechless” and “Mr. Robot,” she had never been met with a task quite like casting Amazon Freevee’s viral series “Jury Duty,” a hidden-camera, “Truman Show”-esque comedy.
In the weeks after its release, “Jury Duty” has been applauded for its outstanding cast of actors, improv comedians and one Ronald Gladden, the lone, non-actor who believed the entire, absurd court case was real.
Farris spoke with Variety to share her process behind selecting television’s favorite petit jury.
Most casting directors don’t work with improv actors, so what was it like for you? Had you ever done anything like this before?...
- 5/4/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Atx TV Festival has announced several additions to its already-packed slate for the annual event being held in Austin, Texas.
Beginning on Thursday, June 1 and running through Sunday, June 4, the festival will host premiere screenings, Q&As, panel conversations and more, including a 25th Anniversary screening of Dawson’s Creek. The reunion’s confirmed panelists include writers/producers Liz Tigelaar (Tiny Beautiful Things, Little Fires Everywhere), Rina Mimoun (Mistresses, Everwood), Gina Fattore (Dare Me, Parenthood), Anna Fricke (Walker, Being Human), Maggie Friedman (Firefly Lane, Witches of East End) and moderator Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals), with additional panelists to be announced soon.
Beginning on Thursday, June 1 and running through Sunday, June 4, the festival will host premiere screenings, Q&As, panel conversations and more, including a 25th Anniversary screening of Dawson’s Creek. The reunion’s confirmed panelists include writers/producers Liz Tigelaar (Tiny Beautiful Things, Little Fires Everywhere), Rina Mimoun (Mistresses, Everwood), Gina Fattore (Dare Me, Parenthood), Anna Fricke (Walker, Being Human), Maggie Friedman (Firefly Lane, Witches of East End) and moderator Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals), with additional panelists to be announced soon.
- 4/3/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Atx TV festival has announced that the festival will open with the world premiere of FX’s “Justified: City Primeval” and include a “Dawson’s Creek” 25th-anniversary screening and conversation. The festival’s 12th edition will also host conversations with the cast and crews of “Outlander,” “The Good Doctor,” “Primo,” “Jury Duty,” “Everyone Is Doing Great” and “The Righteous Gemstones.”
The Atx TV festival is slated to run from June 1-4.
“Justified: City Primeval” will pick up after 15 years since Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) left Kentucky, and extends the “Justified” universe. Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel “City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit,” the upcoming series premieres this summer on FX. Showrunners and executive producers Dave Andron and Michael Dinner will join the cast and crew at the June 1 screening and conversation.
Opening day of the festival will also feature a conversation with the cast & creatives of “Outlander,” with a...
The Atx TV festival is slated to run from June 1-4.
“Justified: City Primeval” will pick up after 15 years since Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) left Kentucky, and extends the “Justified” universe. Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel “City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit,” the upcoming series premieres this summer on FX. Showrunners and executive producers Dave Andron and Michael Dinner will join the cast and crew at the June 1 screening and conversation.
Opening day of the festival will also feature a conversation with the cast & creatives of “Outlander,” with a...
- 4/3/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Atx TV Festival said Monday that opening night of the June 1-4 event will feature the world premiere of FX’s Justified: City Primeval.
The 12th iteration of the Austin-based television festival also will include a Dawson’s Creek 25th anniversary screening and conversation as well as a discussion with the cast and creatives of Outlander.
Justified: City Primeval, from showrunners/executive producers Dave Andron and Michael Dinner and based on the novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, is an eight-part limited series that picks up 15 years after U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) left the hollers of Kentucky in FX’s Justified. Following the screening will be a conversation with the creatives and cast of the show, which premieres this summer on FX and streams the following day on Hulu.
The Dawson’s Creek retrospective, presented by Sony Pictures Television Studios, will include a screening of the pilot episode,...
The 12th iteration of the Austin-based television festival also will include a Dawson’s Creek 25th anniversary screening and conversation as well as a discussion with the cast and creatives of Outlander.
Justified: City Primeval, from showrunners/executive producers Dave Andron and Michael Dinner and based on the novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, is an eight-part limited series that picks up 15 years after U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) left the hollers of Kentucky in FX’s Justified. Following the screening will be a conversation with the creatives and cast of the show, which premieres this summer on FX and streams the following day on Hulu.
The Dawson’s Creek retrospective, presented by Sony Pictures Television Studios, will include a screening of the pilot episode,...
- 4/3/2023
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Wain's "Wet Hot American Summer" is the proper definition of a cult classic. When the film was released in 2001, it was both a critical and commercial flop, failing to make back a majority of its relatively cheap production budget. Despite the film's financial woes, the stars were aligned on this set for the film to become an eventual raunchy sleep-over classic.
One reason the film has endured through the years is that the casting director, Susie Farris, struck gold with this ensemble cast, which is mostly made up of some of comedy's then-up-and-comers who would become major stars down the line. Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, and Elizabeth Banks, the list goes on. Then there was a young version of everyone's favorite goofball, Paul Rudd, fresh off of "Clueless," he turned in a delightfully sardonic performance as camp counselor Andy.
This week, in honor of the release...
One reason the film has endured through the years is that the casting director, Susie Farris, struck gold with this ensemble cast, which is mostly made up of some of comedy's then-up-and-comers who would become major stars down the line. Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, and Elizabeth Banks, the list goes on. Then there was a young version of everyone's favorite goofball, Paul Rudd, fresh off of "Clueless," he turned in a delightfully sardonic performance as camp counselor Andy.
This week, in honor of the release...
- 2/10/2023
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles! “The Conners”The “Roseanne” reboot may have swept the original series ending under the rug and revived Dan Conner, but after some intense Twitter drama, the matriarch of the family may not be so lucky. Despite its cancellation earlier this year, which sent many into an uproar over the fact that one person’s tweets cost so many their jobs, “Roseanne” is returning once again, this time under the name “The Conners.” As the new title might suggest, the original show’s namesake will be absent from the new incarnation, which will focus on her family members. Nothing has yet been said about how Roseanne Barr’s character will be handled, and the odds are split between the series killing her off and an off-camera sendoff that keeps her character permanently offscreen.
- 7/25/2018
- backstage.com
Sony Pictures Television Networks has ordered Reckoning, a 10-episode straight-to-series psychological thriller drama, from writer David Hubbard (Noel) and veteran showrunner David Eick.
Produced by Sony Pictures TV-owned Australian company Playmaker Media (The Code), Reckoning is set to begin filming July 9 in Australia for premiere on Sptn’s international channels, including Axn, in select territories in Europe and Latin America. Sony Pictures Television Distribution will handle worldwide sales of the series, which will be wholly produced and post-produced in Australia.
Reckoning is part of Sony Pictures TV Networks’s ramped up efforts in the original production arena. It follows the success of Sptn’s Absentia, a dramatic thriller starring Stana Katic and Patrick Heusinger, which was originally commissioned for Axn in 2017 and is now airing on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and other territories.
Written by Hubbard, who serves as showrunner with David Eick,...
Produced by Sony Pictures TV-owned Australian company Playmaker Media (The Code), Reckoning is set to begin filming July 9 in Australia for premiere on Sptn’s international channels, including Axn, in select territories in Europe and Latin America. Sony Pictures Television Distribution will handle worldwide sales of the series, which will be wholly produced and post-produced in Australia.
Reckoning is part of Sony Pictures TV Networks’s ramped up efforts in the original production arena. It follows the success of Sptn’s Absentia, a dramatic thriller starring Stana Katic and Patrick Heusinger, which was originally commissioned for Axn in 2017 and is now airing on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and other territories.
Written by Hubbard, who serves as showrunner with David Eick,...
- 5/2/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles! “Bless This Mess”Picking up your life to move is never an easy task, but going from the big city to a quaint Midwestern lifestyle requires way more than a few boxes. Fox has given the pilot greenlight to “Bless This Mess,” which will follow a couple of newlyweds from New York looking to break up the unfulfilling motions of living in the big city. Operating under the assumption that drastic change is key, they move to Nebraska to seek out a simpler life. There are some things about living in the city that can’t be changed so quickly, though. Casting director Susie Farris is continuing to beef up the roster of names signed on to star in the comedy. Already attached are Lake Bell, who...
- 4/4/2018
- backstage.com
Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition! Summer might be over, but “Dog Days” is just about to gear up production in Los Angeles as more names are added to the cast list of the Ken Marino–directed project. Nina Dobrev and Finn Wolfhard were already attached to the indie rom-com, and Vanessa Hudgens is the latest to join the film. The plot follows an ensemble cast of people who want more from life and look to their dogs for support. The characters’ stories will become intertwined throughout the film. Elissa Matsueda and Erica Oyama wrote the script, and Susie Farris is handling casting. Shooting is expected to begin later this year in L.A, so SoCal actors, look out for...
- 9/28/2017
- backstage.com
Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles! “Roseanne”Polish off your best comebacks and pull on some flannel—the Conners are heading back to television. The beloved ’90s sitcom found success on ABC before inspiring a new generation with its reruns on Nickelodeon’s after-hours programming, Nick at Nite; now, the network is taking the “Full House” reboot route and has successfully lured back the series’ original cast, including both actors who shared the role of Becky Conner. Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Alicia Goranson, Sara Gilbert, and Michael Fishman are also back on board for their original roles, and the familiar storyline about a family living paycheck to paycheck. While the leading slots are filled, there’s still room for newbies, which is where Susie Farris Casting will step in. Production on...
- 7/12/2017
- backstage.com
Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles! “Tremors”This sci-fi crowd-pleaser about giant vibration-enraged worms in the desert is burrowing its way into present day for a shot at television. Syfy recently picked up the pilot that will revive the franchise with the film’s original lead, Kevin Bacon, 25 years after the enormous worms destroyed the small town of Perfection, Nevada. Susie Farris Casting is on deck to flesh out the rest of the cast on the project. While Bacon is being brought back for the series’ first episode, it’s unclear if other actors who starred in the movie, such as Fred Ward, Michael Gross, or Reba McEntire, will play any role in the project. The production is still in its infancy but cameras are expected to start rolling in late summer. New...
- 7/7/2017
- backstage.com
We’ve all had that moment where we’re hired to kill someone but then fail after embracing our inner thespian in the name of theatrical community and a heartwarming display, right? In the rare case that you haven’t experienced such a turning point, HBO would like to make sure you’ve had the opportunity to witness the transformation. “Barry” will follow a former Marine-turned-hitman who has a change of heart when he meets a ragtag group of actors. Bill Hader, who co-wrote the pilot, will star on and direct the first episode when filming begins this April in Los Angeles. Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas will cast the project that has yet to attach anyone other than Hader. It’s getting hard to find new superheroes. NBC is taking that challenge personally and turning the tables on the lore of the superhuman vigilantes. “Powerless,” the latest pilot pickup from the network,...
- 1/20/2016
- backstage.com
The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and it's important to stay aware of what’s going on. Want to find out who’s casting? What projects are happening? What’s coming up? Call Sheet highlights will help you stay in-the-know: NBC pilot "Cuckoo" has picked up casting director Wendy O'Brien for the half hour comedy about a middle-class family's unlikely new son in law. Dava Waite Peaslee is casting NBC's "Suzanne Martin Project," which is scheduled to start shooting in March in Los Angeles. Telsey + Company are on board for the office-inspired half-hour pilot "Sharing" over at NBC. NBC has lined up casting director Kim Coleman for the drama "Love Is A Four Letter Word," which is scheduled to shoot in March in New York. Susie Farris Casting is on aisle two for the employee-based pilot "Superstore." The NBC comedy will shoot in Los Angeles in the spring. Looking for information on productions,...
- 2/13/2015
- backstage.com
For the first time in nine years, NBC beat all the other major networks in the 18-49 demographic during the 2012 fall broadcast season premiere week. (CBS was first in total viewers.) And while CBS, ABC, and Fox have all suffered a decrease in that demographic and overall ratings since this time last year, NBC is up.To celebrate, the Peacock announced that it has committed to making more episodes of three of its new hit shows. J.J. Abrams and Erik Kripke’s sci-fi drama “Revolution” and freshman comedies “Go On” (starring Matthew Perry) and “The New Normal” (from “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy) have all been picked up for full seasons. All three series benefit from following singing competition “The Voice” as a lead-in. April Webster is the casting director for “Revoultion,” while CD Susie Farris casts “The New Normal” and “Go On.”“We’re impressed with the imagination and creative...
- 10/3/2012
- backstage.com
Three new NBC fall comedies, as well as one drama slated for midseason, now have casting directors under contract, Back Stage has learned.Lisa Miller Katz will cast “Animal Practice” (formerly “Animal Kingdom”), a single-camera comedy set in a veterinary clinic. Justin Kirk stars as a vet who loves animals, but would prefer that they not come with owners. Also starring are Tyler Labine, JoAnna Garcia, Bobby Lee, and Betsy Sodaro, one of Back Stage’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2012.Susie Farris will cast “Go On,” which stars Matthew Perry as a sports talk radio host who is forced by his boss to attend grief counseling after the loss of his wife. His initial skepticism is unfounded, however, as he gains solace and support from the eccentric characters that attend his group sessions. Also starring are John Cho, Laura Benanti, Julie White, Tyler James Williams, Suzy Nakamura, and Brett Gelma.
- 7/12/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Pete Keeley)
- backstage.com
Two new NBC comedies now have casting directors attached, Back Stage has learned. “The New Normal,” which is set to debut Sept. 11, will be cast by Susie Farris. Written by “Glee” alums Allison Adler and Ryan Murphy, who was the co-creator of the Fox series, the show centers on a gay couple (Andrew Rannells, of "The Book of Mormon," and Justin Bartha) who hire a surrogate played by Georgia King to help start a family. The series begins shooting in August. Farris also cast the show’s pilot. Another new NBC comedy, “1600 Penn,” also retained its pilot’s casting director. Debra Zane is set to cast the series, which has yet to nail down a premiere or production start date. The series revolves around the hard-partying oldest son (Josh Gad, Rannells' co-star in “The Book of Mormon”) who moves back in with his politician father (Bill Pullman) and becomes a...
- 7/6/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Sean J. Miller)
- backstage.com
Casting directors have been hired for two more NBC pilots, Back Stage has confirmed.Susie Farris is casting the pilot for "The New Normal," about the blended family of a gay couple and the woman they hire to be a surrogate to help them start a family. The single-camera half-hour comedy was written by Ryan Murphy ("Glee," "American Horror Story") and Ali Adler, and will be directed by Murphy. Andrew Rannells, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway, has been cast as one of the three leads, but the other roles remain available. The pilot shoots in March.Farris has cast the NBC comedy series "Whitney" and the USA series "Covert Affairs" and "Royal Pains." She has also cast feature films such as "Hot Tub Time Machine," "Elf," and "Wet Hot American Summer."April Webster is casting "Revolution," a dramatic sci-fi thriller pilot.
- 2/8/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
Think it’s impossible to make a comedy for just $1.8 million, get it into theatres, and still wind up with a financial disaster? Think again!!! It is almost exactly 10 years since writer-director David Wain did just that with Wet Hot American Summer, his camp movie spoof which starred co-writer Michael Showalter, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ian Black, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Meloni, and Joe Lo Truglio, amongst many others.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the movie’s release — and to celebrate the film’s elevation to cult classic status — Wain, Showalter, and Black are...
To mark the 10th anniversary of the movie’s release — and to celebrate the film’s elevation to cult classic status — Wain, Showalter, and Black are...
- 8/2/2011
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
With some of the major networks' fall shows scheduled to go into production as soon as July, the process of hiring casting directors has begun in earnest. Due to their generally lower cost and smaller scale, the comedies tend to gear up first, and several CDs have already put pen to paper.Among those sticking with their pilots are Lisa Miller Katz, who will be casting "Don't Trust the Bitch at Apartment 23" for ABC (she's also doing the TBS comedy "Wedding Band," for which she also cast the pilot); Tim Payne and Lisa Ystrom, who are sticking with "Suburgatory" for ABC (good move, at least judging from the trailer); Koczara/Shevchenko, who are doing ABC's "Work It" (all two episodes of it before it gets canceled); Susie Farris, who has signed on to "Whitney" for NBC; Anya Colloff, who will cast CBS's "How to Be a Gentleman" sans former partner Amy.
- 6/13/2011
- by help@backstage.com (Pete Keeley)
- 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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