He did come in and audition and just blew everybody away., The most fun bit of casting was the fact that Mo was written as a woman. A lot of times in these teenage parts, you have 20-year-olds playing 15, and that wasnt the case, says Cuba, who wanted the coming-of-age roles to be occupied by fresh faces. Sharon Bialy: Right. Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. So, even though they might be doing under five lines, theyve got to be able to hold their own. What can you tell us about the process of assembling the cast for its long-awaited third season? And one of the first things that we did together as Bialy/Thomas was The Unit with Shawn Ryan and David Mamet and Eric Haney. It was the soul of the actor and what [showrunner Bruce Miller] was looking for.. And as a casting director, it feeds my soul to get to go through the whole collaborative process of finding that person who just pops in a role. Casting Networks uses cookies to analyze our traffic and to personalize content and ads. Sherry Lansing. Wiley plays the rebellious Moira on Handmaids and has one Emmy win in three nominations for the role. And, speaking from first hand experience, they are the best people to audition for. I think in this particular project that Georgia [Pritchetts] writing was incredible, and the tone was on the page, but still it helped. And sometimes the sides are fake. Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). We went back to our theatre brains, and Laila Robins is someone I had seen over 25 years ago doing The Real Thing opposite Jeremy Irons. Specialties: Catastrophe Modeling<br>Portfolio Management<br>Reinsurance Pricing | Learn more about Sherry Thomas's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn The others laugh a little. We started talking with her agent, and they basically said to make sure this was the direction we wanted to go in because if Katey found out she would certainly want to do it. Bialy, Thomas and Russell Scott are nominated twice this year, for Dead to Me along with Handmaids Tale. Another of their shows, Better Call Saul, now has 11 acting nominations. As a freelance writer for me at Modern Luxury, NS magazine, Sherry pitched and wrote creative . We would give a little context of the tone. So, I didnt necessarily find casting it found me. It sounds like you didnt look back after the job found you. And it happens. So, I get an idea for the cadence and tone of the role, which I add to what I already have about it on paper. We had readings for that part. ST: Not for us particularly. The age had to be appropriate so there would be chemistry with Linda. Her emotional depth and ability, in the scene, to always find the deepest but most surprising way to play it, is amazing and then to be able to sing on top of it. It feels like thats not as much of a requirement anymore, though, and I want to help fully facilitate that change for the next generation of women. Your email address will not be published. We were finding choices and some incredible singers, but it just clicked when it became Alex. The parameters of that character were a tall order to fill. We were really happy with the outcome of that! Sherry Thomas - IMDb Hes a very soulful actor and person, and his craft is unbelievable. And I write on something next to me, I had Michael Imperioli in my head. Sharon Bialy: And it was the hardest thing in the world to not be hysterical, laughing when she wrote, I meant Michael Imperioli. And then we had to go through the audition and Im biting my lip so that I laugh. What are some self-tape tips that you have? He was the heart of the show the first season., Andrew is absolutely hilarious. Then, I go through my notes and consider actors that I love, as well as some new actors. Shes just someone Ive been watching. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. You learn what you want to change moving forward. Elarica leads more with vulnerability, and Brandee leads more with strength. Awards. Luckily he did. Name one of your favorite television shows and it's a sure bet that Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas were the casting directors for at least one of them. Im just blown away with how Bill can be in a scene, fully connected to it as an actor, even when I know his eye as the director and ear as the writer are simultaneously at work. As part of our inaugural BackstageFest, longtime casting directors Theo Park ("Ted Lasso," "Master of None"), Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas ("Perry Mason," "The Comey Rule," "The. After appearing in two films, Loving (1970) and Rio Lobo (1970), Sherry decided to leave the acting field. For 'The. sherrythomaslane Follow 284 posts 5,086 followers 587 following Sherry Thomas Lane Casting Director / Owner @ Bialy Thomas & Associates Blue collar Northampton, MA native who is Livin' the dream. For Perry Mason (originally set to star Robert Downey Jr., who serves as executive producer with his wife, Susan), casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas discussed their suggestions for . I feel like I get him. Did it make your job easier or was it challenging having actors come in with a preconceived notion of what the show should be? It all kind of comes together. She gets it. That helps give me the essence of what Bill has in mind, and then as I get him going, hell just start going into the characters dialogue in a voice that reflects how he hears it in his head. Elaine Doremus. Sherry Thomas: But everybody was generous and kind. He doesnt necessarily work with people twice in a row, so we didnt immediately go to Regina, says Thomas. It is one of our most rewarding jobs., [John McEnroe] was in the original script, and I remember nobody was dealing with it. It's a game A Tale of Two Cities One City: The BAFTA voters chose to give just one award to Everything, Everywhere All 2023 Golden Reel Award Sound Editorial Winners Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing Feature Dialogue / ADR The Banshees of 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. But honestly, I had no idea how well Jane could sing., I knew she could sing because she had been on Broadway, and she just brought such a fun element to the show, says Ulrich of the Gilmore Girls and Parenthood vet, who made her Broadway debut in a 2009 revival of the musical comedy Guys and Dolls; Graham plays Zoeys boss. No, but it made me feel like just more confident. 2023 Gold Derby Media, LLC. Sherry Thomas: Good reader whos not too close to the camera and not trying to audition for themselves. She has been nominated for eight Emmys (The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Breaking Bad) and 19 CSA nominations. I mean, that had to have been completely It was all brand new. It was the biggest casting search weve ever done in our career, says Daniel. AD: Im sure you cant say anything about the final season, but Im curious if you have a dream guest actor that you think would fit perfectly into the world of the show? But Luca is very connected to the human side of actors, so I think he connected with her., Chlo [as Frasers other mother] is someone I have loved from the beginning. And then there were some people that we redirected and from the day players up to our more significant roles that were prominent in the piece. ST: The challenge too isnt necessarily one particular role. Sherry Thomas: And the show director, Jesse Peretz, just really kind of took everybody and, everybody shines. We thought wed cast an unknown. I love it you all sound like youre very close casting partners! But Id love to work with her, so let me just say shed be my choice. We talk about what hes looking for, and I like to ask if he has any prototypes dead or alive for the characters. As for the ladies favorite guest stars over the years, they bring special attention to Charles Baker (Skinny Pete), Matt Jones (Badger) and Daniel and Luis Moncada (the Cousins), but they admit that Emmy nominee Mark Margolis may be their favorite casting scoop for the show. Sharon Bialy: There are always challenges, but this season there were a couple of roles that caused some particular challenges. AD: I imagine one of the more interesting challenges of that character is finding someone who can believably portray someone who has both dated Ana (Diana-Maria Riva) and Judy. Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. Jonathans secretary. Backstage provides its members with the best tools to grow their careers in the performing arts. Sherry Thomas @SherryThomas_ST , Twitter Profile - instalker.org His instinct was that she was the perfect fit for the part, and he didnt give up. With self-tapes and zoom callbacks. It has this sense of urgency that I love and the tangible aspect of running a business, but then theres also the creative side of it. AppleTV+ Casting Director Panel with Lucinda Syson, Theo Park, Sherry Get ready with our TV viewers guide, Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, The Buzzmeter: Our experts predict the 2020 Emmy winners - and so can you, The secret to What We Do in the Shadows success? There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. This website uses cookies. Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas - casting directors HBO: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 2: Cindy Tolan - casting director Amazon: Russian Doll: Season 1: Christine Kromer - casting director Netflix: Veep: Season 7: Dorian Frankel and Sibby Kirchgessner - casting directors HBO: 2020s. I dont have to deal with traffic or anything like that, but being in the room, I totally miss. We will never, ever be an office that is strictly self-taped. Shes amazing with hair, and I have a love for it, too. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. I think Mindy had said she ran into him at a Vanity Fair party and said something to him. Showing all 1 wins and 28 nominations. The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. Casting Yvonne Strahovskis mother, we needed someone who could be formidable. Bialy says, For Better Call Saul, we have an inside joke in the office that theyre a Vince-Peter type of an actor [co-showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould]. We received a lot of calls from agents and managers who loved the show with their clients who would love to be a part of it. One of the limited series biggest secrets spoiler alert: If you havent seen Watchmen, skip down several paragraphs was that perhaps the most iconic character from the comic would indeed appear in the show, set years after the source material. Instead its all of the supporting players, the day players, because you have to have great actors, the majority of who are in scenes with Christina and Linda. Every actor that comes in, even if they dont get the job, we keep a lot of notes . Well often write notes like, Remember for BCS because theres a naturalistic approach to the acting on the show; its not showy at all. ST: It is a challenge when there are so many components beyond Are they a great actor? and Are they right for the part? The age had to be right so that it felt right appropriate for Diana. After first meeting the Massachusetts native a Masshole as she calls it you may feel as if youve known her for much longer. And before we wrap, can you share your secret for managing work/life balance? I dont know if theres a generic answer that fits every person when it comes to managing work/life balance, though. Walking Dead's Casting Director On Finding Heroes, Villains & Zombies Keep reading for a window into everything from how she works including her Emmy-nominated casting of Barrys third season to what shed be doing if her chosen profession werent an option. We checked in on her, and the challenging part was convincing producers to take a chance on an actor that youre very familiar with but they might not be. Its hard to pick just a handful of credits that cover the breadth and depth of Sherry Thomas casting rsum. And thats exciting when were able to do that. And it worked! I knew that Mary could sing. You can see a number of actors for an audition before that one person comes in, and everything just clicks. All rights reserved. When you read that someone is meant to be beautiful, what does Luca think beautiful is? says Cuba. A lot of offices have become that even prior to pandemic, to COVID, but thats just never been the way that we like to generate the work. While eager to gather a diverse troupe for Mindy Kaling and Lang Fishers series, casting directors Collin Daniel and Brett Greenstein quickly realized that until they had nailed down their series leads, there was no ensemble to assemble. We make several-page lists of actors who might be a good fit. That is such a skill, and one I wish I had. There was somebody we just couldnt hire recently that is absolutely not known for comedy. Sharon Bialy: I think thats a really good note. Even Nate said, I cant believe Im in this part. He tapped into the soul of [kidnapped sons father] Matthew Dodson., He was in that initial conversation with Tim it was just determining which role, says Thomas of Patrick. I dont think it took an hour for every creative to say, Shes perfect. , The most exciting thing is taking that actor everybody sees one way and flipping expectations, Bialy says. If you have one weak link, it becomes obvious. According to Ashley Ingram, who also served as casting director on the show, an added challenge of populating the struggling Mississippi Delta strip joint was the desire for authenticity over recognizability. Part of our journey is the process of learning about the actor, says Bialy. And thanks for sharing about the magic of working with the person who not only co-created the show, but who also produces, writes, directs, and stars in it. We were like, Wait, did we just see somebody who literally has zero acting experience and was that great? says Brett Greenstein. This interview has been edited and condensed. He felt just perfect for Bruce. He is fantastic. Its a natural human thing to think of somebody in one way. Join Facebook to connect with Sherry Thomas Lane and others you may know. Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. To see somebody with natural comedic timing who really got the nuances of the scenes and really got the multidimensional character she wasnt just reading lines. Scott says Dead to Me is a comedy, but its very down to earth. And our associate, Alyssa Morris, did the same with the smaller roles. Hes daring. Sometimes our job is basically that of a casting director/producer. At some point Sherry suggested Katey Sagal. One day, Damon said, Hey, theres this guy, Yahya! I went, Yeah. You dont have to try to crack jokes and just be yourself. Oh my God, this is completely the wrong actor that was in my head., And everybody was so nice and so lovely because hes a wonderful actor. Thomas says, Damon tried to give me a hint: He should be a little unusual. My associate, Elizabeth, who knows the comics very well, she guessed it.. Apple TV+ Casting Director Panel with Lucinda Syson, Theo Park, Sherry They have to be funny and in the moment with so few lines, and that is such a hard thing to do. And he even said, coming in, I dont really know why Im here. Awards Daily: What was it like jumping back into Dead to Me after the first season became such a breakout hit? Michael was one of those extraordinarily talented people who did not make it onto the show, but I kept in mind and saw him in stage productions and For the Record. The theater is located at 38 Commerce Street between Barrow and Bedford Streets in the West Village neighborhood of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City.The Cherry Lane Theatre contains a 179-seat main stage and a 60-seat studio. It is how we really modulate a performance. Twitter Icon Im fully vaxed. Boom. With larger roles, you have time to build an arc, but with something so small, the challenge is how to make it memorable. Now in the show's second season, casting directors Sherry Thomas and Russell Scott were tasked with the challenge of expanding on that world and filling out an ensemble that were able to keep up with Applegate and Cardellini. Now in the shows second season, casting directors Sherry Thomas and Russell Scott were tasked with the challenge of expanding on that world and filling out an ensemble that were able to keep up with Applegate and Cardellini. But Cornell Womack, hes a pro, we know him. ST: We hadnt discussed the idea in general, probably because of the previous relationship with Christina, and we didnt want to pull anybody out of it. John Ennis is a character actor weve known for a long time and he was amazing as the exterminator. We dont get the opportunity to give immediate feedback and really do the other part of our title which is direct. Sherry Thomas: Fortunately, I feel like everybody did a little bit of research, which was interesting. WEBN Reporter Ali Inglese sat down with "Breaking Bad" Casting Directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas. Toothpicks and blue jeans. If life begins at conception, why aren't Republicans making sure that the men who cause pregnancies take any responsibility? My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. Our approach to that is a direct line of communication. We ended up moving the schedule around a little bit for her through communication with her reps and our production team. Sharon Bialy: What a nice way to start the day. He goes right to the edge, and it works. I think she had auditioned for Rocky Horror Picture Show several years before, so I knew she could sing. If its a co-star role and its one scene, a few lines, two takes. As a casting director, the joy is in discovering talent, says Ulrich. Listen, come to my office and Ill do your hair youll be fine. Its definitely a world that were extremely interested in.. As long as the work doesnt suffer, why cant we also participate in the lives of our kids? I was doing a virtual Pilates class when I got a text from Christina that said, Congrats lady! We have to experience the duality of his life, and that heartbreak, and the choices he makes., I remember in the audition process, the actors had to say to Mississippi how they could take care of her abusive boyfriend, Ingram recalls. And I think that people know her in one lane and it was very exciting. Bradley Whitford @BradleyWhitford 10 months ago. And tonally, youd had to have both here. NORTHAMPTON When she was growing up in Florence, Sherry Thomas Shes fantastic. Fuck yeah!. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Add to list Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys AD: This wasnt your only nomination this year. Its so much more fun when youre doing a musical, because people are singing and your days suddenly better, says Robert J. Ulrich. If someone made a series about your life story, which actor would you cast to play the role of Sherry Thomas? I have no history with her. With Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd attached to it, if I went in for an audition, Id automatically think, this was like a more comedic sort of thing. When we got the initial call we looked at each other, and were like Isnt he dead? For Austin Winsbergs musical extravaganza, Ulrich was asked to put together a cast that could sing, dance and pretend none of it is really happening. But I dont believe she had ever been a series regular before. Sharon Bialy & Sherry Thomas Q&A: 'Breaking Bad' casting We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas Cat Elliott August 2, 2022 It's hard to pick just a handful of credits that cover the breadth and depth of Sherry Thomas' casting rsum. Sharon and I have been business partners for 25 years, and were very inserted in each others lives at this point. [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. What kind of challenges are there for a show like that where you are three seasons in already? She works constantly in New York, but she was this undiscovered gem to the rest of the world, and now everybody knows who she is., To populate Luca Guadagninos vision of an American Army base in coastal Italy, casting director Carmen Cuba knew she had to build her cast out from the kids at the center of the story. Year Program Casting Network How did you come to realize that casting was the job for you? From Thomas passion for her work to her passion for her family, this has been a candid look into the person behind all the casting credits. And when they feel that support, they just blossom right in front of the camera. Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. Sharon Bialy: I think actors often think, Oh, they only think of me for this. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The 2020 Emmys are closer than you think. Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series When youre chasing after an actor with a name, you need them to trust you. Although the self Read More, Your email address will not be published. Watch our video interviews with top awards contenders: directors, producers, below-the-line artisans and , Watch our lively predictions slugfests with Experts and Editors. Press Esc to cancel. Slowly they realized that Maitreyi and Jaren have this really great chemistry, so it naturally evolved into this love triangle, which was really fun to see., Finding stars for a show that centers entirely on musical numbers is not the daunting task one imagines especially if you were the casting director of Glee and have an enormous roster of singing actors at your disposal. If its somebody that we have known for a long time and we just say, not sure if its right, but just want to see if there is something there that connects the spirit of the actor to the spirit of the character, but its not right, then we can sort of move on and with respect because we know its not the perfect fit. So youll see Breaking Bad is peppered with stand-up guys doing their first drama., Join the fiery discussion of Breaking Bad in our forums, Thomas added, But really what we just love to do is great material and hire really interesting actors. Through conversation and through hearing about what the role is about in detail and where it will go, the list gets smaller and smaller. 2023 Casting Networks, LLC. Sherry Thomas Lane - Facebook RS: We worked through a lot of hard work and cooperation between our production and the movie because she is someone who really understood the tone of the show. Facebook Icon. THE PHIL SPECTOR BIOPIC (HBO Movie): David Mamet, Writer-Director Barry Levinson, Michael Hausman, Exec Producers Starring: Al Pacino, Helen Mirren, Jeffrey Tambor, Chiwetel Eji of or (HBO) WIDOW DETECTIVE (pilot): Carol Mendelsohn, David Hubbard, Julie Weitz, Davis Guggenheim, Exec Producers But going into the second season, the world knows the show, and we dont have to explain what it is. There would be years where people would be like, Where did you get all these drug addicts? . She was shooting a movie here in LA. She gave so much more than was even on the page [in the role of Mercedes mom], Ingram says. Liz Feldman, Christina Applegate, Jessica Elbaum, and all of our producers fell in love with working with him and figuring out a complex way to bring him back. Thats why you guys are so successful and all the shows you do, which are fantastic. Unsurprisingly, the series' casting directors are Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas, who have each been nominated for seven Emmy Awards for casting. When you guys watch a self-tape, how long do you spend on it until you move on. I think Chris Meloni brought so much value to that role. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. Christina Applegate has done amazing dramatic work on the show, but she has largely been known as a comedic actor. I can tell you that after 22 years of covering the Oscars that they are mostly meaningless. One thing I love about casting this show is that its not just a lot of offers. Casting director Sherry Thomas (The Righteous Gemstones, Better Call Saul) explains if she has any tells when auditioning actors and how she wants them to fe. I really hope the industry is changing to be better in that area, especially for women who want to work and also be moms. Bialy/Thomas & Associates - Casting Director | Backstage Alice Lee was just a discovery. Im not just saying that because hes my boss Im saying that because Ive had the privilege of watching the dailies [raw, unedited footage shot during a filming day] for Barry and have gotten to see his work from all angles. Jonathan [Masons employer], was the first one. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. [Tatiana is] someone we really believed in and highly recommended to Tim and the producers., [Gayle was] the only one who read, Thomas says. ST: Our goal will always be to safely get back in the room with actors. Our job is to connect with people to bring out the best performance. Sherry Thomas is represented by the brilliant Kristin Nelson of . In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. Sherry Thomas: If a reader is really distracting, its not about the reader, its about the actor. The storylines and arcs are massive, and youre also in a period piece, so it was important to make sure that each actor [remained] defined within their own self, even if the character wasnt around all the time, says Thomas. Kay says, I met with [showrunners Jemaine Clement and Paul Simms] in the beginning, and they were like, You know, just bring us good faces. And my sister has had her own salon for about 35 years now its called the Hairspace Salon in Easthampton, Massachusetts. As continuing shows, all three series have established universes and tones, says Thomas. And I have now grown to see what a great dramatic actor he is, in the role of Zoeys brother, says Ulrich. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. In some hypothetical situation in which you had to choose a different career, what would your profession be? Livin' the dream. So, I love self-tapes. Sherry Thomas - Managing Director, Global Strategic Advisory - Guy We really relied on people that we have cultivated relationships with over a period of time as casting directors do. John Lithgow, for E.B. Sometimes the casting session is slammed, and you have several actors in the waiting room. But filling the role of a Sherman Oaks-grown teenager of South Asian heritage proved harder than expected. Were just gonna shove everybody out of the way! And if an actor does the wrong choice and they come in the room, you can easily give them direction and play with it and get them more relaxed and support them. Weve been able to give multiple women over a certain age really complex material. Among them, theyre responsible for five of the shows nominated for casting Emmys this year as well as a host of others that have received acting nominations in the past. We rely so heavily on the loudness, and the shoutiness, and the calling out ideas and really kind of collaborating in that way. I want to get a sense of who they are, and how they handle text, and what they bring to the table in terms of choices, well watch it the whole way through because were educating ourselves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You also have to believe that that actor is capable of things you havent seen them do before.
How Does Tui Meet Customer Needs, Articles S