We started back in February of 2020, right before everything shut down, so Covid added some new challenges and parameters that we had to work within. But if it is a more substantial role with several scenes, two is fine to send to us. But who to play the enigmatic Dr. Manhattan? It is how we really modulate a performance. 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. We wanted the fans to believe this, too, like, Oh my God, hes so cute. 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. 2023 Oscar Nominee: Director Santiago Mitre on Why the Message Behind Argentina, 1985 Remains More Relevant Than Ever, 2023 Oscar Nominee Fire of Love: How Editors and Co-Writers Erin CasperandJocelyne Chaput Crafted the Krafft Love Story, Double Oscar Nominee & Producer Shane Boris Talks What Fire of Love & Navalny Have in Common, Inaugural Television Publicity Executives Committee (TPEC) Submissions Are Now Open, Amazons Daisy Jones and the Six is the First Great Limited Series of 2023, Melissa Rauch On Presiding Over a New Night Court Era, 'The Morning Show' Director Mimi Leder on Why Cable is Better for Female Characters. Casting Director Casting Department Producer IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Sharon Bialy is known for Rudy (1993), The Handmaid's Tale (2017) and Barry (2018). Q&A with casting directors from several Apple TV+ series; Lucinda Syson (Foundation), Theo Park (Ted Lasso) and Sherry Thomas and Sharon Bialy (The Shrink Next Door). Shes fantastic. He was pursuing editing work on the side. AD: As our readers can imagine, casting can be a very hands-on role where you are meeting dozens of new people every day. Well, Russell was able to work with production to make it happen, adds Thomas. Sharon Bialy: Right. Its when I really first started, when I was having a lot of autonomy with Sharon. Sharon Bialy: There are always challenges, but this season there were a couple of roles that caused some particular challenges. Oftentimes you have to stay on your leading guy because other actors cant hold [their own]., The challenge is getting that first person of well-known stature to say yes, then you build from there, says Thomas. From encouraging this writer about her questionable hair choices to estimating how many times shes forgotten to pick her kids up from school, Thomas candor in our interview provided an intriguing look into the person behind all the casting credits. To say I was enthused was another thing. casting director Casts for Film, TV, Theatre, New Media California About Sharon Bialy Sharon Bialy is an award winning Casting Director for television, film and theater. 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. Russell Scott: The show is a comedy, but tonally it is pretty tricky because its also a mystery. So weve always cast in a broad, worldly way. Primetime Emmy Awards. AD: Except for Emmy voters for whatever frustrating reason. Actors often think casting directors hardly even pay attention during their auditions. Our job is to hopefully bring her people that she doesnt know yet. He is fantastic. For Season 2 of Handmaids, we were surprised with Sydney Sweeney [as Eden]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Do you guys prefer two takes on the self-tape? We sent the audition, and Jemaine fell in love with him: We have to have him! And the next season, they wrote an episode for him, but he couldnt do it. RS: We went through that entire process and read a lot of people. So, I was working with Shawn Ryan and Sharon was working with David Mamet, I mean, it was like a big deal. Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. 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. ST: Russell worked very, very hard on that. For the full interview, check out the video below or on YouTube. But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. I mean, I was still completely nervous, but I felt more comfortable in that sort of nervousness. I knew that Mary could sing. [Niccos] brilliant, says Hopkins. My partner Sherry Thomas, who casts the show with me, and I have a history of colorblind casting, so we're always looking for the best actor. ST: The challenge too isnt necessarily one particular role. [Showrunner Damon Lindelof] is pretty specific about what he wants, but if he cant really explain it, hell know it when he sees it. As a freelance writer for me at Modern Luxury, NS magazine, Sherry pitched and wrote creative . Closing out the conversation we were joined by their casting partner Sharon Bialy to discuss their second nomination of the year for their work on The Handmaids Tale. And were really fing funny! The second it became Alex, I ran with it, pushed it, said its a way to really enlighten the world. We are very passionate about not pigeonholing actors. They met and he loved him, and that was that., There is no shortage of star wattage in the dark origin story of the legendary defense lawyer, but there is an art to combining such talent. No, but it made me feel like just more confident. She came in for Mo [Zoeys neighbor, played by gender-fluid actor Alex Newell], and everybody remembered her when we were casting [Zoeys sister-in-law] Emily, says Ulrich. 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. So, theres support at every turn, but balancing a family and a career isnt easy. Sherry Thomas: If a reader is really distracting, its not about the reader, its about the actor. The Shield was my favorite show at the time, and its still in my top five. I get on the phone with agents, and the casting process goes on from there. 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. Stars Sharon Bialy Theo Park Lucinda Syson See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist Photos Add photo Top cast The testing was very rigorous and I think production did such an amazing job with what they had to accomplish in the way that they had to accomplish it. No. 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. I think she had auditioned for Rocky Horror Picture Show several years before, so I knew she could sing. 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. Every time we had a conversation or auditioned actresses that werent a perfect fit, Russell would get on the phone and see if her availability changed. This story first appeared in a January stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. You do a drama and they say you can only do drama. It was really sort of a meeting of the minds and people coming together on the choices. Hes being very humble right now, but it took a lot of strategizing and basically producing. Over the course of my daughters lives my oldest is going to be 12 in September and my youngest is 10 Ive probably forgotten to pick them up from school about 20 times. Awards Daily: What was it like jumping back into Dead to Me after the first season became such a breakout hit? The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry and many, many more, they are one of the top casting offices out there. And at that time, there were not vaccination mandates in place. 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. He was a great audition, for sure, but he also really interested Luca as a person. 2023 Oscar Predictions Who Are the Oscar Voters? So, theres time to do a little bit of research and we tried to educate people as much as possible that this was based on the podcast based on a true story. Finding actors that can understand the unique tone of the show, one that balances gut-wrenching trauma with unexpected comedy, is an intricate task. But I dont believe she had ever been a series regular before. So he was intrigued. I knew him from The Glee Project and I just think he is one of the most extraordinary talents around. Let me try it. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. And when they feel that support, they just blossom right in front of the camera. That openheartedness that Gidget needed to have, Skyler innately has., J. We rely so heavily on the loudness, and the shoutiness, and the calling out ideas and really kind of collaborating in that way. One thing I love about casting this show is that its not just a lot of offers. And, speaking from first hand experience, they are the best people to audition for. Im getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it. [Tim] talks about the spirit and the soul of the actor marrying with the spirit and the soul of the character, says Thomas. Shifting gears again, I have a true get-to-know-you question. Id imagine that at this point, after collaborating with Hader since the first season of Barry, you all are very familiar with how you work together. And Peter [Gallagher, as Maggies husband, Mitch] obviously had been on Broadway. Year Program Casting Network Facebook Icon. But even with such a rsum, the highly sought-after casting director came across as nothing short of a grounded, down-to-earth individual when she sat down with Casting Networks via Zoom. Daisy Jones & the Six becomes the first fictional band to hit No. Elaine Doremus. 14.1k Followers, 269 Following, 782 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sharon Bialy (@sharonbialy) It was the biggest casting search weve ever done in our career, says Daniel. This weekend, we'll hear from three more guilds: the ACE (Eddie Awards), the ASC, and the WGA. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. Learn more about how we use cookies. Alice Lee was just a discovery. And before we wrap, can you share your secret for managing work/life balance? He doesnt necessarily work with people twice in a row, so we didnt immediately go to Regina, says Thomas. ST: I mean I cant even Its ridiculous. I think we will all be more mindful of that process, but I also dont want to be in a room with an actor with a giant piece of plexiglass between us. Her role in "Barry" came about thanks to its casting director, nine-time Emmy nominee Sherry Thomas, as well as the Hollywood satire's dedication to meta humor. Despite the mega success of "Breaking Bad" at the Emmys -- including three acting wins for Bryan Cranston, a pair for Aaron Paul and one for Anna Gunn -- casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry . And our associate, Alyssa Morris, did the same with the smaller roles. I wrote a brief commentary of why there was only one Emily Dodson [mother of kidnapped boy]. 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. The Emmys may be in September but its never too early to look out for potential nominees, including Succession, Schitts Creek and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Its a natural human thing to think of somebody in one way. The others laugh a little. ST: Our goal will always be to safely get back in the room with actors. Contact To get in touch with Sherry, use the contact form below or send her an email at sherry @ sherrythomas.com (w/o spaces). Sorry I had to jump in because he is very humble! Sherry Thomas retweeted. Once the lead was in place, the other puzzle pieces of this ethnically and neuro-diverse cast started to land. Thank God. 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. Sometimes Clement will become inspired by the actors. But now that the show has cooked its last batch of blue meth and said goodbye to the Albuquerque sunset, Bialy and Thomas finally heard their names called on nominations morning, along with Kiira Arai, in the Best Drama Casting category. Of course she would have a crush on him. Darren was somebody who had this quality that was a little mysterious, obviously very handsome and surprisingly funny., We never really expected there to be a love triangle, because in the pilot Devi and Ben are just so nasty and mean toward each other. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. A lot of it is having support. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. 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. So we can say, No, this is the Bob Odenkirk character youre reading with. And its like, oh, a light bulb goes off, but we cant in email. But this is definitely a collaboration between Jack and Luca, and who teenagers are today, in this moment., [The character of Sam Pratchett] was really about mixing and matching with whoever [would be playing his girlfriend] Caitlin. Survivor Users Leaderboard Coming Soon! I think a lot of people have made that shift in their mentality. So, I didnt necessarily find casting it found me. All rights reserved. Fuck yeah!. Find out if Bialy and Thomas can win their very first Emmy for Breaking Bad when the Creative Arts Emmys are announced August 16. ST: I think thats one of the reasons we love to be in the room with actors and why right now it is really hard with the world of COVID. In the case of Lawrence Gilliard, that role was. We make several-page lists of actors who might be a good fit. 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. And he even said, coming in, I dont really know why Im here. Thats why you guys are so successful and all the shows you do, which are fantastic. Its a visceral feeling, says Ingram, when you see an actor who you really know should be in a role., [Brandee] really had the strength and the forcefulness and chutzpah that [lead dancer] Mercedes needs, Hopkins says. Im not saying he is like Fraser, because that was never our feeling.