This Sunday, the Academy Awards will, for the first time, honor the often-overlooked yet crucial role of casting directors. As reported by The Guardian, this milestone recognition comes as a welcome acknowledgment of the profession's significance in the film industry.
According to Kelly Valentine Hendry, a seasoned casting director, her profession requires a deep understanding of actors, their strengths, and their weaknesses. "It's unbelievable how much information we hold about actors," she notes. "We have our ears to the ground. We know about bad behavior. We know about things that actors require in order to give a better performance…"
Casting directors, Hendry explains, "monitor all that, all the time, from the shadows." Their role is multifaceted, involving script analysis, talent scouting, and navigating the complex web of relationships between actors, directors, and producers. Richard E Grant, who has long championed the profession, highlights the importance of casting directors in bringing projects to life.
Grant's own career is a testament to the impact of skilled casting directors. It was Mary Selway, a veteran casting director, who spotted him in a BBC improvised film and insisted that director Bruce Robinson audition him for the 1987 film Withnail & I. "Her faith in me changed my career," Grant recalls. Similarly, Celestia Fox's tireless work on his autobiographical film Wah-Wah led to the discovery of a then-14-year-old Nicholas Hoult.
Even as a seasoned star, Grant acknowledges the continued importance of casting directors in his success. A few years ago, when British casting legend Nina Gold asked him to read for an undisclosed project, the role turned out to be a significant one in the 2019 Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker. Avy Kaufman, another veteran US casting director, also underscores the trust and gut instinct that define her approach to casting.
Career Insights and Challenges
Kaufman, who missed out on an Oscar nomination this year for Sentimental Value, reflects on the nuances of her job. "You don't train to be a casting director," she says. "I've been around for a long time. I've climbed the ladder. I've seen different ways and different approaches to make films and television happen. It's trust, it's gut." Being political is key, she notes, as certain studios prioritize an actor's public profile over creative potential.
Hendry views the casting process as a puzzle, requiring the management of multiple stakeholders and a collective creative vision. Once the first actor is cast, a tone is set, influencing the subsequent casting decisions. She also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion, citing the backlash against last year's Oscar contender Emilia Pérez, which featured a predominantly non-Mexican cast in a Mexico-set drama.
To address these challenges, Hendry scours foreign film festivals for talent, attending events in Kilkenny and other locations to discover new actors. Her commitment to authenticity has led to the discovery of many talented individuals from around the world.
The Road to Recognition
While the Academy's decision to introduce a casting director award is a significant step forward, it's worth noting that Bafta introduced a similar award in 2020. Grant points out that the profession is predominantly female, with many casting directors having to navigate the male-dominated landscape of directors and producers.
Hendry agrees, highlighting the relative invisibility of casting directors' impact. "Everyone, including the man on the street, thinks that they know about it," she says. "I don't think people quite understand the nuances of casting, our importance, and how good we have to be at our jobs." The intricacies of casting, she believes, may not be fully appreciated by Oscars voters, who often prioritize their enjoyment of a film over the casting process.
The Financial Aspect
The worst part of the job, Hendry and Kaufman agree, is the financial negotiations. "There is a point when you're casting anyone that becomes about the money," Hendry notes. The process can be likened to a tennis match, with power shifting between the casting director, the actor, and the producer. The financial discussions can be intense, with agents seeking higher pay and producers seeking to minimize costs.
Despite these challenges, the best part of the job is the sense of a job well done. When the actor you found "made the film shine," says Kaufman, "it just makes you feel good." Hendry is torn between the joy of a successful read-through and the thrill of seeing a promising trailer for the first time. "I hate to say this," she admits, "but I do usually have a little cry."
