book: A Star Is Found
Two of the top casting directors in the business, who most recently cast the new James Bond, Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins reminisce about the many films they’ve cast, including Harry Potter, and A Beautiful Mind; the actors they’ve discovered, such as Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Scarlett Johansson; and some of the A-list directors, like Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, who hired them.
Given the authors’ credentials (they have been casting partners since 1981), consider the advice they offer blue-chip. They cover everything from how to handle a call-back to telling actors to send head shots “that actually look like you.”
Most important, never take anything personally. A great audition doesn’t always translate into a role: there are many factors that determine the final decision, such as chemistry, preference and competition. These veteran insiders have a passion for casting major motion pictures, and they use meetings with famous people to illustrate how Hollywood works. Tales of actors’ career trajectories are informative without being malicious. [From Publishers Weekly summary]
A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Movies - by Janet Hirshenson, Jane Jenkins
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