Stay ConnectedHollywood Casting Director Lisa Zambetti is joined by movie and TV buff Dean Laffan to discuss the shows we all love, which feature killer casting.
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Everyone is weighing on the confrontation at the 2022 Oscar ceremony between Will Smith and Chris Rock. While we wish we could focus on the winners (and we will), today seemed like a good time to get some perspective and context about the dramatic, confusing and shocking incident from other people who work in Hollywood. Joining Dean and Lisa to decompress and reflect on Will Smith, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith and what the slap seen around the world means. Thank you to our guests, Hollywood super star teacher, former agent Wendy Alane Wright....and award winning writer producer David Fortune. They have very different views on the events and they are great at explaining why.
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! ***************** Well folks, here is our third installment of our Oscar 2022 coverage. We've wrung our hands, pulled our hair, paced up and down...but we think we finally have decided who to hand the "ZAMMY" to for excellence in Casting! (tho, if you follow the pod, this won't be a shocker).
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! *****************
Lisa, Dean and Paul continue their casting review of all the Best Picture nominees, counting down to the winner of the "Zammy" (Excellence in Casting) Since the Film Academy doesn't give out that award! Lisa thinks it is almost impossible to compare "apples to orangatans" but there is certain criteria to consider if one is going to quantify "Best Casting". You'd have to think about difficulty of roles, achievement of authenticity, outside of the box creativity, re-invention of an actor, chemistry of the cast, discovery of new actors, and casting well known actors in a totally different way. Let's see how the competitors fare!
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order !******************************** Aaaand away we go ! Lisa tries to put aside her 'Oscars 'Schmoscars' eye-roll over the awards .. especially as she is now an official card carrying MEMBER of the academy ! (Don't believe us ? … just hang around for 10 minutes, she'll drop it … don't worry.
Lisa and Dean are joined today by Oscar savant Paul Thomas Anderson ! No wait .. that's not right …
Sorry, that should read 'Paul Francis Sullivan'. Paul and Dean, (well briefed by Lisa) delve into the unusual format of an Oscars review which is predicated on all the Best Picture nominees rated by the quality of their casting. Paul and Dean are all over it, as you will hear.
This is one of three parts, yes THREE! So buckle up and as Curtis Mayfield said; "people get ready" coz there's lots more comimng from whence this came.
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order !********************************
Here in the final week before the 94th Academy Awards, we share this redux of Episode 048 celebrating the wonderful film CODA.
Deservedly, it is up for THREE awards. Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for the brilliant Troy Kotsur.
If you missed it first time, jump in now and if you heard it last year ... listen again !
Full transcript: https://www.killercastingpod.com/podcast/episode/23cd3f8a/048-coda ********************************
SHOW NOTES: Every once in a while a film comes along that simply transports you with its sheer brilliance — the brilliance of the sea shining on a bright, crisp Gloucester morning CODA is one such film that approaches perfection. CODA (Children Of Deaf Adults) is many things at once, a coming of age story of a child finding her way into adulthood and independence; a rollicking chronicle of a loving hard working family; a damn funny movie that will in turn, touch, move, inspire and awe you.
The success of a film like this hinges not so much on the story (it is a tale we have seen often), but on the casting of these wonderful roles who inhabit a world most of us have never experienced.
Ruby is the only hearing member of her family where her dad Frank, her mom Jackie and her older brother Leo are all deaf. Those three roles are played by actors who are deaf in real life — which may seem like obvious casting choices, but in reality, actors who are deaf rarely get a chance to play roles this beautifully drawn. They rarely get to show off their astonishingly talent. But in this film, Troy Kotsur (who Lisa is starting a campaign right now for an Academy Award for this performance), Marlee Matlin and Daniel Durant all get a chance to shine brightly. The precocious Ruby is portrayed in a tour-de-force by Emilia Jones. As final treat, look out for the spellbinding performance of Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo Villalobos, Ruby's music teacher.
In lesser hands, this film could easily have wallowed in mediocre cliche, but under the assured direction of Sian Heder and with that stellar cast, what shouldn't work does. What should be hackneyed, soars and what could easily be mawkish, will move you to tears.
Joining us to give a true perspective on the portrayal of deaf characters in this film, is the amazing actress/writer/producer Antoinette Abbamonte who is also part of the deaf acting community in Hollywood. And a special shout out goes to our ASL interpreter Nicole Pancino who joined us for Antoinette's interview.
We could go ON for hours about this exquisite film .. in fact we almost do ! Enjoy
If you liked Part 1 of our interview with acting coach and all 'round legend Terry Knickerbocker … you are going to LOVE Part 2!
We continue our deep dive on transformational roles, covering some legendary performances you might expect( from the Ikes of De Niro) .. but some you may nor even had heard of … (Theres your homework kids)
We also discuss on his amazing alumni, not least of all Sam Rockwell, but also brilliant character actors like Yul Vasquez, Abbie Cornish, Chris Messina, and the likes of John Leguizamo and even tent pole talent like Daniel Craig. All coached by Terry.
Yes, there is something for everyone in this one. Enjoy.
Oh and if you really want a thrill, drop into his amazing Brooklyn Studio. Go for the world class coaching, stay for the stunning studio places and fung shui https://terryknickerbockerstudio.com
Lisa is ALL in on HBO's Euphoria, and particularly Zendaya's stunning transformative performance as a drug addicted teenager careening towards the abyss. We need to talk about it, pull it apart and examine what is making it so amazing. Here with Lisa and Dean to talk about transformative acting is acting teacher extraordinaire, Terry Knickerbocker who has coached many A-list actors. Even if you've never seen Euphoria, you won't want to miss our discussion.
#euphoria #hbomax #zendaya #terryknickerbocker
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ... Sidney ! Lisa went back to the theater for the first time in two years just to see the latest iteration of the SCREAM franchise. She took along horror fan and actress Ashely Arpel Greenbaum to explain all the missing pieces from the previous movies.
Its short, its sharp, its a bunch of fun and recorded on location ! Enjoy.
Happy New Year! I am thrilled today to sit down with actor, producer and advocate Sarah Ann Masse. In 2017, Sarah came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein — one of many actresses (like Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd) who said they had also suffered sexual harassment and sexual assault by the producer. She tells me her story of what happened that day at Weinstein's Connecticut home, the silence and anxiety she endured for years after, and the shocking backlash she says she suffered from our industry once she went public.
Though Weinstein has been convicted of rape, sentenced to 23 years in New York prison and awaits another sexual assault trial in Los Angeles — many of his victims still suffer career retaliation for having spoken out. To turn that around, Sarah created her own initiative, Hire Survivors Hollywood, which aims to raise support for survivors of sexual violence within the entertainment industry by encouraging those in positions of power to make a pledge to hire survivors and silence breakers, and give them a fair chance through auditions, meetings and interviews, like any other person trying to make it in entertainment. I encourage all my beloved Casting Director colleagues, producers, writers, directors, studio and network executives to take the pledge: "I pledge to build a safer, more equitable industry by giving opportunities, auditions, & interviews to survivors & #SilenceBreakers. I'll never retaliate against anyone for coming forward about sexual violence. I pledge to @HireSurvivors #TakeThePledge #HireSurvivorsHollywood" No one deserves to be punished for telling the truth. Follow Hire Survivors Hollywood on instagram, twitter, and facebook to join the conversation and learn more. Please use #HireSurvivorsHollywood to be a part of the conversation! If you have been a victim of sexual violence and believe you have faced direct or indirect career retaliation because of it please email our encrypted email address
HireSurvivorsHollywood@protonmail.comPlease also see the following resources if you need help. There are people who want to help you…so please reach out! Resources for Survivors of Sexual Violence RAINN – (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE,
online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es In partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. CALL THEIR 24/7 HOTLINE FOR HELP 800.656.4673 1 in 6 – The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives. Their mission also includes serving family members, friends, partners, and service providers by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community. Please use their 24/7 online chatline Birdbrain – is an art therapy non-profit for people impacted by sexual trauma. Our mission is to comfort sexual trauma victims and assist members of their support networks throughout the long-term stages of recovery. To achieve this we focus on restorative ways people can feel confident, practice self-care, relate to others, and establish their own individual journey in a society that is not yet designed to accommodate their needs. We do this by showing solidarity through our birdbrain clothing line, providing art therapy kits that alleviate PTSD symptoms, and offering education resources like our workbook Birdbrain: a Field Guide to the New Normal. Echo Training – Echo provides education on trauma and resilience to survivors and those who support them. They have amazing free resources available here and online trainings available here. This organization is run by a silence breaker and is entirely focused on empowering survivors. PAVE – Shattering the Silence with PAVE is a movement to create a world free of sexual violence and build communities that support survivors. We aim to empower students, parents, and civic leaders to end sexual violence with prevention education, promoting respect for oneself and each other. Additionally, PAVE creates a safe space for survivors to thrive after trauma. Peace Over Violence – Peace Over Violence operates The Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline, a confidential, non-judgmental resource where staff and volunteers are available to provide emotional support, advocacy, information, and referrals. If you or someone you care about has been a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or intimate partner stalking in Los Angeles, please call this 24-hour crisis line. Central Los Angeles: (213) 626-3393 South Los Angeles: (310) 392-8381 West San Gabriel Valley: (626) 793-3385 Rape Treatment Center – The Rape Treatment Center provides comprehensive, free services for sexual assault victims 24 hours a day, including specialized emergency medical care, forensic/evidentiary examinations, counseling, advocacy, and information about rights and options to help victims make informed choices and decisions. Services are provided in a dedicated, private clinic located within Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. The RTC also provides longer-term therapy for victims and other support services. Call the RTC at (424) 259-7208. Survivors.org – Survivors.org works daily to ensure that we have a growing and thriving group of survivor committed organizations for those needing assistance. We have teams of actual (amazing!) humans who spend each day searching for, reaching out, and working with survivor focused organizations. We also coordinate with top experts to bring high quality information to our community of providers. This helps keep the community alive and thriving, while also allowing us to convey important, impactful and interesting content to our partners. These Lunch and Learn events are done at least monthly. Because we are so survivor focused, but early in our journey, we are exploring additional survivor support models such as bringing lunch and learns to the wider world, hosting survivor support circles, and also additional innovative online survivor support tools. Strength United – is dedicated to ending abuse, empowering families and developing leaders. Strength United is honored to be an important part of making the world a safer place for all. Our work supports families, prevents sexual and domestic violence, and provides healing and support for those who have survived abuse. We aim to take a traumatic event in an individual or family's life and turn it into a point of strength. For more information, call our 24-Hour Support and Referral Lines 818-886-0453 661-253-0258 If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Statement of Nondiscrimination Strength United does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection of volunteers and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund – will help defray legal and public relations costs in select cases for those who have experienced sexual harassment or related retaliation in the workplace. The Fund is housed at and administered by the National Women's Law Center, an established, national, women's rights legal organization. Voices in Action – works to prevent and eradicate sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault in the entertainment industry. Voices in Action offers an accessible and safe space to report incidents of misconduct and abuse online, offering referrals for trusted legal and emotional support services and the ability to safely connect with victims of the same abuser under privilege and confidentiality through attorneys. Voices in Action is an initiative of empowerment and strength by using one's Voice. We were created by survivors, for survivors, and represent all genders. Women in Film Sexual Harassment Helpline – The WIF Help Line is an integrated program offering resources and support—including referrals to pro bono legal services, sliding-scale therapy, and free support groups—for anyone who has experienced sexual harassment or misconduct while working in the entertainment industry. Our trauma-informed staff responders take calls from across the country. Pro bono attorneys are available for callers in California, New York, and Georgia. Local mental health and emotional support services currently serve the cities of Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta. Call 855.WIF.LINE OR: 855.943.5463 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT | Tuesday and ThursdayLisa sez; "I don't GAF about who the next James Bond might be, I don't even care about what's-his-face, who is about to retire from playing the current Bond ... change my mind"
Deano is joined by extreme film nerd Paul Francis Sullivan and famous (infamous ?) Producer, Adam Spiegelman to dive into the past and present Bondiverse to try and bring Lisa on board. Do we succeed ? Well [you know this is coming] you'll have to listen to find out!
Along the way, just like Jefferson Airplane, Paul will 'feed your head' with amazing, heretofore unknown Bondian nuggets. Adam has some inside Hollywood goss and Dean just tries to keep up … with varying degrees of success.
In this ep, the boss also lets us all plug our OWN pods ! (OMG)
Adam has his hilarious pod covering the best worst films of all time. 'Proudly Resents' (That is BIG vertical) You can expect this pod to run forever. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proudly-resents-the-cult-movie-podcast/id373063266
Paul Francis Sullivan has the insane baseball pod 'Locked on MLB' https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/locked-on-mlb-daily-podcast-on-major-league-baseball/id1361879433 where during baseball season he puts out …
One episode per month ? ... nope.
One episode per week ? ... nope.
One episode per FREAKIN DAY PEOPLE ! ... and in the off-season his is till jonesing on off-season news, collectibles ... you name it. So his pod will likely not finish until our sun goes supernova and envelops the earth, or he shuffles off this mortal coil ... whichever comes first.
Meanwhile, in another life Dean is a scuba diver/cavediver/freediver and co-convenor of one of the world's biggest diving events. Listen in to the Ozdive Podcast which is replaying previously unheard presentations from the world's top explorers, hyperbaric geeks, historians, divers, film makers and all sorts of n'er do wells in scuba, cave and technical diving and world class freedivers. Take a deep breath and dive in ! https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ozdiveshow-podcast/id1587465467
And of course when not casting everything under the sun in Hollywood, or blessing us with her godly presence on our humble little pod, Lisa is the founder, co-producer, co-presenter of a teeeeeeensy weeeensy little true crime pod known as 'Real Crime Profile' I think if you google it, you may get a hit or two. Here let me help you … https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/real-crime-profile/id1081244497
Oooooh … not far til Christmas now folks !
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