I think actors dont think it happens, and it does. One thing I love about casting this show is that its not just a lot of offers. But going into the second season, the world knows the show, and we dont have to explain what it is. There was somebody we just couldnt hire recently that is absolutely not known for comedy. Then he went to dinner with Regina and came back and said, Why didnt I just I feel so ashamed. Because here, on a plate, is this great actress. . A lot of it is having support. 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. In 1975 she joined MGM as an executive story editor. Someone was really good when they read for Better Call Saul, a drama, but theres something there. 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. This interview has been edited and condensed. We were trying to find the perfect person that would excite Liz to the point where she would want to continue writing for if the character came back. ST: Not at all! 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. 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. These casting directors pull back the curtain on the process 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. 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 . Sherry Thomas: Yep. This is my first experience with Luca, so the process involved me figuring out how he defines a lot of the things in the script. I started exploring acting once I got to LA and met a casting director named Victoria Burrows, who kind of took me under her wing. No. 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. 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. 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. 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. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Add to list Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmys 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. Well, Russell was able to work with production to make it happen, adds Thomas. When we started out, I was her associate for about two years, and then we became partners. We always want to be readily available to talk as they prepare their tapes so that there is that sense that weve been in the room with them. 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? When we got the initial call we looked at each other, and were like Isnt he dead? We talk about what hes looking for, and I like to ask if he has any prototypes dead or alive for the characters. 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. We were really happy with the outcome of that! Fuck yeah!. Join Facebook to connect with Sherry Thomas Lane and others you may know. That was a really nice way to come back into the second season. We thought wed cast an unknown. Its about finding complex and compelling actors that can bring nuance even to comedy. Were they names you wanted from the beginning, and did you go out of your way to reunite Katey and Christina Applegate? And at that time, there were not vaccination mandates in place. They tell the story of when they had to call Margolis in New York and ask him to put himself on tape, despite the fact that his character had no lines. The process when we started of course is making lists. Im always thrilled when stunt casting works, because people immediately feel a sense of connection by knowing somebody from the past, he says. So, I knew Id have a paycheck once I arrived and took my two weeks vacation to make the trip over and get settled. 14.1k Followers, 269 Following, 782 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sharon Bialy (@sharonbialy) That was a very, very challenging role, Thomas says of the eager young econowife character who comes to learn just how divorced love and marriage are in the Gilead dystopia. Often times we are reading more people for those roles than anything else. "I've known and worked with Sherry in different capacities over the past 7 years. Name one of your favorite television shows and its a sure bet that Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas were the casting directors for at least one of them. And whats exciting for us in casting, and it keeps us 23 years later together excited about things is to try new things, and to see an actor as a whole. 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[Niccos] brilliant, says Hopkins. Its all so seamless, though, that you cant see any of those divisions in his performance. 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. Oscars 2023 Voting Begins Dear Oscar, Hear My Plea, Why Steven Spielberg Deserves to Win His Third Best Directing Oscar. Photo Credit: Deanna Baldwin Boyd, courtesy of Sherry Thomas. Livin' the dream. Natalies name came up at the very beginning, and she is someone who Liz liked but we were originally told she wasnt available. We really kind of leave it up to the actor. 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. 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. These are edited excerpts from that conversation. From our perspective though we are still always trying to surprise the producers. Its also an emotional drama. Interview: Casting Directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas on 'The Its not recent, but it is really funny. And sometimes the sides are fake. Facebook Icon. Its an amazing collaboration, and the work is very gratifying and just so much fun. And also, it was shot in LA, in Los Angeles, so everything is large and on a big scale. Awards Daily: What was it like jumping back into Dead to Me after the first season became such a breakout hit? So, to be able to support her in a role like this, where she really gets to show what she can do as an actress and the layers and the levels that she has and that she is nuanced, is its exciting. ST: I mean I cant even Its ridiculous. Thats what it is all about. Its interesting, because I think what happens to actors often happens to casting directors, Bialy explained. One of their latest shows, the wonderful The Shrink Next Door, just finished its run on Apple+ and the pair took some time out of their busy schedule to talk about casting the show, their thoughts and advice on self-tapes and much more! And from there, we would have further discussion or conversation. 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. Casting Director. TV casting directors receiving multiple nominations include Alexa L. Fogel (The Politician, . I appreciate that insight into collaborating with such a talented multi-hyphenate. Were lucky., I was a giant fan of Janes for many, many years, from Suburgatory, Robert J. Ulrich says of the lead actress whose Zoey can see and hear what others are feeling via fantasy musical numbers. Sharon Bialy - IMDb AD: The second season also featured two major guest stars in Frances Conroy and Katey Sagal. Artios Awards: Casting Directors for 'The Boys,' 'Pose,' 'Watchmen He is so wonderful. If life begins at conception, why aren't Republicans making sure that the men who cause pregnancies take any responsibility? Jeremy O. Harris was cast in a small role in FXs What We Do in the Shadows. Co-showrunner Jemaine Clement then wrote an episode just for him. Personnel: Sharon Bialy, Casting Director. Look, I think Bill Hader is in a category all his own. So weve always cast in a broad, worldly way. It sounds like you didnt look back after the job found you. But Cornell Womack, hes a pro, we know him. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. My mom passed away when I was young, but she used to be a very successful hairdresser back east. 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. 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. AD: One of the reasons the show has become so popular is because of the way it straddles this really thin line between comedy and drama in ways we rarely see on television. Instagram Icon Sometimes the casting session is slammed, and you have several actors in the waiting room. Now, I would never assume that Melissa McCarthy would be so interested in my life that she would say yes to playing me in a series about it. 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. Those things are leaps of faith, right? I dont see it. But in a series that tonally feels more like an independent feature, not just any teenagers would do. gofund.me/2fffe14f Posts Reels Videos Tagged Search Log In Sign Up There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. 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). Do you guys prefer two takes on the self-tape? I dont want to make it sound so righteous, but I think it was just a good, interesting, and different way to go. But, just like any other season, we got the scripts and then talked with [co-creator/star] Bill [Hader] and [co-creator/showrunner] Alec [Berg] to hear what they were identifying within the new characters. He felt just perfect for Bruce. Production was able to move around a lot of stuff, he says. Hes not afraid to try things. Sherry Thomas Says Casting Directors Are Therapists, Too 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. 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.