I love casting directors. I really do. I have a great respect for the art of casting and truly appreciate the hours upon hours of thankless work they put in to make things happen for us actors.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of working with some remarkable Casting Directors, and today I'd like to share my personal take on the local casting scene.
But before I do, if you're curious about casting — and you should be — please do yourself a favor and watch the documentary Casting By (2012). It looks at how CD's have shaped the direction of Hollywood over the last 50 years through interviews with greats like Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close and Al Pacino.
Ok. Now that you've brushed up on your casting history, let's bring it home with a look at the four main Boston-based casting directors you should know:
SLATE CASTING
Ashley, Julie and Aaron are kind and courteous with the spunk of a Silicon Valley start-up and the experience/knowhow of an established agency. As veteran's in the world of casting, the Slate trio offers a unique, boutique experience to both actors and clients. Their personalized efforts to bring a sense of comfort to an otherwise hectic industry goes a long way in exemplifying the type of company they aspire to become. I look forward to seeing their growth (and many successes) over the coming years and will no doubt continue to have positive things to say on their behalf. Recent Credits: Super Troopers 2 (be sure to check out their Bacon Blog)
Slate Casting
162 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-932-7576
www.slatecasting.com
CP CASTING
Carolyn, Kyle and Maura are true exemplars of great casting. They advocate for their actors, go to bat for those who are right for the part and make your audition feel more like a performance opportunity than a 'job interview'. Whenever I get a call from CP, I know it's going to be a great day. Recent credits: Manchester by the Sea and Detroit
C.P. Casting
537 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 451-0996
Fax: (617) 507-5348
www.cpcasting.com
BOSTON CASTING
As an actor, it's sometimes easy to go unnoticed. When called in for a part, one finds themselves looking into a 'sea' of look-alikes. But Angela, Lisa and Hilary never seem to forget a face. This trio runs a tight ship and their 25 years of casting top-notch features and national commercials, while keeping ties to local spots and indie-markets, has set a standard for excellence in Boston and beyond. Recent credits: Patriots Day and Ghostbusters
Boston Casting
129 Braintree Street
Suite #107
Allston, MA 02134
Phone: (617) 254-1001
Fax: (617) 254-3003
www.bostoncasting.com
CHRISTINE WYSE CASTING
Christine and Melissa make auditioning fun again. They curate their castings so that no one feels they've been mis-called; they are considerate and kind, with a sense of humor that is much appreciated in this industry; and most of all they are a dynamic duo, that makes you feel at ease, ready to take on whatever commercial or theatrical director has in store. 5 stars all the way!
Christine Wyse Casting
142 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 424-6805
Fax: (617) 424-7661
www.christinewyse.com
What casting directors do you enjoy working with?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions. So, hit me up in the comments box below.
— Matthew