The streamlining of CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios’ operations continues. Deborah Aquila, who heads casting for Ptvs, will become the head of casting for both CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios. She will add the responsibilities most recently held by CBS Studios EVP Casting Meg Liberman, who announced her retirement earlier today.
Aquila’s promotion was announced in a joint internal memo by David Stapf, President, CBS Studios and Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series.
This is the latest step in a process kicked off by the October Paramount Global restructuring in which both CBS Studios and Ptvs were put under the purview of George Cheeks, President & CEO, CBS and Cco, News & Sports, Paramount+. Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish stressed at the time that Paramount TV Studios “will continue to operate as a studio alongside CBS Studios.”
Still, the two studios underwent a...
Aquila’s promotion was announced in a joint internal memo by David Stapf, President, CBS Studios and Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series.
This is the latest step in a process kicked off by the October Paramount Global restructuring in which both CBS Studios and Ptvs were put under the purview of George Cheeks, President & CEO, CBS and Cco, News & Sports, Paramount+. Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish stressed at the time that Paramount TV Studios “will continue to operate as a studio alongside CBS Studios.”
Still, the two studios underwent a...
- 1/11/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Kjersti Paulsen was named the winner of the Semiramis Award for excellence in casting for her work on “The Innocents,” directed by Norway’s Eskil Vogt, at a ceremony Saturday at Torino Film Festival.
The psychological thriller about four kids who suddenly discover they have hidden powers celebrated its world premiere at Cannes, with Variety’s Jessica Kiang praising its “exceptional child performers.”
“The producer, director and I agreed on the importance of finding the right children and gave it the highest priority. All other characters had to wait,” said Paulsen before her win.
“My job is to create an environment where the children feel secure and can join in the role-play we bring them into. Then I need to determine the children’s capacity for empathy, their ability to listen to co-players, imagination and self-confidence.”
“The Innocents”
The award – established in 2016 by the International Casting Directors Network (Icdn) – is...
The psychological thriller about four kids who suddenly discover they have hidden powers celebrated its world premiere at Cannes, with Variety’s Jessica Kiang praising its “exceptional child performers.”
“The producer, director and I agreed on the importance of finding the right children and gave it the highest priority. All other characters had to wait,” said Paulsen before her win.
“My job is to create an environment where the children feel secure and can join in the role-play we bring them into. Then I need to determine the children’s capacity for empathy, their ability to listen to co-players, imagination and self-confidence.”
“The Innocents”
The award – established in 2016 by the International Casting Directors Network (Icdn) – is...
- 11/26/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
“Coda,” “Encanto” and “West Side Story” were received top honors at the 37th annual Artios Awards.
The Casting Society honors excellence in casting across feature films, television and theater. The organization held a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, also celebrating its 40th anniversary.
To kick off the virtual ceremony, a montage commemorating the anniversary as shown, demonstrating the significance of the Casting Society to casting directors and associates, past and present.
“We are so excited to honor these immensely talented, creative and hard-working casting directors tonight,” said Casting Society president Kim Williams. “What a wonderful way to begin Casting Society’s 40th year by celebrating these extraordinary casting directors’ invaluable contributions to the entertainment world.”
Host Danielle Pinnock said in a statement: “It was a tremendous honor to be asked to host this year’s Artios Awards. I’m still pinching myself! To be able to celebrate these industry titans is...
The Casting Society honors excellence in casting across feature films, television and theater. The organization held a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, also celebrating its 40th anniversary.
To kick off the virtual ceremony, a montage commemorating the anniversary as shown, demonstrating the significance of the Casting Society to casting directors and associates, past and present.
“We are so excited to honor these immensely talented, creative and hard-working casting directors tonight,” said Casting Society president Kim Williams. “What a wonderful way to begin Casting Society’s 40th year by celebrating these extraordinary casting directors’ invaluable contributions to the entertainment world.”
Host Danielle Pinnock said in a statement: “It was a tremendous honor to be asked to host this year’s Artios Awards. I’m still pinching myself! To be able to celebrate these industry titans is...
- 3/24/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Casting Society announced its winners in film, television, and theater on Wednesday night, honoring Best Picture front-runner “Coda,” as well as fellow Oscar nominees “West Side Story,” “Don’t Look Up,” and “Encanto” as part of the 37th annual Artios Awards. The virtual ceremony included numerous bold-face names as presenters – including Steven Spielberg, Best Supporting Actress front-runner Ariana DeBose, Best Supporting Actor leader Troy Kotsur, and Brian Cox – as well as a special honor, the Zeitgeist Award, for “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
“Ghosts” actress Danielle Pinnock served as the emcee. “It was a tremendous honor to be asked to host this year’s Artios Awards. I’m still pinching myself! To be able to celebrate these industry titans is a gift I won’t soon forget. I have always been so inspired by the endless creativity and passion that casting directors exhibit: in giving actors a platform to share their...
“Ghosts” actress Danielle Pinnock served as the emcee. “It was a tremendous honor to be asked to host this year’s Artios Awards. I’m still pinching myself! To be able to celebrate these industry titans is a gift I won’t soon forget. I have always been so inspired by the endless creativity and passion that casting directors exhibit: in giving actors a platform to share their...
- 3/24/2022
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Best Picture Oscar nominees Coda, West Side Story and Don’t Look Up were among the winners at the Casting Society’s 37th annual Artios Awards, which were handed out today during a virtual ceremony that streamed live on YouTube. Check out the full list below.
Other films scoring the trophies that honor casting directors include Encanto, The Tender Bar and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which snared the Zeitgeist Award that is presented to a popular film.
On the TV front, winners included the casting crews behind Ted Lasso, The Queen’s Gambit, Pose, Lovecraft Country, Big Mouth and Queer Eye, among others.
“We are so excited to honor these immensely talented, creative and hard working casting directors tonight,” said Casting Society President Kim Williams. “What a wonderful way to begin Casting Society’s 40th year by celebrating these extraordinary casting directors’ invaluable contributions to the entertainment world.”
Ghosts co-star Danielle Pinnock hosted the ceremony,...
Other films scoring the trophies that honor casting directors include Encanto, The Tender Bar and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which snared the Zeitgeist Award that is presented to a popular film.
On the TV front, winners included the casting crews behind Ted Lasso, The Queen’s Gambit, Pose, Lovecraft Country, Big Mouth and Queer Eye, among others.
“We are so excited to honor these immensely talented, creative and hard working casting directors tonight,” said Casting Society President Kim Williams. “What a wonderful way to begin Casting Society’s 40th year by celebrating these extraordinary casting directors’ invaluable contributions to the entertainment world.”
Ghosts co-star Danielle Pinnock hosted the ceremony,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The watchword for casting differently abled roles for film and TV has become “authenticity,” certainly that was the quality pursued by those developing “Coda.”
The Apple TV Plus feature centers on the challenges faced by a largely deaf family in a largely hearing world. To the casting team — Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria — there was never any question but that the Rossis of Gloucester, Mass., must be portrayed by actors who live those challenges in their everyday lives.
But was the talent out there to be found? Initially, confesses writer-director Siân Heder, “I didn’t know if we would be able to find two choices for each role.”
But the casting co-directors were confident: “We’ve been attending theatrical events for decades, literally, celebrating and experiencing the talents of these artists.”
Venerable L.A. institutions including the Fountain Theatre and Deaf/West had highlighted the work of Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant,...
The Apple TV Plus feature centers on the challenges faced by a largely deaf family in a largely hearing world. To the casting team — Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria — there was never any question but that the Rossis of Gloucester, Mass., must be portrayed by actors who live those challenges in their everyday lives.
But was the talent out there to be found? Initially, confesses writer-director Siân Heder, “I didn’t know if we would be able to find two choices for each role.”
But the casting co-directors were confident: “We’ve been attending theatrical events for decades, literally, celebrating and experiencing the talents of these artists.”
Venerable L.A. institutions including the Fountain Theatre and Deaf/West had highlighted the work of Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant,...
- 3/17/2022
- by Bob Verini
- Variety Film + TV
In the aftermath of #OscarSoWhite, there has been a shift, with actors of color including Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershali Ali and Steven Yuen earning nominations. But the parts these actors inhabited were written specifically for a Black or, in Yuen’s case, a Korean actor.
It was only last year when Riz Amed, the British son of Pakistani immigrants, was nominated of “Sound of Metal,” that the Oscars hinted at a newer trend in diversity in casting.
“Hollywood is finally catching up and we’re able to represent the world as it really is,” says “West Side Story” casting director Cindy Tolan, adding that studios are “following the dollar.”
“If you’re more reflective of life and of the audience, then more people will be interested in your movie or TV show,” says “Macbeth” casting director Ellen Chenoweth.
That shift plays out in a major way in this year’s Oscars: When writing “Macbeth,...
It was only last year when Riz Amed, the British son of Pakistani immigrants, was nominated of “Sound of Metal,” that the Oscars hinted at a newer trend in diversity in casting.
“Hollywood is finally catching up and we’re able to represent the world as it really is,” says “West Side Story” casting director Cindy Tolan, adding that studios are “following the dollar.”
“If you’re more reflective of life and of the audience, then more people will be interested in your movie or TV show,” says “Macbeth” casting director Ellen Chenoweth.
That shift plays out in a major way in this year’s Oscars: When writing “Macbeth,...
- 3/11/2022
- by Stuart Miller
- Variety Film + TV
“Belfast,” “Coda,” “King Richard,” “House of Gucci,” “West Side Story” and “The Power of the Dog” are among the films nominated for the 37th Annual Artios Awards, presented by the Casting Society of America.
The awards honor casting directors’ contribution to film, television and theatre. Winners will be revealed on March 17 via a virtual ceremony.
Among the animated features nominated are “Encanto,” “Luca,” “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Vivo.”
Lucy Bevan, Avy Kaufman, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold and Cindy Tolan are just some of the casting directors who landed nominations. While the Academy has had a casting branch for the past eight years, it has yet to establish an Oscar for casting.
View the nominations in full below:
Animation
“Encanto” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)
“Luca” – Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon, Kate Hansen-birnbaum (Associate)
“The Mitchells Vs The Machines” – Tamara Hunter
“Raya And The Last Dragon...
The awards honor casting directors’ contribution to film, television and theatre. Winners will be revealed on March 17 via a virtual ceremony.
Among the animated features nominated are “Encanto,” “Luca,” “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Vivo.”
Lucy Bevan, Avy Kaufman, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold and Cindy Tolan are just some of the casting directors who landed nominations. While the Academy has had a casting branch for the past eight years, it has yet to establish an Oscar for casting.
View the nominations in full below:
Animation
“Encanto” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)
“Luca” – Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon, Kate Hansen-birnbaum (Associate)
“The Mitchells Vs The Machines” – Tamara Hunter
“Raya And The Last Dragon...
- 2/1/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The 2021 auditions are over, and the Casting Society of America has unveiled the feature nominees for its 37th annual Artios Awards.
Music plays a huge role in several of this year’s hopefuls in the marquee categories including the musicals West Side Story and In the Heights, along with making-of-a-musical pic tick, tick…Boom! Also in the Artios mix are tune-filled toons Luca, Encanto and Vivo.
Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on March 17. See the full list of Artios Awards nominations below, and check out the TV, theater and short-film nominees here.
The casting crews for House of Gucci, King Richard, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick…Boom! and West Side Story will vie in the marquee Big Budget – Drama category. In the running for Big Budget – Comedy are Cruella, Don’t Look Up, The French Dispatch, In the Heights and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the...
Music plays a huge role in several of this year’s hopefuls in the marquee categories including the musicals West Side Story and In the Heights, along with making-of-a-musical pic tick, tick…Boom! Also in the Artios mix are tune-filled toons Luca, Encanto and Vivo.
Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on March 17. See the full list of Artios Awards nominations below, and check out the TV, theater and short-film nominees here.
The casting crews for House of Gucci, King Richard, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick…Boom! and West Side Story will vie in the marquee Big Budget – Drama category. In the running for Big Budget – Comedy are Cruella, Don’t Look Up, The French Dispatch, In the Heights and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the...
- 2/1/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The casting branch of the academy is only eight years old and doesn’t have an Oscar category of its own. However, the Casting Society of America has been handing out the Artios Awards for 37 years (“Artios” is from the ancient Greek meaning “perfectly fitted.”).
Nominees for feature films were announced on February 1 (the last day of Oscar nominations voting). Many of the leading Academy Awards contenders reaped bids across the various categories according to production cost. Winners will be revealed a virtual ceremony on March 17, which is the first day of final Oscar voting.
Last year’s big budget winners were the comedy “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” and the drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7 ” while “The Forty-Year-Old Version” and “One Night in Miami” took the equivalent prizes in the independent division. “Minari” won the low budget and “The Surrogate” the micro budget prizes while “Soul” claimed the animation award.
Nominees for feature films were announced on February 1 (the last day of Oscar nominations voting). Many of the leading Academy Awards contenders reaped bids across the various categories according to production cost. Winners will be revealed a virtual ceremony on March 17, which is the first day of final Oscar voting.
Last year’s big budget winners were the comedy “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” and the drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7 ” while “The Forty-Year-Old Version” and “One Night in Miami” took the equivalent prizes in the independent division. “Minari” won the low budget and “The Surrogate” the micro budget prizes while “Soul” claimed the animation award.
- 2/1/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Casting Society of America has nominated 100 casting directors for 39 different films for the 37th annual Artios Awards, which honor the work of casting directors in eight different feature categories.
“Don’t Look Up” and “The French Dispatch” were among the nominees in the Big Budget Comedy category, “King Richard” and “The Power of the Dog” for Big Budget Drama, “”The Tender Bar,” “Belfast” and “Coda” in the Studio or Independent categories and “The Humans” and “Shiva Baby” in Low Budget and Micro Budget.
With categories covering every genre and budget level, most of the top contenders for this year’s film awards were included, with the exception of “Dune,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Nightmare Alley,” “Being the Ricardos” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
Winners will be announced on March 17, though the planned in-person ceremony has been canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The nominees:
Animation
Encanto - Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim...
“Don’t Look Up” and “The French Dispatch” were among the nominees in the Big Budget Comedy category, “King Richard” and “The Power of the Dog” for Big Budget Drama, “”The Tender Bar,” “Belfast” and “Coda” in the Studio or Independent categories and “The Humans” and “Shiva Baby” in Low Budget and Micro Budget.
With categories covering every genre and budget level, most of the top contenders for this year’s film awards were included, with the exception of “Dune,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Nightmare Alley,” “Being the Ricardos” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
Winners will be announced on March 17, though the planned in-person ceremony has been canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The nominees:
Animation
Encanto - Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim...
- 2/1/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Deaf advocate, and actress Millicent Simmonds hosted last week’s Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals.
The annual ceremony which aired virtually on ExtraTV.com/MediaAccessAwards and mediaaccessawards.com was founded by Norman Lear and now under the leadership of Deborah Calla and Allen Rucker since 2010, honors those in film and TV who include characters and actors with disabilities. The event pays tribute to individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The evening’s honorees were selected by the diversity committees of their professional guilds with awards from the Casting Society of America (CSA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA).
For the first time ever, IMDbPro, the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals, presented the IMDbPro | Media Access Award for Excellence in Directing,...
The annual ceremony which aired virtually on ExtraTV.com/MediaAccessAwards and mediaaccessawards.com was founded by Norman Lear and now under the leadership of Deborah Calla and Allen Rucker since 2010, honors those in film and TV who include characters and actors with disabilities. The event pays tribute to individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The evening’s honorees were selected by the diversity committees of their professional guilds with awards from the Casting Society of America (CSA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA).
For the first time ever, IMDbPro, the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals, presented the IMDbPro | Media Access Award for Excellence in Directing,...
- 11/22/2021
- Look to the Stars
At the Media Access Awards on Wednesday, honoree Marlee Matlin summed up the mood by saying that when she came to Los Angeles in 1985, “words like equality and access were so far outside the mainstream of Hollywood, I had to make noise.” Receiving the Maa’s lifetime achievement award “pushes me to be even louder.”
The annual awards have long honored film and TV shows that offer positive portrayals of disabled people. Other honorees, which were announced in advance, included Selma Blair, Troy Kotsur, John Krasinski, Jamie Nieto, Ryan O’Connell, “Luca” producer Andrea Warren and Zeno Mountain Farm.
The Apple film “Coda” was the only winner of multiple awards, with Matlin, her co-star Troy Kotsur and the film’s casting directors Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria honored. The trio received the casting society of America award, with the film’s writer-director Sian Heder praising them as partners.
The...
The annual awards have long honored film and TV shows that offer positive portrayals of disabled people. Other honorees, which were announced in advance, included Selma Blair, Troy Kotsur, John Krasinski, Jamie Nieto, Ryan O’Connell, “Luca” producer Andrea Warren and Zeno Mountain Farm.
The Apple film “Coda” was the only winner of multiple awards, with Matlin, her co-star Troy Kotsur and the film’s casting directors Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood and Lisa Zagoria honored. The trio received the casting society of America award, with the film’s writer-director Sian Heder praising them as partners.
The...
- 11/18/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, casting executives Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood land at Paramount, sci-fi thriller “Volition” finds a home and Everlast Pictures launches in Los Angeles.
Casting Executives
Veteran casting executives Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood have been hired as executive VPs of casting for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios.
The duo will act as one cohesive team, but Aquila will run point on TV, reporting to Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios; Wood will run point for the film side, reporting to Wyck Godfrey, president of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Geraldine Leder, Paramount’s senior VP of sasting will report to Aquila, while VP of Casting Monika Mikkelsen has transitioned to a new role as the casting executive for Paramount Animation.
Wood and Aquila previously headed Aquila Wood Casting on behalf of Lionsgate. Aquila’s most recent films include Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War,...
Casting Executives
Veteran casting executives Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood have been hired as executive VPs of casting for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios.
The duo will act as one cohesive team, but Aquila will run point on TV, reporting to Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios; Wood will run point for the film side, reporting to Wyck Godfrey, president of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Geraldine Leder, Paramount’s senior VP of sasting will report to Aquila, while VP of Casting Monika Mikkelsen has transitioned to a new role as the casting executive for Paramount Animation.
Wood and Aquila previously headed Aquila Wood Casting on behalf of Lionsgate. Aquila’s most recent films include Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War,...
- 5/5/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In the wake of the departure of Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Evp of Casting Joseph Middleton back in January, the studio has split his job into two, just as Deadline heard, and hired Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood as EVPs of Casting. Aquila will run point on TV reporting to Paramount President of Television Nicole Clemens, while Wood will oversee film, reporting into Wyck Godfrey, Paramount Motion Pictures Group President.
Aquila and Wood previously had their own firm, Aquila Wood Casting, on behalf of Lionsgate. Aquila recently cast Paramount/Skydance’s Chris Pratt sci-fi movie The Tomorrow War which is currently in post, and she also cast Lionsgate hits, the multi-Oscar winning Lala Land and Wonder. Wood came up under Aquila. The two count over 150 credits on film and TV pilots.
Here is the memo from Clemens and Godfrey about the announcement today:
To: Paramount Employees
From: Nicole Clemens & Wyck Godfrey
Date: May 5th,...
Aquila and Wood previously had their own firm, Aquila Wood Casting, on behalf of Lionsgate. Aquila recently cast Paramount/Skydance’s Chris Pratt sci-fi movie The Tomorrow War which is currently in post, and she also cast Lionsgate hits, the multi-Oscar winning Lala Land and Wonder. Wood came up under Aquila. The two count over 150 credits on film and TV pilots.
Here is the memo from Clemens and Godfrey about the announcement today:
To: Paramount Employees
From: Nicole Clemens & Wyck Godfrey
Date: May 5th,...
- 5/5/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Tricia Wood and Deborah Aquila have been hired as EVPs of Casting for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios, TheWrap has exclusively learned.
The duo previously headed Aquila Wood Casting on behalf of Lionsgate. They will act as one cohesive team, but Aquila will run point on TV, reporting to Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount Television Studios; Wood will run point for the film side, reporting to Wyck Godfrey, President of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Geraldine Leder, Paramount’s Svp of Casting will report to Aquila, while VP of Casting Monika Mikkelsen has transitioned to a new role as the dedicated casting executive for Paramount Animation.
Aquila is a member of the Csa as well as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Her most recent films include Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War,” “La La Land,” and “Wonder.” She previously worked at...
The duo previously headed Aquila Wood Casting on behalf of Lionsgate. They will act as one cohesive team, but Aquila will run point on TV, reporting to Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount Television Studios; Wood will run point for the film side, reporting to Wyck Godfrey, President of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Geraldine Leder, Paramount’s Svp of Casting will report to Aquila, while VP of Casting Monika Mikkelsen has transitioned to a new role as the dedicated casting executive for Paramount Animation.
Aquila is a member of the Csa as well as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Her most recent films include Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War,” “La La Land,” and “Wonder.” She previously worked at...
- 5/5/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Deb Aquila and Tricia Wood of the top tier casting office Aquila Wood Casting are leaving their exclusive five-year run at Lionsgate Films. The Artios Award winners will return to the realm of independent casting.
White at Lionsgate, the pair thrived and cast hit films including La-La Land starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (which earned them their aforementioned Artios Award), Wonder starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, Stronger starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Deepwater Horizon starring Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell as well as Overboard starring Ana Faris and Eugenio Derbez.
During their 20-year partnership, Aquila and Wood worked in every genre in film and TV. They recently set up their offices in Joe and Anthony Russo’s new Agbo independent film studio complex headquartered in Dtla.
“We’re excited to return to independent casting life so that we can participate in every form of storytelling,” said Aquila.
Wood adds,...
White at Lionsgate, the pair thrived and cast hit films including La-La Land starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (which earned them their aforementioned Artios Award), Wonder starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, Stronger starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Deepwater Horizon starring Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell as well as Overboard starring Ana Faris and Eugenio Derbez.
During their 20-year partnership, Aquila and Wood worked in every genre in film and TV. They recently set up their offices in Joe and Anthony Russo’s new Agbo independent film studio complex headquartered in Dtla.
“We’re excited to return to independent casting life so that we can participate in every form of storytelling,” said Aquila.
Wood adds,...
- 11/25/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The guild award nominations keep coming in. The Casting Society of America has announced the nominees in its feature film categories for the 32d annual Artios Awards, which honor outstanding achievement in casting. “Arrival,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Hidden Figures,” “Nocturnal Animals” and “The Girl on the Train” all picked up nods in the big-budget drama category, with “Captain Fantastic,” “Jackie,” “Lion,” “Loving” and “Manchester by the Sea” doing likewise in the studio or independent drama field.
Joel McHale will host the Los Angeles ceremony, while Michael Urie is on duty at the New York ceremony; both take place on January 19. Full list of nominees below.
Read More: SAG Film Nominations Surprise With ‘Captain Fantastic,’ Emily Blunt, and More
Big Budget — Comedy
“Deadpool” — Ronna Kress, Jennifer Page (Location Casting), Corinne Clark (Location Casting)
“Hail, Caesar!” — Ellen Chenoweth, Susanne Scheel (Associate)
“La La Land” — Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood...
Joel McHale will host the Los Angeles ceremony, while Michael Urie is on duty at the New York ceremony; both take place on January 19. Full list of nominees below.
Read More: SAG Film Nominations Surprise With ‘Captain Fantastic,’ Emily Blunt, and More
Big Budget — Comedy
“Deadpool” — Ronna Kress, Jennifer Page (Location Casting), Corinne Clark (Location Casting)
“Hail, Caesar!” — Ellen Chenoweth, Susanne Scheel (Associate)
“La La Land” — Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood...
- 1/3/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
Next time you’re awestruck by a movie’s all-star cast, there’s one person you should be thanking: the casting director. A casting director — or, sometimes, a few of them — are responsible for assigning talent to the various roles in a film, television show, or stage production.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just made history by recognizing someone in this all-important role for the first time in its history when Lynn Stalmaster was given an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governors Awards ceremony — alongside other greats like film editor Anne V. Coates, documentarian Frederick Wiseman, and martial arts legend Jackie Chan. The 88-year-old, whose career nearly stretches back to 1950, is known for works like Fiddler on the Roof, Tootsie, and In the Heat of the Night — just to name a few.
With a casting director getting such an honor, let...
Managing Editor
Next time you’re awestruck by a movie’s all-star cast, there’s one person you should be thanking: the casting director. A casting director — or, sometimes, a few of them — are responsible for assigning talent to the various roles in a film, television show, or stage production.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just made history by recognizing someone in this all-important role for the first time in its history when Lynn Stalmaster was given an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governors Awards ceremony — alongside other greats like film editor Anne V. Coates, documentarian Frederick Wiseman, and martial arts legend Jackie Chan. The 88-year-old, whose career nearly stretches back to 1950, is known for works like Fiddler on the Roof, Tootsie, and In the Heat of the Night — just to name a few.
With a casting director getting such an honor, let...
- 11/15/2016
- by Carson Blackwelder
- Scott Feinberg
Academy invitee Eddie Redmayne in 'The Theory of Everything.' Academy invites 322 new members: 'More diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before' The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has offered membership to 322 individuals "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures." According to the Academy's press release, "those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2015." In case all 322 potential new members say an enthusiastic Yes, that means an injection of new blood representing about 5 percent of the Academy's current membership. In the words of Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs (as quoted in the press release), in 2015 "our branches have recognized a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organization." In recent years, the Academy membership has...
- 7/1/2015
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
©Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©Studio Pali Fekete architects/©A.M.P.A.S.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
- 6/27/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Strangely dropping a press release on a historic day where the nation's attention is elsewhere, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed their annual list of new member invitees this morning. For those who criticize the makeup of the Academy there was some good news and the stark realization the organization still has a long way to go. The Academy has spent the last eight to 10 years attempting to diversify its membership and this year's class mostly reflects that. There are significantly more invitees of Asian and African-American descent, but the male to female disparity is still depressing. Out of the 25 potential new members of the Actor's Branch only seven are women. And, no, there isn't really an acceptable way for the Academy to spin that sad fact. Additionally, It's important to realize the 322 people noted in the release have only been invited to join Hollywood's most exclusive club.
- 6/26/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 322 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2015. “It’s gratifying to acknowledge the extraordinary range of talent in our industry,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “This year, our branches have recognized a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organization.” The 2015 invitees are: Actors Elizabeth Banks – “Love & Mercy,” “The Hunger Games” Choi Min-sik– “Lucy,” “Oldboy” Benedict Cumberbatch – “The Imitation Game,” “Star Trek Into Darkness” Martin Freeman – “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Hot Fuzz” Heather Graham – “The Hangover,” “Boogie Nights” Tom Hardy – “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Inception” Kevin Hart – “The Wedding Ringer,” “Ride Along...
- 6/26/2015
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Mykelti Williamson (Justified) has been tapped as the male lead opposite Sarah Snook in ABC drama pilot Clementine, from the Mark Gordon Co. and ABC Studios. It centers on Clementine Ross (Snook), a troubled 28-year-old psychic who sees her life begin to change in unexpected ways when she decides to stop running from her past. Williamson, repped by Frontline Management, Innovative and David Fox, will play Ray, a hard-working, recently divorced detective with the Philadelphia Police Department and a potential love interest to Clementine. The pilot’s producers saw actors of all ethnicity for the role, with casting director Tricia Wood credited for going with Williamson. Related: Pilot Season 2014: The Overachievers 2014 ABC Pilots...
- 2/25/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Here is the first major discovery of 2014 pilot season. Young Australian actress Sarah Snook has been cast in the title role of ABC‘s drama pilot Clementine, from the Mark Gordon Co. and ABC Studios. Written by feature scribe Dean Georgaris, Clementine centers on troubled 28-year-old psychic Clementine Ross (Snook) who sees her life begin to change in unexpected ways when she decides to stop running from her past. David Strathairn was recently cast as her father. Mark Gordon Co.’s Gordon and Nicholas Pepper exec produce with Ilene Staple. This marks the first U.S. TV role for Snook, who had been on the radar of the Clementine producers for a while, since before the script was picked up to pilot. I hear she was suggested by the project’s casting director, Tricia Wood, who is a friend of Georgaris. Snook recently flew to Los Angeles for her first U.
- 2/7/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Foresight Unlimited and Envision Entertainment have come aboard to produce and finance The Englishman.
Director John Moore (A Good Day To Die Hard, Behind Enemy Lines) is attached to helm the film from a screenplay written by William Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Foresight Unlimited will also be handling worldwide sales for the film.
Mark Damon will produce the $30M action film alongside James Gibb, Benedict Carver, Tim Peternel, and Moore.
The Englishman was developed by London-based Derby Street Films. Derby Street’s Nicola Horlick and Rachel Green are executive producing, together with Shaun Redick, Ray Mansfield, Ash Shah, Chris Hanley, Peter Veverka, and Foresight’s President, Tamara Birkemoe. Envision Entertainment’s Stepan Martirosyan, Vitaly Grigoriants, and Remington Chase will also be executive producers on the film.
Set to shoot in South Africa early next year, The Englishman is a true story based on the book “Once a Pilgrim” by Will Scully.
Director John Moore (A Good Day To Die Hard, Behind Enemy Lines) is attached to helm the film from a screenplay written by William Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Foresight Unlimited will also be handling worldwide sales for the film.
Mark Damon will produce the $30M action film alongside James Gibb, Benedict Carver, Tim Peternel, and Moore.
The Englishman was developed by London-based Derby Street Films. Derby Street’s Nicola Horlick and Rachel Green are executive producing, together with Shaun Redick, Ray Mansfield, Ash Shah, Chris Hanley, Peter Veverka, and Foresight’s President, Tamara Birkemoe. Envision Entertainment’s Stepan Martirosyan, Vitaly Grigoriants, and Remington Chase will also be executive producers on the film.
Set to shoot in South Africa early next year, The Englishman is a true story based on the book “Once a Pilgrim” by Will Scully.
- 8/9/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Casting directors have been hired for five new CBS drama pilots, Backstage has confirmed.The high-profile pilot for “Anatomy of Violence,” an hour-long crime drama from “Homeland” co-creators Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, is being cast by Michael Testa. Inspired by the upcoming non-fiction book “The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime” by Adrian Raine, the project centers on a young female detective who partners with a criminal psychologist with whom she shares a past connection.Casting directors Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood of Aquila/Wood Casting are casting “Intelligence,” a drama pilot focused on an agent at U.S. Cyber Command who gains special abilities after he has a microchip implanted in his brain.Gary Zuckerbrod is the casting director for the new medical drama pilot “The Surgeon General,” which offers a fictionalized look at the nation’s top doc as he fights the forces of politics...
- 2/11/2013
- backstage.com
Four ABC drama pilots, including one from “Mad Men” writer Chris Black and the Sofia Vergara-executive produced “Killer Women,” now have casting directors attached, Backstage has learned. “Killer Women,” which has been adapted from an Argentinian series, follows the only female Texas Ranger who takes a no-nonsense approach to her job. Mary Jo Slater and Steve Brooksbank are casting the one-hour drama. “Reckless,” which was written by Black, is about a man willing to go to any length to free his wife, a political prisoner in a volatile foreign country. It’s being cast by David Rapaport. Meanwhile, “Betrayal,” which centers on an affair between a photographer and a lawyer who turns out to be defending a client that her husband is prosecuting, is being cast by Veronica Collins Rooney. “The Returned” also has casting directors attached. The drama pilot is set in a small town where the long-dead...
- 2/1/2013
- backstage.com
The Casting Society of America tonight announced the winners of the 28th Annual Artios Awards for outstanding achievement in casting. The Big Budget Feature Drama award went to Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee for The Help. Mindy Marin and Kara Lipson (Associate) received the Big Budget Feature Comedy award for Crazy, Stupid Love. There was a tie for Television Series Drama. The honor was shared by Mark Saks and John Andrews (Associate) for The Good Wife and Judy Henderson, Craig Fincannon (Location Casting), Lisa Mae Fincannon (Location Casting) for Homeland. Nicole Sullivan hosted the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The New York ceremony was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. Here is the complete list of winners: Big Budget Feature – Drama The Help, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee Big Budget Feature – Comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, Mindy Marin, Kara Lipson (Associate) Feature – Studio or Independent – Drama My Week With Marilyn, Deborah Aquila,...
- 10/30/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood will be casting the pilot for "La Noir," a period drama from Frank Darabont for TNT, Back Stage has confirmed. Darabont ("The Walking Dead") will write and direct the pilot, which shoots in Los Angeles in May.Based on John Buntin's book "La Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City," the project is about the Lapd's battle with the West Coast Mob in the '40s and '50s, focusing specifically on Police Chief William Parker and his nemesis, mobster Mickey Cohen. "The Walking Dead" star Jon Bernthal is reportedly in talks to play Los Angeles cop Joe Teague, one of the central characters.Aquila/Wood Casting has also cast the television series "Dexter" and "The Shield," as well as over one hundred feature films including "My Week with Marilyn," "The Expendables," "Valentine's Day," "Twilight," and the upcoming films "R.I.P.D." and "Gone.
- 2/3/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
The Casting Society of America unveiled nominations for its 27th annual Artois Awards, recognizing the best in casting. The honors will be bestowed Sept. 26 in simultaneous ceremonies at the Beverly Hilton in L.A. and at District 36 in New York. The Csa also is giving lifetime achievement awards to Whoopi Goldberg (the New York Apple Award), Dick Wolf (the Career Achievement Award) and Meg Liberman (the Hoyt Bowers Award). Here's the full list of nominees: Big Budget Feature – Drama “The Fighter,” Sheila Jaffe, Angela Peri (Location Casting) “Inception,” John Papsidera “The Social Network,” Laray Mayfield “The Town,” Lora Kennedy, Carolyn Pickman (Location Casting) “True Grit,” Ellen Chenoweth, Rachel Tenner, JoEdna Boldin (Location Casting) Big Budget Feature – Comedy “How Do You Know,” Francine Maisler, Lynn Kressel (Location Casting) “Morning Glory,” Ellen Lewis * “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” Francine Maisler * “Red,” Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood, Craig Fincannon (Location Casting), Lisa Mae Fincannon...
- 8/16/2011
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The Film:
There’s a scene at the end of the movie where the all-star cast are just joking around, making fun of each other, playing a game of darts with knifes, that really sums up The Expendables. These old-timers are here just to have fun, and that’s fine with us. It’s like hanging with the old-timers to the wee morning hours listening to them tell tales that we’ve heard before, but go down smooth, tales we never get tired of hearing. That’s The Expendables. It’s the same old song, yet it’s a good tune to listen too, a valid reason that justified all of those Saturday late night runs to Blockbuster to rent their actions flicks. It’s a nostalgic thing, you had to be there.
But if you were there, man, those flicks were something. Times might have changed, but when The Expendables...
There’s a scene at the end of the movie where the all-star cast are just joking around, making fun of each other, playing a game of darts with knifes, that really sums up The Expendables. These old-timers are here just to have fun, and that’s fine with us. It’s like hanging with the old-timers to the wee morning hours listening to them tell tales that we’ve heard before, but go down smooth, tales we never get tired of hearing. That’s The Expendables. It’s the same old song, yet it’s a good tune to listen too, a valid reason that justified all of those Saturday late night runs to Blockbuster to rent their actions flicks. It’s a nostalgic thing, you had to be there.
But if you were there, man, those flicks were something. Times might have changed, but when The Expendables...
- 11/22/2010
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Playwright Tony Kushner, producer Marcy Carsey, and casting director Ellen Chenoweth will be honored by the Casting Society of America at this year's Artios Awards. The nominees for this year's awards—to be presented Nov. 1 in dual ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the American Airlines Theatre in New York—were announced today. Kushner, Carsey, and Chenoweth will be presented with special awards. The complete list of nominees follows.Big budget feature, drama"Avatar," Margery Simkin and Mali Finn (initial casting)"Inglourious Basterds," Johanna Ray and Jenny Jue"Nine," Francine Maisler"Sherlock Holmes," Reg Poerscout-Edgerton"Shutter Island," Ellen Lewis and Carolyn Pickman (location casting)Big budget feature, comedy"Couples Retreat," Sarah Halley Finn and Randi Hiller"Date Night," Donna Isaacson"Julie and Julia," Francine Maisler"The Proposal," Amanda Mackey Johnson, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, and Angela Peri (location casting)"Valentine's Day," Deborah Aquila and Tricia WoodFeature,...
- 9/15/2010
- backstage.com
Robin Lippin on Gerard Butler: I was casting "Attila," the miniseries, and it was an extremely hard role. We had to find someone who could carry the mini and have charisma and yet be able to exude leadership and a barbaric quality. He also had to have an amazing body and good looks (it is TV, after all). Gerry had been referred by the CD in London, and I brought him in. I felt he had it all, but the executive at the time wasn't convinced. He wanted me to keep looking and told me to go to Crunch, the gym where all the hotties worked out. I wanted to die. I mean, this was a powerful role and needed an amazing actor. I think the exec was worried about his accent.I fought really hard for him, and luckily the director and producers were behind him. I even offered to...
- 7/7/2010
- backstage.com
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