Casting Society of America

by MovieMaker Staff | Published January 29, 2007

The average movie fan will likely be familiar with the names of popular actors, directors and maybe even the odd producer or composer. But thereâ€™s certainly a high probability that he or she wonâ€™t know the name of the casting director responsible for even his or her favorite film. Which is a shame, really, because could you imagine Sophieâ€™s Choice without Meryl Streep’s mesmerizing performance, or even Napoleon Dynamite with someone else filling Jon Hederâ€™s dancing shoes?

In 1982 a small group of casting professionals formed the Casting Society of America (CSA). â€œBeing a casting director is usually a fairly independent endeavor,â€ says CSA president Chemin Bernard. â€œBeing a member of CSA affords us the opportunity to become part of a community of people who initially could be considered competition, but instead, through our commitment to the CSA, are the people with whom we have joined forces to further advance the mutual objectives of our profession.â€ Today the association boasts 350 members, and its influence has led to the development of its own prestigious ArtiosÂ® Casting Awards.

If youâ€™re only looking for assistance with your next movie, head on over to www.castingsociety.com to check out what assistance the organization offers to moviemakers outside of the casting community: Actors will find useful links, including a way to invite casting directors to screenings; directors and producers can locate the perfect addition to their crews; and the purely inquisitive can find out who, for instance, was responsible for casting Meryl to such perfection.

Sound Off: The Casting Society of America helps to bring together professionals who, as Bernard explains, might otherwise be each otherâ€™s competition. What other competing group of moviemaking professionals could benefit from such a society? Talk back in the forums!

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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by Ricardo Johansson on 12/05/07 at 12:13 am

I have attempted to send off the following letter to the Casting
Society of America (http://www.castingsociety.com/). The email function
is apparently only functional for members. If you can assist me in any
way in the successful transmission of this email, please let me know.

To: Casting Society of America

RE: Film to introduce action plan in response to Lions for Lambs

My brother-in-law, Frank Magree, who has had parts in Romper Stomper,
Red Ball and Danny Deckchair, suggested that I contact you.

After viewing Robert Redford’s “Lions for Lambs” film recently, it is my
strong desire to contact Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom cruise and
any other individual who resonates with the urgent message of the film :
“Rome is buring.” I can’t help but to believe that if these individuals
are truly sincere in their statements, they most likely will be grateful
for and accepting of specific methods of action that deal directly with
their concerns.

I am involved with a growing number of people around the globe in
creating a platform for the people to act within their lawful capacity
as the Collective Sovereignty. In this capacity they may direct (order)
their elected officials rather than simply live in perpetual
frustration, as they currently do, while merely making “requests” that
go completely unheeded. I, and a growing number of others, believe
this is the ultimate solution to the challenges that we currently face.
Its called personal and collective responsibility.

Would you please view the Global Call for Collaboration found on
http://www.UPworldgov.org and pass this information on to those within the CSA
group who may wish to put their urgent political messages into action.

If there is a short film to be put together that can introduce this
action plan, that can include many of your members, they can also be a
part of its creation.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Johansson

Comment by CBR on 3/03/08 at 5:08 am