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A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies
For anyone who’s ever walked out of a movie and said, “That guy was all wrong for that part,” comes this first-of-its-kind look at how actors are chosen and careers are born.
Two of the top casting directors in the business, who most recently cast the new James Bond, The Da Vinci Code, and the summer blockbuster Poseidon, offer an insider’s tour of their crucial craft—spotting stars in the making—in this lively memoir, full of the kind of backroom detail loved by movie fans and aspiring actors alike. Janet and Jane share the fascinating, funny stories of discovering and casting then-unknown stars like Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly, Brendan Fraser, Virginia Madsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Meg Ryan, Benicio Del Toro, and the Harry Potter kids. Taking us from the first casting call through head shots, auditions, meetings, and desperate searches to fill a part, they give us behind-the-scenes access to the machinery of star-making.
Films Include:
The Da Vinci Code
Friday Night LightsSomething's Gotta GiveA Beautiful MindHarry Potter & the Sorcerer's StoneHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasThe Perfect StormAir Force OneJurassic ParkGhosts of MississippiThe American PresidentMrs. DoubtfireIn the Line of FireLast Action Hero
A Few Good MenHome AloneHookBackdraftMiseryGhostWhen Harry Met SallyLicence to KillMystic PizzaBeetlejuiceThe Princess BrideStand by MeFerris Bueller's Day OffThe Sure ThingDuneBody DoubleRed DawnThe Outsiders
Two of the top casting directors in the business, who most recently cast the new James Bond, The Da Vinci Code, and the summer blockbuster Poseidon, offer an insider’s tour of their crucial craft—spotting stars in the making—in this lively memoir, full of the kind of backroom detail loved by movie fans and aspiring actors alike. Janet and Jane share the fascinating, funny stories of discovering and casting then-unknown stars like Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Connelly, Brendan Fraser, Virginia Madsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Meg Ryan, Benicio Del Toro, and the Harry Potter kids. Taking us from the first casting call through head shots, auditions, meetings, and desperate searches to fill a part, they give us behind-the-scenes access to the machinery of star-making.
Films Include:
The Da Vinci Code
Friday Night LightsSomething's Gotta GiveA Beautiful MindHarry Potter & the Sorcerer's StoneHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasThe Perfect StormAir Force OneJurassic ParkGhosts of MississippiThe American PresidentMrs. DoubtfireIn the Line of FireLast Action Hero
A Few Good MenHome AloneHookBackdraftMiseryGhostWhen Harry Met SallyLicence to KillMystic PizzaBeetlejuiceThe Princess BrideStand by MeFerris Bueller's Day OffThe Sure ThingDuneBody DoubleRed DawnThe Outsiders
- GenresNonfictionFilmBiography
307 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
36 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 29, 2016
In light of #oscarssowhite and #askhermore it was really interesting to read this, a book by two casting directors who have been in the business for years and actually discovered actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Julia Roberts, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
It really shocked me that this book was only ten years old. Page 188: "It's a cardinal rule in Hollywood that you don't cast the girl until until you've got the guy. That's partly because the male actors are more expensive and more powerful, so they're often granted a say in the choice of co-star." The book is full of statements like this, and the worst part is that not framed as problematic: just as how the business works. These authors probably made hundreds of calls over the course of their careers to leading ladies' agents offering them half of what their male co-stars were making without thinking twice about it.
It's not just women who get the short end of the stick. One of first anecdotes in the book involves a studio looking for an East Indian actress for the female lead in a Bond film in 1982: one of the authors "luckily" managed to get an actress of Swedish descent cast instead, having the writers change several lines so the character would instead been raised by an Indian family. They're also relieved when Alicia Nash, the real-life wife of John Nash, doesn't insist that a Latina actor be cast to play her in A Beautiful Mind. We see the list of actors they considered to play this character (who in real life is Salvadoran): twenty-six white actresses and Penélope Cruz. Needless to say, the role went to a white actor.
It's clear that the authors are sympathetic about the dearth of roles for women over 40, and well aware of the pressure on women to be "sexy" to have a career in Hollywood. Nonetheless a really interesting case study about how people who are not sexist or racist can reinforce a dynamic that absolutely is, and which makes it much more difficult to make a living in the business for anyone who isn't a white dude.
It really shocked me that this book was only ten years old. Page 188: "It's a cardinal rule in Hollywood that you don't cast the girl until until you've got the guy. That's partly because the male actors are more expensive and more powerful, so they're often granted a say in the choice of co-star." The book is full of statements like this, and the worst part is that not framed as problematic: just as how the business works. These authors probably made hundreds of calls over the course of their careers to leading ladies' agents offering them half of what their male co-stars were making without thinking twice about it.
It's not just women who get the short end of the stick. One of first anecdotes in the book involves a studio looking for an East Indian actress for the female lead in a Bond film in 1982: one of the authors "luckily" managed to get an actress of Swedish descent cast instead, having the writers change several lines so the character would instead been raised by an Indian family. They're also relieved when Alicia Nash, the real-life wife of John Nash, doesn't insist that a Latina actor be cast to play her in A Beautiful Mind. We see the list of actors they considered to play this character (who in real life is Salvadoran): twenty-six white actresses and Penélope Cruz. Needless to say, the role went to a white actor.
It's clear that the authors are sympathetic about the dearth of roles for women over 40, and well aware of the pressure on women to be "sexy" to have a career in Hollywood. Nonetheless a really interesting case study about how people who are not sexist or racist can reinforce a dynamic that absolutely is, and which makes it much more difficult to make a living in the business for anyone who isn't a white dude.
November 30, 2012
I enjoyed reading about my favorite actors (especially the Golden Trio), and how certain movies were cast. Name dropping abound! I pictured myself in the movie industry for a while. God knows I want to so badly. I think casting would be fun. To think that you would cast the perfect actor for a role, a role that would change their career. Can you imagine anyone else playing Harry, Ron and Hermione in the movies? Or who would have thought that Daniel Craig would make a brilliant James Bond?
All that and more are tackled in this book, written by two of the industry's most trusted casting directors. If I could trade places with a person, I would probably trade with either of these two women. Preferably while they're holding an audition with Kit Harington, or Benedict Cumberbatch, or Cillian Murphy.
All that and more are tackled in this book, written by two of the industry's most trusted casting directors. If I could trade places with a person, I would probably trade with either of these two women. Preferably while they're holding an audition with Kit Harington, or Benedict Cumberbatch, or Cillian Murphy.
April 8, 2009
Lots of name-dropping and an odd ping-ponging authorship choice makes this book on movie casting feel like an extended People Magazine article. Still has some interesting casting stories, but overall just OK.
May 31, 2024
This is a fascinating look inside the Hollywood machine that is casting. I learned a lot about how casting is handled at all levels and the problems that can arise and the successes that can be won. There are so many moving parts to this process that I never thought about before. It’s a true wonder that any movie or TV show ever gets made!
Yes, this is a bit dated, written in 2006, almost twenty years ago and way before the proliferation of social media. But I think the bones of what Jane and Janet do must still be true today. There are some actors that get praised in this that make us cringe now (ahem, Kevin Spacey, ahem) but learning about the starts of certain stars like Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, Patrick Swayze, Michael Keaton, Paul Bettany, and Robin Wright is interesting stuff and worth the datedness of some of the book.
In this you will get in depth casting details on films like The Outsiders, Mystic Pizza, Beetlejuice, The Perfect Storm, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Beautiful Mind and more. You'll be surprised by so many decisions and how they were made and you will learn how much casting, even the minor roles, can make or break a film.
The insider knowledge that Jane and Janet share is compelling and educational, and even encouraging to anyone who wants to act in Hollywood. But they are never gossipy or braggy.
I learned about this book via a film group on Facebook and had to buy a used copy online because it’s out of print. It seems this dynamic casting duo are now retired. If you can find a copy I definitely recommend this book as a super fun read for film buffs.
One caveat: even though these are women casting directors, the patriarchy is well and entrenched in this 2006 version of Hollywood. Don’t come looking for any feminism or girl power. They openly talk about how it was the male star who got a movie made, women only get good work up until a certain age, most directors are male, and that’s just the way it is.
Yes, this is a bit dated, written in 2006, almost twenty years ago and way before the proliferation of social media. But I think the bones of what Jane and Janet do must still be true today. There are some actors that get praised in this that make us cringe now (ahem, Kevin Spacey, ahem) but learning about the starts of certain stars like Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, Patrick Swayze, Michael Keaton, Paul Bettany, and Robin Wright is interesting stuff and worth the datedness of some of the book.
In this you will get in depth casting details on films like The Outsiders, Mystic Pizza, Beetlejuice, The Perfect Storm, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Beautiful Mind and more. You'll be surprised by so many decisions and how they were made and you will learn how much casting, even the minor roles, can make or break a film.
The insider knowledge that Jane and Janet share is compelling and educational, and even encouraging to anyone who wants to act in Hollywood. But they are never gossipy or braggy.
I learned about this book via a film group on Facebook and had to buy a used copy online because it’s out of print. It seems this dynamic casting duo are now retired. If you can find a copy I definitely recommend this book as a super fun read for film buffs.
One caveat: even though these are women casting directors, the patriarchy is well and entrenched in this 2006 version of Hollywood. Don’t come looking for any feminism or girl power. They openly talk about how it was the male star who got a movie made, women only get good work up until a certain age, most directors are male, and that’s just the way it is.
February 26, 2024
This had some interesting stories but you can definitely tell that its dated. So much of it focuses on stories that involve the biggest box office stars at the time of print...that obviously can't still hold that position some 15+ years later. (Although it is amazing how many still do, particularly the men.) The authors do fully acknowledge that they know the book will suffer from the fickleness of the Hollywood hot commodity status and do their best to provide interesting stories that will stand the test of time. It is also a product of an era before Hollywood began to consider representation...so if reading about how Caucasian actors were cast in parts that were originally written to be ethnic...avoid. The fact is that in the early 2000s there was a lot less diversity on our screens and their work in casting reflected that.
For the most part they succeed in sharing some fun tidbits on roles that almost weren't, stars that were almost overlooked, and awards that were nearly not earned. This is a quick, easy, fun read that gives a glimpse into a crucial but not often vaulted part of the entertainment world.
***A MAJOR irk of mine...they claim Annabeth Gish, of Mystic Pizza and X-Files fame, is the granddaughter of Hollywood royalty Lillian Gish. She most certainly is not!! AG is from my hometown in IA, graduated same year as me. Her father was a college Lit professor of mine. She's a talented actress...but she is not in any way shape or form related to Ms L. Gish. And a simple Google search or glance at AG's Wikipedia page would have informed them of that. As would any quick peek at the biography of LG, as the woman never had any children. Difficult to have grandchildren when you have no children. Frustrating that these 2 longtime Hollywood personas didnt know or take the time to verify their claim. Completely irresponsible that their editor didn't!!
For the most part they succeed in sharing some fun tidbits on roles that almost weren't, stars that were almost overlooked, and awards that were nearly not earned. This is a quick, easy, fun read that gives a glimpse into a crucial but not often vaulted part of the entertainment world.
***A MAJOR irk of mine...they claim Annabeth Gish, of Mystic Pizza and X-Files fame, is the granddaughter of Hollywood royalty Lillian Gish. She most certainly is not!! AG is from my hometown in IA, graduated same year as me. Her father was a college Lit professor of mine. She's a talented actress...but she is not in any way shape or form related to Ms L. Gish. And a simple Google search or glance at AG's Wikipedia page would have informed them of that. As would any quick peek at the biography of LG, as the woman never had any children. Difficult to have grandchildren when you have no children. Frustrating that these 2 longtime Hollywood personas didnt know or take the time to verify their claim. Completely irresponsible that their editor didn't!!
November 28, 2018
If you're even remotely interested in the behind the scenes world of casting a film; this book is for you. Recommended by my acting coach it really helped me to understand how it works. A wonderfully fun read also!
October 16, 2022
A book like this was always going to be catnip for me, though I think it does get overly treacly in the way a lot of showbiz books do. Love hearing about some truly wild near misses, like Robert Downey Jr almost playing the Paul Bettany part in A Beautiful Mind
February 11, 2008
not all that amazing- but an entertaining look into the minds of two important Hollywood casting directors. A good resource for actors, and a fun read for film fans. Would've liked more theory about the process of casting- though what's here is enjoyable. Also, the fact that Janet and Jane work primarily in big budget hollywood films, kind of lessens the level of artistic engagement discussed- I'm not really interested in the casting challenges "Poseidon" and "Curly Sue" presented, but would love to know more about how the Coen Brothers cast their films.
a quick fun read, but not as insightful as it could have been.
a quick fun read, but not as insightful as it could have been.
May 30, 2007
Went to a book event featuring these two ladies who are Casting Directors in Hollywood. They have casted some of Hollywood's biggest movies including: A Beautiful Mind, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, Hopme Alone, Something's Gotta Give, Ghost, When Harry Met Sally.... The list goes on and on. These ladies were very funny in person and it comes through in their book. Happy Reading!
January 1, 2015
This is an interesting book. These two casting directors have casted for some really great movies like Princess Bride, A Beautiful Mind, A Few Good Men, Home Alone and the Da Vinci Code, to name a few. The writing isn’t anything memorable, but there are some interesting points about how some of the movies were cast and what some of the famous actors and actresses were like on their auditions. I think this is a good book for up and coming actors because Jane and Janet give some good advice on what to do and what not to do.
April 2, 2008
sounds cheesy I know, but after having this book recommended to me on several accounts, i finally decided to give it a go only to discover, it's not half bad, really. Written by two of Hollywood's most well known casting directors, it offers a interesting insight into the world of casting films and the industry, but more from a story telling perspective (less 'tips on how to be successful.')
July 10, 2013
This book was a pleasure to read. I am always casting books I've recently read. Only two problems: first, the book is from 2006; so it's a tad out of date, and second, the authors' casting of Emma Watson as Hermoine in Harry Potter series. Never thought she was right...never. Sorry, I know I'm probably the only one.
January 24, 2010
A very candid and down-to-earth look at the way casting works in Hollywood, by two women who have been active the business for almost 30 years. They take us through the casting process, illustrated with anecdotes from their experiences from movies from The Outsiders to Harry Potter.
January 9, 2013
It was alright. Some parts were extremely slow and it got annoying every other page them bringing up "a beautiful mind" kind of seemed like that movie was their pride and joy. but it was a nice insight into the process and they had some good advice
March 20, 2007
Casting agents do a ton of work which no one ever sees, because you can't win an Oscar for a movie you weren't in. These two cast the "Harry Potter" movies, among others.
November 3, 2007
There were interesting anecdotes, but the general tenets of casting were repeated over and over again.
February 28, 2008
Insiders look at how movies are cast.
August 5, 2008
A duo of female casters discuss what it takes to nab a spot in the top movies in all categories- from superstars to extras.
January 16, 2009
It's fluffy, but not annoying. Gives a good overview of how casting works, but the real reason to read it is for the anecdotes about celebrities.
May 28, 2010
Meh. I have a better idea of what a casting director does, but I like a little more spice. Perhaps they were afraid of offending someone who might get them more work.
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July 25, 20112007
August 14, 2014
Pure fun!
October 15, 2008
If you've ever wondered how an actor ended up in that movie, here's your chance to find out.
August 21, 2012
You'll love this book if you have passion for the acting world, or the process of making a movie.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews