CASTING CASTING STORIES STORIES CANDIDO CORNEJO JJOINTHESHATTERPROOF OINTHESHATTERPROOF 55K K LABOR DAY OF LLOVE ABOR DAY OF LOVE CASTING SOCIETY THE ZINE | SEPTEMBER 2022 TTHECASTINGSOCIETY HECASTINGSOCIETY EEMERGENCYASSISTANCE MERGENCYASSISTANCE FFUND UND
2 04 IN THIS ISSUE SHATTERPROOF: STRONGER THAN ADDICTION 5K RUN/WALK TEAM 14 CASTING ASSISTANT PATHWAY PROGRAM GRADUATES 16 This month's monthly spotlight was written by: MICHAEL PADILLA is a recent alumni of the Casting Society Cares Training and Education program COVERSTORYPHOTOGRAPHY:MILESSZANTO LABOR DAY: WHAT BEING A TEAMSTER MEANS TO ME THE CSA EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND 15
CASTING CASTING CASTING STORIES STORIES STORIES
EVERY ISSUE T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Editor's Note 17 CSA in the NEWS 03 ON THE COVER CANDIDO CORNEJO | MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 07
ARTIOS ARTIOS ARTIOS AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS S A V E T H E D A T E : M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 S3 A V E T H E D A T E : M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 S3 A V E T H E D A T E : M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 3 P L E A S E J O I N U S B A C K I N P E R S O PN L E A S E J O I N U S B A C K I N P E R S O PN L E A S E J O I N U S B A C K I N P E R S O N
H O L L Y W O O D R E P O R T E R
Amanda Mackey Dies: Casting Director On ’The Fugitive,’ ‘A League Of Their Own’ & Dozens Of Other Films &TV Shows Was 70
T H E L O S A N G E L E S T I M E S
Get To Know The Casting Director: Richard Hicks C A S T I N G N E T W O R K S
V A R I E T Y
Get To Know The Casting Director: Steven Tylor O'Connor
Get To Know The Casting Director: Susan Deming
What You Might Not Know About Casting Children’s Series (feat Krisha Bullock and Jamie Snow)
Amanda Mackey, Casting Director of ‘A League of Their Own,’ Dies at 70
in the news... C A S T I N G S O C I E T Y
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RICHARDHICKS,CASTINGNETWORKS KRISHABULLOCK&JAMIESNOW,CASTINGNETWORKS
Inside The Actor’s Living Room: How To Nail Your Self Tape Audition
STEVENTYLORO'CONNOR,CASTINGNETWORKS SUSANDEMING,CASTINGNETWORKSAMANDAMACKEY,MULTIPLEOUTLETS
D E A D L I N E
Amanda Mackey, Who Cast ‘A League Of Their Own,’ ‘Rocky IV’ And Dozens More, Dies At 70 T H E W R A P
Amanda Mackey, Casting Director On ‘A League Of Their Own,’ ’The Fugitive’ And ’The Norman Heart,” Dies At 70
Check out the short doc about how Casting became a part of the Teamsters.
T E A M S T E R S S T R O N G
D A Y L A B O R
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KatrinaGeorgeWandel
As the daughter of the most fierce Chicago Public School Teachers' Union District Organizer you will ever meet and the granddaughter of a Chicago Teamster driver from many years past (the joy on his face when I told him I was a Teamster is unforgettable), I learned the importance of unions. Getting to work for 4 of the Casting Directors that fought so hard to unionize us (Gary Zuckerbrod, Margery Simkin, Tracy Lilienfield, & Laura Adler), I not only learned the heart and soul that went into unionizing us as Casting Professionals, but how it is important for me. This Labor Day I am grateful for those that worked tirelessly to make a better workplace for today and create a future for tomorrow. Thank you. Needless to say, I am proud to be a Teamster.
Friends are alive today because we’re Teamsters! I have a CD colleague who was diagnosed with cancer only three weeks after qualifying for the health plan. She’s alive today because of the great medical care she received. I’m so proud of what we did for each other then. Knowing that the Teamsters have our backs has made me a stronger person and helped me towards becoming a more authentic casting director.
What being a Teamster means to me...
Elizabeth Berra
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Richard Hicks
To me being a Teamster means protection, representation and community. I am grateful to the Casting Directors before me who fought and continue to fight so hard for us to be respected and protected. Through my work with the Teamster 817 Steering Committee, I promise to continue fighting on behalf of the next generation of casting professionals. We still have much to accomplish and we must remember we are so much stronger together.
• Healthcare & Retirement.
Being afforded the opportunity to join the Teamsters would mean to me:
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StevenO'ConnorTylor
• Accessible community resources & education.
What being a Teamster means to me...
• Protected holidays and weekend time.
• The ability to turn down below minimum work without enabling the creation of inexperienced, sometimes dangerous, competitors/environments.
• The ability to advocate for myself and for Associates/Assistants on my team.
In the southeast, Casting is one of the few departments not covered by a union. May we all be blessed with a standard by which those in power would be comfortable living.
Blair Foster
• The standardization of department responsibilities.
• The reduction of toxic work culture.
Labor Day 2022 gave me a lot to be grateful for. As Los Angeles is experiencing an enduring heatwave, I found myself in a pool trying to escape the heat. I was surrounded by friends (all various union members from SAG/AFTRA, to IATSE, to the WGA & DGA) drinking union made beverages (thanks for the link, Teamsters!) and celebrating a day off. It takes a concerted effort on my behalf to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak, but I'm trying. I was grateful to be surrounded by friends, enjoying time not working without guilt, and to just be in the moment. A moment that had become increasingly rare in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was then reminded that so much of the progress we've made to get back to normal, in my life at least, was because of the Teamsters. It was they, in March of 2021, who were able to get members the vaccine (and second dose) that really allowed me to lift the weight of the pandemic off of my shoulders. I'm grateful for all of their hard work in securing vaccines for their members. I'm grateful for their hard work in securing Associate Casting Directors a pay increase (and we need to keep fighting for more!), increases to our pension and IAP, and for continuing to provide its members health insurance. It's the little things in life, and some days, I just need to remind myself of that. #UnionStrong #VPofFinance
PADILLA FINDINGCANDIDO 7
BY MICHAEL
Candido
Cornejo was born in Portland, Oregon to Mexican/Salvadoran parents Candido Cornejo Sr, and Lorena Alvarado Cornejo. She was raised in the rural outskirts of Boardman, Oregon Being different in a small town, she faced difficult times throughout her childhood and adolescence “Kids were just mean ” Cornejo states “I was always asked if I was a boy or a girl, was called homophobic slurs while walking to class Was tripped and harassed in PE It was a daily thing It's not uncommon for young members of the LGBTQ2S+ communities to suffer bullying in small conservative towns. It’s a sad fact.” Her escape would transpire with creativity however, discovering her love for theatre and movies as the years went on. “I knew that I wanted to be involved in film since I was little. I thought I wanted to be an actor.” She says. “My parents were really good about bringing me to Los Angeles to take acting classes The more I did it the more I realized I liked telling actors what to do (laughs) I remember taking a class with Ivy Isenberg and I asked her ‘how can I do what you do?’ And she looked at me like I was crazy (laughs again) But eventually she told me to watch a lot of movies and TV and to get to know my actors and directors, and that’s exactly what I did” What was a desire and respect for acting went hand in hand with her newly found love for directing, leading her to move to Los Angeles to attend The Los Angeles Film School immediately after high school.
Introducing Candido Cornejo, who was recently appointed to the 2022 2023 CSA Board of Directors. Cornejo has her own casting office based out of Los Angeles, California In a world that is wild as Hollywood, Candido Cornejo makes her own path.
Cornejo
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Cornejo’s talent with actors quickly gained attention. When graduation came along, the familiar anxiety of questioning what’s to come settled in. “I knew I didn’t want to be a PA or work in a mailroom as everyone else did, but I knew I wasn’t going to become a director right away. My instructor, Heidi, recommended me to seriously look into casting So I took a job at a make up counter, and I started to apply for casting internships”
Iremember takingaclass withIvy IsenbergandI askedher‘how canIdowhat youdo?’
While studying at LAFS, not only did she feel immediately accepted, but she felt at home. “It was just so awesome to finally be in the city where I wasn’t really judged for being gay, and just talking and working with other film nerds like me. ” She states. Her directing skills gave her a new hands on experience with casting while taking classes under the instruction of Caroline Carrigan and Heidi Davis. “Caroline taught us the basics of casting; Breakdown Services, LA Casting, all the do’s and don’ts Heidi was a phenomenal acting coach that worked with us directing majors But I quickly realized how dreadful casting was for many of the students because they didn’t really take it seriously I had to create my own system and I knew how important it was I was very persistent, and actors told me I was really good Before I knew it actors were lining up to audition and other students were like ‘what is going on over there?’ They started using me as their casting director for their projects”
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Candido spent two years looking for internships to no avail Even though they were ‘unpaid’, the job required someone with some experience “The whole point of interning was to learn But I understood if some offices were probably just too busy to teach some of the things they needed right away. I also realized that since I was giving myself casting director credits on all these student films, maybe it made me seem too overqualified or too ambitious. But I really wanted to learn.”
“Well all of them are so great in their own way ” Candido responds “First of all, I don’t think anyone can walk better in heels as Fern Champion does She taught me how to order a good drink and good sushi (she laughs) But in all honesty, she taught me how to be a casting director and how to problem solve quickly Ronnie [Yeskel] taught me the actor’s language My organization I owe to Pauline [Ocon] and Rosalinda [Morales] Scott [Genkinger] and Debbie [George] introduced me to television and gave me permission to express my identity for the first time ever. Felicia [Joseph] and Patricia [Yuen Kern] taught me presentation and trust. Tamara [Notcutt]’s impeccable taste I deeply admire and honestly she taught me to hold my ground And Pam [Dixon] I honestly still learn from every day We both wear all black and both love Chanel (laughs)”
CANDIDO&PAMDIXON
She continued to persist; casting student films here and there, attending networking events and expos and festivals Soon however, she found herself landing her first job “I ran into Heidi again She’d walked in at the make up counter I was working at She asked what I was doing, and I said, ‘I’m still trying’ She said she was going to dinner with Ronnie Yeskel, and that she would mention me if she needed help.
And that’s literally all it took. The next day Ronnie emailed me, we met, we got along great, and she took me under her wing. That’s how my career started.”
“Who were some of your favorites?” I jokingly ask her. “And what did you learn?”
Candido went on to work with many casting greats including Fern Champion, Pauline Ocon, Rosalinda Morales, Scott Genkinger, Deborah George, Tamara Lee Notcutt, and Pam Dixon Her journey even landed her a temporary coordinator role at ABC Entertainment with Felicia Joseph and Patricia Yuen Kern
“Any stories?” I ask. She laughs. “There are many But I remember bumping into Ivy Isenberg at the Emmy’s when Fern [Champion] was nominated for ‘Hatfields and McCoys’ I turned to her and asked if she was Ivy She looked at me as she did all those years ago like I was a crazy person and asked ‘why?’ I told her I had taken her class when I was a kid and asked her how to do what she did, and there I was! I did it! Her jaw dropped and she didn’t know what to say She had me go around telling people the story. Another one was when I was still an intern. I cast this feature length student film, which was crazy, but I invited all the casting directors I looked up to hoping they would show. Pam Dixon I really wanted to meet because of the iconic film ‘The Craft’ because, hello?! Look at me. (points at her pentagram) And she showed up! No one else did, but not only did she show, she stayed until the end and came up to me and shook my hand and said ‘That was very well cast! Congratulations If you ever need anything, please call me anytime’ It was honestly so freaking cool I will never forget that She became my mentor and she’s become such a dear friend”
I asked her how long it took her to become a full blown casting director. “I was an assistant for about 2 years, an associate for about 5 years, and then Pam [Dixon] gave me my first feature to cast on my own. ”
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CANDIDO&DANIELAGANOZA
I begin to ask her what I feel to be too personal But she calmly explained it’s importance. Not only has Candido’s journey been a lengthy and exciting one, but as with many journeys, there is struggle and challenges. In an Industry based on perception even Candido, who had begun to establish herself in Hollywood, some Industry professionals were willing to allow their perception to devalue her experience and knowledge as a casting professional due to her gender identity “When I started to show others who I was, I was told that I shouldn’t do it, that I shouldn’t come out as a trans woman professionally or I wouldn’t be taken seriously I had support from those who knew me, but those that I barely knew had strong opinions” She states “At an event I remember a casting executive laugh at me as he turned away with a group of agents and it was pretty hurtful. It was like being back in high school.”
With good laughs and exchange of stories, I become aware of the gentle strength and confidence emanating from Candido.
"And she showed up! No one else did, but not only did she show, she stayed until the end and came up to me and shook my hand and said ‘That was very well cast! Congratulations."
The hard question for Cornejo was, was the industry ready to have someone like her as a working professional? Or would history repeat itself. “I took a break from casting because I was afraid I think that many of us, particularly the trans community, are made to believe that we have no place in society There are laws actively placed against us I’ve been told ‘what are you doing here? How can they let you work here?’ So I just hid the real me During my break however, I met one of the most beautiful and extraordinary human beings I’ve ever met, and we fell absolutely in love He encouraged me to be brave, to show the world the real me, without shame or regret And he challenged me constantly in the best of ways. Sadly, he passed away due to a horrific accident. I stood by his side during
Just like any human, Cornejo has had her good and bad days, and she continues to remind herself that it’s ok to just be human. Sometimes we can only do what we can.
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I realize now that my happiness and those close to me are much more important than how people perceive my relevance to be.
those last moments, and I witnessed how truly fragile and short life can be It took me a very long time to begin to heal from that But I realized that because life is so terribly short, why not live like he did? Why not fight for what he fought for? I promised him that when I was ready, I would return, and I would do exactly what he wanted me to do And I did I do this to be able to say ‘Yes I am a casting director Yes. I was an executive with Lancôme. Yes. My career and work speak for themselves, not my gender Identity. Yes. WE can have normal jobs and normal lives just like everyone else. Yes, we deserve to be happy.”
“I think that deep down a lot of people struggle with how relevant they are. How popular are we etc. I really had to learn to be okay with just living in the moment To enjoy time with my family and friends and forget about the business when I log out for the day Of course I understand and know the business, but I do what I do because I love talent and I love to be entertained I do it because I resonate with a story, or I want to help tell a story I realize now that my happiness and those close to me are much more important than how people perceive my relevance to be.”
“It’s an imperative conversation that needs to continue. Followed by action.” She says. “It involves many people, not just us casting directors; it involves directors, producers, writers, the executives at the studios and networks, the actual members of said communities And people need to listen We have seen change but there’s still plenty of work to be done But with change comes resistance What they don’t know darling, is that I’m known for going against the tide (laughs). You push me, I’m going to push back harder.”
Her fight and voice for underrepresented communities is a constant battle fueled by lived experience and history Her personal mission now that she has returned, is to reeducate Hollywood’s perception of misrepresented communities Because as many of us know, in this land of smoke and mirrors, these communities have been misrepresented for decades Is Hollywood any different now than it’s known history? Or has there been significant change where the industry may confidently state that opportunities are equal.
CANDIDO&LISAJELLIFFE
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The work and results remind you. When you see a story unfold in its rawest and truest form with positive or profound impacts, it fulfills you. We in Hollywood have a very unique responsibility in the stories we tell and how we portray them, because the world is watching and usually follows suit We’re seeing how some people are reacting and trying to fight some of these stories and portrayals, but it’s the only way we can encourage positive change. We just have to continue showing up. I fight by simply existing and walking out into the world in my truth.”
“Are casting directors our new advocates?”
“I think we always have been At least in my experience, I have worked with many that are true champions of advocacy and I’m really grateful to have learned from them.”
“I’m actually deeply honored to have been entrusted with two beautiful projects by Randi Hiller and Jessica Munks that should come out next year I can’t say much about them yet, but I can tell you one of those scripts moved me to tears when I read it. I knew that the casting of it held a tremendous and delicate responsibility, but I’m very proud how it’s turning out. It holds a very special place in my heart and the timing of it was magical I can’t wait for everyone to see ”
“Any exciting new projects where you were able to incorporate some of these truths or experiences?”
“How do you remind yourself to keep going?”
We both sigh with relief and smile at the end of our session Her intricate story expressed so fiercely yet serene and with such resilience is inspiring. “This business is huge and there are many perceptions that need to change.” Candido says. “I think that we as casting directors have always understood that we must continue to educate Not just for actors but for the overall stories and representation of communities that deserve to be seen and respected”
“I think that we as casting directors have always understood that we must continue to educate. Not just for actors but for the overall stories and representation of communities that deserve to be seen and respected.”
I realize myself, that perhaps the way Cornejo and I relate in all of this, is that we both fight the same fight for hope Hollywood has a heart that beats loud and strong with vision A vision that is Candido Time has relocated her to this elaborate and wild industry in Hollywood as she emerges into the 23rd century, bringing with her what many may have been needing, hope for our future!
Join us on Saturday, November 19th at 8AM PST in Grand Park for the 5K walk/run or donate to the team! All ages are welcome. Sign up or donate here: https://tinyurl.com/CSCshatterproof For more info or any questions, contact Sunday Boling Kennedy at sunny@mormanbolingcasting.com!
Since 2018, Casting Society Cares has participated in the annual Los Angeles Shatterproof Rise Up Against Addiction Walk. This year we have teamed up with The Rosenzweig group with the goal of together raising $10K.
SUPPORT SHATTERPROOF
From March 2020 to March 2021, the US saw a historic 96,000 deaths from overdoses. Shatterproof’s mission is more important than ever
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis in the United States. They work toward transforming the treatment system in the U.S, ending stigma that dehumanizes those with addiction and supporting families and communities through advocacy, resources, and action.
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Lastmonth,CastingSocietyandCastingSocietyCaresannouncedanew program which will be administered by our generous partners at the EntertainmentCommunityFund(formerlyTheActorsFund)!
TheCastingSocietyEmergencyAssistanceFundprovidesconfidentialand immediate short term financial assistance for Casting Society members who are in need of urgent help and are unable to pay basic living expenses(i.e.food,housing,utilities,healthcare,transportation).
Interested in donating? Tax deductible donations can be made at wwwcastingsocietycaresorg to support Casting Society Cares, the Casting Assistant Pathway Program, and the Casting Society Emergency AssistanceFund.
A HUGE thank you to Jason Kennedy & the rest of the committee for makingthispossible.
1 5 JASONKENNEDY,FORMERTREASURER+CO-VP OFFINANCE
For eligibility information and to apply for assistance, please go to wwwcastingsocietycaresorg For international members to apply, please email:Eastern@entertainmentcommunityorg
5thRow
TopRowL-R:NikkiNguyen(LA),JosephBraverman(LA),JaShantiPittman(CurrentlyinDelaware,movingtoLAinDecember),HollieMeyer(LA),SaraEmilyTurken(LA) RowL-R:RussellLash(Philadelphia),DanaJeter(LA),JoeyBermudez(NY),JessicaPatow(LA),MonicaPineda(LA) RowL-R: RobinAnderson(LA),ChristinaKelley(Atlanta),CelesteJohnson(CurrentlyChicagoland,movingtoLA),JoyHoward(LA),BlaireO'Leary(NY) RowL-R: MelissaMarroquin(LA),SarahO'Brien(Atlanta),JacobBuckley(UK),RessieBurtley(Atlanta),JasperSteel(NY) L-R: KarsynHughes(LAArea),NasimBowlus(Atlanta),KourtnyMyers(Houston),ChinaGreen(FL)
16 THREE CHEERS FOR OUR
We did it all! We graduated our first class of back to back Part I and Part II students last month! This was followed by our optional casting round table where graduates asked any casting related questions from the classes or in general. NOW, we roll right into the mentorship program for September and October. Thank you to all our facilitators, mentors, t&e committee, board support, and everyone for helping make this happen!
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Casting Assistant PathwayGProgram raduates
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DESTINY LILLY OF CASTING SOCIETY
SEPTMEBER 2022 Caitlin D. Jones
Contributor CASTING
ELIZABETH BERRA OF CASTING SOCIETY
LAURA ADLER SOCIETY
COMMUNITY Finding my community is the unique experience that comes along with your Casting Society membership As a former 'drama nerd', I learned early the value of 'finding my people' where I could feel seen, accepted, and supported. Rediscovering that feeling of homecoming and family as an adult is invaluable to what makes this craft possible successful casting professionals are the ones who know and connect with people on the most human of levels I'm so excited that this month we can share that with you all of our participation in fundraising for the SHATTERPROOF 5K: Stronger than addiction, as someone in recovery I can attest, the opposite of addiction is connection. Then, bringing it home, we are excited to announce the Casting Society Emergency Assistance Fund, a partnership with the Entertainment Community Fund (fka: The Actors Fund) where any member in need can turn for financial support
Contributor MEMBERSHIP
VP
Happy Casting!
ADMINISTRATOR
VP of COMMUNICATIONS ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 17
MEMBER
Looking towards maintaining and growing our vibrant community of casting professionals, we're excited to announce the first graduating class of the Casting Assistant Pathway Program that took both Parts I and II consecutively virtually Speaking of our Education Program, one of our Alumnus, Michael Padilla, got the opportunity to interview his mentor, Candido Cornejo. Reading about Candido's journey into finding casting, belonging, and fearlessness to declare her identity gave me the strength to declare my own truth earlier in this note. Reading that she went into casting looking to connect on a deeper level with as many creative professionals as possible, Candido's truth in print reminded me and I hope will remind you of your 'why', too!
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CASTING
Editor's ENote ditor's ENote ditor's Note
Editor
MICHAEL PADILLA SOCIETY CARES
T&E ALUMNI ☆ ☆
SUNDAY BOLING KENNEDY SOCIETY
Contributor CASTING
CAITLIN D. JONES in Chief OF COMMUNICATIONS
If I could sum up this month's issue into one word, it would be:
KATRINA WANDEL GEORGE COORDINATOR
PRESIDENT