Killer Casting (Lisa Zambetti, Dean Laffan)
Explore every episode of Killer Casting
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 May 2021 | 025: Mare of Easttown Ep 2 & Ep 3 | 01:11:17 | |
The team continue their breakdown of the epic new HBO Max limited series Mare of Easttown. We talk the massive talent displayed by Kate Winslet and Jean Smart in their mother/daughter scenes. The brilliance of Sosie Bacon. And the best damn drunk scene ever played by Evan Peters. | |||
| 17 May 2021 | 026: Mare of Easttown Ep 4 | 00:46:26 | |
Today on an extra special Killer Casting, Lisa, Brian and Dean sit down with "Mare of Easttown" Pennsylvania local casting directors Diane Heery and Jason Loftus. They give us some inside scoop on the audition process for the show. Plus we take a deep dive into Mare Ep 4 "Poor Sisyphus". | |||
| 04 Apr 2022 | 068 Oscars Wrap Up | 00:51:31 | |
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! The idiot savant team are back! Dean and Paul are flying solo (well that doesn’t actually make sense does it ?) Let’s just say without Capt. Lisa as pilot-in-command. | |||
| 25 Mar 2022 | 063 Oscars '22 - Part 1 of 3 | 00:38:14 | |
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order !******************************** Lisa and Dean are joined today by Oscar savant Paul Thomas Anderson ! No wait .. that’s not right … Sorry, that should read ‘Paul Francis Sullivan’. Paul and Dean, (well briefed by Lisa) delve into the unusual format of an Oscars review which is predicated on all the Best Picture nominees rated by the quality of their casting. Paul and Dean are all over it, as you will hear. This is one of three parts, yes THREE! So buckle up and as Curtis Mayfield said; “people get ready” coz there’s lots more comimng from whence this came. | |||
| 06 May 2023 | 085 The Strike - The Real People Behind the TV & Film Writers Union Strike. | 01:08:35 | |
Joining Lisa today are two veteran television writer/producers Ted Sullivan (Riverdale, Star Trek Discovery, Supergirl, Revenge, Rizzoli & Isles, Law and Order Criminal Intent) and Elizabeth Benjamin (Dead to Me, The Flight Attendant, Bridgerton, 13 Reasons Why). Lisa asks them about the current Writer’s Guild of America strike which is impacting all levels of production. Ted and Liz talk about their careers and how working conditions have deteriorated for writers who love this work, yet who have been pushed to the breaking point. This is not about getting a guaranteed big payday, it is about the most basic things like making your insurance and feeding your families — all the while Studios and Streaming companies are making record profits. Also at stake is the creative process itself, which draw so many people into the profession in the first place. **** Production Note: Unfortunatley Liz' internet connection had a couple of spotty patches, so please bear with us. Also, Lisa flubs the name of her union, she accidentally says Local 99 instead of Local 399 (Go Teamsters!). Lastly, per usual, Lisa is very "salty" with her language. So protect your delicate sensabilities. Thank you! | |||
| 28 Nov 2020 | 004: Fargo Season 4 Recap with Dr. Douglas Flowe | 00:57:38 | |
On today's episode covering Fargo Season 4 we bring in the big guns! Douglas Flowe's research is primarily concerned with themes of criminality, illicit leisure, and masculinity, and understanding how they converge with issues of race, class, and space in American cities. His new book released in 2020 is titled ' Uncontrollable Blackness: African American Men and Criminality in Jim Crow New York Watch Fargo Season 4 Trailer https://youtu.be/OQUc1l8uv7Y #fargo #chrisrock #noahhawley #hulu #jasonschwartzman #jackhuston #benwhishaw | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | 073 The Offer | 01:01:51 | |
We got a show ya can't refuse...all about THE OFFER series streaming on Paramount +, the behind the scenes take on the making of The Godfather movie. Some iconic characters come to life brilliantly in the show, despite some fast and loose re-telling of the facts. Our good friend Patrick Gallo is a delight as Mario Puzzo, Matthew Goode wears the Robert Evans role like a well-cut suit, and I can't even remember what Francis Ford Coppola really looks like because I can only imagine Dan Fogler. But first we pay tribute to a paisan who broke the mold...Ray Liotta. RIP | |||
| 13 Apr 2021 | 018: Nomadland | 00:59:27 | |
Your regular hosts are joined by legendary Casting Director Emily Schweber (Titanic, L.A. Confidential, The Matrix, The Hero) as we dissect what many are calling Frances McDormand finest performance (and THAT is saying something) in Chloe Zhao's gentle, poignant masterpiece 'Nomadland' What an exciting prospect Chloe is, putting out a film like this at her young age. It is thrilling to wonder what she has in store for us in the future. Oh and btw we have a TON of news eps recorded, editing or in preproduction, so standby for a flood of new releases in the next few weeks ! #academyawards #bestactress #bestdirector #oscars #nomadland #francesmcdormand #Chloezhao
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| 17 Oct 2021 | 054: Scream Queens | 00:45:37 | |
What do Jamie Lee Curtis, Neve Campbell, Betty Gabriel, Adrienne Barbeau, Vera Farmiga, Lupita Nyong’o and Anya Taylor-Joy have in common? Well that’s not really hard to figure out. They are all bonafide Scream Queens — that echelon of actress that is at the top of the horror genre. Joining Lisa to discuss how this archetype has evolved over the years is our favorite Queen who is such a scream himself, H. Alan Scott, aka Sadie Pines! http://www.halanscott.com You can listen to H. Alan’s new project “The Murder of Robert Wone” on Audible. https://amzn.to/3lPG8Rw You can read the book Lisa mentions “Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film” by Carol J. Clover https://amzn.to/3n04d7x | |||
| 09 Sep 2022 | 075 James Franco as Fidel | 00:48:03 | |
When news broke that actor James Franco had been cast as Fidel Castro in the indie film "Alina of Cuba", a lot of people had A LOT to say about it. Some people (like actor John Leguizamo) were appalled, and some (comedian Bill Maher) were appalled that people were appalled. | |||
| 03 May 2021 | 023: The Bureau | 00:59:33 | |
Allo, allo, allo mes amies!! The Bureau (Le Bureau des Legendes) is Lisa's latest obsession and it will be yours too -- with some of the best acting to be seen anywhere. The show combines a delicious mix of espionage, suspense, psychological thriller, love story, with an interlocking web of unforgettable characters. The series centers on a Bureau of French Intelligence where experienced agents are coming back from long missions abroad...and newbie agents are training to go out for their first time undercover assignments. We get to know these operatives so intimately -- their strengths, their eccentricities and their flaws -- as well as their "handlers" who work behind the scenes to keep them safe. Starring Mathieu Kassovitz (who Lisa last remembers seeing as the nerdy boyfriend in "Amelie" with Audrey Tatou") as weary and lovelorn agent "Malotru". To help Lisa breakdown Season 1, she invites her good friend and amazing director Tom Keegan, real U.S. Intelligence Agent Anthony Patton AND the actual Casting Director of The Bureau Season 1, Herve Jakubowicz!!! #Amazonprime #thebureau #lebureaudeslegendes #mathieukassovitz | |||
| 08 Feb 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Episode 04 | Recap | 00:55:36 | |
QUESTIONS: Are Rose, Liz and Eve actually seeing these ghosts or is it a mental illness ? Is it Danvers or Navarro that executes William Wheeler ? Has Hank accepted his inner Catfish? Will Liz and Ted find an even MORE uncomfortable ways to have sex ? Where do all these tropical oranges come from in the Arctic tundra ? Can Peter find even more ways to toast his marriage to the exceedingly patient Kayla? Why is Ted’s motel room painted like a green screen ready for the next Avatar film ? Since we are now at Christmas Day, can we officially rank Night Country alongside Die Hard as a Xmas movie ? ANSWERS: You want the truth ? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH ! Okay, well, the truth is: How the hell do we know ? That’s why it’s called a ‘mystery’. We’ll all have to keep watching for two more hours peoples. Seeya later alligator for Episodes 5 and 6. | |||
| 30 Nov 2022 | 079 She Said | 00:59:52 | |
When Lisa went to the special private screening that Universal held for the film “She Said”, there was not a dry eye in the house when the lights came up. The audience was moved by the story of how two determined female reporters for The New York Times (played flawlessly by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan) finally got victims to go on the record about how they had been assaulted and harassed by then mega powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. | |||
| 08 Mar 2021 | 016: Promising Young Woman - Part 2 - The Professors | 00:52:18 | |
Warning. This episode (and the film) deals with the trauma associated with sexual assault. It may be very triggering. Please look after yourselves. In our "Promising Young Woman" follow-up episode, Lisa and Dean are joined by Professor Emeritus Tania Modleski and Professor Caroline Heldman. They bring their unique and highly experienced perspectives to an in-depth discussion of the sociological elements and impact of the film. We needed their big beautiful brains to help us continue to break down this exceptional piece of work. Professor Modleski is an American feminist scholar and cultural critic at USC. Her expertise is in American studies, gender studies, feminist theory, and film and popular culture. Her research efforts focus on women in film, women in popular culture, women in literature, and soap operas. Professor Caroline Heldman, teaches Critical Theory and Social Justice at Occidental College. She is a political commentator and VP of Research and Insights at the Geena Davis Institute. B.A., Washington State University; M.A., Ph.D., Rutgers University Department Chair, Critical Theory & Social Justice Department Chair, Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies See https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/caroline-heldman Further reading; Emerald Fennell talk in detail about the various. options considered for ending the film.https://variety.com/2021/film/news/promising-young-woman-ending-spoilers-2-1234885400/ Laverne Cox interview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/14/laverne-cox-interview-trailblazing-trans-activist-i-can-be-so-hard-on-myself | |||
| 03 Jan 2022 | Hire Survivors Hollywood | 00:37:40 | |
Happy New Year! I am thrilled today to sit down with actor, producer and advocate Sarah Ann Masse. In 2017, Sarah came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein — one of many actresses (like Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd) who said they had also suffered sexual harassment and sexual assault by the producer. She tells me her story of what happened that day at Weinstein’s Connecticut home, the silence and anxiety she endured for years after, and the shocking backlash she says she suffered from our industry once she went public. Though Weinstein has been convicted of rape, sentenced to 23 years in New York prison and awaits another sexual assault trial in Los Angeles — many of his victims still suffer career retaliation for having spoken out. To turn that around, Sarah created her own initiative, Hire Survivors Hollywood, which aims to raise support for survivors of sexual violence within the entertainment industry by encouraging those in positions of power to make a pledge to hire survivors and silence breakers, and give them a fair chance through auditions, meetings and interviews, like any other person trying to make it in entertainment. HireSurvivorsHollywood@protonmail.com Please also see the following resources if you need help. There are people who want to help you…so please reach out! Resources for Survivors of Sexual Violence RAINN – (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es In partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. CALL THEIR 24/7 HOTLINE FOR HELP 800.656.4673 1 in 6 – The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives. Their mission also includes serving family members, friends, partners, and service providers by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community. Please use their 24/7 online chatline Birdbrain – is an art therapy non-profit for people impacted by sexual trauma. Our mission is to comfort sexual trauma victims and assist members of their support networks throughout the long-term stages of recovery. To achieve this we focus on restorative ways people can feel confident, practice self-care, relate to others, and establish their own individual journey in a society that is not yet designed to accommodate their needs. We do this by showing solidarity through our birdbrain clothing line, providing art therapy kits that alleviate PTSD symptoms, and offering education resources like our workbook Birdbrain: a Field Guide to the New Normal. Echo Training – Echo provides education on trauma and resilience to survivors and those who support them. They have amazing free resources available here and online trainings available here. This organization is run by a silence breaker and is entirely focused on empowering survivors. PAVE – Shattering the Silence with PAVE is a movement to create a world free of sexual violence and build communities that support survivors. We aim to empower students, parents, and civic leaders to end sexual violence with prevention education, promoting respect for oneself and each other. Additionally, PAVE creates a safe space for survivors to thrive after trauma. Peace Over Violence – Peace Over Violence operates The Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline, a confidential, non-judgmental resource where staff and volunteers are available to provide emotional support, advocacy, information, and referrals. If you or someone you care about has been a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or intimate partner stalking in Los Angeles, please call this 24-hour crisis line. Central Los Angeles: (213) 626-3393 South Los Angeles: (310) 392-8381 West San Gabriel Valley: (626) 793-3385 Rape Treatment Center – The Rape Treatment Center provides comprehensive, free services for sexual assault victims 24 hours a day, including specialized emergency medical care, forensic/evidentiary examinations, counseling, advocacy, and information about rights and options to help victims make informed choices and decisions. Services are provided in a dedicated, private clinic located within Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. The RTC also provides longer-term therapy for victims and other support services. Call the RTC at (424) 259-7208. Survivors.org – Survivors.org works daily to ensure that we have a growing and thriving group of survivor committed organizations for those needing assistance. We have teams of actual (amazing!) humans who spend each day searching for, reaching out, and working with survivor focused organizations. We also coordinate with top experts to bring high quality information to our community of providers. This helps keep the community alive and thriving, while also allowing us to convey important, impactful and interesting content to our partners. These Lunch and Learn events are done at least monthly. Because we are so survivor focused, but early in our journey, we are exploring additional survivor support models such as bringing lunch and learns to the wider world, hosting survivor support circles, and also additional innovative online survivor support tools. Strength United – is dedicated to ending abuse, empowering families and developing leaders. Strength United is honored to be an important part of making the world a safer place for all. Our work supports families, prevents sexual and domestic violence, and provides healing and support for those who have survived abuse. We aim to take a traumatic event in an individual or family’s life and turn it into a point of strength. For more information, call our 24-Hour Support and Referral Lines 818-886-0453 661-253-0258 If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Statement of Nondiscrimination Strength United does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection of volunteers and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund – will help defray legal and public relations costs in select cases for those who have experienced sexual harassment or related retaliation in the workplace. The Fund is housed at and administered by the National Women’s Law Center, an established, national, women’s rights legal organization. Voices in Action – works to prevent and eradicate sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault in the entertainment industry. Voices in Action offers an accessible and safe space to report incidents of misconduct and abuse online, offering referrals for trusted legal and emotional support services and the ability to safely connect with victims of the same abuser under privilege and confidentiality through attorneys. Voices in Action is an initiative of empowerment and strength by using one’s Voice. We were created by survivors, for survivors, and represent all genders. Women in Film Sexual Harassment Helpline – The WIF Help Line is an integrated program offering resources and support—including referrals to pro bono legal services, sliding-scale therapy, and free support groups—for anyone who has experienced sexual harassment or misconduct while working in the entertainment industry. Our trauma-informed staff responders take calls from across the country. Pro bono attorneys are available for callers in California, New York, and Georgia. Local mental health and emotional support services currently serve the cities of Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta. Call 855.WIF.LINE OR: 855.943.5463 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT | Tuesday and Thursday | |||
| 22 Jun 2024 | Yes Chef! Adam Shapiro from “The Bear” is HERE! | 01:00:58 | |
Yes Chef! Adam Shapiro from “The Bear” is HERE! The hilarious actor (and pretzel king) Adam Shapiro is here! Well, not just here on Killer Casting, he was there at UCLA to speak with Lisa and her amazing senior acting students about his prolific career in film ("She Said", "Mank", "Steve Jobs", television ("Never Have I Ever", "The Continental", "The Affair") and theatre. Lisa asks Adam the secrets to his success, what his approach to “branding” is, and they tangent into a million other topics. Adam talks about working with director David Fincher (Lisa promptly faints), how he landed his role in the Broadway musical “Waitress”, and how Henry Winkler gave him the best advice of his career. Do not miss this great interview.
Find out more about Adam’s acting here where you can see his reel:
Order Adam’s yummy pretzels here: https://www.instagram.com/shappypretzel/
Find out more about IAMA Theatre Company here:
Follow Adam on his socials. | |||
| 04 Jan 2024 | FARGO SEASON 5 | Episode 8 "Blanket" Recap | 01:02:53 | |
FARGO SEASON 5 - EPISODE 8 “Blanket” Recap TRIGGER WARNING: Due to the graphic depiction of domestic violence and coercive control in Episode 8, our discussion contains equally graphic descriptions that may be upsetting. Please exercise caution when listening. Lisa and Dean react to this traumatizing and powerful episode which delivers the confrontation we all knew was coming: a death match showdown between Dot and Tillman. As Tillman’s obsession with Dot increases, so does her desperation to escape his control. We analyze Tillman’s malevolence and the amazing writing of this character. We also breakdown the metaphor of Dot being chained in the barn which symbolizes so tragically the literal chains that many victims of domestic abuse carry with them, no matter how far away they get from the abuser. Can a survivor ever really be free of these binds, psychologically, spiritually free? We certainly hope so for Dot's sake. Lisa and Dean also shout out Lamorne Morris’ portrayal of good Trooper Witt Farr, whose decency and depth elevate the show. Join us for so much more discussion on this complex episode. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen. Here is the Run Down: 01:51 Upcoming Special Guests and Future Podcast Plans 03:38 Discussion on Podcast Rankings and Reviews 05:08 Analysis of Fargo Episode 8 09:49 Discussion on Domestic Abuse and Power Dynamics 17:43 Indira's Discovery 32:25 Dot's Escape Attempt and MacGyver Skills 32:51 The Debate and the Mockery of Tillman 33:51 Tillman's Humiliation and Loss of Control 34:39 The Strategy Against Tillman and Its Consequences 36:08 Dot and Gator's Emotional Exchange 37:17 The Reality of Dot's Dream and Gator's Transformation 42:50 The Fate of Danish Graves 58:00 Dot's Hopelessness and the Bleak Ending of Episode #tvrecap #podcast #actors #acting #directors #directing #wardrobe #wallpaper #screenwriting #streaming #casting #castingdirectors #jonhamm #junotemple #noahhawley #hulu #fx #joekeery #davidrysdahl #lamornemorris #jenniferjasonleigh #richamoorjani #davefoley #Fargo #DomesticAbuse #CoerciveControl #Murder #TV #Series | |||
| 03 Sep 2024 | Come See A Play!!! "Brooklyn's Way" is Opening Soon! | 00:28:29 | |
Lisa sits down with the creative team for “Brooklyn’s Way” a play she cast that is premiering at Theatre 68 in North Hollywood starting SATURDAY SEPT 7th, running through October 13th. “Brooklyn’s Way” is a funny, sharp, painfully romantic story based on Sam Henry Kass' real life as a jaded television writer who is blindsided when he meeds a young, smart writer’s assistant on her way up in the world while he is determined to spiral down. Director Ronnie Marmo talks about why he wanted to producer this play. Sam talks about why he wrote it, and actor Jonathan Freeman talks about what it is like to play such an indelible role based on the actual playwright. Please come see this special show! Details below. Tickets online at: www.theatre68.com Theatre 68 and Brooklyn's Way on NohoArtsDistrict.com! @nohoartsdistrict https://nohoartsdistrict.com/noho-theatres/brooklyns-way/ Written by Sam Henry Kass Directed by Ronnie Marmo ✨️Theatre 68 presents BROOKLYN’S WAY… A world premiere production by critically acclaimed playwright Sam Henry Kass. Ronnie Marmo will be directing the irreverent dramedy that opens September 7 - October 13, 2024. 📍at Theatre 68 Arts Complex @theatre68artscomplex 5112 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo, CA 91601 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatre68artscomplex 🎟 Friday & Saturday @ 8pm and Sunday @ 7pm General Admission: $25. (Preview: $20). Running time 80 minutes Tickets online at: www.theatre68.com For more information go to: www.theatre68.com 📖 SYNOPSIS They met on a studio lot. He’s a quirky veteran writer, emotionally fractured by his belief that he has “sold out” creatively… She’s a young and fierce writer’s assistant, intrigued by his talent, and fearful of his inability to avoid self-destructing. Two people now aligned forever, yet separated by life and the circumstance they both face. One needing desperately to confront his past, the other trying to define her future. "BROOKLYN'S WAY...." An impossible choice with life-long regrets and repercussions.
THE CREATIVES: 🎭 Amye Partain – Brooklyn @amyepartain Jonathan Brooks – Scoot Sam Henry Kass – Playwright Ronnie Marmo – Director / Producer @ronniemarmo Matt Richter – Lighting & Projection Design Casting Director - Lisa Zambetti @lisazambetticasting Taylor Abbay – Stage Manager @taylor.abbay Sandra Kuker-Franco – SANDRA KUKER PR - Publicity Theatre 68 – Producer @theatre68co
Instagram: @theatre68co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatre68co Twitter: @theatre68
Directed by @ronniemarmo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.marmo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonnieMarmo.Actor Twitter: @realronniemarmo | |||
| 05 Oct 2021 | 051: Nitram | 01:08:26 | |
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains explicit descriptions of violence. Please exercise care when listening. SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers of the film “Nitram”. However, the true events that this film is based upon are well known particularly in Australia. On April 28th 1996, Australia experienced the worst mass shooting massacre in its history as 35 people were murdered in Port Arthur Tasmania by a 28 year old white male shooter. This week on Killer Casting, we cover the new film “Nitram” written by Shaun Grant and directed by Justin Kurzel, which probes the sequence of events and behavior of this shooter, his family and other significant relationships leading up to that horrific day. Starring Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Anthony LaPaglia, no one in the film ever utters the name of this shooter, nor does it show the graphic violence he unleashed on so many innocent people. Instead it picks apart the many intervention points that might have derailed him from his heinous crime. A film like this we could not possibly analyze alone, with us to understand the difference between fact and fiction is Dr. Tim Watson-Munro, an Australian Criminal Psychologist world recognised in his field and an expert in the psychology of mass shooting offenders. Dr. Watson-Munro himself treated a number of the survivors of the massacre. You won’t want to miss this very special episode of Killer Casting Podcast.
Today our opening music is by: Lesfm You can find Dr. Watson-Munro’s books here: “A Shrink in the Clink” | |||
| 21 Feb 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Episode 6 Finale ! | 01:22:45 | |
She IS awake ! ... and so are we! LINKS TV &Us The podcast created by today’s guests Jennifer Han and Sarah Callen https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tv-us/id1681955735 “Lawless,” a ProPublica Local Reporting Network project by the Anchorage Daily News that reveals how indigenous people in Alaska are denied public safety services, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting and Public Service Is this Navarro ? Joel Montgrand’s own podcast on First Nations talent in tv and film is called ‘Actors and Ancestors’ check it out here https://www.actorsandancestors.com/ Issa deconstructs the Finale episode Screenrant ask: Is Wind River better than True Detective ? 😱
https://www.vulture.com/article/true-detective-night-country-recap-season-4-episode-6-part-6-finale.html https://screenrant.com/true-detective-night-country-episode-6-finale-recap/#navarro-leaves-but-keeps-her-promise-to-danvers https://www.slashfilm.com/1519971/true-detective-night-country-finale-spiral-reveal/ https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/true-detective-season-4-episode-6-finale-release-time-and-recap/ https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-recaps/true-detective-night-country-episode-4-recap-otis-heiss-jodie-foster-john-hawkes-1234959256/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/arts/television/true-detective-season-4-episode-6-recap-stories-are-stories.html https://www.theringer.com/2024/2/18/24076909/true-detective-night-country-season-4-episode-6-finale-recap | |||
| 12 Jul 2022 | 074 The Bear | 00:50:35 | |
“The Bear” is so authentic in its depiction of the dysfunctions of the restaurant industry, Lisa and Brian (both former servers) had PTSD watching it. But watch it they did! We have a lot to say about the acting, story and soul of this wonderful FX/Hulu Original show. | |||
| 04 Jul 2023 | 086 John Frank Levey - Casting Icon | 00:55:30 | |
Lisa sits down with an absolute icon in the casting world. Love The West Wing? E.R.? Shameless? Southland? Well then you have loved the work of the wonderful, inspiring John Frank Levey who put some of the most amazing actors into some of the most iconic tv shows in history. John’s new book “Right for the Role” dives deep into his career, sharing his journey navigating Hollywood as well as the origin stories of how the casts of his shows came to be. In their conversation, Lisa asks John about how casting has changed, and they compare notes on some of their favorite performers.
You can get your own copy of John's book here: https://amzn.to/3JHcwBc #castingdirectors #casting #actors #Hollywood #characters #thewestwing #ER #Southland #Shameless #roles #losangeles | |||
| 10 Jul 2021 | 040: Mr Inbetween Episodes 5+6 Recap | 01:06:55 | |
That’s right folks we turn the big FOUR OH ! … Ep 5 Before I went to War is one of this that just leaps out off the screen and makes you laugh, punch the air with righteous justice and cry .. all in 30 min. Scott, Nash and team at the top of their game. Whilst In 'Ray Who' The boy's High School reunion does (surprisingly) not go to plan, nor end well.
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| 12 Jan 2024 | FARGO SEASON 5 | EPISODE 9 The Useless Hand Recap | 01:00:16 | |
Here we are in the penultimate episode of the season and the forces are amassing for the big showdown. Tillman’s lost his mojo and maybe his mind as all the chess pieces make their final moves. Lisa and Dean break it all down. One of us thinks the tension is delicious, one of us thinks the episode may have lost the plot in some key moments. Join us for the conversation. Subscribe and share! Please leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. #tvrecap #podcast #actors #acting #directors #directing #wardrobe #wallpaper #screenwriting #streaming #casting #castingdirectors #jonhamm #junotemple #noahhawley #hulu #fx #joekeery #davidrysdahl #lamornemorris #jenniferjasonleigh #richamoorjani #davefoley #Fargo
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| 01 Jan 2021 | 011: 2020 Wrap Up ! | 01:06:00 | |
Yeah yeah .. .we KNOW that technically some of these films have 2019 release dates, but we *saw* them in 2020 and … c’mon give us a break please #2020
BREAKING! Lisa has been working with acclaimed director Taika Waititi (Thor, Jo Jo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) to cast his new series Reservation Dogs.
And now, on with the show .. Lisa’s special mentions for 2020 include: ‘The Great' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2235759 ‘Small Axe’. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464896/ ‘The Old Guard’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7556122/ ‘Palm Springs’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9484998 “Bridgerton’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790
Brian gives his big Texan love to; https://www.imdb.com/video/vi4116627225?playlistId=tt8134186&ref_=tt_ov_vi https://www.imdb.com/video/vi4234919449?playlistId=tt7939766&ref_=tt_ov_vi
Meanwhile, Dean was riveted by the retro-modern Tom Hanks WW2 drama ‘Greyhound’ https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3256991257?playlistId=tt6048922&ref_=tt_ov_vi
And if you enjoyed that movie you will LOVE this hour long deep dive (sic) interview with Tom on the AMAZING Dan Carlin’s podcast Hardcore History Addendum. Check that out here https://podcastnotes.org/hardcore-history/ep12-wolf-pack-hunting-with-hanks-tom-hanks-on-dan-carlins-hardcore-history-addendum/ https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3668033817?playlistId=tt12888462&ref_=tt_ov_vi
And ‘Last Breath’ https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3035282457?playlistId=tt9056818&ref_=tt_ov_vi And finally for Dean .. how do you film a movie about an “Invisible Man’ ? Well you put Leigh Whannel behind the camera, and Elizabeth Moss in front of it, and all is good. A cracking modern thriller with very topical themes of Domestic Violence and Coercive Control. Ted Danson vehicle ‘Mr. Mayor’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10662034 And Carey Mulligan in ‘Promising Young Woman’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292
‘The Sound of Metal’ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5363618/ Keep an eye out for Eric Bana in a taut Aussie thriller called ‘The Dry’ His unrequited crush Denis Villeneuve, is releasing his much anticipated version of Dune, attempting to expunge the hideous red-headed step child that *was* David Lynch’s version with Kyle McLachlan https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419 Ray Shoesmith was right. The new guy is good. Connery rocks. Moore sucks. The rest are irrelevant. Finally, check out the Guardian’s round up of Best pics of 2020 that you may have missed https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/29/the-best-films-of-2020-that-you-havent-seen
That’s your lot then for 2020. We’ll see on the GOOD side of the decade !!! | |||
| 26 Jun 2021 | 035: Pride Pod Part 2 with H. Alan Scott | 00:35:48 | |
We continue celebrating LGBTQ month and especially this weekend ! Here is Part 2 of our chat with H Alan which is un-turnoffable ... dont believe us ? I dare you .... | |||
| 17 Dec 2020 | 010: Christmas Special ! | 00:43:52 | |
Here on Killer Casting we voted that it is INDEED not properly Christmas, until Hans Grüber falls off the Nakatomi Building. | |||
| 09 Jul 2021 | 039: Actor Damon Herriman is here!!! | 00:46:00 | |
We are so psyched to welcome transformational actor DAMON HERRIMAN to the show! Mr. In Between fans will know him as Freddy the Strip Club owner, but there rest of the world knows him for tons of other roles including playing Charles Manson (twice) in Mindhunter and Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Dewey from Justified, Kim from Secret City and so many others. Damon talks about working with Scott Ryan and Nash Edgerton, about his background growing up in the business as a child actor and so much more! | |||
| 02 Feb 2024 | LEAH MCKENDRICK IS "SCRAMBLED". Writer, Director and Star of Lionsgate's new film joins us. | 00:56:16 | |
LEAH MCKENDRICK - WRITER, DIRECTOR AND STAR OF THE NEW LIONSGATE MOVIE “SCRAMBLED”. One day you are an actress in Los Angeles, grinding away, trying to get that first TV co-star credit, fast forward through some bloody, sweaty and tearful years and BOOM you are STARRING in a feature film for Lionsgate that you WROTE and also DIRECTED. Please welcome my guest actor/director/writer Leah McKendrick whose new feature film “Scrambled” hits theaters this week. This movie is based on Leah’s true personal story of her journey freezing her eggs, a process that turned out to be scary and painful, but also wildly funny and full of absurd ironies as she (in her character of Nelly) faced some major milestones in her life. Leah shares what it took to get her script on the screen, the twists and turns she’s had as a Hollywood studio writer and how she has finally found artistic freedom. "Scrambled" also stars Andrew Santino (I’m Dying Up Here), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), Laura Ceron (ER), and Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) as well as other very special cameos. Get out there, take your gal pals, you guy pals, your gramma, your mamma and your sisters and go see this wonderful film. Check out the trailer here! | |||
| 25 Jan 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Episode 02 | Bonus with Dean | 00:20:31 | |
We all know how much Dean likes to run his mouth and be a smarty pants, especially with all the minutiae that he jazzes on joining dots hither and yon. There was SO much to unpack in Episode 2 that even though we spent an hour with the legend Joel Montgrand, we still couldn’t cover all the twists and turns in that episode. So if you don’t dig the digging deep, give this one a miss. But of you like getting down and dirty (or frosty) with all the easy-to-miss connections and fan theories looking ahead … then dive in ! Let us know what you think and ask Dean followup questions on our True Detective: Night Country Fan page on the Book of Faces here https://www.facebook.com/groups/3518353335092244 Episode 3 Preview/Trailer REPEAT OF LINKS FROM PREVIOUS EPISODE Joel’s own podcast on First Nations talent in tv and film is called ‘Actors and Ancestors’ check it out here Here’s a terrific interview with Jodie Foster and Showrunner Issa Lopez https://www.gamesradar.com/true-dectective-night-country-interview-exclusive-jodie-foster/ All about Kali Reis the astounding actress playing Evangeline Navarro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Reis A wonderfully readable article on the locations used in this seasonhttps://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/entertainment/a46439515/true-detective-night-country-filming-locations/ Here’s a Buch of RECAPS from the likes of vulture, NYT, Variety and more … https://www.vulture.com/article/true-detective-recap-season-4-episode-2.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/21/arts/television/true-detective-recap-episode-2.html https://www.theringer.com/2024/1/21/24046238/true-detective-night-country-season-4-episode-2-recap https://screenrant.com/true-detective-night-country-episode-2-recap-story-reveals/#the-researchers-have-spirals-on-their-foreheads https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a46410144/true-detective-premiere-recap-season-4-episode-2/ https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/true-detective-night-country-episode-2-recap-spoilers-questions-theories-1235880441/ A brilliant resource called TuneFind which lists all the music used in tv and film and most importantly WHERE it occurs in the show ! All about The Tuttle Cult as er Season 1 … and now introduced to this Season 4 Horrific true life inspiration for the ‘Corpsicle’ of scientists from Tsalal. And finally the IMDB page for Night Country with the complete cast list for this season, in case you need to remind yourself who is who … lord knows we do ! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29314270/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm | |||
| 27 Aug 2021 | 048: CODA | 00:49:24 | |
Every once in a while a film comes along that simply transports you with its sheer brilliance — the brilliance of the sea shining on a bright, crisp Gloucester morning CODA is one such film that approaches perfection. CODA (Children Of Deaf Adults) is many things at once, a coming of age story of a child finding her way into adulthood and independence; a rollicking chronicle of a loving hard working family; a damn funny movie that will in turn, touch, move, inspire and awe you. The success of a film like this hinges not so much on the story (it is a tale we have seen often), but on the casting of these wonderful roles who inhabit a world most of us have never experienced. Ruby is the only hearing member of her family where her dad Frank, her mom Jackie and her older brother Leo are all deaf. Those three roles are played by actors who are deaf in real life — which may seem like obvious casting choices, but in reality, actors who are deaf rarely get a chance to play roles this beautifully drawn. They rarely get to show off their astonishingly talent. But in this film, Troy Kotsur (who Lisa is starting a campaign right now for an Academy Award for this performance), Marlee Matlin and Daniel Durant all get a chance to shine brightly. The precocious Ruby is portrayed in a tour-de-force by Emilia Jones. As final treat, look out for the spellbinding performance of Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo Villalobos, Ruby's music teacher. In lesser hands, this film could easily have wallowed in mediocre cliche, but under the assured direction of Sian Heder and with that stellar cast, what shouldn't work does. What should be hackneyed, soars and what could easily be mawkish, will move you to tears. Joining us to give a true perspective on the portrayal of deaf characters in this film, is the amazing actress/writer/producer Antoinette Abbamonte who is also part of the deaf acting community in Hollywood. And a special shout out goes to our ASL interpreter Nicole Pancino who joined us for Antoinette’s interview. We could go ON for hours about this exquisite film .. in fact we almost do ! So stop reading this and listen in to our podcast right now. If you are reading this and are deaf or hard of hearing please find a complete transcript of this interview on our website here. #CODA film #AntoinetteAbbamonte #EmiliaJones #TroyKotsur, #MarleeMatlin #DanielDurant #EugenioDerbez #SianHeder #OscarForTroy
[Scene from the film ‘CODA’] FADE IN: INT. Home of Ruby’s teacher Bernardo Villanova (aka ‘MR. V) –- MORNING MR V sits at his piano in a large light filled room, accompanying Ruby Rossi as she sings‘Both Sides Now’ by Joni Mitchell.
RUBY 🎼 They shake their heads, they say I've changed.
BERNARDO VILLALOBOS: Breathe.
RUBY 🎼 Well something's lost but something's gained.
BERNARDO Breathe!
RUBY 🎼In living every day.
BERNARDO Exasperatedly No, let it out, let it out. Don’t hold it. Don’t hold it! Ruby, no. If you're going to pick Joni Mitchell, you're going to sing it. This is one of the great songs.
RUBY Walks dejectedly away from Bernardo Yeah, I know.
BERNARDO You either find a way to connect to it, or pick a different song.
Bernardo suddenly claps theatrically and walks to Ruby, shakes his arms back and forth and asks her to do it too, she follows reluctantly
Okay, come on. Shake your body. Shake it. Shake your arms. Now, sing back at me. 🎼Me, me, me, me… Come on. RUBY Sings meekly 🎼Me, me, me, me. BERNARDO
No, no you are holding it. RUBY I'm not. BERNARDO Yeah, you're trying to sound pretty. RUBY I'm not. BERNARDO Yes, you are. Both Ruby and Bernardo are frustrated with each other
BERNARDO Okay. You said when you started school you talked funny. Funny how?
RUBY (Dismissively) I talked like a deaf person.
BERNARDO What does a deaf person sound like?
RUBY You know.
BERNARDO No, no, I don't know. I want you to tell me.
RUBY Different.
BERNARDO Different how!? RUBY Like, wrong. Ugly.
BERNARDO Puts his hands on hips and challenges Ruby Ugly? .. Okay. Make an ugly sound for me.
RUBY What?
BERNARDO Come on. Yeah. You think you were the only kid whoever got bullied? Whoever had a funny accent?
Bernardo faces Ruby and he gets her to extend her arms out. They lock hands, fingers intertwined,
BERNARDO Look in my eyes. Push back in my hands as hard as you can. Push, push. Look at me. Make the ugliest, grossest sound you can. Come on!
Ruby growls at Bernardo like an animal and he growls back they exchange several growls and raws but Ruby’s heart is not really in it, she looks embarrassed.
BERNARDO
Suddenly Ruby reaches down inside herself and lets loose a full throated passionate raw directly into Bernardo’s face. BERNARDO Now, sing at me !
RUBY Ruby sings straight back at him with passion and a blaze in her eyes 🎼I've looked at life from both sides now. From win and lose and still somehow.
BERNARDO Claps his hands enthusiastically Yes! That's it! That's it. That's what I was waiting for.
Bernardo high fives a still stunned Ruby who then smiles and shakes her head
Lisa Zambetti: Hello! Welcome to Killer Casting. This is Lisa Zambetti, I’m probably best known as the Casting Director for CBS’ “Criminal Minds” and co-casting director for the FX series the pilot for “Reservation Dogs”, which I'm so, so proud of. And it seems to be doing really great on Hulu. I hope you're all watching it. But today is an example of exactly why I started this podcast.
It's because when I see a project like the film we're going to discuss today, one that fills me with such joy that has such an incomparable and indelible cast. I absolutely need to talk about it. I need to shout it out to the world and really not just praise it, but break it down. Why is it praiseworthy? What are the elements that make it (for me) as a Casting Director, as a former actor, as a director, as a writer … what makes the film in question so exceptional?
And of course, I’m talking about the film CODA, written and directed by Sian Heder which is playing now on Apple TV Plus. It stars Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Emilia Jones, Daniel Durant, and Eugenio Derbez and boy, does it pay respect to each and every character in the film. Anyway, I don't want to talk about it by myself. I’ve got to chew it over with bigger and better minds in my own. So please say hello to my beautiful co-host the Thunder From Down Under, Dean Laffan. Hi, Dean.
Dean Laffan: Hi Lisa, good to see you, good to chat and discuss this unusual (for me), film. Lisa Zambetti: For this particular movie, because it's so special. I'm probably going to start crying because it's just really moved me so much. I'm very protective of it. And I simply can't explain why it just moved me on so many levels. Anyway, I wanted to have on, an actor that I cast many, many years ago. She is an amazing actress, producer and a writer. She's also part of the deaf community and her name is Antoinette Abbamonte.
Antoinette, thank you so much for joining us. I was saying earlier you have not aged a day since I cast you in 2012. On a TV show called “The New Normal”. It's so good to see you!
Antoinette Abbamonte: Oh, thank you, Lisa. Thank you.
Lisa Zambetti: And I should say that you and I are able to hear Antoinette’s thoughts today because we're using an interpreter, the wonderful Nicole Pancino. Thank you for joining us, Nicole. Antoinette, how are you?
Antoinette Abbamonte: I am doing great. I am enjoying life. I'm working now with some writers to make sure that the Deaf culture is properly representative and that we have really good strong leading characters and it's been so fun. And the important thing for me is I have to have fun doing it because that's how I know I'm going to continue doing something. That is just my thing and being creative and just pulling out whatever ideas I can, I've done that since I was a little girl. I just always love coming up with ideas, anything … Sci-Fi … I've enjoyed all of it. And that's what we're working on now. It's a Sci-Fi project.
Lisa Zambetti: Oh cool. So I should tell our listeners and our viewers who are watching this because we're going to post this on YouTube. The Deaf community is not a monolith. There are people for whom, when Antoinette says proper representation, what that means to her could mean something completely different to other people in the community.
I don't know what she thought about CODA at all, I know that there are people who are championing it. And there are parts of the deaf community who aren't. And I've heard a couple of criticisms that stab me in the heart, but that's okay. But I just want to get from both you and Dean, your immediate hits off of it.
But I do want to break it down. What we do Antoinette is we really break down the movie, like we literally will go scene-to-scene to really dig in and analyze something and not just make assumptions. Because some of the criticisms I've heard, well I went back and rewatched the movie, and none of the things that they're talking about are actually in the movie. It's almost like those criticisms are assumptions that they've made about the movie, which is interesting. But anyway, tell me, what do you think of CODA?
Antoinette Abbamonte: Well, first, the word that comes to me is “wow”. And I really applaud the people who are working on that (film). The actors that they hired were deaf. So finally, we're having that kind of representation. It took (until) 2021 for that to happen. We need to be able to come in the door and watching the story, there are some deaf family stories that I can see are common in the world. So I think we should be able to see these authentic stories. I think that is by far the most important thing to get those deaf actors in, and (then) they're really doing the work. I can't say enough good things about them. Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant all did a fantastic job. And I completely support the work all of them did.
Lisa Zambetti: Oh, I'm so happy to hear that! I have so much to say, what you just said has just sparked so many ideas. Dean now, what did you think?
Dean Laffan: Well, when you first mentioned this film, and I looked at the trailer, and I'm thinking oh okay, a ‘feel good movie’. It's got elements of this and that (in that genre) . I (usually) tend towards the darker side of things with films, for instance, possibly my most hated film of all time, is Forrest Gump.
Lisa Zambetti: I don't think you're alone there …
Dean Laffan: I can't stand how manipulative it tries to be! I can't stand that it celebrates this kind of. … I'm probably going to use the wrong word, but I don't mean it maybe the way it comes out. But just the sort of celebration of ‘mediocrity’ or the idea that, oh anyone can do anything if you just keep running (Forrest!), if you just do this, life will be fine, and it all works out. Forest Gump asks you to participate in that kind of bullshit. That's how I feel about that movie.
So I'm looking at CODA thinking, ‘Oh here we go …’ So what is my reaction to this film .. ? well like you, Lisa, I'm still choked up. This is an incredible film. I have not been moved by a film like this since .. I can’t even remember when. And I have a little bit of tears in my eyes now just thinking about it. And I don't cry in films! I'm an Aussie bloke, we don't do that. But I'm sitting, watching this film. (And I knew from the trailer), I've even mentioned to you before, a week ago, I said, Oh my god, there's one scene in the trailer, I think this film is going to hit me. And I did tear up. And I choked up at a couple of other points in the film. And then there was one point in the film where I completely and utterly lost my shit, and I had tears streaming down my face. I can't remember the last time I felt hot tears on my face watching a film.
It is the most beautiful, beautiful film. And what I love about it is that it is so incredibly true. And I don't mean that it's a documentary. You know what I mean … What I mean is that it is full of truth, (as far as I understand it). Well the performances are anyway, I can't speak to any experience of being deaf. But it's authentic, (it feels authentic), and it's just incredibly moving. So I was simply so happy to see this film. Very, very happy.
Lisa Zambetti: Yeah. And when you say it strikes you as true, I mean for me, obviously, I'm not deaf, but I am a mom. And I do have teenagers who are about to go out into the world. I understand what it's like for a family to struggle. I understand what it's like to feel isolated or just feel … I mean … there's so many things that just hit me watching it. And Antoinette I want you to talk about who Troy Kotsur is to the acting community. And I should say, (and I wish Jim Clemente were here), we cast Troy on Criminal Minds as a serial killer the year before I started on Criminal Minds. And would you believe I only found that out today. Troy came in for the same series that I cast you on. Okay, he came in for a role … I think it was to play your husband and that's the first time I met him but I've seen him so many times. Talk about who he is, and why we are cheering the fact that so many more people in the world will now know of his genius.
Antoinette Abbamonte: His use of sign language is out of this world. He puts so much in, and he loves to really become whatever character he's portraying. He'll take risks, which I appreciate in his work. I think that is absolutely astounding. And in CODA, there was so much color there.
Lisa Zambetti: Yeah, well, we swear all the time on this show. And so I really appreciated his just poetic use of profanity and dirtiness. I just fucking loved it. I mean, he just went there. Antoinette, the things that he signed, are they in the ASL or is he improvising? Is he making things up .. I'm just so ignorant about it. What do you have to say about that?
Antoinette Abbamonte: Well, from my understanding for this film, you could do some improvisation, you don't have to have the script exactly in mind. But having not looked at the script, I'm not sure how much of it was just kind of, him going his own direction. For me, the way he expressed himself in sign language? … I'm not sure if we would do that, in real life with our deaf family to talk to our own daughters, (as he did) with his daughter, I mean, to me it felt a little too much. But he may have made the choice to do that to really have as much fun as possible. And I'm not sure what his intentions were about the way he performed it though …
Lisa Zambetti: Yeah. Well, I mean, I don't know is there really a sign for ‘twat waffle’? (Laughs) Or, you know, any of those very colorful words that the brother and sister have for each other. I just thought that was so great.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Well, I was just going to say, teenagers, high school aged, people who go to schools of the deaf, yeah, you're probably going to see that kind of dirty sign language going on, that kind of graphic (signing) it's a sign language, because it's very evocative of what it looks like. And so you'll see that a lot for deaf teenagers. I don't know that you'd see that kind of language used in home environments. We're talking about siblings here. I came from a deaf family. My parents are deaf, my brother is deaf. We certainly never did anything along those lines. We don't have those kinds of discussions about sex in my life at all. That was not part of what we did. My parents moved in from another country so I don't know if that possibly influenced it. Maybe here in the United States, deaf families would be that way. That just wasn't what it was for mine, so I can't speak to others.
Lisa Zambetti: I wanted to mention to people who haven't seen the movie yet, can you just define what does CODA mean? In terms of this movie, Antoinette? Antoinette Abbamonte: Oh, sure. CODA (Child Of Deaf Adult). So a child who has Deaf parents. There's also a CODA spelled KODA (Kid Of Deaf Adults), that's for a young kid of deaf adults. And in a way I'm a CODA too, who just happened to be deaf because I am a child who had Deaf parents.
Lisa Zambetti: That's right.
Antoinette Abbamonte: And I very much supported my parents, especially my mom, because as I mentioned earlier, she moved from another country with a different language, a different sign language, so she had to learn ASL from my dad. My father moved here when he was 10, and went to a residential school for deaf students so he learned ASL, but when my mom moved here, she was 22. So she didn't know American Sign Language. She had to learn that after she got here, so I remember I had to help her out with reading English because she wasn't comfortable with reading English. And we used to have this old ‘teletypewriter’ they were called, to make phone calls typewritten out into written language. So I had to help my mom make her phone calls. And she eventually had to go and learn English in school. So that was my experience. So I can see a little bit of that experience for me, from what I saw in the film.
Dean Laffan: The other thing as well Lisa in terms of the film is that CODA, (as we know, from Francis Ford Coppola’s film ‘CODA: The Death of Michael Corleone’) that CODA in musical terms, is a passage that brings the particular piece of music to an end, which, of course, is what the film is kind of about. Lisa Zambetti: Right. So if you haven't seen the film, it is about this family of four where it happens to be, that three of the members (Mom Dad and the eldest brother) are deaf, and the youngest child (Ruby) is not and it's a movie where we really get a snapshot of what their life is like, being these fishermen in Gloucester and how Ruby’s got to help her family. She's grown to help her family, but clearly they had the ability to make this business run long before she was born. So it's not like they're helpless and they can't survive without her. But I think as in many farming families or fishing families, the children become enveloped in the parents work. And it's just the sort of seamless thing that you do the family business. And now this is the time for her to figure out how to break out of that, is she going to break out of it? And it's just an amazing story in that way that I think so many families can relate to whether you're in the hearing community or not.
Dean Laffan: By the way, Lisa, how much are we going to plot spoil here?
Lisa Zambetti: Oh, the whole thing.
Dean Laffan: Everything? Okay. So warning, folks.
Lisa Zambetti: I want people to love the film.
Dean Laffan: If this sounds interesting to you turn the podcast off now. (Or stop reading this transcript) Go and watch the film, and then come back and listen to the rest of the podcast. Because it is hard to talk about the film and give it the love which it deserves without spoiling the plot. So please, press Pause. Come back and pick us up where you left off.
Lisa Zambetti: But one of the things that makes Troy so believable is that he has that sort of weathered, wizened face of someone who has spent their whole life on the sea. And the way he uses his body … he’s got these great bandy, bow legs when he walks around and his body is just so relaxed and settled into itself. I just loved that. And his emotion as he's struggling to figure out how to keep his business literally afloat. Should he push his daughter to leave and go to college? But it's so much easier to have her stay and he is trying to understand what it means for her to sing. Because it seems her singing is something that just comes out of the blue. What did you think of that plot Antoinette and Dean, how suddenly this daughter who apparently has been singing even though music was not really a part of her, the way it is in other singers lives.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Speaking for myself, I have my son here with me. In fact, he's 20 now. When he was much younger, I'd say maybe when he was 5,6 or 7 years old ? I worked so hard to encourage him to go out and take music classes, to take drumming, guitar, you name it, and he kept saying he didn't want to, but I'm the one who kept pushing him to go do that. I would take him there myself, even as a deaf person, because I wanted to see my child really have a full experience of his world. Because I feel that if I want people to respect me and my deaf world, it's important for me to respect him and the hearing world, so it's a two way street. I've very much believed it was important to encourage any child who's hearing to go out and experience the world. Eventually, my son became a composer for guitar. He absolutely adores guitar, and he's so into that, I've got more pictures of him playing the guitar than I can tell you. So I'm happy that he got to that point, it made me feel so good to see my child have that kind of success. That made me feel really great.
So when I was watching this film, I just kept saying, this is just not how it was in my family. And I don't have my children interpret for me, if I go to the store or anything along those lines. When they were really young, I remember clear as day, that there was some sort of comments where I was like, you just you can't do that to children. You can't make your children someone you have to rely on to interpret for you. Because then you start manipulating them, and (then) they don't have their own lives for themselves. And I did not want that to happen for my kids. So I made a very conscious effort.
And there was a lot of times that I'd be in a store and the store owner would say, “Oh could your little kids just interpret for me?” And I would say no, let's you and I figure this out, we'll use gestures, we'll use written back and forth language, whatever we have to do. I really wanted to have that directly without having to bring my kids into it. On rare occasions, if the kids saw that I missed something, they might interpret something for me. And I would always appreciate it. But I made sure that was as rare as possible, because I wanted them to have their own healthy, independent lives. Lisa Zambetti: You say that your son plays the guitar, (and Dean maybe this is the scene that really got you.) If you've watched your son play guitar, you can't hear but maybe you can feel it, you can feel the vibration on the instrument. But I just love this scene where the parents are watching this concert and they're not really emotionally affected by it because they can't hear it. And they're looking around and being very polite, but I just love the ‘peek’ into that world. I love that they took the sound out of the film at that time and you're seeing what they see, and you're hearing what they're (not hearing) … they're not missing anything, they don't know that they're missing anything. And then later when Troy has his daughter sing, and he's feeling her voice, I mean, Dean, was that one of your tear jerking moments? Because for me, I fell apart.
Dean Laffan: Yeah, that was a beautiful scene. And just one of the things that makes this such great film is that because of the nature of what the story is about, so many scenes are totally unique to me as a [person with hearing. I hate people who say ‘very unique’ and I just said ‘totally unique’, but it is. It's totally unique because I haven't seen a film like this with deaf characters interacting with non-deaf characters, so many things suddenly struck me with a dawning Oh, yeah, oh, that is going to happen. This whole story is on the face of it, clichéd. Its written clichéd. The performances (could be) clichéd, you've got the kind of grumpy old dad, you've got the kind of kooky mom, you've got the eldest child Leo, the older brother of Ruby, who feels he should be the one in charge, but he can't be because .. well not ‘can't be’, but he is pushed aside a little bit, because he's deaf and his sister is not. And you've got the inspirational music teacher …
This is all set up for bullshit. But guess what? it just fucking works. It works its ass off. It's because of the casting and the performances, it's just so special. So yes, that particular scene where he's got his hands on her throat … and I wondered Lisa …(putting your Real Crime Profile hat on). There's a difference between him doing this (Dean indicates on camera with his hands) and a difference between him doing that (indicates again) in terms of acting. Did you notice that? That he used the back of his hands, not the front of his hands around her throat.
Lisa Zambetti: I didn't.
Dean Laffan: So it wasn't a ‘choking’ type of a gesture. He's got both hands against her throat and against her sort of larynx. But he hasn't got his palms closed, like he was choking her. He's using the backs of his fingers. And he's feeling the vibration, it's beautifully tender. As is the moment where she's freaked out about singing face to face to, what's his name… ?
Lisa Zambetti: Miles, his name is Miles.
Dean Laffan: Right, Miles. So they stand back to back. And I'm looking at them touching back to back and I'm thinking that's an oddly very intimate pose. You're touching backs, and you're touching bums. And you can feel each other's breath. It's just wonderful filmmaking. But no, the scene that really … I just fell to pieces over, was during the Joni Mitchell song at her audition for Berklee and she started … here I ago. (Dean’s voice catches) She just started signing. And you can see in her mind she just thinks, “Fuck it. I'm just going to do it. I'm going to let out what I feel. And I'm going to show you, this is who I am.” And I was just like “wow”.
Lisa Zambetti: And include her parents in it. Right?
Dean Laffan: I KNOW! Yes. Exactly.
Lisa Zambetti: She sings to them … for them. Oh, my God.
Dean Laffan: Bravo.
Antoinette Abbamonte: She was born knowing that language before she knew English.
Dean Laffan: Another scenee that just broke me out of nowhere was after she comes back home and she said she wants to go to the music school. And they've just gotten the co-op off the ground. They're saying how can you leave and her parents say, we need you … we need you to translate. Ruby replies, “I've been doing this my whole life and it's exhausting”. And they're putting it (the responsibility) on her. But she just wants to do what she wants to do (follow her heart). And what incredible lines the characters have here and there that are just so moving and so affecting, I was blown away. Antoinette Abbamonte: And I really wanted to see more of the mother daughter relationship. That's what I really was craving more of, because I felt like there was a real missed opportunity there. I so wanted to see the two of them really develop a connection. I missed not having that.
Lisa Zambetti: Well, you know, I rewatched it today. And Dean, I hear what you say about that there are a certain amount of cliché in it, but then I have to push back on that because they really turn those clichés around because the mom isn't really kooky. It's just interesting. She's vain, in some ways. And that's okay. Like a mom can be vain. She's sexy, in a very grounded and natural way. She's still hot for her husband, and she doesn't want to talk to those hearing bitches! … and who blames her, you know what I mean? You understand she has a world that she has worked fucking hard for. She has got this family, she's got this business, and she loves her daughter, and (Antoinette, I re-watched it just before we came on).
There are some beautiful scenes where the mom says, when you were born, I hoped you were deaf. And when you weren't, I was afraid. I was so afraid. And also, she admits to her husband. It's not that we need her to survive to interpret for us, but she's our baby and she's leaving. That's really what the crux is, that my baby is leaving home. And the easiest way to keep her even if it's just subconsciously, is to say, we need you for the family. And I can just imagine lots and lots of families, working families who probably say the same thing sometimes to their kids who are going to go off to the big city. It’s so scary to think of your baby in the big city. And Ruby even says “I've never done anything without my family”. It's not only that the family's never done anything without her, but she's never done anything without them.
And the music teacher I'd like to talk about him, Eugenio.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Oh, I love that character! I loved him. He’s the best.
Lisa Zambetti: Yeah, as a drama teacher myself and having taught drama in college, teaching is really hard. Talk about exhausting.
Antoinette Abbamonte: I was just going to say “Mr.V” I was trying to remember his name .. “Mr. V”
Lisa Zambetti: Right Mr.V … (Lisa rolls the ‘r’ big time) “Berrrrrrrrrnardo!” By the way he is a huge freaking star in Mexico.
Dean Laffan: Of all the actors in this film, this guy who I've never seen before, the first time we see him, the camera was on him, he's sitting at the piano. He hasn't even said anything. And already, I'm wondering, “Who the hell is THIS guy?” wow. And then within the first five seconds, as great as this cast is, (and the casting of Emilia is by the way superb) as is the rest of the cast, there's only one false note in the casting, and I'll cover that later … but it's nothing major.
But him (the actor Eugenio Derbez) Once he opened his mouth, it was like the wattage of his performance was amazing. I'm sorry (to the rest of the cast) but whenever he was on screen, he just glows at like twice or three times the luminance of anyone else in the scene. And when I looked him up, yeah, he is like the biggest megastar in Latin America. And because I'm thinking, well, he's coming out of nowhere … no he hasn't Dean, you’re just ignorant and he’s actually a super star.
Lisa Zambetti: Yes, he has that confidence of somebody who's a star in another country.
Dean Laffan: Absolutely.
Lisa Zambetti: And this is the thing about when you're teaching for high school or for college, in the arts, you can give so much to students, and you're trying to set a bar for them, and you're working so hard for them. It's really exhausting. And what I loved about him is that he came in with sass and brass and this uncompromising behavior. He kid of says “This is the bar and if you can't take it? … then fucking leave.” But he wasn't cruel, this isn't (the movie) ‘Whiplash’, or anything like that. But he's like, look, if you're going to work, I will work too, but if you're not going to work, I'm not going to kill myself to get you there. And that's an important thing. Because in my experience, trying to get actors to where they need to be, it's just so hard, and you're giving everything you can to the student, and you're rooting for them, and you kind of start doing all the work for them. And I just felt like this movie pays a lot of respect to the art of teaching and when Ruby is pissed off at him. And she says, well, what did Berklee College ever do for you? … you know what? Teaching doesn't mean you're a failure at your craft. Teaching is fucking hard, to be a good teacher and get your students to where they need to be. It can break your heart, students can really break your heart.
[Scene from the film ‘CODA’]
FADE IN: INT. WE ARE BACK IN THE HOME OF MR.VILLALOBOS –- AFTERNOON MR V sits at his piano in the same airy music room of his house. Late afternoon sun slants through the large picture windows of his house. He plays a tender piece on the piano, he’s introspective … wistful. Ruby arrives and stands at the door of the room, leaning quietly against the door frame. She’s out of view of Bernardo, he doesn’t know she’s there. She is waiting for the right time to announce her presence. She’s late for practice (again) and she knows Bernardo will be upset.
RUBY Is that yours?
Bernardo stops playing, takes a deep breath, sighs and gives Ruby a side glance before looking away. RUBY Sorry. I want to do this.
Bernardo folds up his sheet music and walks past Ruby to his desk
BERNARDO I don't think so.
Ruby walks to face Bernardo from the opposite side of his desk, both standing RUBY Are you serious?
BERNARDO You have no discipline. You are late. You are unprepared. You wouldn’t last two days at Berklee. Out … Go!
RUBY (Dismissively) It's not like that school of yours did you any good?
Bernardo sighs and shakes his head with a smile
BERNARDO You have what? … 17 years on this planet? You don't know shit. You want to know why I am a teacher? I'm good at this. But I can't do my job unless you do yours. And I certainly don't need a lesson in failure from someone who's too afraid to even try. END SCENE:
Lisa Zambetti: I loved that respect to that character. What else Antoinette? Do you have anything to jump into?
Antoinette Abbamonte: I know for me, as a deaf actor, (an actor who happens to be deaf is a better way to say it.) People say you have to look at the actor first. But right now, I’m feeling like it's really starting to have an impact out there … of deaf experience and what it is, and that it's okay to be a deaf person. And a lot of people haven't had the opportunity to see a whole lot of deaf people out there. We've historically been shunted to the side. But now we're starting to see some floodgates open up, and you're starting to see more and more deaf people out there. And it takes away a lot of that, wanting to hide behind things. And now we can start looking at the talent. Let's talk about their talent. The fact that they're deaf? We can discuss that later. But right now let's look at their talent. And I see it happening. I think it's going to happen. I would love to have it be (that its about) who I am first, I’m Antoinette and I'm a mom, and I'm a wife or a partner, whatever. I like to be seen that way first and not going. “Hey, look, it's the deaf person”. I have many layers in me. I am multitude, it's now becoming much less than it was.
Lisa Zambetti: So here's what I want to say about casting for a couple of shows where yeah, it's great when a writer will write a part for a deaf character. And that's great because we want to have representation and tell those stories. But Rebecca Silverman and I, on Criminal Minds, we kept wanting to just cast actors who happened to be deaf, no matter even if the role didn't call for it. And I have to say that we would talk to a Line Producer and lets suppose my idea was to have a deaf actor play a medical examiner, because I thought that was just be so cool. With no explanation. It's just why not? I'm sure that there are deaf doctors and deaf medical examiners, and that would be fine. And actually one of the series regulars on Criminal Minds, they have established that he did sign, and I thought there would probably need to be an interpreter. If there's a medical examiner talking to the FBI and telling them his or her findings about a murder victim, there would need to be an interpreter, and (the view from the Line Producers) was that the hiring of the interpreter was like, “Oh that would just be an extra expense. I don't think we can really do that”. It was just easier to say no. But if it was a written as a deaf actor, there was no problem though, that the production would pay for the interpreter or do whatever else that needs to be done, but to actually say “Hey maybe we could have this be a wheelchair-using actor, this seems like a good situation. It’s not they are going to be running across a field chasing after a bad guy. This is like a perfect situation for somebody who's on wheelchair”. But it just seems that if it's not in the script, there's no green light to just bring in the actors. And I know that that is going to change. And hopefully, maybe a movie like CODA will help push it along. And you can see, yeah, someone can be a lobsterman or fisherman and be deaf, but you can be anything and be deaf. But it's hard because you don't want to fight against your producer, you want to do what's best for the show.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Yeah, and both of those characters, just like with both of my parents who were tailors they made clothes … you just do your job, and you can be deaf at the same time if there is no limitations, so I couldn't agree more, we need to have more deaf people represented.
I am producing a film now in fact, called “Implant”. And I'm working with Warren Zide, and the writer, Dwayne Alexander Smith, two of them very big in their field. And they had never worked with a deaf person before. This is their first experience in doing that. So with my company, we have an item in our budget for an interpreter, money already earmarked for me to meet with them. And that way we can talk about the money and investment and everything after that. But I want to make sure there's a line item in there for the interpreter, because that's important for me. And just a couple of weeks ago, I went with the writer, and I brought an interpreter with me. And you saw all these ideas sparking in the room. And you could see that the writer was really ready to put it in there. It was helpful. It was helpful for me to work with the writer in the room right there. It was amazing.
Lisa Zambetti: That is incredible.
Antoinette Abbamonte: That's why I wanted to create my company so I could produce these films that I want to see.
Lisa Zambetti: Yeah, exactly. And if you need a casting director … Hi, I’m available. Dean Laffan: I just want people to understand also that this film is sweet, and touching and uplifting. And as I said, not normally the sort of movie that I would go, wow, I want to see another one of these. But it's just so well done. But can I say, this thing is funny as all get out. It is funny all the time. It's not at the expense of anyone (usually). There was one scene where I just burst out into load uproarious laughter. I was watching early in the morning down in the lounge room, and I think I must have woken people up .. It was the scene where there's the town meeting or if you will the ‘fishermen's meeting’ with the fish buyers who are underpaying the fishermen for their catch, and Ruby’s father Franks has had enough. He uses his chair to stamp on the wooden floor and as he signs something. He tells Ruby to stand up. And I'm thinking oh, she's reticent to get up and translate for him. She's shy. Now, remember she has just come from the session with Bernardo where he gets her to do ugly sounds, and he finally gets to engage, let stuff out and find her voice (literally). And so in public she's been a bit of a shrinking violet up to this point. So when Frank signs she lan tells her to say it, she looks up at the guy, the assholes that were the fish buyers (and these were the characters that I thought were just slightly cartoonish. Yeah they were the ‘bad guys’ and they were very one dimensional, but that's okay. I don't even care because the film is that good. And anyway, they are assholes). So she turns to them and emphatically says “Suck my dick!” And follows up with “Oh, by the way, that's from him, not me.” Hilarious.
Lisa Zambetti: One of the other things I really admired about the movie is that although Ruby is bullied and made fun of throughout her high school career and it must really suck. But then there's a moment where her love interest Miles says “You have the perfect life”. And it's just struck me that is so true, that from the outside, everybody's life seems so put together. And he to her, he seems like the perfect guy who's got everything going from him. He’s so popular, everybody likes him, and yet she doesn't realize, that to him, she's got this great family, fishing is such a cool job and he's seen her in town with her parents. You don't know what other people are thinking. I just thought that was such a great observation that we're so stuck in our insecurities.
Antoinette Abbamonte: That is so true. That happened to me in my life. I remember growing up and I went to school which was with all hearing kids. There was sometimes when I was in school with other deaf kids, but most of the time I was with other hearing kids and I would get bullied and mocked and teased, like you wouldn't believe. And it was really tough for me. And now I look at my son, and I see him getting teased (even as) a hearing person. So I'm like, “Oh, teasing just kind of happens and it's okay”. People move on. It's not the end of the world or anything. I learned a lot from looking at my two kids. I'll tell you that.
Dean Laffan: Can I just say, Lisa, that the character of Ruby is so well cast and she plays a great arc within the movie. The actress Emilia Jones. Lisa Zambetti: She's British.
Dean Laffan: Yes, she's British. Yes, exactly.
Lisa Zambetti: And she plays the daughter. Yeah.
Dean Laffan: And she has a certain character, even from the beginning, even though she was shy and unassuming. Nonetheless, for example when the fish buyers were giving her brother Leo too little money for their fish she stood up and pushed back against the prices . And it's a little old fashioned to use this term But, you know what she's got? She's got ‘moxie’.
Lisa Zambetti: Moxie, yeah!
Dean Laffan: This kid has got Moxie .. I don’t know how you translate that. Sorry, Nicole! But yeah, she's got gumption, she won't take shit from anyone, even though she's very quiet. And then, of course, she progresses throughout to have that characteristic and be strong. But it's there from the get-go anyway, and I just thought that she was a terrific character. And when you pushed back against me for saying that the movie was clichéd. And I was like, yeah, I know. But my point is it then confoundsthe clichés.
So here, you've got the classic story of the rich boy, poor girl. (It's often the other way around) And in the scene where she brings him to the house for the first time. It's a tracking shot and the camera picks them up walking in a long pan all the way top their home. She's apologizing for the house and he's saying no, it's great… it's fine. They did everything except cross a literal set of railroad tracks! He's from the wrong side of the tracks. He's the rich boy who's supposed to have the perfect life. But his parents don’t talk to each other. They don't have sex. And then of course, we get straight into that. Here's the comedy again right? So there's the scene with Frank and Jackie, the deaf parents having sex so loudly, they don't know that the kids can hear them. And then cut; Mom and Dad are sitting on the couch, like Oh my God, we got busted having sex. And she's telling them off, saying you can't do this. And it's like an inversion of the trope. She's the mom and that's the teenage kids that were having sex. That was hilarious! So then Frank does the whole scene about the condom thing. And she's just totally embarrassed and storms out of the house with Miles. And then they cut back to the parents on the couch. And they just burst out laughing. We understand then tha he did it (The embarrassing condom miming scene) to get rid of her. It's just so well written.
Lisa Zambetti: That was so great. Yeah, Antoinette I loved that peek into the life of a family who is deaf, like the flicking on and off the light to wake somebody up, or just all the little nuances of what it is. If you're the hearing person in the family, and everybody's always making noise and banging pots and pans … It was just great to see a peek into what that's like.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. It was very authentic.
Lisa Zambetti: I don't know if you're aware of this, but this movie was based actually on a French film called “La Famille Bélier”.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Yes, I had just learned that. And I haven't seen that original French film personally. So I can't really talk about how it compares. I was just going to ask if either of you seen that film?
Lisa Zambetti: I haven't. But I do know that Lionsgate bought the rights to redo the film. And there's a lot of controversy with that film because they did not use deaf actors. Now, that could never happen on network television, or any production company I've ever worked with. Because if it's supposed to be a deaf actor in this day and age, you cannot cast a hearing actor. My studio would never ever allow that to happen. If you couldn't find an actor to do the role, then you'd have to change the role instead of putting a hearing person in there. But anyway, in the La Famille Bélier they had some hearing actors doing the role. So there's a lot of controversy and so when they went to make this version of it, there was some push to have fancier non-hearing actors play the role of the father and the brother and good for Marlee Matlin who said; “No, if you do this, I'm walking. I will leave this film”. She's going to be the marquee, she's going to be what gets this greenlit, what gets it pushed forward. So good for her for fighting and also good for her for not making this a vanity production for herself. She doesn't try to shine herself brighter than anybody she's in the film with. Another actress might have tried to make the narrative more about her. She was just very generous.
Dean Laffan: Oh, yeah. Lisa Zambetti: She was just very generous in the scenes she’s in with other people, and letting other people shine, letting Troy get all the big teary moments. I thought that was just fantastic of her to do that.
Antoinette Abbamonte: We really should absolutely all support each other and for her in the deaf community and all of us. Yeah, we all have to be out there and supporting each other because once we start infighting, then we'll never really get anywhere. We have to really let go and just support everyone else for the betterment of all, for the success of all, so more actors can follow behind us. It is so critical.
Dean Laffan: I was thinking when we're talking before about children and deaf children and CODA, how we teach kids, (primary school kids even high school kids) we teach them French, we teach them Italian, would it really kill us to teach them some signing ? perhaps not learn the entire ASL but at least if you could learn to say the basics. Because I just realized I meant to look up how to say “thank you and goodbye” to Antoinette and I didn't have time. And I don't know, I think it's something like this. (Dean gestures) But I don't want to say anything rude … we know that happened in the film! So especially for primary school kids to teach them to sign. Hello. Goodbye. Thank you. Just basic conversational stuff. I mean, you can travel through Europ, if you know about 20 words, surely we can all learn 20 words of ASL or whatever language is in your country. If someone's deaf, we wouldn’t have to, write something down. If we could sign ‘Hello’ ‘How are you?’ ‘I'm sorry’. I just realized that should be a thing. It shouldn't even be a thing. It should just be done. But it's not. Antoinette Abbamonte: Yeah, absolutely. I think that's absolutely fantastic. Yeah, to have that exposure to different languages and not just ASL but spoken languages. It just the more you find out there, for both of my boys, they learned a lot. They learned some Spanish, they learned some French, (spoken of course). And they already had American Sign Language (ASL) from their home environment, but it just helps them to interact with other people. And it just is so much easier to develop a relationship and rapport with other people. I think that's critical for children to learn as many languages as possible, and really become comfortable with them.
Lisa Zambetti: I remember seeing a production of Children of a Lesser God, the play, which of course, is probably one of the most famous plays and movies about the deaf community.
Antoinette Abbamonte: (Cuts in) I have to say it! … I don’t like that play.
Lisa Zambetti: I know. I know …
Antoinette Abbamonte: Yeah … the ‘deaf angry woman’.
Lisa Zambetti: I know … I know. It's a product of its time, it was actually written specifically for the deaf actress Phyllis Frelich and it has a whole history of its own. But anyway, I was watching the play and I could see backstage that the stagehands had learned ASL, because it's so much easier to communicate backstage and actually on set even, because you have to be quiet, and so they could communicate soundlessly across backstage by using ASL. So it's such a rich language for us to learn anyway. And certainly for actors. It's such a great physical experience in gesture and expression communication, I'm obsessed with that anyway.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Actors should learn ASL because it gives them movement to their body. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to see a play, like Shakespeare. And there are a lot of hearing actors that just stand there and the only thing that moves is their mouth. And they don't do anything else with their body. I’m like “Give us some movement here!” So I think that had these people had a chance to take ASL classes, they would learn how to be more comfortable in their body and move it. I think absolutely every actor out there, bar none should learn it.
Lisa Zambetti: Absolutely. Absolutely.
Dean Laffan: I just realized that what you were saying Lisa, about the stage hands learning ASL, that reminded me … I have a background in cave diving and of course, you can't speak underwater. And particularly you can't speak in the dark. Cave diving is a fairly specific activity. So we only use a limited vocabulary things like, (Dean open and closes the fingers of one hand) I’m flashing my hands to make our sign for ‘light’ This sign (indicates) for ‘Okay’, A question mark is a crooked finger, to indicate a line tangle you you do this with your hands(Cosses middle finger over pointer and draws a figure 8 in the air), on YouTube you'll see I'm just making a knot sign with my fingers. We use one hand to count to 10 with 1 to 5 being with upright fingers then numbers 6 – 10 are represented by the same fingers but now pointing sideways. Human beings have been doing this for a while. We just need to do more of it.
Lisa Zambetti: Well, I'm so happy to have had you here today Antoinette. It's so good to see you after so many years and to see you doing so well and to be able to share my absolute ‘gushiness’ about this movie. And also I just want to start this campaign, I am banging the drum … an Oscar for Troy. I mean he 100% deserves an Oscar for this performance. I want to hashtag it everywhere and for all of his performances. By the way, I've seen him in a production of Deaf West’s ‘Big River’, just before the pandemic. I was at this very random, private reading, where he and Deanne, (he's married to the beautiful actress who also happens to be deaf, Deanne Bray) and they were in this reading together. And I went up to him and I meant to say, ‘Thank you’, but I think I did something else. And he looked at me like; “What the fuck is she saying to me?” I think I went like this (indicates). I don't know what that means, but I meant to say ‘thank you’. What does this mean .. Please? Does this mean please or love? (indicates).
Antoinette Abbamonte: It can mean please. Yeah.
Lisa Zambetti: No wonder he was confused. I was saying “please, can you please.”
Antoinette Abbamonte: It could also mean “thank you”
Lisa Zambetti: Okay. Anyway, I've been a fan of his for decades. And it's about time that other people know of his brilliance. And everybody else in the cast was awesome, too. But he really is the touchstone in it. There's just nobody like him. And I just can't imagine another performance reaching, doing, what he did.
Antoinette Abbamonte: Yes, I couldn't agree more. We need more deaf males out there doing that for younger deaf boys to look up to and younger deaf men to look up to, because we really haven't had that representation. He's the one we have right now. Marlee Matlin, we have for younger women to look up to. But I'd love to see more diversity. I think that would be awesome for children and people like him, to look up to. And I love your idea about the Oscars push.
Lisa Zambetti: Absolutely. And I wanted to recommend some other places where you can see amazing actors who are deaf. There's a series called “The Society” which is amazing. Of course, there's a “Sound of Metal”, there's “The Quiet Place”, “One and Two”, are there any others and “Switched at Birth”. I know a lot of those actors who are in that show. Antoinette any other movies or anything you want to recommend?
Antoinette Abbamonte: Well, my film that is out now. It's called “Since August”. I’m playing a lead character in that along with a hearing actor from Russia. And it's in film festivals, right now the Shanghai International Film Festival has it nominated. The whole movie is an ASL, there is almost no spoken language. It's also now being streamed in New York at the Winter Awards Film Festival. They selected us to be screened, I think that's going to be happening soon. So I hope you both have an opportunity to see that. It's an excellent story.
Lisa Zambetti: Oh, I would love it. Actually I tried to see CODA at Sundance, but I couldn't get a ticket. But I would love to see “Since August” and encourage our listeners to go see it as well.
Antoinette Abbamonte: I loved to work with the hearing actress Sabina from Russia, I will send you the information so you can see it.
Lisa Zambetti: Awesome. Awesome. All right. Anything else Dean, you want to say before we say goodbye?
Dean Laffan: No, I think I'm old gushed out, that’s way more emotion than I'm used to sharing. But it was such a beautiful film. I'm going to recommend it. I'm just going to post it everywhere. Everyone should see this film. It is just a beautiful film.
Lisa Zambetti: And I also want to thank Nicole Pancino, who's here. She's been interpreting for Antoinette. I know it is really exhausting for Nicole to be doing this. So I want to thank her very much.
Dean Laffan: Well done Nicole because you've now been going for an hour solid plus the show preamble. And I know from my other world, where I'm a live event Producer. When we have people signing on-stage for our love events, they rotate out at 15 minute intervals. So you've done a huge job today. So thank you so much.
Nicole Pancino: You're welcome.
Lisa Zambetti: All right. Thank you so much. Take good care, everybody. And for now this is Killer Casting signing off.
Podcast Credits: Killer Casting was created and produced by Lisa Zambetti. Sound Editing by Dean Laffan from Real World Productions. Logo art by April Laffan. Theme Music provided by Amphibious Zoo music. And big fat opinions provided by Brian Alan Hill.
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| 06 Jun 2021 | 030: Paget Brewster (Special Agent Emily Prentiss) is HERE! | 00:42:20 | |
Well look who stops by to talk to Lisa and the Sexy Beasts????? None other than Special Agent Emily Prentiss, aka Paget Brewster! Paget tells us all about what she has been doing since Criminal Minds. We talk cooking shows, Top Chef, kissing Queen Latifah, bras on or off during sex, Drunk History, should Paget dye her hair (Lisa says NO) and a million other silly silly things. Don't miss it! Please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review! It helps people find us!
If you want to watch the full Paget Youtube compilation clip click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j46zpxgWBBc #criminalminds #pagetbrewster #Emilyprentiss #drunkhistory #queenlatifah #ryanmurphy #topchef #cookingshows #crimeshows
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| 28 Feb 2022 | 062 Terry Knickerbocker | 00:38:54 | |
If you liked Part 1 of our interview with acting coach and all ‘round legend Terry Knickerbocker … you are going to LOVE Part 2! We continue our deep dive on transformational roles, covering some legendary performances you might expect( from the Ikes of De Niro) .. but some you may nor even had heard of … (Theres your homework kids) We also discuss on his amazing alumni, not least of all Sam Rockwell, but also brilliant character actors like Yul Vasquez, Abbie Cornish, Chris Messina, and the likes of John Leguizamo and even tent pole talent like Daniel Craig. All coached by Terry. Yes, there is something for everyone in this one. Enjoy. Oh and if you really want a thrill, drop into his amazing Brooklyn Studio. Go for the world class coaching, stay for the stunning studio places and fung shui https://terryknickerbockerstudio.com | |||
| 24 Feb 2024 | Pre Oscar Prep with Lisa & Paul - Saturday Morning Special | 00:41:43 | |
Lisa woke up this morning realizing she is WAY behind on her Oscar nomination watching! Like, she has only seen “Barbie”. So to psych herself up to watch all the rest of these performances for all the Best Acting awards at least, Lisa sits down with Oscar savant Paul Sullivan, who has seen EVERY best picture nominee since 1943, to discuss the task she has ahead of her. Paul gives Lisa a little preview on what he thinks of all the films this year, and weighs in on all the performances (and he may or may not do a few impressions)…Paul also takes us down the rabbit hole of past Academy Award winners and compares them to this year’s hopefuls . (btw, humble brag, Lisa cast nominee Colman Domingo in a film years ago, so she is already rooting for him without seeing him in “Rustin” yet, is that wrong?). Will Lisa be able to set aside her existential angst about these award shows in general before the big ceremony? Tune in to our pre-game chat to find out. (Note, yes, you will hear the moment that their dog Eleanor knocks over a big flower pot in the yard and gets a snootful of mud, we didn’t have the energy to edit that out).
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| 25 Jun 2021 | 34: Mr Inbetween S3E2 Recap | 00:39:55 | |
Your intrepid pod team continue their deep dive into the awesome, yet sadly final series of Mr Inbetween. | |||
| 24 Oct 2020 | 001: We review the top Aussie crime drama Mr Inbetween | 00:43:23 | |
Hollywood Casting Directors Lisa Zambetti and Brian Hill are joined by crime movie and TV buff Dean Laffan to discuss the shows we all love, which feature killer casting. | |||
| 09 Apr 2022 | 070 Edward Hong Part 02 | 00:40:54 | |
Our episodes come to you courtesy of our friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! | |||
| 09 Mar 2023 | 084 The Art of Casting Reality | 00:53:13 | |
And now for something completely different, love The Great British Baking Show but deplore The Kardashians? Hate/watch The Bachelor but ride or die with Dr. Pol? Project Runway, Top Chef, Selling Beverly Hills and Indian Matchmaking are shows that gave Lisa an insane amount of joy. Today, Lisa pivots to talking to her esteemed colleagues in the REALITY / UNSCRIPTED casting world. Join Lisa and her guests Reality Star turned Reality Casting Director Rachel Reilly (Big Brother, Traitors), Casting Director Kristen Moss (MasterChef, Big Brother, Reality Television Awards) and Emmy award winning Casting Director Jeffrey Marx (HBO's We're Here, Love on the Spectrum, Real World, Project Runway). We talk about how unscripted casting directors do their jobs, the differing genres within unscripted (competition, lifestyle) how they find people, how they champion people with evocative stories, and what positive change Reality shows bring to the world. And OH yes, we talk all the tea about Vanderpump Rules Ariana, Tom, Raquel of it all! | |||
| 08 Dec 2020 | 006: Fargo Season 4 Finale "Cue the Oranges" | 00:39:25 | |
The episode is titled 'Storia Americana' which Dean's basic Google Translate efforts, seems to suggest that the literal translation is 'A History of America'. Which makes sense because ut brings us full circle back to Ethelrida's History report ... the one which informed the breathtaking 25 min opening scene from Episode 1. | |||
| 04 Apr 2024 | Character Actor Tony Robinette is here! | 00:53:21 | |
If you watched this year's Superbowl, chances are you (and 123 million people) saw my guest Tony Robinette in the Dunkin Donuts commerical starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, and a slew of other cameos. That high profile spot capped off an incredible year of work for Tony, who has defied all odds to become one of the busiest actors in Hollywood (who you may not have heard of...yet). Despite two entertainment industry strikes, in 2023 Tony booked several TV shows including Ryan Murphy's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, NCIS, Tacoma FD, Waco: The Aftermath and Nightcourt. In those projects, Tony toggled between boisterous comic performances to heart breaking dramatic characters. How did he do it? Join our conversation to find out how Tony got his start, how he stays so busy, how he keeps a positive mindset and how he juggles not one but five (?) agents! Tony also takes us behind the scenes of that crazy DD commercial!
Want more Tony? You can watch his work here Follow him here https://www.instagram.com/thetonyrobinette/ And get coached by Tony here: https://www.workingactorscoach.com
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| 24 Nov 2022 | 078 When You See Us | 01:07:47 | |
Lisa and Dean sit down with phenomenal actors Marilee Talkington and James Immekus to talk about Access for Actors with Disabilities. Both have had incredible careers in television, film and theatre. But it has not been an easy road. Both Marilee and James are actors with low vision (also referred to as visually impaired) who each have remarkable stories to tell about their journey “to be seen”. What do Actors with disabilities go through in order to train, audition and work in an industry they love? What do casting directors, producers, directors and writers need to do to make sure these talented artists are included? We need them, and they need access. Join us for this honest and sometimes painful conversation. Subscribe and share. | |||
| 27 Jun 2021 | 036: Unearth. A very different kind of genre film | 00:49:24 | |
Lisa sits down with the cast of the indie horror film she worked on, "Unearth" that will start streaming on Amazon July 6. | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Episode 01 Recap | 01:09:19 | |
Lace your snow boots up nice and tight, snuggle into that down parka and scrunch your hat on good and proper because Lisa and Dean are leading you into their recap of the first episode of the much awaited fourth season of True Detective. So many questions ! Listen in for the answers. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/arts/television/true-detective-recap-season-4-episode-1.html Vulture'True Detective' Premiere Recap, Season 4, Episode 16 hours ago Collider'True Detective Night Country' Episode 1 Recap — "She's Awake"6 hours ago Need to kill an entire weekend by going down more rabbit holes than Alice and a White Rabbit ? https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/26/king-in-yellow-true-detectives-hbo-weird-fiction | |||
| 03 Jul 2021 | 038: Nic Cassim from Mr Inbetween ! | 00:55:50 | |
Please consider donating to research for a cure to this fatal disease. https://fightmnd.org.au/donate/ is a GLOBAL body dedicated to finding a cure for MND aka ALS aka Lou Gehrig's disease. | |||
| 15 Feb 2021 | 014 : Bonus episode | The History of (Simulated) Sex on TV and Film | 00:11:48 | |
Dean and Lisa return to talk about some factoids and other stuff that we couldn't fit in to our previous episode on simulated sex in film and TV. | |||
| 20 Apr 2021 | 020: Bonus episode ! Lisa chats with 3D game wizard Director Tom Keegan | 00:13:04 | |
Video Games. You might be surprised to know that some of the best roles for actors are not in Film or TV but IN video games. Love stories, stories of adventure, stories of great emotional loss. They are all contained in these projects....and they are not just voice overs, they are performance and likeness capture. So it is the actor IN the video game, their acting, their face, their emotion, their movement. Director Tom Keegan has worked on some of the biggest video game franchises, Star Wars, Battle Field and many others. Check out his insanely diverse CV here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1146741/ And if you think then audio in the pod SOUNDS good, check out the trailer here on You Tube.
Lisa has worked to help Tom cast many projects. She sits down with Tom to talk about the casting process for video games. Of course, there is a lot of glitz and glamour in the film and music industries. But would you be surprised to learn that these two are not the top-grossing sectors in entertainment? As a matter of fact, these two put together do not even match half the revenue the video game industry is earning. According to the latest figures, the video game business is now larger than both the movie and music industries combined, making it a major industry in entertainment. This year, the global games market is estimated to generate US$152.1 billion from 2.5 billion gamers around the world. By comparison, the global box office industry was worth US$41.7 billion while global music revenues reached US$19.1 billion in 2018.
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| 20 Oct 2022 | 076 - Blonde Hamlet | 00:49:20 | |
Beautiful, breathy, kittenish, dizzy, bombshell, blonde. So many words can describe Marilyn Monroe and never really capture who she was…or who we think she was. Was she a spoiled, vain, ambitious starlet who played men as easily as she did the ukulele in “Some Like It Hot”? Or a sad, traumatized victim, ever needy, ever wanting for approval, never finding the respect she craved, the child she yearned for nor the man she really loved. #Blonde #AnaDeArmas #MarilynMonroe #Bombshell #Hollywood #Starlet #AndrewDominik | |||
| 04 Aug 2021 | 047 Cheers - Binging with your kids | 00:34:13 | |
Lisa can’t be the only parent who loves binging through old (or semi old) comedies with their kids, now that you can stream almost anything, anytime, anywhere. It is always interesting to go back and see if the comedy holds up, or alternatively what is so cringy you have to shut your eyes, ears and hold your nose….as well as tell your kids “now that thing they said, or did, was WRONG. It was wrong then and it is still wrong now”. It can lead to some good conversations. Anyway, after running through Seinfeld, Friends, Scrubs, The Office, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Odd Couple, Lisa and the boys reached back to fire up Cheers. There are tons of great casting stories and lore that go along with this era defining show, including who was “almost” cast as “Sam” and “Diane”. Hint: we narrowly missed having Cliff Huxtable own a bar. So join Lisa and Paul as they pour a cold one in honor of place where everybody knows your name. | |||
| 21 May 2021 | 027: Mare of Easttown Episode 5 Recap | 00:37:37 | |
This week on Killer Casting we plunge ahead into the shocking episode 5 of “Mare of Easttown” titled “Illusions”. Lisa was holding her breath all through the last 5 minutes of the show. Even Brian was stunned! Incredible work by Kate Winslet, Evan Peters, and all the supporting cast.
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| 31 Jul 2024 | Mid-Summer TV and Film Catch Up | 00:59:15 | |
Midsummer Media Mania: From House of the Dragon to Reality TV Lisa and Dean are back with a Mid-Summer check in on all they are watching and all they anticipate to watch this coming fall season. They dive into the most recent episode of Season 2 of "House of the Dragon", Lisa reviewes her current fav British show "The Responder" starring Martin Freeman, Dean gets super jazzed about the upcoming installment of the Alien franchise called "Romulus" and they tangent into all kinds of other things they have seen this summer. 00:00 The Call to Face Dragons 01:51 Welcome to Killer Casting 02:14 Catching Up on Life and Work 04:24 Discussing TV Shows and Movies 07:08 House of the Dragon Deep Dive 15:46 AI and the Future of Entertainment 27:55 Anticipating Alien Romulus 32:29 Amazon Prime Day Deals 33:22 The Responder: A Must-Watch Series 38:28 Reality TV Guilty Pleasures 43:50 Glenn Powell's Rise to Stardom 49:49 Unique Cinema Experiences 51:52 Upcoming TV Shows and Projects 55:04 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up | |||
| 23 Mar 2021 | 017 : Pre-Oscar Discussion | 01:04:17 | |
This week, Lisa is in a bit of a tizzy over her love/hate relationship with the Oscars. With Oscar season now upon us, how should she cover the highly flawed categories? What should she, Dean and Brian focus on? Or should they just skip it all together? To help her wrestle with her consciousness she brings on Academy Awards expert Paul Francis Sullivan (who has seen not only every Oscar winning film, but also every NOMINATED film!). In this pre Oscar pod before the actual Oscar pod, Paul and Lisa canoodle, argue, giggle, befuddle and maybe come up with a solution....stay tuned. | |||
| 02 Dec 2023 | Fargo Season 5 Episode 3 (The Yellow Sweater) | 01:01:09 | |
Cheese Puffs, a 44 Magnum and The Yellow Sweater Before we delve into the third episode of Fargo Season 5 first we side bar into a review of the latest David Fincher movie “The Killer” starring a very enigmatic Michael Fassbender playing a rather bungling hired assassin. Then we get on to analyzing this (in Dean’s words) audacious episode 3 where wagons start to circle around our brave heroine Dot and her family. When your grocery list includes juice boxes, cheese puffs and shotguns, you know things are about to pop off. Lisa also has some good wallpaper talk and the gives a special shout out to some excellent sweater work by Dot’s yellow cardigan. #jonhamm #junotemple #noahhawley #hulu #fx #joekeery #lamornemorris #jenniferjasonleigh #richamoorjani #davefoley #Fargo #recap #streaming #Hulu #tvpodcast #nipplerings #yellowsweater 00:52 The Struggles of Waiting for New Episodes 01:21 Personal Anecdotes and Casual Conversation 02:27 Discussion on the Theme of Running Away 04:49 Discussion on Alien Franchise 09:13 Review of 'The Killer' 18:04 Discussion on Fargo Episode 3 Continued 28:50 Analyzing the Artful Editing and Visual Storytelling 30:06 Exploring the Character's Wardrobe Choices 31:29 Unpacking the Intense Bedroom Scene 37:35 Diving into the Intriguing Flashback Sequence 45:46 Discussing the Tense Confrontation at the Gun Shop 49:46 Breaking Down the Climactic Halloween Night Scene 55:41 Reflecting on the Episode's Themes and Revelations | |||
| 21 Dec 2022 | 080 The Women of 'She Said' | 00:58:05 | |
In light of the recent episode we recorded on the extraordinary Universal film “She Said” Lisa and Dean are honored to be joined by none other than Rowena Chiu who’s story about being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein is depicted in the movie. | |||
| 11 Jul 2021 | 042: Recap of Eps 7+8 of Mr. Inbetween | 00:51:39 | |
First I gotta get all literary on your collective asses ... "Saudade (English: /ˌsaʊˈdɑːdə/,[1] European Portuguese: [sɐwˈðaðɨ], Brazilian Portuguese: [sawˈdad(ʒ)i], Galician: [sawˈðaðɪ]; plural saudades)[2] is a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for something or someone that one cares for and/or loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never be had again. However it acknowledges that to long for the past would detract from the excitement you feel towards the future. Saudade describes both happy and sad at the same time, which is most closely translated to the English saying ‘bitter sweet’." Here is our recap of Episodes 7 + 8 of Mr Inbetween. The polarising ‘Im Your Girl’ and the shocking ‘I’ll See You Soon. The slow burn of E7 set us up for the stunning impact of E8. Now it’s only days until we find out how Scott, Nash and friends will draw this show to a close. Unlike the furious ‘catchup mode we have been in lately with the recapping S3Es 1- 8, our final recap of S3E9 will be out within HOURS of it going live, so watch your podfeed. Buckle up folks, here we go. | |||
| 07 Oct 2023 | 088 Miranda's Victim | 00:35:50 | |
“Miranda’s Victim” is a new feature film thoughtfully directed by Michelle Danner with a heavy hitting cast starring Abigail Breslin, Mireille Enos, Emily VanCamp, Ryan Phillippe, Luke Wilson, Andy Garcia, Donald Sutherland and Kyle MacLachlan. If you’ve watched any crime show, chances are you’ve heard the Miranda warning which starts “You have the right to remain silent…” But do you know where it came from and who “Miranda” was? If you thought Miranda was an innocent victim who was perhaps falsely accused of a crime you’d be mistaken. Lisa sits down with executive producer and writer George Kolber of “Miranda’s Victim” to talk about the true story of who the real victim was at the heart of the ground breaking legal challenge. In 1963, 18 year old Trisha Weir was on her way home from her job at a local Phoenix Arizona movie theater when she was abducted off the street, driven out into the desert and raped by Ernesto Miranda, a man who already had a history of crime including stalking and sexual assault. The police were able to zero in on Miranda, bring him into a line up where Trisha identified him and shortly thereafter he wrote a full confession to the crime without the presence of an attorney. Miranda was convicted, but later his verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court who found that his rights as a suspect had been violated. The film tracks Trisha’s journey as she tries heal from her trauma and still pursue justice. | |||
| 28 Dec 2023 | BONUS EP! Dean's Twixtmas Movie List - "Just in the St. Nick of Time" things to watch before New Year! | 00:22:48 | |
Just in the St. Nick of time! Whilst we are still enjoying our “twixtmas” haze on the couch lounging around scrolling for something fun to watch with family and friends before the New Year is upon us and we are back from holiday break (if you were lucky enough to have one!) here is THE DEAN’S LIST of holiday movies to enjoy before all is said and done. Dean has listed from “Nice” to “Naughty” his recommendations of Christmas movies to watch, starting with his favorite classics, moving to the the “middle” era of holiday fare, on through some worthy Christmas musicals to be on the look out for as well as “Christmas ADJACENT” films set at the holiday time, wrapping up with some truly dark and twisty takes on Santa. Add these to your queues and enjoy. In this episode, hosts Lisa and Dean Laffan discuss a wide range of Christmas movies, from traditional classics to alternate, horror, comedy and Christmas-adjacent films. They delve into films like 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Die Hard', 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas', 'A Christmas Horror Story', and 'Bad Santa', among many others. They also chat about some obscure choices such as 'Tangerine' and 'Violent Night'. The conversation also includes Lisa's reluctant watching experiences and Dean's detailed reviews and recommendations. Here is the Run Down: 01:00 Family Switch Movie Review 04:39 Four Christmases Movie Review 07:51 Muppet Christmas Movie Review 08:28 Elf and Scrooged Movie Review 09:08 A Christmas Story Live and Christmas in Connecticut Movie Review 11:22 Discussion on 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' 12:28 Opinions on 'Miracle on 34th Street' 12:48 Christmas Adjacent Movies: 'Die Hard' and Others 16:43 Alternative Christmas Movies: 'A Christmas Horror Story' and More 20:31 Christmas Slasher Movies: 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' and Others 20:52 Unique Christmas Movie: 'Tangerine' 21:47 Conclusion and Sign Off #classicchristmas #Christmasmovies #Holidayfilms | |||
| 26 Oct 2021 | 056 The Guilty on Netflix | 01:11:59 | |
It's a mashup ! True crime and film collide ... Lisa and Dean are joined by Real Crime Profile's Jim Clemente (Retired FBI Criminal Behavioral Profiler and Writer/Producer on CBS' Criminal Minds) to break down the new Netflix thriller "The Guilty" starring Jake Gyllenhaal who plays a cop doing desk duty as a 911 Dispatcher (with a fantastic cast of actors doing spectacular voice over work). Joining the gang are not one but TWO real life 911 Dispatchers, Susan Nofplotes from Florida and Katie Gregory-Tims from Texas. | |||
| 13 Oct 2021 | 053 Scariest Performances | 00:50:11 | |
t’s the scary month of October! And what really terrifies us? Is it the hairy creature, the slimy alien, the relentless psychopath? Or is it the monster within ourselves? Or both? (Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” anyone?) Join Lisa, Dean and our special guest producer Ben Raphael Sher (Eli Roth’s “History of Horror”) as we talk about the scariest performances by actors we’ve ever seen in film and tv. | |||
| 16 Apr 2022 | 072 Severance Part 2 | 00:37:10 | |
Lisa, Dean, Matt and Mj resume their coverage of the brilliant Apple TV+ production Severance. Soak it up peeps ! Meanwhile, here are some links to help you binge on yet more goodies, now that the series finale has aired. In a marketing masterstroke, Apple Books have released a faux expose book by a fictional woman named Margaret “Peg” Kincaid. The book purports too be a tell-all by Peg spilling the beans on what’s really happening at Lumon. Get it from Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/severance/id1613220757 Seven awesome behind the-scenes stories you never knew about the making of Series 1. The first story by some guy called Dan Erickson …. The story behind the EPIC opening titles designed by enfant terrible Oliver Latta (aka Extraweg) In Dean’s opinion already the best titles of 2022 and unlikely to be beaten. The Den of Geek article Dean mentioned deep diving on the fascination sci-fi has with corridors A constantly updating guide to all of the irl locations where Severance was filmed, not least the iconic Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey which serves as the Lumon head office. An spooky recent picture gallery of the deserted Bell Works Lab designed by Finnish legend Eero Saarinen Roxanna Hadadi over at Vulture has her own suspicions about what exactly Lumen is up to and what we might fond out in Series 2 And finally Roxanna’s colleague Jackson McHenry has this great piece on the insanely great (see what I did there) Production Design of the series
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| 13 Feb 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Episode 5 Recap | 00:59:07 | |
Well that was unexpected ! Issa and crew certainly delivered a shock ending. Farewell Hank ... thanks for the cool tune on the way out. Great interview with John Hawkes. https://www.vulture.com/article/true-detective-recap-season-4-episode-5-part-5.html https://screenrant.com/true-detective-night-country-story-recap-whats-going-on/ https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a46686629/true-detective-season-4-episode-5-recap/ https://collider.com/true-detective-season-4-episode-5-recap/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/television/true-detective-season-4-episode-5-recap.html https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a46686629/true-detective-season-4-episode-5-recap/ https://www.avclub.com/true-detective-review-season-4-episode-5-part-5-1851235960
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| 14 Jul 2021 | 043: Mr Inbetween Episode 9 (Finale) Live Reaction. | 00:24:32 | |
Brian and Lisa have a virtual snuggle via Zoom as they settle in to record their live reactions to the MUCH anticipated series finale of the brilliant Mr Inbetween. | |||
| 23 Nov 2020 | 003: We dive headlong into Kansas City in 1950 for Fargo Season 4 | 00:57:37 | |
Lisa goes all-in on Fargo Season 4, waxing rhapsodic about the first episode's incredible prologue, the structure, the casting, the costumes. But Brian is not having it … and he’s a bit grumpy about the do's and don'ts of mafia cannon. Dean as usual, pulls some rabbits out of his hat, with observations neither Lisa nor Brian noticed ! #fargo #chrisrock #noahhawley #hulu #coenbrothers #SBSOnDemand Fargo Season 4 Trailer Available in the US on Hulu and in Australia on SBS On-Demand Chris Rock interviewed about Fargo on GMA Quick 5 minute interview on ET Canada The evolution of behavioural profiling in crime fiction Interview with Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs author Thomas Harris ... his first in 46 years ! Interview with the OG of Criminal Profilers John Douglas The scene that got Dean all foaming-at-the-mouth for his cold intro ... | |||
| 11 Feb 2022 | 060 Scream | 00:23:18 | |
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ... Sidney ! Its short, its sharp, its a bunch of fun and recorded on location ! | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | 067 The Slap | 00:45:36 | |
Everyone is weighing on the confrontation at the 2022 Oscar ceremony between Will Smith and Chris Rock. While we wish we could focus on the winners (and we will), today seemed like a good time to get some perspective and context about the dramatic, confusing and shocking incident from other people who work in Hollywood. | |||
| 03 May 2024 | Baby Reindeer with Actor David Rysdahl | 01:03:52 | |
The Netflix series “Baby Reindeer” written by Scottish comedian Richard Gadd based on the true story of a period in his life when he was stalked by a woman whom he gave a free cup of tea while working as a bartender in London, has been burning itself into the eyeballs and psyches of millions of people. Lisa was fascinated by the hit show’s unflinching honesty, style, structure and incredible performances by both Gadd and Jessica Gunning. Joining Lisa and Dean to break it all down is another incredible actor, David Rysdahl. You may remember David from this season’s “Fargo”, playing sweet “Wayne” the husband of Juno Temple’s “Dot”. His other credits include “Oppenheimer”, “Black Mirror” and he is currently shooting Noah Hawley’s new “Alien” series in Bangkok. David shares his reaction to “Baby Reindeer” and the aspects of Gadd’s character “Donny Dunn” that he identifies with. David performed for years in New York as a clown and was part of the “alt” comedy scene. We talk about Hollywood predators, the insecurities of fame…and so much more. Join us for the conversation. You can read Dawn Glen’s insightful article about “Baby Reindeer” here:https://www.thecustardtv.com/netflixs-baby-reindeer-is-an-unflinching-look-at-abuse/ If you or someone you care about needs support contact In the U.S. In the U.K. In Australia Stalking Safety Planning resource: Stalking Prevention Awareness Here are some of David’s favorite organization doing great work to help save the environment. Please check out https://www.urbanoceanlab.org/sandy-community-resilience | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | 032 - Pride Pod Part 1 with H. Alan Scott | 00:39:22 | |
Hail to the Queen!! Guess who stops by to celebrate our Pride in film and tv, none other than the multi-hyphenate comedian, writer, film maker and yes Drag Queen, H. Alan Scott!!!! (aka Sadie Pines). Lisa, Dean and H. Alan share all their favorite movies, tv shows and individual acting performances under the big beautiful rainbow umbrella. H. Alan talks The Bird Cage and the time Robin Williams saw his stand up routine. Dean talks about a Russell Crowe movie where he plays and out and proud gay man. Lisa talks about the murder of both Brandon Teena and Harvey Milk and how much films honoring them have meant to her. Join us and get your gay on! #thebirdcage #gaypride #boysdontcry #harveymilk #brandonteena #salmineo #lgbtq | |||
| 08 Dec 2020 | 009: Even MORE of our interview with Joe Mantegna, talking House of Games & the art of the con | 00:21:09 | |
Yes it features cards and gambling but its more about human nature and the con. "The poker player learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong; that the bumblebee can fly; that, perhaps, one should never trust an expert; that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of by those with an academic bent." David Mamet | |||
| 20 Feb 2022 | 061: HBO's Euphoria and transformative performances with Terry Knickerbocker | 00:26:02 | |
Lisa is ALL in on HBO’s Euphoria, and particularly Zendaya’s stunning transformative performance as a drug addicted teenager careening towards the abyss. We need to talk about it, pull it apart and examine what is making it so amazing. #euphoria | |||
| 30 Jun 2021 | 037: Mr. Inbetween Episodes 3 + 4 Recap | 00:44:09 | |
We delve deeply into these action-light, but setup, super, SUPER heavy episodes. Ray's world is closing in around him. What does the future hold for Ray ? (if he even has one) | |||
| 24 Feb 2021 | 015: Promising Young Woman with Jim and Laura from RCP ! | 00:59:27 | |
Cross over episode!! Lisa and Dean are joined by Real Crime Profile Podcast’s Laura Richards and Jim Clemente to breakdown the incredible film 'Promising Young Woman' written and directed by Emerald Fennell, starring Carey Mulligan in a performance for the ages. Jim and Laura bring a law enforcement perspective to the plot and they have many insights into the behaviour of each character in this ground breaking film. Warning!! This episode (and the film) deals with the trauma associated with sexual assault and may be very triggering. Please look after yourselves. This episode also (unavoidably) contains massive plot spoilers, so if you haven't seen the film, please pause and come back to us after you have watched it. Laverne Cox interview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/14/laverne-cox-interview-trailblazing-trans-activist-i-can-be-so-hard-on-myself | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | Everyday Superheroes - Meet 3 Extraordinary Actors who Perform with Disabilities | 01:02:24 | |
Lisa is thrilled to be joined by three wonderful actors who you need to know about! Carey Cox recurs on “The Handmaid’s Tale” as Rose Blaine, Joseph Kibler has acted on shows like “Criminal Minds” “Good Trouble” “Chicago Med” and Leah Rachel is model, dancer, actress performing all over London on both stage and screen. What do these three artists have in common? In addition to being talented, they are all performers with disabilities and advocates in their own unique capacities. Carey, Joseph and Leah have so much to share with us, not just about their career challenges but also about their wins and their view of the changing landscape of visibility, accessibility and inclusion for performers. Joseph’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_wSQDC60FRxjUxdrjGRHVA Joseph’s Insta https://www.instagram.com/josephakibler/ TikTok - Josephakible Joseph Kibler’s blog - www.fancywalker.blog Carey’s Insta https://www.instagram.com/careyleighcox/?hl=en Leah’s Insta https://www.instagram.com/leahrachel99/ Leah’s other Socials @LeahRachel99 Website: https://www.leahrachelcaplan.com Leah Rachel is an Access Coordinator, Disabled Actress, and a Medical Ethics Researcher currently based in the UK Carey Cox is a New York based actor. Originally from El Paso, TX, Carey has a BFA in Musical Theater from Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and an MFA in Acting from UNC Chapel Hill. Carey has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theater. She was a writer and performer for the 2022 Viacom/CBS Diversity Showcase, and she plays Rose Blaine on The Handmaids Tale. She also stars in the upcoming Indie feature Where Did the Adults Go?. Other passions include visual art, playwrighting, stand-up, singing, guitar, and volunteering. Carey has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and advocates for disability inclusion. She has three cats and one dog with her husband Joe. Joseph Kibler is a born disabled and HIV positive actor/writer/content creator living in New York, NY. Joseph has appeared on shows such as Chicago Med, Good Trouble, Criminal Minds and CSI Cyber along with several National commercials from brands like Wells Fargo, Toyota, National Association of Realtors & United Healthcare. He was a long time member of Upright Citizen Brigade as an improviser & sketch comedy writer and was on the MessHall Team Fetch. Joseph has also produced and was the subject of an Award Winning Documentary called Walk On. Walk On follows Joseph's journey training to walk 6 miles in the LA AIDS Walk. It was produced by Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson, Hugh Jackman, Steve & Nancy Carell and won best documentary at Burbank International Film Festival & Timecode: NOLA. Alongside his HIV & Disability activism and writing his own spec films/tv shows, he enjoys his days with his spouse, Carey Cox and their four senior pets. Here is the rundown: 01:29 The Reality of Being a Disabled Actor 02:29 The Importance of Authentic Representation 07:23 The Struggle for Equal Opportunities 09:52 The Isolation of Disabled Actors 12:57 The Role of an Access Coordinator 15:35 The Challenges of Accessibility on Set 27:48 Carey's Character in The Handmaid's Tale 29:58 Character Research and Backstory 30:27 Wheelchair Barbie 31:47 Impact of Representation on Younger Generations 32:28 The Struggle for Representation in Children's Media 35:49 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Disability in Performance 37:04 The Importance of Representation and Accessibility in Media 40:49 The Need for Disabled Creatives in the Industry 55:00 Future Projects and Hopes for Increased Representation | |||
| 08 Dec 2020 | 005: Fargo Season 4 "We're not in Kansas City anymore" | 01:36:50 | |
Lisa, Brian and Dean recap the penultimate episodes of the bold Fargo Season 4. Things are coming to a head ! Lisa is still in love with it. Brian's patience is starting to wear thin .. and Dean takes a comfortable position on the fence. | |||
| 18 Dec 2021 | 058: Bond, James Bond | 00:54:58 | |
Lisa sez; "I don't GAF about who the next James Bond might be, I don't even care about what's-his-face, who is about to retire from playing the current Bond ... change my mind" Deano is joined by extreme film nerd Paul Francis Sullivan and famous (infamous ?) Producer, Adam Spiegelman to dive into the past and present Bondiverse to try and bring Lisa on board. Do we succeed ? Well [you know this is coming] you'll have to listen to find out! Along the way, just like Jefferson Airplane, Paul will ‘feed your head’ with amazing, heretofore unknown Bondian nuggets. Adam has some inside Hollywood goss and Dean just tries to keep up … with varying degrees of success. In this ep, the boss also lets us all plug our OWN pods ! (OMG) Adam has his hilarious pod covering the best worst films of all time. ‘Proudly Resents’ (That is BIG vertical) You can expect this pod to run forever. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proudly-resents-the-cult-movie-podcast/id373063266 Paul Francis Sullivan has the insane baseball pod 'Locked on MLB' https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/locked-on-mlb-daily-podcast-on-major-league-baseball/id1361879433 where during baseball season he puts out … One episode per month ? ... nope. One episode per week ? ... nope. One episode per FREAKIN DAY PEOPLE ! ... and in the off-season his is till jonesing on off-season news, collectibles ... you name it. So his pod will likely not finish until our sun goes supernova and envelops the earth, or he shuffles off this mortal coil ... whichever comes first. Meanwhile, in another life Dean is a scuba diver/cavediver/freediver and co-convenor of one of the world's biggest diving events. Listen in to the Ozdive Podcast which is replaying previously unheard presentations from the world's top explorers, hyperbaric geeks, historians, divers, film makers and all sorts of n'er do wells in scuba, cave and technical diving and world class freedivers. Take a deep breath and dive in ! https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ozdiveshow-podcast/id1587465467 And of course when not casting everything under the sun in Hollywood, or blessing us with her godly presence on our humble little pod, Lisa is the founder, co-producer, co-presenter of a teeeeeeensy weeeensy little true crime pod known as ‘Real Crime Profile’ I think if you google it, you may get a hit or two. Here let me help you … https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/real-crime-profile/id1081244497 Oooooh … not far til Christmas now folks ! | |||
| 28 Oct 2022 | 077 American Murderer | 00:59:15 | |
American Murderer, the new film written and directed by Matthew Gentile, stars Tom Pelphery, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, Paul Schneider, Kevin Corrigan, Shantel VanSantern and Jacki Weaver. | |||
| 02 Feb 2024 | True Detective | Episode 3| Recap | 00:50:38 | |
Lisa and Dean delve into the depths and profundity ofTrue Detective: Night Episode 3. How is Kali Reis in her third only role SMASHING it, up against the legend that is Jodie Foster ? Peter wants to know ‘Who is Mrs. Robinson ?” (Snicker) WT ACTUAL F is going on with Liz and Eve at William Wheeler's crummy, homicidal shack ? When Navarro slips on the ice and has a vision of Liz’s son Holden, why is he reversed/flipped horizontally ? Why …. Oh FMD … too many questions and not enough answers! Tune in to get our take on what we think so far. Credit to the following; BrainPilot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyb8SPoZHFU https://www.vulture.com/article/true-detective-recap-season-4-episode-3-part-3.html https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-recaps/true-detective-night-country-episode-3-recap-jodie-foster-kali-reis-issa-lopez-1234953858/ https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a46553371/true-detective-season-4-episode-3-recap/ Pete Peppers YT recap (the best !) https://youtu.be/5yeyJ4jT6wM?si=ixXDk5ObhFMpsskf Think Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vU8pOU1AI https://collider.com/true-detective-season-4-episode-3-recap/ Sedna Mythology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_(mythology) Oranges in The Godfather as a harbinger of death https://movies.stackexchange.com/questions/67749/were-oranges-an-intentional-use-of-symbolism-by-filmmakers/67756#67756
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| 23 Jun 2021 | 033: Scott Ryan - Mr Inbetween Promo minosode ! | 00:04:23 | |
The three of hosts had to keep a tight leash on our inner gibbering idiots today because THIS was the day we go to chat with Creator/Writer/Actor Scott Ryan about his unbelievably awesome show Mr Inbetween. This short series of out takes is just to whet your appetite for the full hour long version coming just as soon as we can. Also watch your feed for our interviews with Nic Cassim whose performance as Rays brother Bruce is simply heartbreakingly beautiful. Then (yes there is more !) joining us will be the amazing Damon Herriman who plays club owner Freddy in the show but also of course known internationally for his work on the series 'Justified and his recent projects with Quentijn Tarantino and Said Fincher. | |||
| 23 Oct 2021 | 055 The Tragic Death of Halyna Hutchins | 00:39:24 | |
On today’s episode we react to the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was accidentally shot while on set of the film “Rust”. | |||
| 05 Feb 2023 | 082 Saturday, Pancakes and Elvis | 00:59:44 | |
Today Lisa is in the kitchen banging around making blueberry pancakes in the background while Paul tells her what he thinks about Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” movie and how Austin Butler’s performance compares with the real thing. Do we think he will win the Oscar? Listen and find out. | |||
| 29 Jul 2021 | 046: Contemplating Cosby | 00:52:48 | |
In this episode, we dive into the controversial release of the man previously known as 'America's Dad' ... who is now known as a predatory, sociopathic rapist. Yes, that would be Bill Cosby, the man who abused his public persona as one of the most trustworthy and beloved actor/comedians to drug and rape dozens of unsuspecting women. Annnnnd this I sKC-Heavy turning 270 zero for home. Blue skies and tailwinds everyone. | |||
| 23 Sep 2021 | 050: Hulu Wrap-up | 00:39:54 | |
Lisa sez: "Cut the cord peoples!" Brian sez: "Don't forget your animated options" Dean sez: "Whats a Hulu?" Your intrepid reporters from the global resources of the vast Killer Casting Network (KCN) deep dive what is currently keeping them, up way too late, bed-less, bingeing and burning bits & bytes ("But honey ... just one more episode .... PUHlease ?") Brian has been on an animated tear (That's 'tear' ... not 'tear') so he sketches out why you should watch Solar Opposites from Justin Roiland the creator of Rick and Morty and lays out the result of the love child between Kiwi geniuses Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi .. that would be the vampire mockumentary comedy 'What We Do in the Shadows' | |||
| 05 Mar 2024 | Howard Fine - Legendary A-List Acting Teacher Drops Some Truths | 00:51:34 | |
📍Well look who took time out of his busy schedule coaching A-List actors like🤩 Bradley Cooper, Michelle Williams, Kerry Washington, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek and Austin Butler to sit down with Lisa and talk about the craft of acting, 🎭 the Oscars 🏆and also the new edition of his book 📖 “Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft”, none other than legendary acting teacher Howard Fine! Howard and Lisa gab about all kinds of things that are on their minds these days about process, technique, and elements that help make actors better at their art. Howard gives all kinds of nuggets of wisdom and shares stories about working with A-list actors on their award-winning performances. You can get a copy of Howard’s book here. It is truly a must have resource for any actor or any acting teacher. https://amzn.to/4a2xOUN Want to study with Howard or his master teachers? Check out his programs here: https://www.howardfine.com #acting #actors #actingclass #actingcoach #oscarwinningperformance #hollywood #craftofacting #actingtechnique | |||
| 26 Apr 2021 | 022: Oscars 2021 | 00:53:36 | |
Lisa, Dean and special guest Paul Sullivan wade through the detritus of the weirdest Oscars since Rob Lowe sang with Snow White | |||
| 09 Apr 2022 | 069 Edward Hong Part 01 | 00:35:55 | |
Our episodes come to you courtesy of our friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! Ed and Lisa careen through all kinds of topics including how he became famous as “The Cinnabon Guy”. (Yes really) | |||
| 23 Mar 2022 | 064 CODA - Redux | 00:52:25 | |
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order !******************************** Here in the final week before the 94th Academy Awards, we share this redux of Episode 048 celebrating the wonderful film CODA. Deservedly, it is up for THREE awards. Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for the brilliant Troy Kotsur. If you missed it first time, jump in now and if you heard it last year ... listen again ! Full transcript: https://www.killercastingpod.com/podcast/episode/23cd3f8a/048-coda SHOW NOTES: The success of a film like this hinges not so much on the story (it is a tale we have seen often), but on the casting of these wonderful roles who inhabit a world most of us have never experienced. Ruby is the only hearing member of her family where her dad Frank, her mom Jackie and her older brother Leo are all deaf. Those three roles are played by actors who are deaf in real life — which may seem like obvious casting choices, but in reality, actors who are deaf rarely get a chance to play roles this beautifully drawn. They rarely get to show off their astonishingly talent. But in this film, Troy Kotsur (who Lisa is starting a campaign right now for an Academy Award for this performance), Marlee Matlin and Daniel Durant all get a chance to shine brightly. The precocious Ruby is portrayed in a tour-de-force by Emilia Jones. As final treat, look out for the spellbinding performance of Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo Villalobos, Ruby's music teacher. In lesser hands, this film could easily have wallowed in mediocre cliche, but under the assured direction of Sian Heder and with that stellar cast, what shouldn't work does. What should be hackneyed, soars and what could easily be mawkish, will move you to tears. Joining us to give a true perspective on the portrayal of deaf characters in this film, is the amazing actress/writer/producer Antoinette Abbamonte who is also part of the deaf acting community in Hollywood. And a special shout out goes to our ASL interpreter Nicole Pancino who joined us for Antoinette’s interview. We could go ON for hours about this exquisite film .. in fact we almost do ! | |||
| 04 Jun 2021 | 029: MARE OF EASTTOWN FINALE with Jason Kennedy | 00:41:23 | |
To help Lisa, Brian and Dean make sense of the much anticipated finale of the HBO Original Series, Mare of Easttown, the gang is joined by Jason Kennedy who casts the NCIS franchises and knows a thing or two about murder mysteries! We talk about the "why" of Guy Pearce, the "who" of who really killed Erin, the "wow" of Julianne Nicholson's excruciating performance...Dean is still puzzled by all the bra wearing going on, Lisa was all to pieces watching Mare deal with Ryan AND deal with her son's death and Brian thinks Kate Winslet is the most generous actress on earth! Just hand her the Emmy already!
#MareofEasttownfinale #katewinslet #itwasryan #bradingelsby #guypearce #ncis #jasonkennedy #crimeshow #crimedrama #femaledetective
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| 26 May 2021 | 028: Mare of Easttown Ep 6 Recap with Susan Hegarty | 00:51:52 | |
This week Lisa and Dean breakdown the penultimate episode of the HBO Original Series “Mare of Easttown” joined by none other than Kate Winslet’s own dialect coach, the fantastic Susan Hegarty. Susan coached Kate on the now famous “Delco” accent used in “Mare”. Susan has coached so many A-List actors, it is ridiculous — and she helps us understand the way she works to make her clients sound as flawless as possible. To Lisa’s nerdy delight we get deep into the weeds discussing the differences between accents and dialects….but then we turn to analyzing Episode 6 titled “Sore Must Be the Storm”. Tune in to find out our take on this emotionally rich episode, so filled with amazing performances by all the “mothers” in this story. Please support us by leaving us a 5 star rating and a review wherever you listen to your podcasts!! Thanks!! #hbomax #hbooriginals #katewinslet #mareofeasttown #susanhegarty #ericbana #delco #dialect #accent #bradingelsby #episode6 #crimedrama #crimeshow #detectiveshow #ladydetective | |||
| 30 Apr 2021 | 021: Stanley Tucci and Anthony Bourdain | 00:48:37 | |
Acting is a transformative art and few do it better than the great Stanley Tucci. For years he existed in the realm of "you're that guy who was in that thing," but with his turn in Big Night, he showed he was more than just a supporting actor. He brings an intelligence and charm to every role he brings to life and with a seeming effortlessness that is a joy to watch. And what a dapper dresser! The gang takes on his current film, Supernova, and the controversy that sprung up around the casting of two straight actors playing a gay couple, as well as his great travel/food series, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. We're talking Tucci, CNN documentary series, Anthony Bourdain...we're all over the place. Download and share with friends! Rate us 5 stars! It's the right thing to do!" | |||
| 04 Jan 2023 | 081 A little gift of relaxation from Lisa | 00:22:41 | |
Happy 2023 from Killer Casting! That is why Lisa wanted to offer this special mediation that she hopes can help. Relaxation and visualization are cornerstones of many actor trainings. They are used in voice training, physical training and all kinds of acting methods to open your emotions and instrument. But today, Lisa wants to use this mediation to help you wherever you are in your journey, wherever you are on your path, wherever you are in your day or evening. Hey, even if you are not in the entertainment industry but want a new relaxation visualization exercise, stick around, we think you will feel really really good afterwards. So sit in a comfy chair, lay on your couch or bed, you could even settle into the seat of your parked car or your airplane seat … and get ready to breath, let go and let Lisa carry you for awhile | |||
| 01 Mar 2024 | "MONICA" a film by Andrea Pallaoro, casting by Emily Schweber | 00:33:08 | |
Sometimes Lisa needs to remind herself why she ever wanted to do casting in the first place and it is because of incredible casting directors like her mentor Emily Schweber 💕who exposed her to artists like the filmmaker Andrea Pallaoro. Both Emily and Andrea are her guests today to talk about a very special project. Lisa assisted Emily on casting Andrea’s first film the evocative award-winning “Medeas” starring Catalina Sandino Moreno…and now years later comes Andrea’s third film, also cast by Emily that is getting all kinds of acclaim, “Monica” starring Trace Lysette, Patricia Clarkson, (both giving 🏆Oscar worthy performances) Emily Browning, Josh Close and Adriana Barraza. 🌸“Monica” is an intimate story of a woman who returns home to care for her dying mother. A mother who due to a terminal illness, the passage of time, and other factors, doesn’t recognize her own child. Or does she? It is a film so universal that many people can relate to it — the fractures that split up a family, abandonment, healing old wounds, coping with the end of life, finding your way back to your past…and yet the film also is a very very unique look of the journey of a very particular woman. Andrea’s filming style is extremely distinct in its nuance, pacing, and framing. You are not going to see a standard two-shot, or easy transitions between scenes. He lets the audience sit with the people in this world, in their silent thoughts, in their private moments, uninterrupted. Emily and Andrea tell Lisa about the challenges of casting “Monica” and how they want the audience to experience the film, its revelations and ultimately the redemption of the characters. You can find “Monica” on Hulu, AMC, and many other streaming platforms. | |||
| 07 Jan 2021 | 012: Cobra Kai | 00:57:05 | |
When we asked Bob to be on the show, we were stoked to hear his favourite show was Cobra Kai. We sit down with him and also Lisa's dad Bob Zambetti who has more black belts than you have had hot dinners. When Lisa would say at school "Oh yeah ? ... well my dad, could beat up *your* dad ... she wasn't kidding. The original video tape recorded auditions by Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. The guy talking off-camera is Karate Kid director John Avildson, who also directed the first three Rocky films. https://youtu.be/YPFOHCmtEZI Great interview with Pat Morita explaining the back story of how he was cast in Karate Kid https://youtu.be/MoBeHY1Rvs0 Hilarious (and thought provoking) fan movie recut of Karate Kid, positioning Johnny as the good guy and Daniel as a spoilt bully. https://youtu.be/C_Gz_iTuRMM Ralph telling the story of how they shot the fly and chopsticks scene with a fly tied to a string ... no really ! Martin Kove talks about Karate Kid and Pat Morita Multiple stories about Cobra Kai at ET Online About the Bobs .. Bob Ruff is currently investigating the double homicide of Fort Worth couple Agnes and Lloyd "Smitty" Courtney. The Truth & Justice Podcast recently wrapped up Season 7 (The Murder of Bill Little), and Season 5 (The Forgotten West Memphis Three). The podcast investigates a new potential wrongful conviction case every season. Bob asks listeners to help with the investigation, in an attempt to prove who actually committed the crimes and free the wrongfully convicted. Truth & Justice is a true crowdsourced investigation in real time. Professor Zambetti is a 6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and 6th Dan Black Belt in Judo. He retired from active instruction at CSU East Bay (formerly CSU Hayward) in 2004 and is now a Professor Emeritus. He currently resides in Northern California. | |||
| 01 Mar 2023 | 083 It's Oscars time again ! | 01:00:11 | |
Lisa's love-hate relationship with Oscar reaches another year. This time we focus on the Best Actress race. So yes we cover Michelle, Michelle, Cate, Andrea and Ana, but we range far and wide as Lisa and Dean are joined by Oscars uber-nerd Paul Sullivan who brings his unique encyclopaedic brain to the party. | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | 087 Kurt Yaeger | 00:49:45 | |
Today we get to interview the incredible actor Kurt Yaeger who has been in more tv shows and films than we can name including a recur in Sons Of Anarchy, all the NCIS franchises, Another Life, Shameless,…and who is also an actor with a disability. Kurt is a unique performer because sometimes the roles he takes feature his below the knee amputation and sometimes they don’t. Regardless he is able to kick ass doing his own stunts motorcycle riding, running, jumping, fighting, shooting, and getting exploded. Kurt tells us about his journey from being a professional athlete to his accident, his rehabilitation and his determination to act no matter what. You will truly be inspired to hear how he got cast on SoA. Plus he shares his insights on what needs to happen to get more inclusion and representation for more performers with disabilities in the entertainment industry. Also, Dean and Kurt bro it out on all kinds of levels. His website https://www.kurtyaeger.com/ His career in porn ! Don't panic its a tounge-in-cheek book' called 'Porn for Women and TOTALLY safe for work and kids. No nudity. Think men fully clothed doing housework and cooking ;-) https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/porn-for-women.html/ | |||
| 10 Sep 2021 | 049: Michael K Williams Remembered | 00:33:13 | |
Today we are paying special tribute to an actor we lost too soon, who was an astonishing talent, exceptional human being and whom Lisa had the great fortune of casting in two projects… Michael Kenneth Williams. | |||
| 19 Jan 2024 | Fargo Season 5 Finale | Recap | 00:51:48 | |
Aaaaaaaand that’s a wrap folks !
To breakdown the operatic finale of Fargo Season 5, Lisa and Dean are ecstatic to be joined by the man, the myth, the legend himself, renowned acting coach/teacher Terry Knickerbocker.
From his incredible Brooklyn based studio, Terry has worked with actors from beginners, all the way to Hollywood A-Listers such as; Chris Messina (Newsroom, I Care A Lot, The Mindy Project), Oscar Winner Sam Rockwell (Moon, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Seven Psychopaths), Abbie Cornish (Somersault, Sucker Punch, Jack Ryan) Yul Vasquez (Severance, Magic City, Whitehouse Plumbers) Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire, Life on Mars, Manchester By the Sea) and so many others.
Lisa, Terry and Dean wrap up this wild season by discussing the overarching main themes, the fate of various characters, the performances of this stellar cast and where this season sits in terms of the Fargo universe. Join us! Subscribe and please take a moment to leave us a 5 star review wherever you get your pods.
You can learn more about Terry here https://terryknickerbockerstudio.com
Here are some recap/breakdown links to further your Fargoddiction for rounding out this excellent Season Five.
https://www.vulture.com/article/fargo-finale-recap-season-5-episode-10-bisquik.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/arts/television/fargo-recap-season-5-finale.html
https://tvline.com/recaps/fargo-recap-season-5-finale-episode-10-ending-explained-1235113875/
https://www.avclub.com/fargo-season-5-finale-review-bisquik-1851169777
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| 24 Nov 2021 | 057 Thanksgiving Bingeing | 00:48:10 | |
It's that time of year! We are so "thankful" that it is time to binge on good food and great tv. Catch up with Lisa, Dean and Ashley on what they have been obsessing over and what they want to catch up on now that holiday time has begun! | |||
| 26 Mar 2022 | 066 Oscars '22 - Part 3 of 3 | 00:30:28 | |
This episode comes to you today with thanks to our new friends at Plantiva. Learn more at http://www.plantiva.com/killercasting and use the promo code KC25 to get 25% off your next order ! | |||
| 21 Dec 2023 | Fargo Season 5 | Episode 6 Recap (The Tender Trap) | 00:49:01 | |
AGENT JOAQUIN is in the house! Joining Lisa to breakdown Fargo Season 5 Episode 6 “The Tender Trap” is none other than actor Nick Gomez who recurs as FBI Agent Joaquin this season and who got a front row seat up close and personal in the Jon Hamm in the Hot tub scene. Before we dive into this episode, Lisa talks about casting Nick on Criminal Minds as a Detective and the behind the scenes process. Nick then reveals how he landed Fargo and his first day on set as well as giving us his unique insights on the series. Nick and Lisa analyze the shifting power plays in this week’s episode, the revelations and the deepening relationships between all of these incredible characters. Oh and Lisa floats the Wizard of Oz theory past Nick. Join us, subscribe and be sure to leave us a review. You can follow Lisa on Insta @lisazambetticasting and weigh in on what you thought about Fargo’s Ep 6. KILLER CASTING is proud to support “WE AUDITION” the incredible website and app for professional actors to help them find a self tape reader ON DEMAND. A tool that no actor should be without. No more asking your mom or your roommate to read with you for your auditions. On We Audition, there are readers available 24/7. All around the world, whenever you need them. So you could pick the right reader for the genre or the type of role (age, gender, accent) you're reading for. And it's so simple. You just click onto the website or the app, select the reader that you want to use, and they'll come right up on video chat. This is a company run by actors, for actors. Right now Killer Casting pod listeners can get a 25% off discount code. Just take a listen to today’s ep (at minute 18.36) and hear the special code for 25% off. Check out “We Audition” at https://www.weaudition.com Here’s the Rundown: 01:45 Nick's Audition Experiences 06:06 Nick's Role in Fargo 10:58 Nick's First Day on Set 19:37 Discussion on Episode Six 23:42 The Dynamics of Deputy Olmstead's Marriage 24:12 Deeper Dive into Characters' Personalities 25:52 Exploring the Scene with Sheriff Tillman 26:58 Analyzing Wardrobe Choices 27:33 Exploring the Scene with Wayne 28:03 Sheriff Tillman's Increasing Violence 28:41 Analysis of the Scene with Gator 30:46 The Wizard of Oz Theory 32:12 The FBI Agents' Interrogation 36:34 Sheriff Tillman's Deal with Ole 39:47 Discussion on the Scene with Lorraine and Deputy Indira 43:37 The Final Scene at the Strip Club 45:03 Thoughts and Future Expectations | |||
| 30 Oct 2020 | 002: We conclude our wrap up and review of Mr. Inbetween. | 00:37:18 | |
Hollywood Casting Directors Lisa Zambetti and Brian Hill are joined by crime movie and TV buff Dean Laffan to discuss the shows we all love, which feature killer casting. | |||
| 14 Dec 2023 | Fargo Season 5 | Episode 5 (The Power Suit) | 00:44:15 | |
("The Tiger" aka The Power Suit Episode) Helping them cover Fargo Season 5, Episode 5, Lisa & Dean are thrilled to be joined by special guest Scott Winant, a two-time Emmy award-winning director and producer who has worked on high-profile shows like Breaking Bad, True Blood, Yellowjackets and …Season 1 of FARGO! (How many people get to say they’ve directed Key and Peele as FBI Agents? Well Scott has!) Scott shares his unique insights on the Fargo series given his former director of photography was none other than Dana Gonzalez who directed this week’s episode “The Tiger”. As usual, we dissect the cinematic choices, the wardrobe (Lorraine and her intricate power suits), the unfolding origami of the story and the showdown between our two favorite villains. We also take a moment to remember the wonderful actor André Braugher who sadly we lost this week. Scott directed him in the pilot of “Men of a Certain Age” and shares his remembrance of this powerful performer. KILLER CASTING is proud to support “WE AUDITION” the incredible website/app for professional actors to help them find a self tape reader ON DEMAND. It is a tool that no actor should be without. No more asking your mom or your roommate to read with you for your auditions. On We Audition, there are readers available 24/7. All around the world, whenever you need them. So you can pick the right reader (age, gender, accent) for the genre or the type of role you're reading for. And it's so simple. You just click onto the website or the app, select the reader that you want to use, and they'll come right up on video chat. This is a company run by actors, for actors. Right now Killer Casting pod listeners can get a 25% off discount code. Just take a listen to today’s ep (at 23.54) and hear the special code for 25% off. Check out “We Audition” at https://www.weaudition.com #Fargo #FX #Hulu #Recap #JunoTemple #JenniferJasonLeigh #JonHamm #NoahHawley #DavidRysdahl #DaveFoley #RichaMoorjani #JoeKeery #LukasGage #WizardofOz The Rundown: 01:13 Discussion on Scott Winant’s Career and Projects | |||
| 27 Jan 2021 | 013: Lupin | 00:49:37 | |
Since released in January 8 2020, this French language thriller/action/heist/fantasy has taken the world by storm. 70m households in two weeks ! Bigger than The Queen's Gambit or Bridgerton ? .... Sacre Bleu ! Review at the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/arts/television/lupin-netflix-omar-sy.html As mentioned in the pod, this original stories written around the true of the 20th century have been updated repeatedly in France. But in 1974 Japanese Director Hayao Miyazaki (later of Studio Ghibli/Spirited Away fame) produced an animated take on the character ! Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJudurbkv1E Courtesy of our listener Ren, via SpeakPipe, here is the info on her recommendation 'Money Heist', also available on Netflix. If you really wan to get you Eurotrash binge on, check out this list of Top 11 (not a typo) International shows to stream right now, yes RIGHT now. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/04/16/fauda-money-heist-international-tv-shows/
And finally. The modern day man described as ‘The Gentleman Thief’ in today’s world. Apollo Robbins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dWSIUNF10 His INSANENLY jaw dropping TEDx Talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dWSIUNF10
Hey does anyone even read this stuff ... ? ;-). If so, please et me know on our Speakpipe widget, just go to , say your piece and you're done ! https://www.killercastingpod.com/contact Click the buttonRecord your message and we'll put you on the pod. | |||