Casting By

This is an excellent documentary for any movie buff. This is because although we love directors, actors and perhaps even producers, folks almost never stop to think about the casting director--the person whose job it is to find talent, appropriate talent, for all the film roles. The story primarily focuses on Marion Dougherty and how she created the position while working for Kraft Theater on television and follows her through her brilliant career. It also focus to a lesser extend on Lynn Stahlmaster who created this sort of role in Hollywood. It's all very, very informative and it was very touching hearing folks talking so fondly of Marion and crediting so much of their success to her. The only thing you DON'T learn is anything about her personal life or those of the other casting directors. And, when you look them up on IMDb, there really isn't much more than their names. Interesting...as if IMDb hasn't noticed or appreciated these folks as well...so perhaps they should see "Casting By".

It's nice to see this film, as often the perception is that Hollywood is so selfish and narcissistic, yet here so many 'heavy hitters' make themselves available for interviews and attribute so much of their success to the casting directors and in particular, Marion.

Superb and well worth seeing.

Casting actors and actresses for movies and television shows would seem to be a thankless job, until one realizes that without the proper person in a role, the whole project might seem ill-conceived. East coast casting agent Marion Dougherty and her west coast counterpart, Lynn Stalmaster are the two principles spotlighted here, paving the way for their associates and colleagues to get the recognition they deserve for working with filmmakers in making the best casting choices possible. Despite a terrible early performance on TV's "Naked City", Dougherty took another chance on actor Jon Voight in 1968, sending him to meet with director John Schlesinger for "Midnight Cowboy"; Schlesinger and Jerome Hellman tested Voight but really wanted Michael Sarrazin for the part of Joe Buck, who wasn't available, causing Dougherty to actually push for Voight--as an agent might. This documentary from Tom Donahue includes some surprise commentators and lots of film clips. I would have liked to see more examples of movies in which the casting was off, but Donahue and his subjects are too polite to embarrass anyone. The intention is to shed light on an unsung profession and how it affects the show business world, and this is accomplished with great style. *** from ****

Prior to seeing this exceptional documentary, directed by Tom Donahue, I don't recall ever having viewed a film devoted exclusively to the work and accomplishments of casting directors. This extremely well presented movie centers on one of the trailblazers of casting for movies and television Marion Dougherty, who passed away in 2011. We do hear from and see the work of other casting directors as well, such as Lynn Stalmaster, Juliet Taylor, and Ellen Lewis, among others. Taylor, who was hired by Dougherty has been casting Woody Allen movies for several decades now.

It's really great fun to see many of the superstars of today in film clips as they were beginning their careers, and how they were noticed and cast in some of the most famous movies and TV shows ever. You see that Dougherty possessed uncanny instincts to know what actors and actresses belonged in what roles, and her ability to convince the directors of such, and the results of all of this is truly amazing.

One aspect of the documentary that I never thought about but which surprised me when it was presented was the refusal of filmmakers to recognize and appropriately credit casting directors for their work on a movie. They had to fight to even get separate credits for their work on screen, and it remains the only separate line credit in movies that doesn't have an Oscar category (the Emmys have such a category now). You see some directors in the film especially Taylor Hackford, showing their arrogance and egos decrying that he the director is the final say so why should there be a category for casting. It's ridiculous, in my opinion, and needs to be changed now, if I may editorialize a bit here.

In summary this is a special movie that I truly believe anyone who likes films will enjoy.

Though i was familiar with some of the Casting Directors, i found out about this outstanding Documentary, after listening to a podcast interview with Actor Simon Callow. Moderated by the one and only Leonard Maltin and daughter Jessie Maltin.😊 They ask plenty of juicy questions ! Very informative Doc.

CASTING BY is a surprisingly entertaining documentary. Its title is somewhat misleading as it's doesn't really explain the occupation of casting directors, rather it is a valentine to Marion Dougherty, the woman who coined the term as she carved out a unique role when she began working in the entertainment business. Ironically, she wanted to be an actress herself, but didn't pursue a career, believing it would be too difficult. Fortunately, an entry level position at NBC producing live plays sponsored by Kraft proved a better fit for her theatrical instincts. As she was living in New York City, she had ample opportunity and desire to go to the theater where she discovered the talent whom she cast. The film has a treasure trove of footage of the first roles given to future stars, the most entertaining one is a 22 year-old Warren Beatty imitating fellow Lee Stasberg graduate Marlon Brando. Fortunately, Ms Dougherty, who was not an acting teacher, remanded him that "The Method" did not mean "The Mumble."

The cavalcade of stars whose careers she launched is astonishing, but equally important is the serendipitous era in which she achieved prominence. The cinema of the 1970s was groundbreaking in that talent was allowed to trump looks, and the collapse of the studio movie-making machine allowed risqué movies like "Midnight Cowboy," "Panic in Needle Park," and "Taxi Driver" to be made.

Marion Dougherty's LA counterpart, Lynn Stalmaster, is profiled as another example of a casting director. But based in LA, the criteria and talent pool meant that his accomplishments are complementary to hers, but not comparable.

The movie is enjoyable, fast-paced and certain to be enjoyed by cinephiles, but should not be viewed as a representation of the profession of casting directors.

This writer has first-hand knowledge of the acting industry in Los Angeles. The majority of casting directors do not have anywhere near the authority of those interviewed in the movie. While it is a more difficult proposition for an LA-based casting director to go to the theater to discover talent, few make the effort nor have any appreciation for the actor's craft. Crassly, some actually teach acting classes and charge fees for aspiring actors to meet them.

Just as in the modeling world, there are the Victoria's Secret models at the top and an exploitative ugly underbelly that are not depicted together, so it is in the casting business. There's a documentary to be made there, but this movie is not it. It is about the cream that has justifiably risen to the top and gifted us with some of the greatest actors we may ever see.