Talent Selection Quotes

I have a very simple philosophy when it comes to casting, and it really is casting the best person for the role.

When it comes to casting for movies, it is a priority that you cast right. The guiding principle must be what is right for the movie, that is the basis you cast someone, not because so-and-so is a friend.

I think what we've tried to preach to our players is we're going to let the best players play.

I've been fortunate in my career to have the opportunity to pick and choose the parts I play. I've also been lucky to always be involved with quality actors, quality directors, quality writers.

I think filmmakers are always interested in getting the best actor that they can find, the person who's the most right for it.

Casting is everything. If you get the right people they make you look good.

I don't believe a role can be written keeping in mind some actor. Even if such roles exist, I don't pick them because I generally choose roles that I think will suit my image.

I think every young actor in Los Angeles went up for that role. It was between Frankie Muniz and me, and he pulled out, so I got the role.

When 'Director's Kut' called me and asked to come for an audition, I went for it but there was no response for a couple of days. Then I got a chance to meet Rajan Shahi and discuss the character. I liked Pammi the moment I heard about the character.

The year I got into The Actors Studio, Steve McQueen and I were the only two accepted that whole year.

Where having been an actor was extremely helpful to me was in casting. That's where I think a director who has acted can really shine, and casting is the most important thing you do.

I didn't tell anybody [had got a role at As Good As It Gets], because I was just going, "Well, that was the strangest audition..." And I just thought, "There's no way he gave me the job on the spot when there was a room full of other girls waiting to audition for it." But then I didn't hear anything for a couple of days, so I finally called my agents, and they're, like, "Oh, yeah, congratulations! We know Jim [L.Brooks] told you in the room that you got it."

I pretty much built a band out of the most incredible guys I could possibly find. I didn't really want a six-piece band, but it just ended up being a six-piece band because these guys are all awesome.

A personnel guy always wants to get his pick right. We live that every year. We want to make sure the pick is right.

Good directing is good writing and good casting.

If I feel the role is not going to demand anything out of me, I don't do it. Either it has to be a terrific role, or the director has to be someone I am dying to work with. Or the costar has to be someone I really look up to.

It's directors' choice if they want to work with me. Not mine.

The person who does that role better than anyone else is the person who should get that role, regardless of their background or heritage.

Casting is great fun, except for the business of it. I love the casting process. I love the editing process. I love working with the music. And even prep is very exciting. But once you get there and the clock is ticking, all it is is stress.

I'm very smart when it comes to choosing dancers and trying to show the world that there's a whole lot of dancing going on.

When we were trying to find the woman to play Maura Isles, it was a no-brainer when Sasha came in. We just knew it was her, and she did such a fantastic job. She got the job, right then and there, in the room, and it was great. We actually played a little joke on her. She's a great lady and we've had a really, really fantastic time.

After watching my Kannada film 'U Turn,' director Kannan narrated the story of 'Ivan Thanthiran,' and wanted me to attend the auditions in Chennai. He selected me after seeing me perform to two difficult scenes I was given during the screen test.

Casting is a big deal.

I've had a lot of experience auditioning people, and I can do it rather quickly even though sometimes I let them linger and give them time, but I kind of know after I see them do a couple of steps. I know.

I believe in the power that a casting director has.