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Overlooked & Underrated Docs & Features
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Casting By: The Role of Casting Director
Everything was normal, as usual. An envelope from HBO—always a thrill just to have even this trifling of a connection with the venerable premium cable channel—kinda like Steve Martin’s character in ‘The Jerk’ when he gets a telephone for the first time, receives a telephone book, and finds his name listed. He is absolutely elated, jumping-for-joy to see his name in print. That’s how I feel each time I grab that brown manila envelope.
Inside was a ‘screener,’ a DVD of a documentary film along with a few pages describing the film I’m to watch for review. The film’s title and subject matter, too, were normal. A documentary about casting directors. I’ve seen lots of films about writers, directors, editors, cinematographers, and producers. So, this was business as usual. As I always do, I eschewed reading the press material until after viewing.
I was enjoying the film, learning about the pioneers who created the profession of casting director; the dramatic, behind-the-scenes stories revealing the influence casting directors can have in making a film artistically and commercially successful; revealing, too, how they revolutionized the way films are peopled not with just actors who fit a particular ‘type,’ but with the most talented and appropriate ones for their roles. It was a kick seeing black-and-white snippets of twentieth century iconic actors at the very beginning of their legendary careers—careers sparked by the insights and passions of casting directors. I quickly got the not-surprising message and story of this film— this is the history and value of casting directors. Everything was as expected.
It’s hard to shock me these days. If I view a documentary about war, about environmental destruction, about injustice, yes, it’s a moving experience, and the work behind the film is deeply appreciated, but it’s business as usual. Sadly, not shockingly.
HBO’s ‘Casting By’ is not business as usual. By the film’s conclusion I was shocked. And I was shocked that I was shocked.
The primary casting director featured is Marion Dougherty who is credited with kindling the revolution that created the profession—and, in turn, with nurturing a ‘golden era’ of Hollywood films, the 1970s.
Around the middle of the film I began struggling with the question, ‘Gee, I don’t remember an Oscar category for ‘Best Casting Director.’’ They have everything else. Am I forgetting something?” I’m not the only one who didn’t remember—several well-known directors confessed their ignorance of the answer to this seemingly obvious and simple question.
Turns out, this is the dark underbelly of the film’s point. There is no such category—the history of casting directors has been ignored, their value deeply underappreciated.
Yet every moment of this film demonstrates with utter clarity and reason that there should be such a category, and it should have been established decades ago.
In light of this darkness, a number of powerful industry icons asked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to at least give Marion Dougherty some kind of lifetime achievement Oscar—and, of course, they declined. Two possible reasons were implied: Professional jealousy and protectionism on behalf of the Directors Guild of America, and gender bias—the profession is female dominated.
After a distinguished 50-year career, Marion Dougherty died in 2011.
As I’ve conveyed before, I don’t review a film unless I’m recommending it. ‘Casting By’ is more than a fascinating piece of Hollywood history, it is a call for justice. And it is on that basis that I emphasize my recommendation—especially for all in the entertainment industry.