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Casting Directors Gain Spotlight with New Academy Category

10/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Francine Maisler, a casting director, says casting directors are crucial, especially now that the Academy has introduced a casting category, per Variety's Awards Circuit podcast.
In projects including films by Aaron Sorkin and Tom Ford, Maisler discusses casting a young lead in Sinners through outreach and auditions.
Maisler helped find an actor who could convey emotion without dialogue for Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, with Scott Cooper.

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Story summary

Francine Maisler, a casting director, says casting directors are crucial, especially now that the Academy has introduced a casting category, per Variety's Awards Circuit podcast.
In projects including films by Aaron Sorkin and Tom Ford, Maisler discusses casting a young lead in Sinners through outreach and auditions.
Maisler helped find an actor who could convey emotion without dialogue for Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, with Scott Cooper.