BEHIND THE COUCH - CASTING IN HOLLYWOOD

BEHIND THE COUCH – CASTING IN HOLLYWOOD

BEHIND THE COUCH - CASTING IN HOLLYWOOD

Director: Veit Helmer
Documentary | D | 2005
70 min | Stereo

39th Hof International Film Festival
2005

”90% of directing is casting” (John Huston) Which are the criteria that decide on tomorrow’s stars? The film takes a look behind the Hollywood scenes and accompanies a woman who’s at the helm in this mysterious game: casting director Zora DeHorter.

Veit Helmer follows the casting of a feature film from the first meeting between casting director and film director till the first take on the set, highlighting the cooperation of agents, managers, producers and directors. The seemingly confusing system is decoded. The selection process is tough: thousands of head shots end up being rubbished. Very few actors have the honour of being called for an audition. At the end of countless call-back rounds, just one of the many hopefuls is chosen.

The industry’s big shots voice their opinions: Michael Fenton (“.E.T.”, “Chinatown”), Mindy Marin (“The Net”, “L.A. Story”), Jane Jenkins (“When Harry Met Sally”, “Stand by me”), Janet Hirshenson (“Jurassic Parc”, “Apollo 13”) and Matthew Barry (“Ed Wood”, “Rush Hour”).