Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/33797
period-nature of the show by donning clothes that aren’t too modern-looking or jeans-and-T-shirt casual. When casting the loves of Barney Panofsky, the character played by Paul Giamatti in Barney’s Version, casting director Pam Dixon, who is also president of the Casting Society of America, wanted to make sure the actors’ performances would complement each other. “Just because someone’s a good actor doesn’t mean they have a spark with him,” she said. So she set up what might be considered the auditioning equivalent of speed dating. She called Giamatti to read with actresses auditioning for a role in the film “When you are watching the two actors read and you get lost in the scene, I think that’s when you have chemistry.” –PAM DIXON so she could observe their interaction, and was surprised to hear the veteran actor say he had never done so before. Once at the audition, however, Giamatti’s acting instincts — and listening skills — took over, and it became obvious who should get the role. “When Rosamund Pike walked in, something happened…It was just a personality thing,” Dixon said. “When you are watching the two actors read and you get lost in the scene, I think that’s when you have chemistry.” KNOW THE TONE Casting in comedy productions presents another challenge, Dixon notes. While a dramatic scene can play out in any number of different, but believable ways, with comedy, timing is everything — a scene is either funny or it isn’t. Jennifer McNamara, the casting director of NBC’s 30 Rock, has no shortage of actors that want to be on the hit show, but finds that some auditioners haven’t done the most basic homework. “Sometimes we have actors come in that maybe have never seen the show. Know the show, know the humor,” she advises. The bottom line is that, when From left, Andrew Garfield, Joseph Mazzello, Jesse Eisenberg and Patrick Mapel in The Social Network. The cast of 30 Rock, from left, Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan. auditioning for ensemble work, actors are looking to become part of something greater than themselves. That means taking casting directors’ advice and learning how to fit in with the existing personalities, bringing the proper mindset for the time and place in which the story takes place, and understanding the tone of the piece. And never forget to listen. Especially to the casting director. “We’re on the same team,” Dixon said. “It’s my job to make the actor look good so he can make me look good.” Paul Giamatti and Rosamund Pike in Barney’s Version. 30 SCREEN ACTOR - Spring 2011 SAG.org Art Streiber/NBC Merrick Morton/Columbia Pictures Takashi Seida/Sony Pictures Classics