Casting Thirtysomething & Creating Stars | Marcia Ross, Part 1

80s TV Ladies

“An actor is either compelling -- or they are NOT compelling. Doesn’t matter if they’re green. You want to watch them. That’s what makes them a star. How do I know? I just feel it.” -- Marcia Ross, Casting Director
How did “Clueless” and “Princess Diaries” and “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” find their leads? Casting Director Marcia Ross has been instrumental in putting together amazing ensembles for classic films and TV shows since 1983.
Susan and Sharon sit down this week with Ms. Ross to go behind the scenes and discover exactly how today’s “unknown” turns into tomorrow’s “big discovery” -- and who makes it happen. Among the young actors Marcia is credited with discovering: Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Paul Rudd, Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Garner and Amy Poehler.

THE CONVERSATION

• Channing Tatum’s first audition! He didn’t get the part. But the next time Marcia saw him, it worked out better: Step Up.
• Casting Andre Braugher -- and how a single note changed the audition from flat, to making a roomful of people cry.
• 10 Things I Hate About You -- Gabrielle Union was the only person who auditioned for her role.
• HEATH LEDGER GETS A SECOND CHANCE: The first time around he just didn’t have it. Marcia gave him one more chance: “Be prepared!” It made all the difference.
• DARE TO PIVOT: How she made the transition to producing documentaries: meeting Terrance McNally -- and then filming him…
• THE SCIENCE OF THE ENSEMBLE: thirtysomething -- it started with Ken Olin. But it when Mel Harris came in, it was all about chemistry…

So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Marcia -- as they talk Chita Rivera, Cujo, Angela Lansbury, same-sex marriage, Paul Rudd, Nathan Lane, human rights in Iran -- and finally getting a casting director academy award category!!
And stay tuned for PART 2. Casting in the 80s, Jeff Bridges and more!

AUDIO-OGRAPHY
Find out more about Marcia Ross and Jeff Kaufman’s documentary film work at https://www.floatingworldpictures.com/about-us
Need some 80s TV Ladies merch?!? Check out our GRAND OPENING SALE.

CONNECT
Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts and more.
Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
Check out Instagram/80sTVLadies.
Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON.
Find more cool podcasts at our host sight, Weirding Way Media.

BREAKING NEWS
We just won Best TV & Film podcast at the People’s Choice Podcast Awards!
Thank you to all who voted and to all our listeners and guests.

VOTE
Registration deadlines are coming up! Register or Check your US Election Registration at Vote.org
Happy 100th Birthday to President Jimmy Carter! Get Susan’s new play about Carter's White House in 1979: Confidence (and the Speech) at Broadway Licensing.