EXCLUSIVE:Sophie Hollandhas been among the UKs busier casting directors in recent years.
Set up seven years ago, her company Sophie Holland Casting now has a headcount of five.
DEADLINE: The self-tape debate has been a real flashpoint of late.
“The Witcher”, “Wednesday”, “You” and “The Continental"Netflix/PeacpckMichael shelford
Whats your take on where were at?
We need a new way forward that works for everybody.
For years there were concerns about actors not being able to get in the room but things have evolved.
Jenna Ortegain WednesdayNetflix
Because of the pandemic and the need for self-taping, we have been able to see more people.
DEADLINE: Do you see any changes coming to the current norms?
SH:I dont think the first round of auditions are going to be done differently.
I think most casting directors appreciate that process.
DEADLINE: Costs associated with self-taping are a bone of contention.
Are you aware of instances where actors have been asked to pay a fee to send in their self-tape?
SH:Im not aware of that.
I think there is often confusion over what is happening with that.
Thats not the same as casting directors asking actors to pay a fee only to audition.
Also, theres a misconception that these tapes need to be full of bells and whistles.
That isnt my understanding of how to do a self-tape.
If we can see you and we can hear you, thats what we need.
Self-taping is designed to reduce the cost of travel and childcare, if thats a factor for some actors.
No one should be trying to profit from this.
SH:Its one part of it.
Auditioning in a bubble is creating tension.
Theres also frustration from actors over them not hearing back with a yes or no answer either way.
And theres a lot more competition now for parts.
There was a boom in content and opportunities after the pandemic.
SH:I know lots of people want to talk.
I think everybodys nervous.
Ive reached out to entertainment union Equity and they were keen to set something up.
Im also having a conversation with casting platform Spotlight about the issues.
DEADLINE: Is the self-tape problem the same in the UK as it is in the U.S.?
SH:I think its slightly different in the U.S. That gives actors time and space to turn material around.
DEADLINE: I have an entry level question about the casting process today.
How involved are casting directors in the primary casting of big shows and movies?
Are studios and showrunners still calling the shots on the main casting or are you central to that?
More and more, in my experience, no ones attached when you kick off a project.
The producers will have profiles theyll like, but well be key to building the world.
Obviously, we cant cast characters that dont exist.
But I have nothing but support for what the writers are asking for.
When I started out it was almost entirely TV and now Im probably 70/30 films.
Even a year or two ago, a lot was getting greenlit.
But evenWednesdaytook a while.I was surprised how long it took.
Youre probably right that a bubble has burst, I just wasnt necessarily aware of it.
DEADLINE:You have and Im sure will continue to work on some of the most popular productions around.
Can you mark our card for exciting young talent youve worked with recently?
We were able to find almost all new talent.
He is very special.
The whole group is very exciting in terms of talent: Christelle Elwin, Juliette Alexandra, Ben Radcliffe.
You meet the characters in season three and then they come into their own in season four.
DEADLINE: So season four is about to get underway, right?
DEADLINE: Were you surprised to hear that Henry Cavill was leaving?
SH:I probably wont comment on that one.
Id love to, but I wont.
I really look forward to seeing what Liam brings.
He has a big fan base.
Season four will be a nice mix of new characters and returning faces.
We discovered her in Vietnam.
Jessica Allain is another absolutely kick-ass woman.
Thats what I love.
Interesting faces and interesting people with interesting stories.
DEADLINE: With that in mind, have any audition tapes stood out to you recently?
SH:Sometimes I watch 50 a day.
Thats what were looking for.
That unicorn, that next star.
DEADLINE: Wednesday has been a big hit and Jenna Ortega has been catapulted to massive stardom from it.
It was the first time Id ever worked with Tim Burton.
The process was very kind and inclusive.
Not every show is collaborative, but this was.
You want her to want to go the extra mile because you lead from the front.
You want somebody whos all in and invested.
Is that a step too far from an actor in your mind, or fair enough?
You want it to be a journey.
DEADLINE: When will season two shoot and what can we expect from that?
SH:Its still early doors and Im still waiting on the script.
We hope to roll at the end of the year.
I think theres some exciting and kooky characters coming up in season two.
Another of your series that seems to have cultivated a strong audience is Shadow and Bone on Netflix.
Are you expecting a third season of that one?
SH:I was only onYoufor one season, thats right.
It was a great experience…as forShadow And Bone, were really hoping for a third season.
It seems to have a huge fan base.
Its a fresh, up-and-coming cast and the story is very faithful to the books, which is refreshing.
Its a tricky time, as you noted, so well see.
DEADLINE: It is tricky.
And many things are falling by the wayside.
SH:Yes, I was.
They dont have to be perfect.
But it seems that that isnt the case these days.
We get to sample Istanbul and all its delights with the brilliant Ethan Kai in the lead.
The series is half in Turkish, half in English.
DEADLINE: And next up you are switching gears to movies?
Ive done Amazon movieHeads Of Statewith Priyanka Chopra, andBeetlejuice 2, as well as a smaller UK movie.
