Killer Casting

This week, Lisa is in a bit of a tizzy over her love/hate relationship with the Oscars. With Oscar season now upon us, how should she cover the highly flawed categories? What should she, Dean and Brian focus on? Or should they just skip it all together? To help her wrestle with her consciousness she brings on Academy Awards expert Paul Francis Sullivan (who has seen not only every Oscar winning film, but also every NOMINATED film!). In this pre Oscar pod before the actual Oscar pod, Paul and Lisa canoodle, argue, giggle, befuddle and maybe come up with a solution....stay tuned.

Warning. This episode (and the film) deals with the trauma associated with sexual assault. It may be very triggering. Please look after yourselves. This episode also (unavoidably) contains massive plot spoilers, so if you haven't seen the film, and don't want to be spoiled please pause and come back to us after you have seen it. In our "Promising Young Woman" follow-up episode, Lisa and Dean are joined by Professor Emeritus Tania Modleski and Professor Caroline Heldman. They bring their unique and highly experienced perspectives to an in-depth discussion of the sociological elements and impact of the film. We needed their big beautiful brains to help us continue to break down this exceptional piece of work. Professor Modleski is an American feminist scholar and cultural critic at USC. Her expertise is in American studies, gender studies, feminist theory, and film and popular culture. Her research efforts focus on women in film, women in popular culture, women in literature, and soap operas. See https://dornsife.usc.edu/cf/faculty-and-staff/faculty.cfm?pid=1003547 Professor Caroline Heldman, teaches Critical Theory and Social Justice at Occidental College. She is a political commentator and VP of Research and Insights at the Geena Davis Institute. B.A., Washington State University; M.A., Ph.D., Rutgers University Department Chair, Critical Theory & Social Justice Department Chair, Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies See https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/caroline-heldman Further reading; Emerald Fennell talk in detail about the various. options considered for ending the film.https://variety.com/2021/film/news/promising-young-woman-ending-spoilers-2-1234885400/ Film wins Best Film and Best Actress at Aussie'Oscars' https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/aacta-2021-awards-promising-young-woman-1234923201/ Laverne Cox interview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/14/laverne-cox-interview-trailblazing-trans-activist-i-can-be-so-hard-on-myself Caroline mentioned the Stuebenville documentary 'Roll Red Roll' Read a review here https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/09/roll-red-roll-behind-the-chilling-documentary-on-high-school

Cross over episode!! Lisa and Dean are joined by Real Crime Profile Podcast's Laura Richards and Jim Clemente to breakdown the incredible film 'Promising Young Woman' written and directed by Emerald Fennell, starring Carey Mulligan in a performance for the ages. Jim and Laura bring a law enforcement perspective to the plot and they have many insights into the behaviour of each character in this ground breaking film. Warning!! This episode (and the film) deals with the trauma associated with sexual assault and may be very triggering. Please look after yourselves. This episode also (unavoidably) contains massive plot spoilers, so if you haven't seen the film, please pause and come back to us after you have watched it. Some good interviews for more details: https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/promising-young-woman-emerald-fennell-interview-1234605075/ Laverne Cox interview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/14/laverne-cox-interview-trailblazing-trans-activist-i-can-be-so-hard-on-myself

Dean and Lisa return to talk about some factoids and other stuff that we couldn't fit in to our previous episode on simulated sex in film and TV. Dean goes full nerd on the history of the Hays Code from the Hollywood 1930's, until Lisa pulls him back on track and we chat through the end of the code and the beginning of the ratings system. Also we touch on the double standards of female vs male nudity.

Lisa, Brian and Dean are joined by famous Casting Director, and now Intimacy Coordinator, Marci Liroff. Marci's credits are ridiculous. She started out casting 'Indie' films ... you know as in INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM ! ET - The Extra Terrestrial , St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, Footloose, Mean Girls, The Spiderwick Chronicles ... TOO many to mention. Here check it out for yourself. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0513924/ Whilst remaining a Casting Director, she has recently added another string to her bow, by transforming into a very important and badly needed role as a Hollywood Intimacy Coordinator. (IC) Marci's job is to help everyone from the director and the creative team, to the stars and the crew deal with nudity and simulated sex in film and TV in a responsible way, which in particular, looks after the well-being of the most vulnerable people in that situation ... the actors who are on set. It's a fascinating conversation and we end up by just getting down and dirty and sharing our favourite simulated sex scenes and sexy films. Some links to follow up: Marci's website, including her sizzle reel ... which is ridiculous.😳 https://www.marciliroff.com/ Her incredible jewellery designs. Get yours now ! https://marciliroffjewelry.com/ A background piece on what is amusingly referred to as 'Bonkerton' https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/bonkerton-truth-about-regency-romance-is-far-racier-20210205-p56zt6.html In timely fashion, Keira Knightly has just come out with a statement on her future simulated sex scenes. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/29/it-was-a-misuse-of-power-how-movie-sex-scenes-change-keira-knightley TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE Scene from Bridgerton: When you touch yourself, you do touch yourself. When you're alone you can touch yourself. Anywhere that gives you pleasure especially between your legs. When you find the feeling you particularly enjoy you can carry on with that, until the feeling grows and then eventually you reach pinnacle, a release that should help you. Lisa: Hello, welcome to Killer Casting, I'm Lisa Zambetti. I am a casting director probably best known for my work on the long running show Criminal Minds. And I've cast victims and villains and cops and doctors and lawyers and everything in between. But apropos of today's topic, I've also cast many actors to play lovers, to play roles in adult situations. And I've even cast those very, very difficult roles where characters engage in sexual violence and who are sometimes the victims of sexual abuse. So given that, I wanted to give a little trigger warning, I wanted to warn our listeners today that we're going to be talking about sex. Sex in cinema, sex on screen, we're going to be using very explicit language possibly talking about things that could be triggering to you. And I want you to take very good care of yourselves and know your boundaries because this is going to be a great conversation, but probably a very frank conversation. And I have a very special guest I cannot wait for you to meet, but I want you to please exercise care if you need to, okay. So with that said, let me just say hi to my ever loyal sexy beast Brian Allan Hill, how are you today? Brian: Doing great, how is everybody out there? Lisa: And Dean Laffan the wonder from down under, how are you doing? Dean: I'm very well, thank you. Good to see you again, Lisa and Brian. Lisa: I'm hoping that I get to make Brian and Dean blush today. I'm really looking forward to that. So let me just lay it out there y'all. I am a very sex positive person when it comes to sex on screen, I'm not just talking about adult erotica, but sex in TV shows and cinema whether it's a consummation of "will they, won't they" get together, slow burning passion between the leads with this delicious animosity and chemistry that leads to sex, or more importantly sex that is about a very specific and difficult context. Sex that's born of grief, of pain, of secrets and lies and sex that moves the story forward, or just deepens your understanding of the character. Whatever the sex is between consenting adults on screen, no matter the sexual identity, orientation, and no matter if they have classically beautiful bodies and fantastic faces, or if they look like me, just the average everyday person grinding it out? I'm here for it. I am absolutely here for it. And some people may say, oh sex scenes are gratuitous and some people may have issues with nudity and that's fine. But indulgence means different things to different people. And for me, done right, sex is a very powerful and necessary thing. But those performances of simulated sex come at a price. And it's the actors on screen, they pay that price. And in the past, sometimes sex scenes are highly choreographed and a lot of times it's a lot of illusion camera trickery. Maybe people aren't totally nude, maybe they are. The fact of the matter is these scenes make those performers very vulnerable and in t

Since released in January 8 2020, this French language thriller/action/heist/fantasy has taken the world by storm. 70m households in two weeks ! Bigger than The Queen's Gambit or Bridgerton ? .... Sacre Bleu ! Your regular recappers Lisa, Brian and Dean are on board to step you threw Series 1. Series 2 is 'coming soon' according to Netflix. If this ep whets your appetite, you can dine on these morsels as well. Review at The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jan/19/lupin-netflix-surprise-hit-france-omar-sy Review at the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/arts/television/lupin-netflix-omar-sy.html As mentioned in the pod, this original stories written around the true of the 20th century have been updated repeatedly in France. But in 1974 Japanese Director Hayao Miyazaki (later of Studio Ghibli/Spirited Away fame) produced an animated take on the character ! Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJudurbkv1E Lead of Lupin, Omar Sy became a star in France for the amazing 'Intouchables' Here is that trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34WIbmXkewU Courtesy of our listener Ren, via SpeakPipe, here is the info on her recommendation 'Money Heist', also available on Netflix. Trailer https://youtu.be/fvCdLmxnkj0 The show on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/watch/80205342 (Meta-alert) 1 hr Documentary on success of the series https://www.netflix.com/watch/81098822 If you really wan to get you Eurotrash binge on, check out this list of Top 11 (not a typo) International shows to stream right now, yes RIGHT now. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/04/16/fauda-money-heist-international-tv-shows/ FINALLY FOR SOME WACKY STUFF: Brian mentions that the character Lupin has "A very special set of skills". Well that particular phrase, means Dean needs NO further prompting whatsoever, to revisit this classic clip from The Graham Norton Show. Seth McFarlane doing his impersonation, of Kermit the Frog, doing his impersonation of the Liam Neeson phone call from the action thriller 'Taken' If you have not seen this it's a SERIOUS 'Coke alert' https://youtu.be/IxnePg0J9zM?t=313 And finally. The modern day man described as 'The Gentleman Thief' in today's world. Apollo Robbins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dWSIUNF10 His INSANENLY jaw dropping TEDx Talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dWSIUNF10 Hey does anyone even read this stuff ... ? ;-). If so, please et me know on our Speakpipe widget, just go to , say your piece and you're done ! https://www.killercastingpod.com/contact Click the buttonRecord your message and we'll put you on the pod. Orright ... back to work now. (You that is, not me ....)

When we asked Bob to be on the show, we were stoked to hear his favourite show was Cobra Kai. We sit down with him and also Lisa's dad Bob Zambetti who has more black belts than you have had hot dinners. When Lisa would say at school "Oh yeah ? ... well my dad, could beat up *your* dad ... she wasn't kidding. If this episode fires you up, check out these links The original video tape recorded auditions by Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. The guy talking off-camera is Karate Kid director John Avildson, who also directed the first three Rocky films. https://youtu.be/YPFOHCmtEZI Great interview with Pat Morita explaining the back story of how he was cast in Karate Kid https://youtu.be/MoBeHY1Rvs0 Hilarious (and thought provoking) fan movie recut of Karate Kid, positioning Johnny as the good guy and Daniel as a spoilt bully. https://youtu.be/C_Gz_iTuRMM Ralph telling the story of how they shot the fly and chopsticks scene with a fly tied to a string ... no really ! https://youtu.be/EUG6FjvVo1M Martin Kove talks about Karate Kid and Pat Morita https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix5oKfQirAk Multiple stories about Cobra Kai at ET Online https://www.etonline.com/latest/tv/cobra-kai About the Bobs .. Bob Ruff is currently investigating the double homicide of Fort Worth couple Agnes and Lloyd "Smitty" Courtney. The Truth & Justice Podcast recently wrapped up Season 7 (The Murder of Bill Little), and Season 5 (The Forgotten West Memphis Three). The podcast investigates a new potential wrongful conviction case every season. Bob asks listeners to help with the investigation, in an attempt to prove who actually committed the crimes and free the wrongfully convicted. Truth & Justice is a true crowdsourced investigation in real time. Professor Zambetti is a 6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and 6th Dan Black Belt in Judo. He retired from active instruction at CSU East Bay (formerly CSU Hayward) in 2004 and is now a Professor Emeritus. He currently resides in Northern California.

Yeah yeah .. .we KNOW that technically some of these films have 2019 release dates, but we *saw* them in 2020 and … c'mon give us a break please #2020 Lisa says check out Ma Rainey's Black Bottom … errr .. only she doesn't. All will be revealed, just listen on … Brian digs up some great, easily-missed gems. Meanwhile Dean puts on his grumpy face and dishes dirt on his nomination for the LEAST deserving Best Picture film of all time … (mainly because it happened in the year his beloved Blade Runner 2049 was not even NOMINATED). Yes Academy ... Dean is looking at you ! So this episode is a love-in for the stuff that nourished us throughout this shit-show, forever to be known as 2020. BREAKING! Lisa has been working with acclaimed director Taika Waititi (Thor, Jo Jo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) to cast his new series Reservation Dogs. More here https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/taika-waititis-2021-schedule-reservation-dogs-1234607085/ And now, on with the show .. Lisa's special mentions for 2020 include: 'I May Destroy You' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11204260/ 'The Great' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2235759 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10514222/ 'Small Axe'. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464896/ 'The Old Guard' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7556122/ 'Palm Springs' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9484998 "Bridgerton' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790 Brian gives his big Texan love to; Jason Segel's 'Dispatches From Elsewhere' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1768341273?playlistId=tt8965666&ref_=tt_ov_vi Nick Offerman's 'Devs' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi4116627225?playlistId=tt8134186&ref_=tt_ov_vi And Charlie Kaufman's 'Im Thinking of Ending Things' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi4234919449?playlistId=tt7939766&ref_=tt_ov_vi Meanwhile, Dean was riveted by the retro-modern Tom Hanks WW2 drama 'Greyhound' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3256991257?playlistId=tt6048922&ref_=tt_ov_vi And if you enjoyed that movie you will LOVE this hour long deep dive (sic) interview with Tom on the AMAZING Dan Carlin's podcast Hardcore History Addendum. Check that out here https://podcastnotes.org/hardcore-history/ep12-wolf-pack-hunting-with-hanks-tom-hanks-on-dan-carlins-hardcore-history-addendum/ Dean got his wetsuit on to watch two underwater doco's, 'My Octopus Teacher' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3668033817?playlistId=tt12888462&ref_=tt_ov_vi And 'Last Breath' https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3035282457?playlistId=tt9056818&ref_=tt_ov_vi Dean's cave diving mate Richard 'Harry' Harris and his interview with Chris Lemons on his @realrisk podcast https://realriskpodcast.com/s2-e10-life-on-a-line-saturation-diving-with-chris-lemons-pt-1/ And finally for Dean .. how do you film a movie about an "Invisible Man' ? Well you put Leigh Whannel behind the camera, and Elizabeth Moss in front of it, and all is good. A cracking modern thriller with very topical themes of Domestic Violence and Coercive Control. Finally the hard-to-watch 'Uncut Gems' with Adam Sandler in (another) great serious role (leave the comedy behind please Adam) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5727208/ In terms of what we are looking forward to, Brian sez checkout: Avengers spinoff 'Wanda Vision' https://www.techradar.com/news/wandavision-release-date-trailer-disney-plus Ted Danson vehicle 'Mr. Mayor' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10662034 And Carey Mulligan in 'Promising Young Woman' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292 Lisa has a hankering for: 'The Sound of Metal' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5363618/ Catching up on 'Mank' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10618286 Dean sez: Keep an eye out for Eric Bana in a taut Aussie thriller called 'The Dry' https://youtu.be/HwJhS4O_IdM His unrequited crush Denis Villeneuve, is releasing his much anticipated version of Dune, attempting to expunge the hideous red-headed step child that *was* David Lynch's version with Kyle McLachlan https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419 And although he didn't get to say it on the pod, Dean is also looking forward to a couple of tent poles like Top Gun 2 and the final Daniel Craig Bond film. Ray Shoesmith was right. The new guy is good. Connery rocks. Moore sucks. The rest are irrelevant. Finally, check out the Guardian's round up of Best pics of 2020 that you may have missed https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/29/the-best-films-of-2020-that-you-havent-seen Likewise, what to anticipate in 2021 (apart from a double-shot of vaccine) https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/29/films-to-look-out-for-in-2021-bond-mcdormand-mulligan-top-gun That's your lot then for 2020. We'll see on the GOOD side of the decade !!!

Here on Killer Casting we voted that it is INDEED not properly Christmas, until Hans Grüber falls off the Nakatomi Building. Though same say it is a Harry Potter film, after all ... John is sneaking around around a tower at night trying to avoid Alan Rickman, anyhooo ..... Lisa, Brian and Dean share their suggestions of some favourite Christmas/Holiday movies and TV. There are some classics which never date, some naughty ones, some sweet ones ... in short, something for everyone. Let us know what you all think on the socials ! https://www.facebook.com/killercastingpodcast https://twitter.com/killercasting https://www.instagram.com/killercasting/ Check out our YouTube channel with a special Xmas Playlist of the movies we mention on this episode. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqA-PkCzdRqDY1-22bkJ7-wLYJti-eNuT

Yes it features cards and gambling but its more about human nature and the con. For the last time in this current series, Joe takes us behind the curtain on the film and the process. Ebert called it "The year's best film" Whilst Siskel said " This is like 'The Sting' ... for adults" "The poker player learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong; that the bumblebee can fly; that, perhaps, one should never trust an expert; that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of by those with an academic bent." David Mamet OG7fkIowfENAEyMeMRRM

We talk all things 'Homicide' David Mamet's 3rd film as Writer/Director and all three featured Joe. The opening scenes set you up for 'seen it before' cop buddy film, but Mamet being Mamet, that snot where we end up, detouring down dark alleyways that include arson, murder, anti-semitism, and neo-nazis. Its a heck of a roller coaster ... and Joe is your guide ! As Roger Ebert wrote upon it's release; "Only David Mamet could write, and perhaps only his favorite actor Joe Mantegna could deliver, this dialogue so bluntly and forcibly, and yet with such verbal slickness that it has the freedom of a jazz improvisation." He said it right ....

Dive in with us as we go deep into Joe's career, beginning with his outstanding performance in the classic 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' the 'based a a true story' of a boy genius chess player and how his father struggles to come to terms with his son's gift. Joe stars and is alongside other superstars such as Sir Ben Kingsley, John Allen, Laurence Fishbourne, William H Macy and Laura LInney. Joe reveals some awesome behind-the-scenes aspects of the making of the film, such as the scene where both the real life Josh and Vinnie make a surreptitious appearance. Meanwhile Brian and Lisa get their Mamet AND Pinter on big time. Not an eps to be missed and only the first of THREE consecutive episodes with the wonderful Joe Mantegna. Enjoy the heck out of this one and share with your friends !

The episode is titled 'Storia Americana' which Dean's basic Google Translate efforts, seems to suggest that the literal translation is 'A History of America'. Which makes sense because ut brings us full circle back to Ethelrida's History report ... the one which informed the breathtaking 25 min opening scene from Episode 1. But this could easily have been titled 'As ye sow, so shall ye reap' as chickens come home to roost all over the shop. Check it out !

Lisa, Brian and Dean recap the penultimate episodes of the bold Fargo Season 4. Things are coming to a head ! Lisa is still in love with it. Brian's patience is starting to wear thin .. and Dean takes a comfortable position on the fence.

On today's episode covering Fargo Season 4 we bring in the big guns! To help provide a better understanding of the landscape surrounding the African-American elements so intrinsic to this season, Lisa, Brian and Dean are joined by Assistant Professor Douglas J. Flowe from Washington University in St. Louis -- and Dr. Flowe bring with him some TRUTHS and helps us see the significance of the many characters and themes in the show. We stick to covering Ep 1 - Ep 5 with only a couple of spoilers.... Douglas Flowe's research is primarily concerned with themes of criminality, illicit leisure, and masculinity, and understanding how they converge with issues of race, class, and space in American cities. His new book released in 2020 is titled ' Uncontrollable Blackness: African American Men and Criminality in Jim Crow New York Read Doug's bio here https://history.wustl.edu/people/douglas-flowe Watch Fargo Season 4 Trailer https://youtu.be/OQUc1l8uv7Y #fargo #chrisrock #noahhawley #hulu #jasonschwartzman #jackhuston #benwhishaw

Lisa goes all-in on Fargo Season 4, waxing rhapsodic about the first episode's incredible prologue, the structure, the casting, the costumes. But Brian is not having it … and he's a bit grumpy about the do's and don'ts of mafia cannon. Dean as usual, pulls some rabbits out of his hat, with observations neither Lisa nor Brian noticed ! #fargo #chrisrock #noahhawley #hulu #coenbrothers #SBSOnDemand Fargo Season 4 Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ISTHi45_s Available in the US on Hulu and in Australia on SBS On-Demand Chris Rock interviewed about Fargo on GMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujgeUA3vkbs Quick 5 minute interview on ET Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Dlk_GYUmo The evolution of behavioural profiling in crime fiction https://crimereads.com/the-evolution-of-criminal-profiling-in-fiction/ Interview with Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs author Thomas Harris ... his first in 46 years ! https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/books/thomas-harris-new-book.html Interview with the OG of Criminal Profilers John Douglas https://crimereads.com/john-douglas-on-his-lifes-work-talking-with-killers/ The scene that got Dean all foaming-at-the-mouth for his cold intro ... https://youtu.be/xcPemp1-t-Y

Hollywood Casting Directors Lisa Zambetti and Brian Hill are joined by crime movie and TV buff Dean Laffan to discuss the shows we all love, which feature killer casting. In this episode the team continue their deep dive into the brilliant Australian crime drama Mr Inbetween which can be found in the US on Hulu, Amazon Prime and FX, in the UK on FOX UK and in Australia on Binge.

Hollywood Casting Directors Lisa Zambetti and Brian Hill are joined by crime movie and TV buff Dean Laffan to discuss the shows we all love, which feature killer casting. In this episode the team dive into the brilliant Australian crime drama Mr Inbetween which can be found in the US on Hulu, Amazon Prime and FX, in the UK on FOX UK and in Australia on Foxtel and Binge.