Q&A

GN: What first sparked your interest in casting and the entertainment industry?

DR: I've loved TV and film as far back as I can remember.  One of my favorite things to do growing up was go to Blockbuster on a Friday night and pick out three or four videos for the weekend - if I wasn't already going to the movies to see the latest blockbuster. 

My first love though was the theater.  A Chorus Line and Little Shop of Horrors were my two favorites.  At a very early age I remember lining up my smurf figurines on a makeshift chorus line on my bedroom floor - each toy assigned a different character.  

This memory stands out of seeing Ellen Greene for the first time in the movie Little Shop of Horrors and thinking "who is that? She's so interesting and different and so talented! I've never seen her before. I want to know more about her!"  I still feel that feeling of joy, of discovery when I see someone who is new - to me - in any kind of performance.  

GN: Did you always know you wanted to be in casting, or did you fall into it through another path? 

DR: It wasn't a goal of mine certainly.  I didn't know the job even existed until college.  But I suppose it was always in me in some way.  

My kindergarten year end report card states "David is a creative, personable child.  He likes role-playing lots of imaginary games, he assigns "parts" to others". 

I remember when I was about ten I had a book of playbills that I would read constantly - learning every actor's name from every show like I was studying for a test.  I'm not sure what I thought I'd do with that information but I couldn't learn enough about it.  Some people liked studying history or geography or sports, I enjoyed seeing where certain actors went to college! I'd also spend hours after school watching TV.  Every year I looked forward to TV Guide's fall issue where they listed all the new shows and featured cast photos.  I couldn't wait to see who the new stars of the season were going to be. I treated those TV guides like sacred texts.  I still have some of them.  

I went to Emerson College to study film and TV generally and came upon an internship with a local casting director.  I spent my last semester of college in LA interning for credit and because I didn't have much focus on what I specifically wanted to do, so I mostly applied for casting internships.  That's where I met Casting Director Mali Finn (Titanic, The Matrix, L.A. Confidential) who took me under her wing and as they say,  the rest is history. 

GN: Can you share your first big break or job in the industry and how it came about?

DR: Oh boy, I've had so many "breaks" - some that were a quick pop that ultimately led nowhere but every job, every show was a huge learning experience.  I'd have to say my big break as a Casting Director, the thing that really put me on the map so to speak, was the pilot for the original Gossip Girl.  

Shortly after leaving Mali Finn's office as a Casting Associate (below Director, above assistant), my partner and I at the time had a general meeting with WB Casting, as newbie independent casting directors looking for any independent contracting work.  The meeting could not have gone better.  But it took two years until they called again.  That call was to be support casting staff on a new YA pilot that was starting in a few weeks.  We jumped at the chance, even in a supporting capacity.  But right before we were about to begin, the lead Casting Director was reassigned and we were promoted.  I had never cast a pilot as Casting Director.  It felt like the understudy going on for the lead.  Needless to say, It was a wild ride and still one of my proudest achievements in the business.  

GN: Were there any mentors or figures in your early career who shaped your approach to casting?

DR. Mali Finn, 100%.  She's with me everyday and a huge part of my success and love for this business. 

GN: What was the biggest lesson you learned when you were starting out?

DR: There are so many but I'll start with - It's not about you.  Don't take things personally.  Everyone on the inside is a scared child and there are no guarantees.  Take care of those around you and treat everyone with the same sense of respect.  It truly takes a village to get anything made.  

GN: How did you transition from working on smaller projects to casting major shows like 'Arrow' and 'Riverdale'?

DR: Greg Berlanti. After Gossip Girl I had some success in other YA shows and smaller horror movies, which I'm grateful for.  But I had my eye on working for Greg.  I'd been a huge fan of Dawson's Creek and The Broken Heart's Club was seminal for me when I first moved to LA.  I've always loved his writing and he is a pioneer in telling queeer stories.  Once I had some footing in the business, I felt more confident and focused. I knew I wanted to be a part of whatever he was doing and so I followed that direction.  I asked everyone I knew in common to introduce me. 

GN: What project do you feel most proud of, and why?

DR: They are all so special in so many ways.  I've met so many wonderful people.  Some of the smallest projects you probably never heard of I'm most proud of.  But my biggest joy and pride comes from being part of a culture that changed representation and visibility through casting.  It feels like a difference that is literally global. Changing the way people think about how they see themselves on screen and out in the world.  

GN: How do you handle the pressure of finding the “perfect” actor for iconic or fan-favorite roles?

DR: The pressure is immense.  And everyone has an opinion.  Not just the Studio/writers/director but the fans too.  At the end of the day it's a collaboration and we do our best.  Look under every rock and as Greg taught me "trust the process".  You just can't rush it.  And you can't make everyone happy.  It's kind of like dating.  You know when you've found the one.  

GN:  What’s the biggest misconception people have about casting directors? 

DR: That we are gatekeepers.  I mean, I guess we are, but it's also a part of our job and I aim to do it with integrity and kindness.  I love actors.  They are in some ways the solutions to our problems. I can't do my job without them.   I get on average approximately 4500 industry pitches per role.  I can be working on up to 15 roles at a time.  - not to mention agent and manager phone calls, emails, texts, dms, mail and none of this is counting online open calls.  It's endless.  But it excites me - that thrill of digging and discovering. 

GN: David what does goodnight mean to you ?

DR: The first thing that comes to mind is a trigger - I loathe the act of going to sleep! lol.  I know I need it but I get very anxious easily, especially when it's time to go to bed.  It feels like lost time.  I'd skip it if I could and would just keep going.