Wouldn’t it be great if the Academy Awards finally included a category for casting directors? The best actors are only able to perform at their best with a stellar cast to work alongside, the best picture would rarely be the best if the whole cast wasn’t amazing, and a large portion of a directors job is selecting the right cast. So… for the past few years of Oscars, we have created this list so we can tip our hats and give kudos to every casting director whose project was nominated for an Oscar for acting, directing, or best picture. In honor of there being 'no small roles', this years list also includes the local hire casting directors who fill out the tapestry of each picture with much of the supporting cast.
Now, let’s check out which CDs would have been in the running this year… for the 2016 Academy Awards!
88th Academy Awards™ 2015 (Presented in 2016)
BEST PICTURE
Francine Maisler, Kathy Driscoll, Meagan Lewis (NOLA) (The Big Short - Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner)
Ellen Lewis, Lucky Englander (UK), Fritz Fleischhacker (UK) (Bridge Of Spies - Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger)
Fiona Weir (Brooklyn - Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey)
Nikki Barrett, Ronna Kress, Kate Dowd (UK), Mito Skellern (AF) (Mad Max: Fury Road - Doug Mitchell, George Miller)
Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold, Zsolt Csutak (EU) (The Martian - Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam)
Francine Maisler, Michelle Allen (Van) (The Revenant - Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Alejandro G Inarritu, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon)
Robin D. Cook, Fiona Weir, Rene Haynes (Nat) (Room - Ed Guiney)
Kerry Barden, John Buchan, Jason Knight, Paul Schnee (Spotlight - Spotlight - Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Blye Pagon Faust)
BEST DIRECTOR
Francine Maisler, Kathy Driscoll, Meagan Lewis (NOLA) (Adam McKay - The Big Short)
Nikki Barrett, Ronna Kress, Kate Dowd (UK), Mito Skellern (AF) (George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road)
Francine Maisler, Michelle Allen (Van) (Alejandro G. Inarritu - The Revenant)
Robin D. Cook, Fiona Weir (Lenny Abrahamson - Room)
Kerry Barden, John Buchan, Jason Knight, Paul Schnee (Tom McCarthy - Spotlight)
BEST ACTOR
David Rubin (Bryan Cranston - Trumbo)
Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold, Zsolt Csutak (EU) (Matt Damon - The Martian)
Francine Maisler (Leonardo Dicaprio - The Revenant)
Francine Maisler (Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs)
Nina Gold (Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl)
BEST ACTRESS
Laura Rosenthal (Cate Blanchett - Carol)
Robin D. Cook, Fiona Weir, Rene Haynes (Nat) (Brie Larson - Room)
Lindsay Graham, Mary Vernieu (Jennifer Lawrence - Joy)
Kahleen Crawford (Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years)
Fiona Weir (Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Francine Maisler, Kathy Driscoll, Meagan Lewis (NOLA) (Christian Bale - The Big Short)
Francine Maisler (Tom Hardy - The Revenant)
Ellen Lewis, Lucky Englander (UK), Fritz Fleischhacker (UK) (Mark Rylance - Bridge Of Spies)
Francine Maisler, Kathy Driscoll (Sylvester Stallone - Creed)
Kerry Barden, John Buchan, Jason Knight, Paul Schnee (Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Victoria Thomas (Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight)
Laura Rosenthal (Rooney Mara - Carol)
Nina Gold (Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl)
Francine Maisler (Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs)
Kerry Barden, John Buchan, Jason Knight, Paul Schnee (Rachel McAdams - Spotlight)
So there it is... A talented group of industry members who absolutely excel in their field. Lets all look forward to the day they get to walk on stage and be acknowledged for what they bring to such important pieces of art. After all, anything is possible in Hollywood... ;)
Much love,