The ‘Bombshell’ Casting Director on How She Created Such an Epic Cast
Having just completed one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, casting director Nancy Bishop is ready to share her secrets on creating the star-studded cast of ‘Bombshell’. The cast of notable Hollywood heavyweights included Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie. Bishop reveals that it was a lengthy and complex process, but one that paid off definitively.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the secrets behind creating such an epic cast, explore how Bishop and her team made it all happen and learn insights from the casting director’s journey.
Nancy Bishop
Nancy Bishop is a renowned Australian-British casting director and consultant. She is best known for her work on films such as ‘The Martian’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. However, her crowning achievement is undoubtedly the work she put in to ‘Bombshell’, a movie based on the Fox News sexual harassment scandal.
The Preparation
According to Bishop, the most important part to building a great cast is preparation. Before casting, Bishop spent countless hours researching the characters. She gathered backgrounds on the key players, delved into the mindset of their organization and fictionalized their narratives for the benefit of the cast.
“We tried to make sure that everyone we were casting – from Charlize down to the fourteenth extra – had some kind of background story we could use to help inform the way they portrayed their characters,” says Bishop.
Flipping the Script – A Fresh Take
One of Bishop’s main priorities when creating an epic cast was to ensure that every role was seen in a fresh way.
For instance, she wanted to ensure that Margot Robbie, who typically plays more light-hearted roles, could have the opportunity to take on a darker character. “[Robbie] is brilliant in comedic roles but could also play intense, serious roles. She had the range and we wanted to give her that chance,” Bishop explains.
Likewise, Bishop was focused on allowing each actor to show off their individual talents and strengths, no matter what part they were playing. For example, Theron was offered the chance to add her own spin on a larger-than-life character, while Kidman was able to showcase her dramatic range and showcase a change of pace.
Engaging the Right Team
In order to ensure that all of the chosen actors were the right fit for the movie, Bishop assembled a team of specialists to help her with the casting process.
The team consisted of a dedicated casting assistant, a studio production manager and two VFX technicians. All of these roles were critical for assisting Bishop in her vision for the movie and ensuring that each actor was given the fullest range of expression and purpose for their part.
Finding the Balance
Bishop also made sure to prioritize finding the perfect balance between the larger-than-life stars and lesser-known actors who could help to bring the story to life.
“We had to find our balance between lending the ‘star power’, necessary to carry the scope of this project, while amplifying lesser-known talents,” explains Bishop. “Luckily, our search ended up yielding a number of very talented actors, regardless of whether they were a name or not yet.”
Casting Challenges
Despite the success of the casting process, Bishop admits that there were a number of challenges that had to be tackled and overcome.
First and foremost was the sheer volume of actresses they had to contend with. With a cast featuring more than 30 actresses, the challenge was to ensure balance and diversity, both in terms of age and ethnicity.
They also had to work within very tight deadlines. In the end, Bishop and her team were able to narrowly meet their goal and successfully pull it off.
The Results
As for the results, Bishop’s handiwork delivered an impeccable cast full of both big and small names that made for an incredibly powerful and impactful film.
Specifically, these actors were able to provide an immersive and authentic portrayal of the darker facts behind the scandal, enhancing the film’s credibility and overall storytelling.
The Hands-On Approach
Without a doubt, what really sets Bishop’s work apart is her hands-on approach. Bishop admits that she is much more involved with the actors than the typical casting director.
“I have a style that I would describe as much more empathetic and hands-on. I’ve always had a strong rapport with the actors I work with, whether they know me or not,” she says.
The Takeaways
From all of the insights shared by Bishop, there are many takeaways that aspiring casting directors can learn from.
Firstly, it pays to be well-prepared. Doing research on the characters and ensuring that even minor roles have rich backstories makes a massive difference in how effective the cast can be.
Secondly, having the right team around you to help find the perfect balance between star power and fresh talent is extremely important. Having the right people in place can go a long way in ensuring the best outcome possible.
Finally, having empathy with the actors is key in getting the best performances from them. A great casting director needs to be attuned to the needs and wants of their actors and ensure that every role is portrayed in a fresh way.
Ultimately, Nancy Bishop’s incredible work on ‘Bombshell’ goes to show that a great cast is the result of hours of hard work, research and the right team. As seen in the film’s critical acclaim, it is obvious that the effort put in paid off and Bishop’s casting contributed massively to the power behind the movie.
From Bishop’s insights and experiences, aspiring casting directors can learn a lot from her work on this epic cast. The success of ‘Bombshell’ serves as a masterclass in what can be achieved when the right team and process is in place.
No matter how challenging the task, perseverance and hard work always pays off.
