This month we are so excited to have the extremely talented Casting Director, Shakyra Dowling, join our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries segment!
Shakyra Dowling is a London based casting director renowned for her commitment to championing emerging and diverse talent. With a career spanning over a decade, she has significantly contributed to both independent British cinema and international co-productions. Her casting expertise has been integral to projects that have garnered nominations and accolades at prestigious platforms such as the BAFTAs, BIFAs, Berlinale, Sundance, and TIFF. She has also been recognised with multiple nominations and wins from the Casting Society of America’s Artios Awards.
Notable work includes Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace (2023), a Swedish biopic directed by Per Fly and featuring Mikael Persbrandt. She also cast Wolf (2021), directed by Nathalie Biancheri, with George MacKay, Lily-Rose Depp and Paddy Considine and soon to be released Desperate Journey, directed by Annabel Jankel (Tell it to the Bees), featuring Til Schweiger, Clara Rugaard and Sienna Guillory.
Shakyra recently collaborated with Peter Greenaway on his latest feature Lucca Mortis, casting Dustin Hoffman and Helen Hunt. In TIFF 2025 is Gandhi Before India, a major TV series filming across the UK and India, with a huge cast including Tom Felton and James Murray.
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Resources:
Shakyra Dowling Casting Website
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This week on Tipsy Casting, we welcome the wonderfully talented creator and show runner of the hit Netflix series, Ginny & Georgia, Sarah Lampert!
Sarah Lampert is the visionary creator, EP, and writer behind Netflix mega-hit series Ginny and Georgia. Currently in its third season, the show has become one of the top ten most-watched series in the history of Netflix and has cemented Sarah as a creative to watch in the industry.
With a unique ability to tap into the hard-to-reach YA audience, Sarah has connected with millions of fans who have embraced the show for its honest and relatable portrayal of teen life, complex family relationships, and mental health struggles. Ginny and Georgia has appeared in Netflix’s Top 10 in 69 countries. The highly anticipated third season premiered on June 5, 2025, landing at No.2 on the charts and becoming the most-watched Netflix title that week with 17.6 million views.
Lampert’s rise in television has earned both commercial success and critical acclaim. She was named a BAFTA Breakthrough talent and was featured on the 2017 Young and Hungry List. She is currently developing another original series at Netflix.
Resources:
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This week on Tipsy Casting, we’re joined by our longtime friend and wildly talented actor, Lukas Gage, who just dropped his debut book, I WROTE THIS FOR ATTENTION.
In this candid and hilarious conversation, we dive into the origins of our friendship, his infamous viral Zoom moment, the “aha” shift that changed everything in his career, and the realities of typecasting and timing in the audition world. Lukas also opens up about the process of writing his book, the search for validation, and what’s next in his ever-evolving journey.
Oh...and yes, we talk tattoos.
How Jess & Jenn’s friendship with Lukas began
Tattoos and the stories behind them
His “aha” moment — the shift that changed everything
That unforgettable viral moment
Navigating Zoom culture in Hollywood
Breaking free from typecasting
The power (and luck) of audition timing
Writing his debut book I wrote this for attention — the process and experience
The role of validation in his journey
Episode Resources:
I Wrote This for Attention - BUY THE BOOK TODAY!
Coffee with Casting - Lukas Gage Episode
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On this week's episode we have the extremely talented director of the film I USED TO BE FAMOUS, Eddie Sternberg!
Eddie’s debut feature film, I Used to Be Famous — starring Ed Skrein, Eleanor Matsuura, and Leo Long — became a global hit on Netflix, reaching the Top 10 most-watched films in over 60 countries, including #2 in the UK, #8 in the US, and #4 worldwide in 2022.
Adapted from his award-winning short, the film earned widespread acclaim, with Digital Spy calling it “the best British film Netflix has released to date,” and multiple outlets regularly featuring it among the platform’s top films. Long-listed for five BIFAs, with Leo Long nominated for Breakthrough Performance, the film also garnered nominations for Best British Film and Best Comedy at the National Film Awards. Many publications praised its authentic portrayal of autism and lauded it as “a cinematic gem” that could “set a precedent for neurodivergent representation in film, both on-screen and behind the scenes.”
Eddie was named a 2022 Screen International Star of Tomorrow. He is a mentor for Directors UK, ORT, and Your Cinema, where he works with aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented groups. He is currently developing his second feature film. We had a wonderful time chat with him and his journey getting is first feature made from a short to full length along with what’s coming down the pipe with him.
This is a perfect episode for anyone who wants a step by step breakdown of how he got his first indie off the ground and the intense process that took over 7 years to make.
Resources:
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Join us this month as we cozy up with our warm drinks and catch up with everything that has been going on this past month.
We also answer all your burning questions that were submitted
via our instagram text box a couple days ago. We cover everything from how we decide who to bring in for self tapes, what to expect at this year's A CAUSE FOR ENTERTAINMENT's gals as well as what some of our favorite castings have been lately!
Don't forget to buy your gala tickets here!
And Jess will see you there on October 26th with a lot of familiar faces!
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This month we are so excited to have the wonderful, Thomas Sullivan join our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries segment!
With a sharp eye for talent and a passion for storytelling, Thomas Sullivan has built a reputation as a versatile and highly sought-after casting director across indie and studio film, and television. Known for assembling compelling and diverse ensembles, his ability to help producers and directors balance their creative visions with competitive industry demands has made him a trusted collaborator for over twenty years.
His most recent projects, currently shooting or in post, include Guns Up (starring Kevin James), Bear Country (starring Russell Crowe, Aaron Paul, and Luke Evans) - Runner (starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson) and Double Blind (starring LaKeith Stanfield and Maria Bakalova)
Other major casting credits include the films Ricky Stanicky (2024), Dear Santa (2024), Dead Sea (2024), The Designer (2024), Champions (2023), The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), The Royal (2022), Murder at Yellowstone City (2022), Boon (2022), My Dead Dad (2021), Last Night in Rozzie (2021) and the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, Green Book (2018).
A firm believer in inclusive and forward-thinking casting, Thomas is committed to discovering fresh voices and ensuring diverse representation in every project he takes on. Whether working on an indie gem or a high-profile studio feature, his work continues to shape the industry by bringing compelling characters to life through exceptional casting.
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Resources:
Thomas Sullivan Casting Website
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On this episode of Tipsy Casting, we are so excited to welcome an extremely talented manager from ColorCreative, Raj Raghavan!
Raj is currently a partner and co-head of the Talent department at ColorCreative. There he represents actors, playwrights, comedians, and novelists. Along with being a powerhouse on the representation side, he is a producer on the feature adaptation of his client Sameer Pandya’s novel Members Only and is also a producer on A Crown of Wishes which is currently in development with his client, Avantika, attached to star and produce.
Raj was previously a talent manager at Echo Lake Entertainment and a founding partner and manager at Imagine Artist Management. He was an agent at Creative Artists Agency from 2005- 2019, based primarily in the Los Angeles office and in London from 2011-2014. Raj began his entertainment career in the mailroom at United Talent Agency. He grew up in Plano, Texas and graduated from Stanford University.
His journey and path into the industry first as and agent and now as a manager/producer
How ColorCreative innovative way of helping actors not only with the acting side bu develops projects as well
Where he sees the industry, especially in LA, recovering and going in the future
How he finds talent along with do's and don'ts for actors during rep meetings
What he loves and dislikes about the casting process and what we can do better on our side!
His burning questions for casting :)
What he would do if he didn't work in this industry along with his lifelong dream to be on Survivor
Resources:
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In this episode of Tipsy Casting, we welcome the powerhouse show runner and co-creator of The House of The Dragon, Ryan Condal!
The series launched on Max on August 21, 2022, with the first episode drawing in a total of 9.99 million viewers as HBO’s biggest series premiere ever. The first season of the series went on to win the Golden Globe for “Best Drama Television Series,” in addition to receiving multiple nominations from the Primetime Emmy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and People’s Choice Awards. The second season premiered on Max on June 16, 2024 with Condal at the helm yet again. Season 2 of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON secured 1.2 billion total viewing minutes in the first week airing on the platform.
Ryan previously co-created, executive produced, and showran the USA series COLONY for three seasons. In film, he co-wrote Warner Bros' RAMPAGE for Brad Peyton, sold a pitch to Lionsgate with Chad Stahelski attached to direct, and wrote HIGHLANDER for Chad Stahelski, which is set up at Lionsgate. In the past, Ryan sold his spec screenplay INFINITE HORIZON to Warner Bros and wrote the feature HERCULES starring Dwayne Johnson. Ryan was named one of Variety’s 10 TV Scribes to Watch for 2015.
In this episode we discusss...
Ryan's love of scotch whiskey
His decision and transition from the US marke to the UK market
The development process of The House of the Dragon
We dive into the casting process and how he balanced getting the big name actors along with the lesser known up and coming cast
His instinct for casting and how he views the process
What is he looking forward to after The House of the Dragon is over and if he's keen to dive into a certain genre
Mentorship within the writing world and how to get your foot in the door
How important networking and putting yourself out there can help you throughout your career
Resources:
Entertainment Weekly's Article about HOD Season 3
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Catch up with Jess and Jenn as they bid farewell to summer and talk about the current industry slump. While everything has slowed down a bit in this episode they recap Jenn's Birthday in Greece as well as what it was like dealing with a film during the period before and after.
We dive into the frustration of projects pushing and having to take the brunt of the blame when things like that happen. We also discuss the unfortunate situations that occur to get us to that point.
And lastly Jenn explains what has happened to finally give her FOMO of not living in LA anymore, which then leads us down the road of 90s nostalgia.
We will you all a wonderful month in September and want us all to come together and make sure we are putting all of our best energy out to make sure we make the best of our time and give our good vibes that the industry is on the turn around.
Make sure to share the podcast with all your friends and if you have the time to please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast on any platform you listen to us!
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This month we are delighted to welcome Olissa Rogers to our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries!
Olissa Rogers is an Emmy Award-winning freelance Casting Director. She began her career in Germany in 2008, focusing on TV series until 2016. After moving to the UK, she worked as a casting assistant to Jeremy Zimmermann and later Kharmel Cochrane. In 2019, she became an associate to Theo Park on major TV projects like Ted Lasso, followed by roles with Amy Hubbard and Fiona Weir. Since April 2022, Olissa has led her own casting projects, including Royal Mob, African Queens, and My Friend Misty.
In this episode we discuss...
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This week we welcome the wonderfully talented Marc Evan Jackson to Tipsy Casting! Marc and Jessica serendipitously met at our last LA meet up and he was kind enough to come on and impart some amazing perspectives and advice.
Marc is an actor, comedian, and storyteller whose voice and presence are instantly recognizable. You’ve seen him as the ever-dry Kevin on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the delightfully smug Shawn on The Good Place, Trevor Nelsson on Parks and Rec, and most recently as Richard Spier in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club. But beyond the suits and comedic timing, Marc brings a rare depth and honesty to the table—and that’s exactly what made this conversation so special.
Marc and his wife run the incredible nonprofit, The Detroit Creativity Project, which brings the life-changing power of improv to middle and high school students in Detroit—completely free of charge. We've linked their website below so make sure to check them out and buy tickets to their next show or donate if can!
Resources:
The Detroit Creativity Project Website
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extraordinarily
Reinaldo is a writer, director and producer. He most recently directed and wrote Paramount’s BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, which premiered on February 14. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, the film garnered a whopping $146 million worldwide and debuted number one at the box office.
Green is best known for directing the critically acclaimed Warner Bros. film KING RICHARD starring Will Smith. Green helmed the film, which was named one of the Top 10 Films of the Year by both AFI and the National Board of Review and earned many accolades, including six Academy Awards nominations including Best Picture, four Golden Globes nominations and four BAFTA nominations. The film earned Smith his first Oscar win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, in addition to his Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG wins.
Resources:
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Jenn and Jess catch up on all things July—from preparing for Jenn’s birthday month and her looming 40th, to recapping Jess's Sunshine for A Cause event and shouting out her incredible sponsors. Jenn shares her hot take on The Summer I Turned Pretty, while Jess dives into the world of Predator: Killer of Killers and teases Predator: Badlands. They discuss the release of Sketch, Jess’s recent collaborations with filmmakers, and explore the evolving landscape of casting in what they’re calling “The New American (Casting) Way.” To wrap it up, they offer a sneak peek at what’s to come in the second half of Season 3.
Jenn’s Birthday Month vibes
Jenn's looming 40th Birthday – existential dread or celebration?
Sunshine for A Cause Recap - Big thank you to all of the amazing sponsors!
What happened in July? Let’s break it down
Jenn’s Hot Take - The Summer I Turned Pretty – thoughts, feelings, strong opinions
Predator Time - Jess dishes on Predator: Killer of Killers and teases Predator: Badlands
Sketch Release - It’s out in the world! Let's celebrate!
Jess’s recent collaborations with her filmmakers – creative process and casting wins
The New American (Casting) Way - Industry shifts, what we’re noticing, and what it means for actors and creatives
Episode Resources:
Sketch - Find a Theater Near You!
Jessica Sherman on the Casting of ‘Predator: Killer of Killers’
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This month we are delighted to welcome the wonderful Ramani Leah to our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries!
A California native who grew up in San Diego, Ramani found her way into casting while attending film school…and the rest, as they say, is history. Known for her standout work on the long-running series Criminal Minds and the Netflix hit My Life with the Walter Boys, Ramani brings both a sharp creative instinct and a deeply grounded perspective to everything she touches.
Jessica had the pleasure of working alongside Ramani under the banner of April Webster Casting, and it was clear from day one that her passion and eye for talent set her apart. When Jess stepped into her first role as head casting director, Ramani was one of the very first people she brought on board. Her intuition, and collaborative spirit have always made her an invaluable partner.
What makes Ramani’s journey especially inspiring is her experience navigating the industry as a young mother, balancing the demands of casting with the challenges and joys of parenthood. In an industry that too often puts career before everything else, Ramani has forged her own path with grace, strength, and intention.
In this episode we discuss...
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Resources:
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Grab your favorite cocktail and come celebrate with us as we celebrate 100 episodes of TIPSY CASTING!!! We can’t believe we’ve hit this massive milestone in our podcasting careers so join us as we take a look back and relive some of our favorite moments.
From our favorite casting story to the most challenging episode we’ve had we have had the best time remember all our guests and what we’ve learned about the industry and ourselves!
Thank you to everyone new and old who have listened along the journey and we can’t wait to bring you even more amazing content as the podcast continues to grow!
As a special gift to us for our 100th, make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast with all your friends! We want to create a large community where everyone can take something away from the show and use it in a positive way!
Cheers to 100 more!
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In this episode of Tipsy Casting, Emmy-winning actor, writer, and producer Tony Hale joins the show for a thoughtful and entertaining conversation about the many chapters of his career.
Tony reflects on his early days in the industry, starting out in the commercial world before landing his breakout role as Buster Bluth on Arrested Development. He shares candid insights about the significant gap between Arrested and Veep, and how he learned to find structure and purpose during periods of professional uncertainty.
The discussion also dives into some of Tony’s favorite projects, including the journey of getting Sketch to the big screen, and his growing aspirations as a producer. With characteristic honesty and humor, he opens up about the creative mind’s many challenges—from the pressure of auditions to the constant work of staying out of his own head.
Tony also explores his experiences in voiceover and offers heartfelt advice to young actors finding their way in the business. This episode is a rich, inspiring look into the mind of a performer who continues to evolve, create, and lead with authenticity.
Tony’s early beginnings and entry into the industry
Breaking in through the commercial world
Landing the role of Buster Bluth on Arrested Development
Navigating the career gap between Arrested Development and Veep
Creating structure and purpose during periods of downtime
A look at Tony’s favorite roles and career highlights
The journey of Sketch from concept to big screen premiere
Expanding into producing and his aspirations behind the camera
The mental challenges of a creative brain and staying grounded
Shifting the mindset around auditions and rejection
Strategies for getting out of your own head as a performer
Exploring the creative freedom of voiceover work
Resources:
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June is here and we can't believe it! Time is flying by but we take the time this week to catch up on the amazing turnout that had last month at Inkwell Tavern. Jessica recaps her experience having over 100 people show up to hang out for happy hour with Tipsy Casting. Make sure to follow us on Instagram to see all the photos and excitement that happend!
Everyone who came to see Jessica had the opportunity to leave question, comment or cocktail recipes so we dive into all things the listeners want to know. From what is the best way to approach CD's lately to what was our most difficult casting stories.
Thank you again to Inkwell Tavern for hosting an amazing turnout! Make sure to keep visiting Inkwell for their happy hours and many events they host!
And thank you to everyone who came out and hung out and enjoyed some amazing industry community moments! We can't wait for our next event!
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This month we welcome the wonderful Sien Josephine Teijssen to our Modern Class of Casting Visionaries segment!
Sien is a casting director based in Antwerp, Belgium. Originally trained in law, she discovered her passion for casting in 2011 and has been immersed in the job ever since. In 2015, she founded Sien Josephine Casting, quickly establishing herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Known for her sharp eye and instinctive approach, she works closely with directors and producers to shape stories through casting; seeking out both trained actors and first-time performers who bring something special and authentic to the screen.
Sien has extensive experience casting for Belgian productions, as well as casting talent for international projects filming in Belgium, and assembling international ensembles for Belgian stories with global reach. Her recent credits include Julie Keeps Quiet (2024) (Belgium’s official Oscar entry for 2025 and nominated for a Casting Society Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting for an International Feature), as well as the internationally acclaimed youth film Young Hearts (2024). She is currently working on several new projects, including productions in the UK, US, and France.
In addition to her casting work, Sien is dedicated to elevating the profession and broadening access within the industry. She is an active board member of CSA’s Global Chapter.
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Resources:
Sien Josephine Casting Website
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On today's episode we dive in with the wonderful and talented actor, Jessalyn Wanlim!
Jessalyn is originally from Canada but moved to the states to study dance at Julliard. She left school early to pursue her love of acting in NYC where she took a unique route to land the recurring role of Rachael television series All My Children. After her time in NY she made the move to LA where she played Evie Cho on the acclaimed series Orphan Black, and then went onto star in Workin’ Moms as Jenny Matthews for all 7 seasons. Most recently she is starring opposite Scott MacArthur in Netflix’s new series RUNNING POINT. We had such an amazing time chatting about her journey and all the crazy things that have happened to her along her acting Journey.
If you're in LA make sure to stop by Inkwell Tavern today at 4:30pm (May 21st) to hang out for happy hour with Jessica!
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Resources:
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We’re thrilled to welcome back producer Patrick Caligiuri for a dynamic round two. In this episode, we dive deep into the state of the industry and explore how nostalgia, escapism, and indie spirit are shaping the next era of filmmaking. From Hollywood tariffs and evolving tax incentives to post-strike ripples and salary restructuring, Patrick opens up about the realities producers face and why now might be the perfect time to greenlight yourself.
Why audiences are craving familiarity and emotional comfort more than ever.
The risks and rewards of fully committing to bold storytelling.
What proposed incentives could mean—and what strings may be attached.
A look at where productions are headed and why.
How last year's work stoppages continue to influence project timelines and budgets.
Why independent filmmaking is having a major comeback.
What’s on the horizon for industry-wide talks.
How compensation models are shifting in the new landscape.
A conversation around evolving movie theater models and ticketing formats.
How festivals are becoming more about hype and less about discovery.
Why authenticity and openness are resonating more than ever.
Embracing the passion, grit, and freedom of indie filmmaking.
Episode Resources:
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