How Do Casting Directors Spot Star Potential? Award-Winning Julia Kim Reveals Her Process

02/10/2024 54 min Episodio 18

Listen "How Do Casting Directors Spot Star Potential? Award-Winning Julia Kim Reveals Her Process"

Episode Synopsis

Julia Kim, an award-winning casting director known for her work on films like Minari and The Last Black Man in San Francisco, joins us in this episode of The WeAudition Show, hosted by Darren Darnborough and Richard Cambridge. Julia shares her insights on the importance of diversity in casting, the evolution of Asian representation in Hollywood, and her role in pushing boundaries in the industry. From navigating the casting process during the pandemic to ensuring authenticity in storytelling, Julia gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to cast groundbreaking projects like Apple TV’s Sunny and Amazon's Expats, starring Nicole Kidman. 
In this episode, Julia Kim opens up about her journey in casting, her efforts to foster inclusivity through projects like invAsianLA, and the challenges of virtual auditions. She also reflects on her passion for discovering new talent and how the casting industry is evolving to better represent diverse voices.
Segmented Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction and background of Julia Kim 

01:00 - Transitioning from casting for films to high-profile TV series 

02:20 - Casting during the pandemic and the rise of virtual auditions 

03:31 - Collaboration with local casting directors for international projects 

05:50 - How actors can transition between genres, from comedy to drama 

07:16 - Benefits of self-tapes and how they’ve transformed the casting process 

09:20 - Casting immigrant stories and ensuring authenticity 

13:32 - invAsianLA: Julia’s initiative to support underrepresented talent in Hollywood 

17:03 - The eureka moment in finding the right actor for a role 

19:35 - Casting process for high-profile projects like "Expats" starring Nicole Kidman 

21:39 - Casting child actors and the role of their parents in the process 

24:00 - The Importance of building trust between casting directors and actors 

25:32 - Casting untapped talent outside the usual agencies 

28:46 - Casting new talent for "Minari" and working with non-actors 

30:05 - Balancing multiple takes and staying present in auditions 

32:16 - Tips for actors submitting multiple takes in self-tapes 

33:40 - Importance of authenticity in headshots for casting 

36:38 - The role of short films in building acting experience and showcasing talent 

39:54 - Legacy and reflections: Julia’s role in changing Hollywood’s diversity landscape 

50:47 - Final thoughts: The importance of recognition for casting directors and the future of casting 


USEFUL LINKS 
Reach Julia Kim at: 
Website: https://castingbyjuliakim.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castingbyjuliakim 
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453547 
GET MORE FROM THE WEAUDITION SHOW 
Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition  
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Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com 

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