Casting director Nicki Katz stumbled into casting while studying filmmaking and television production at Cal State University, Northridge. “I had this moment where I was recording the audition and I just understood the actor and how much preparation they put into this and I just had such an amount of respect for all of them for coming out for this small film.” She's cast over 50 projects since starting her career in casting.
The busy young casting director’s most recent feature, “Excess Flesh,” premiered at SXSW. She’s also worked as an associate with casting director Donna Morong on feature projects like “Sophia & the Rising Sun” as well as working on the Golden Globe-winning series “Transparent.”
Katz started with casting AFI thesis films, and then her name began to spread among students at AFI and USC who were looking for casting directors for their thesis films. “It’s always a nice passion project that I try to get involved with so we can find new actors to discover instead of famous people who are just booked for the studio distribution.”
While she ultimately hopes to be a television studio casting director, Katz enjoys working on student films. “I’m still young and I know that they are all still getting started in their careers so there’s so much that they can learn from [me] and that I can learn from [them] that it’s a collaborative effort.” Katz’s most recent student film project was for a USC thesis project, “Pearl,” a dark fairytale of a lonely outcast old man who finds a wounded mermaid girl and struggles with letting her go after she heals. Director Assia Qianhang Shao is from China, so Katz has also had the opportunity to aid in the communications between the director and the actors.
Katz received many submissions for the lead in “Pearl,” but ultimately she ended up casting someone she reached out to directly, Alan Gray. “He’s actually a well-known television and theatrical actor and my director knew his work and I had definitely seen his work before.” Katz says she auditioned many of the actors who submitted themselves. “Alan just brought the most natural character element to the role.” While many student filmmakers hope to find name actors for their films, many times the actors have to pass because they’re too busy, but luckily Gray was available.
As far as what she looks for on a résumé, Katz says she focuses on improv experience in L.A., and theatrical training. In general, she likes to see five years’ experience in acting classes, but that doesn’t apply to child actors. She also encourages actors to have their own website.
Katz encourages actors to be prepared. Having a printed copy of their résumé is a plus, especially when auditioning for independent filmmakers. “Directors love to see a printed headshot and résumé so they can keep it once they’re making their decisions.” A positive attitude also goes a long way. “I would just say evaluate the room and see how the energy is and come in with the most positive attitude and stay calm. And it’s good to say thank you.”
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