Working with Oscar Winners: Lessons from Ang Lee and Clint Eastwood

The Opportunity

As an Associate Casting Director at Chez Casting, Inc., I had the extraordinary privilege of working on major studio productions with some of the most respected directors in cinema history. Two of these experiences stand out: working with Ang Lee on Gemini Man and collaborating on projects with Clint Eastwood. These weren't just any productions—they were high-budget studio films with A-list talent, complex creative visions, and the kind of meticulous attention to detail that separates good filmmaking from great filmmaking. Being part of these teams as a casting professional gave me insights that I now bring to every aspect of my work as a coach and mentor.

Casting for Ang Lee: Leading the Southeast Regional Search

Working on Gemini Man with Ang Lee was transformative for me, but not for the reasons you might expect. What made this experience truly special was the trust placed in me to lead the Southeast regional casting search. I was given the responsibility to cast locally—to find and develop Southeast talent for key roles in this major studio production. This was my moment to shine.

I set up auditions, met with actors in person, and conducted the initial selections entirely on my own. I was the first person these actors saw. I greeted them, answered their questions, filmed their auditions, and guided them through the process. Then I reviewed every tape, made my selections, and presented them to Shay Bentley-Griffin—the legendary Casting Queen of the Southeast—who would then send the strongest candidates to the LA team and the lead Casting Director, the equally legendary Avy Kaufman.

The scope was incredible. In just three days, I saw approximately 500 actors. In person. Not through a computer screen, but face-to-face. I was responsible for every aspect: setting up the space, greeting each actor, answering their questions, filming, uploading, reviewing, selecting, discussing with Shay, and coordinating with the LA team. The responsibility was enormous, but so was the opportunity. What made this even more remarkable was that we ended up casting an additional role beyond what we had originally been asked to search for. That happened because of the quality of the talent we found and the strength of the selections we made. My work directly contributed to expanding the scope of the casting process and bringing exceptional Southeast talent to a major studio production with an Oscar-winning director.

This experience taught me more than any film school could have. I learned what it means to be trusted with real responsibility. I learned how to evaluate talent quickly and accurately. I learned how to manage logistics, maintain professionalism under pressure, and make decisions that would impact a major production. I grew exponentially as a casting professional, and that growth directly informs how I coach actors today.

Casting for Clint Eastwood: A Surreal Journey

The film we cast for Clint ended up being one of the critics' least favorites of his enormous repertoire, and it's a project I will never forget. Not because of the critical reception, but because the entire experience was surreal. This is how it unfolded.

We began casting with the child actor roles. We had a general idea of which A-listers might be the final selects for the adult versions of the young actors we were searching for. But then something unexpected happened: Clint decided to cast the actual people based on the real-life event the film was based on to play the leads. Yes—cast non-actors to star in a Clint Eastwood film. That changed everything. (Plot twist: sometimes the best casting decisions are the ones nobody sees coming.)

Thankfully, we weren't far off base with our current choices, but the work continued for weeks, which turned into a couple of months in total. I met thousands of actors from across the country—mostly actors East of the Mississippi. And honestly? It was fantastic. If I were a reputable actor working in Atlanta and wanted to audition in the room for the team casting a Clint Eastwood film, I certainly would take that opportunity. So I met some amazing actors, and just watching them work was incredible. And then there was the opportunity to be their reader—meaning I read the other role with the actor while filming the audition. Yeah, that was cool. (And yes, I tried my best not to upstage them. Key word: tried.)

When the project was filming, I got to visit the set with Shay. It was so memorable meeting Jenna Fisher (Pam from The Office!) and Judy Greer while on set during filming in Atlanta. That alone would have been a career highlight. But then came the wrap party, set at a very quaint outdoor venue, hosted by none other than Clint Eastwood himself.

I spoke to him briefly. He thanked me for the work we did, and he shook my hand. Later in the evening, Shay had a lovely moment sitting at the table with him and had a discussion. She had cast several projects for Clint over the years—all the way back to his first film produced in Georgia, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, filmed in Savannah. After that, their relationship with Clint and his team continued. I'm not one to sneak a photo, but when two icons are together, you have to capture the moment.

Clint and Shay at the wrap party—two icons of the casting world

The intimate outdoor venue where the magic happened

After the movie released, I was invited to the premiere in Los Angeles at the Warner Brothers Backlot in a private screening theater. And yes, it was a dream come true. And yes, I got to bring my mother. That moment—sitting in that theater, watching the film with my mom, knowing I had played a part in bringing it to life—was something I'll carry with me forever.

A dream come true—the premiere with my mother

With the talented young cast who brought the story to life

What I Learned from Meeting Thousands of Actors

Over the course of those months working with Clint's team, I met thousands of actors—mostly from the Southeast, but people from all over the country who believed in the opportunity enough to audition for a Clint Eastwood film. That alone tells you something about the caliber of people I encountered. These weren't casual auditioners; they were serious professionals who understood the significance of the moment. (And yes, I met a few who thought they could charm their way through with just a smile and a wink. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.)

What struck me most was how much I learned just by watching them work. Being their reader—actually performing opposite them during their auditions—gave me a front-row seat to the craft at its finest. I saw actors who understood their characters deeply, who could take direction instantly, who brought authenticity and vulnerability to the room. I also saw what didn't work: actors who were stiff, manufactured, or trying so hard to impress that they forgot to actually be human. (Pro tip: the camera can smell desperation from a mile away.)

This experience taught me that casting isn't about finding the "best" actor in an abstract sense—it's about finding the right actor for that specific role, in that specific project, with that specific director's vision. A brilliant actor might be perfect for one role and completely wrong for another. The actors who booked roles weren't necessarily the most talented—they were the ones who were genuinely right for the part. It's like dating: you can be amazing, but if you're not right for each other, it just doesn't work.

Lessons from Two Legendary Directors

Working with Ang Lee and Clint Eastwood taught me fundamentally different approaches to filmmaking and casting, yet both led to the same conclusion: excellence requires authenticity, preparation, and the right fit.

Ang Lee's meticulous, thoughtful approach meant that every actor needed to bring psychological depth to their auditions. He was looking for people who understood not just what their character does, but why they do it—the emotional and psychological layers that make a character real. That's why we could audition over 500 actors in three days and still find exceptional talent for the 10 or so roles we were casting. We were looking for depth, and the best actors showed it immediately. (And the ones who didn't? Well, let's just say they didn't make it past the first round.)

Clint Eastwood's approach was different but equally demanding. He trusts actors who are prepared but flexible—people who know their material inside and out but can also take direction and adapt instantly. He doesn't over-explain or over-direct. Instead, he creates an environment where actors feel confident enough to make bold, authentic choices. That's a different kind of preparation, but it's just as rigorous. (And honestly, if you can handle Clint's minimalist direction style, you can handle anything.)

Both directors, in their own ways, were looking for the same thing: actors who were genuinely right for the part. Not the most talented, not the most famous—the right fit for that specific role, in that specific story, with that specific vision.

The Privilege of Being Inside the Room

One of the most valuable aspects of my experience wasn't just casting—it was being on set, seeing how these directors worked with actors, and understanding what happens after the audition. Getting to visit the set with Shay, meeting Jenna Fisher and Judy Greer, watching the professionals work—that gave me insight into what casting directors and directors are actually looking for. (And yes, meeting Pam from The Office was surreal. No, I didn't ask her to yell "FACT!" at me. But I wanted to.)

When you're working with Oscar-winning directors on major studio productions, everyone on set is at the top of their game. The actors who booked these roles weren't just talented—they were professional, prepared, reliable, and collaborative. They showed up on time, they knew their lines, they took direction beautifully, and they brought their A-game to every take. That's the standard at the highest levels of the industry.

And then there's the human element. Sitting at that wrap party, meeting Clint, hearing Shay's stories about her decades-long relationship with him dating back to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil—that taught me something invaluable: relationships matter. Professionalism and reliability build trust, and trust opens doors. That's something I bring to every interaction with casting directors, producers, and actors I work with.

What This Means for Your Career

These experiences have fundamentally shaped how I approach coaching and mentoring. When we work together on audition coaching, acting technique, or industry mentorship, I'm not just teaching you how to perform better. I'm sharing insider knowledge gained from working on some of the biggest productions in the industry, with some of the most respected directors in cinema.

Here's what I know from being in those rooms, on those sets, and at those wrap parties: the actors who succeed aren't necessarily the most talented. They're the ones who understand what the director is looking for, who bring authenticity and depth to their work, who are prepared but flexible, and who are professional and reliable. They're the ones who understand that casting is about fit, not about being "the best." (And yes, that's a relief, because it means you don't have to be perfect—you just have to be right.)

Whether you're preparing for a major studio audition or a smaller independent film, these principles remain the same. Understanding what casting directors and directors are truly looking for—the depth, the authenticity, the professionalism, the right fit—gives you a significant advantage. And that's exactly what I help you develop.

Your Next Step

The journey from casting room to coaching has given me a unique perspective. I've seen what works and what doesn't. I've watched thousands of actors audition and understood why some book roles and others don't. I've sat at wrap parties with Oscar winners and learned that success in this industry is built on excellence, authenticity, and relationships.

If you're serious about your acting career and want to understand what casting directors and directors are really looking for, I'd love to work with you. Whether you need audition coaching, acting technique development, voice lessons, or industry mentorship, I can help you navigate the path to success. The lessons I've learned from working with Ang Lee, Clint Eastwood, and the incredible team at Chez Casting aren't just stories—they're actionable insights that can transform your auditions and your career.

Let's work together to bring that level of excellence to your performances. Your next role could be waiting—let's make sure you're ready for it.