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A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies    by Janet Hirshenson & Jan Jenkins Amazon.com order for
Star Is Found
by Janet Hirshenson
Order:  USA  Can
Harcourt, 2006 (2006)
Hardcover

Read an Excerpt

* * *   Reviewed by Lyn Seippel

Did you ever wonder how the actors are chosen for your favorite film? In A Star Is Found, Janet Hershenson and Jane Jenkins, Hollywood casting directors for more than twenty-five years, give us the insider's scoop on how these decisions are made.

Jennifer's first casting job involved finding a pregnant horse for the Walter Matthau movie, Casey's Shadow. Jane intended to be an actress. Since they joined forces in 1981 they have cast an incredible list of films. Their blockbusters include When Harry Met Sally; The Outsider; Mrs. Doubtfire; The Princess Bride; Jurassic Park; A Beautiful Mind; Harry Potter; and The Da Vinci Code, to name only a few.

In A Star Is Found, they share their love of the movies and their adventures in searching for the right actor for the right role. They also take readers behind the scenes, explaining some of the industry's quirks - such as, when an actor must audition with a casting director, and when an actor will be considered after a meet with the director on neutral turf such as s restaurant or bar.

Movie lovers, don't miss this fascinating and entertaining look at Hollywood. Jane and Janet avoid gossip as they reminisce about casting unknowns and finding future stars such as Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, and Leonardo Di Caprio. Casting involves working with famous directors and wonderful actors and making hard decisions. Written in a breezy, light hearted prose, Jane and Janet take readers on an armchair tour that includes casting calls, headshots, auditions, meets, and movie making at its finest.

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