2014 (Production)

2014-10-28 (Production)

English (Original)

Interviewee: Juliet Taylor
Interviewer: Sienna McLean LoGreco

Professional production

United States

Casting director Juliet Taylor is interviewed by Sienna McLean-LoGreco at the Lighthouse Theater in New York City in 2014. Taylor starts with her early interests in theater and explains her role as an independent casting director. She recalls her 35 film collaborations with Woody Allen, selecting prominent actors in their breakthrough roles, and the casting process. Taylor discusses films from THE EXORCIST (1973) to SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993).

Casting director Juliet Taylor is interviewed by Sienna McLean-LoGreco at the Lighthouse Theater in New York City on October 26, 2014. Taylor describes her Connecticut upbringing as an idyllic and family oriented experience. She recalls her fascination with music artists as a teen but admits to not being much of a movie buff. While attending Smith College in 1967, Taylor pursued her interests in theater, but jokes that she didn’t have the courage to be an actor nor the aptitude for stagecraft duties. After graduating, she joined the staff of Broadway producer David Merrick as an apprentice then moved to a secretarial position with the motion picture casting firm Marion Dougherty Associates (MDA). She praises Dougherty as a pioneering casting director, who eliminated the old “cattle call” style of auditions. Following Dougherty’s departure from the company, Taylor discusses helming MDA from 1973 to 1977, where she cast films THE EXORCIST (1973), PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK (1971), and JULIA (1977). She recollects first working with Woody Allen on LOVE AND DEATH (1975) and goes on to fondly reflect on their 30-year collaborative partnership. After a brief stint as Director of East Coast Casting for Paramount Pictures, Taylor explains her decision to become an independent casting director. She also details her method of selecting actors from the theater and how the casting process is similar to a therapy session. Taylor recalls her interactions with actors Brooke Shields (PRETTY BABY, 1978), John Malkovich (THE KILLING FIELDS, 1984), and Melanie Griffith (WORKING GIRL, 1988). She speaks about her work on Steven Spielberg’s SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993) and credits him with giving her free rein in selecting actors. On receiving the 2001 Women in Film Crystal Award, Taylor expresses gratitude for such recognitions but stresses her philosophy on maintaining a sense of humility. She closes with thoughts on the prominence of women casting directors and why there is room for improvement on the pay scale.

Juliet Taylor (born 1945) is an award-winning casting director known for her long collaboration with director Woody Allen. Taylor was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut and began her career in New York City, working with David Merrick and Marion Dougherty Associates (MDA). During her tenure with MDA, she is credited for the casting notable roles for Al Pacino (PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK, 1971), Linda Blair (THE EXORCIST, 1973), and suggesting Meryl Streep for her feature debut role in JULIA (1977). Taylor would team with Woody Allen for LOVE AND DEATH (1975), the first of her thirty film collaborations with the director. Following an executive position with Paramount Pictures, Taylor became an independent casting director in 1977, working on PRETTY BABY (1978), THE KILLING FIELDS (1984), and assisting Steven Spielberg with selecting the cast for SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993). Taylor has received accolades from the Casting Society of America and Women In Film and was awarded a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special for ANGELS IN AMERICA (2003).

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