The SHORT! Guide to Producing

Chapter 9The Cast

The Producer’s Role in Casting

Of all the many roles that the director must play in a production, none is more important than helping actors deliver a compelling performance on-screen. An effective actor/director relationship depends on concentration, camaraderie and trust. Where does the producer fit into this intense bond? To a considerable extent, your job is simply to stay out of the way and to ensure that the rest of the crew does the same. At the same time, there are ways the producer can encourage and facilitate the partnership between actor and director. The first opportunity to offer such assistance occurs in the casting process.

Pro Tip

“I think that the most important thing for students to learn about actors is ...