Academy Honours Casting Directors for First Time in Oscars History
Nina Gold, the woman who cast Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in the Oscar-nominated Hamnet, has been shortlisted for an Academy Award honouring casting directors. This marks a significant milestone for the industry, as the category was only included after decades of lobbying by professionals.
Gold's ability to identify and nurture talent has made her one of the most sought-after casting directors in the business. Her success can be attributed to a combination of analytical skills, instinct, and an uncanny ability to find hidden gems. "There's no single formula to being a successful casting director," she explained. "It's instinct, and if you can get the actor and character to intersect at exactly the right point, then it really is magic."
Gold's career spans over two decades, during which she has worked on some of the biggest films and TV shows in the industry. Her credits include Game of Thrones, The Crown, Slow Horses, and several Star Wars films. She has also had success launching the careers of Claire Foy, Eddie Redmayne, John Boyega, Bella Ramsey, and Maisie Williams.
Despite her impressive track record, Gold acknowledged the barriers to diversity in film and TV. "If you're British, even if you think you're not thinking about class, it's still subliminally part of your thinking about character and people," she said. "Drama schools aren't as diverse as they used to be because of cost." However, Gold has shown a commitment to inclusion by casting predominantly working-class performers in her latest BBC show, Waiting for the Out.
Gold's work on Hamnet was particularly notable, given the film's critical success and the fact that it marked a major breakthrough for both Buckley and Mescal. "I just really felt like it had to be Jessie Buckley from the very moment I started thinking about the character seriously," Gold said. The chemistry between Buckley and Mescal was undeniable, and their performances earned them widespread acclaim.
Gold's nomination is a testament to her skill and dedication as a casting director. Her ability to find and nurture talent has made her one of the most respected professionals in the industry. As she prepares for the Oscars, Gold remains humble and focused on her work. "Film-making is a collaborative endeavour β ideally, we're speaking the same language," she said with a laugh.
Nina Gold, the woman who cast Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in the Oscar-nominated Hamnet, has been shortlisted for an Academy Award honouring casting directors. This marks a significant milestone for the industry, as the category was only included after decades of lobbying by professionals.
Gold's ability to identify and nurture talent has made her one of the most sought-after casting directors in the business. Her success can be attributed to a combination of analytical skills, instinct, and an uncanny ability to find hidden gems. "There's no single formula to being a successful casting director," she explained. "It's instinct, and if you can get the actor and character to intersect at exactly the right point, then it really is magic."
Gold's career spans over two decades, during which she has worked on some of the biggest films and TV shows in the industry. Her credits include Game of Thrones, The Crown, Slow Horses, and several Star Wars films. She has also had success launching the careers of Claire Foy, Eddie Redmayne, John Boyega, Bella Ramsey, and Maisie Williams.
Despite her impressive track record, Gold acknowledged the barriers to diversity in film and TV. "If you're British, even if you think you're not thinking about class, it's still subliminally part of your thinking about character and people," she said. "Drama schools aren't as diverse as they used to be because of cost." However, Gold has shown a commitment to inclusion by casting predominantly working-class performers in her latest BBC show, Waiting for the Out.
Gold's work on Hamnet was particularly notable, given the film's critical success and the fact that it marked a major breakthrough for both Buckley and Mescal. "I just really felt like it had to be Jessie Buckley from the very moment I started thinking about the character seriously," Gold said. The chemistry between Buckley and Mescal was undeniable, and their performances earned them widespread acclaim.
Gold's nomination is a testament to her skill and dedication as a casting director. Her ability to find and nurture talent has made her one of the most respected professionals in the industry. As she prepares for the Oscars, Gold remains humble and focused on her work. "Film-making is a collaborative endeavour β ideally, we're speaking the same language," she said with a laugh.