Bonnie Timmermann

Watch BONNIE (2022) Now

There’s so few people involved in the film industry that can be referred to by just their first name, but in the case of my guest, Bonnie Timmermann, she is one who achieved that honor. If I asked you to pick 20 films out of the last 25 years, I would bet around 5 would have been cast by Bonnie. The documentary, now available for streaming, BONNIE (2022), is a must-watch.

We go beyond the doc to talk about what she wish was covered, representation in casting, how directors and casting directors should look at TikTok and YouTube influencers, and more.

In this episode, Bonnie and I discuss:

• The challenges of insincerity for a casting director;
• How she got started in casting and whether it’s teachable;
• What the documentary on her life missed from her perspective;
• Representation in casting and when to use an actor (or not use an actor!) of a specific type;
• How she decides whether to work with a director or not;
• Whether in person casting translates to performance on film;
• How directors should look at casting TikTok and YouTube influencers;
• The difference in casting men and women;
• Did she feel like she got a casting decision wrong?
• Epic story about actor Ben Foster taking on a Ridley Scott film;
• How she casts accents;
• What’s next for this amazing casting director. 

Bonnie's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Brian Swibel

Memorable Quotes:

“I’m an emotional person. I'm terribly sensitive. I can be funny at times. I think humor helps you always. So yes, I think the darkest side of me helped me to see the darkest and the lightest sides of actors.”

“I used to say, and it was true, if you find me, I’m yours because I would never list myself in a phone book or one of those books where you can find people.” 

“You are really the first director. You are directing the actor on film yourself, and you wanna get the best out of them so that when your director sees their work that they get a really good shot.”

Links:

Watch BONNIE (2022) Now