How a Craigslist Advert Launched the Profession of Disney Casting Director Grace C. Kim

Typically we discover our profession by means of a lifelong ardour for one thing. Different instances, we reply an internet advert and discover what we didn’t know we have been on the lookout for. Grace C. Kim falls into the latter class.

Kim is like a whole lot of different casting administrators in that she kind of stumbled into the occupation, however completely different as a result of she answered an advert and located her calling. Now a casting director on the Walt Disney Firm who focuses on animated movies, she not too long ago solid the Disney+ TV collection Baymax and the musical movie Want. Kim additionally has a slate of upcoming films and TV exhibits on the best way. She spoke with us from her workplace in Burbank.

How did you get into casting?

By full accident, if I’m being trustworthy. I went to USC Movie Faculty and I had no thought what I wished to do after I left. I slowly crossed issues off of my record. Like, “don’t need to do this, I don’t need to do this, I’m not good at that.”

I assumed perhaps I wished to work with cameras, then in one of many first units I used to be on, the digicam operator put a Steadicam on me and I instantly fell backward. Cameras, are undoubtedly not for me. (Laughs)

Once I graduated, I simply determined I used to be going to reply any name to be a PA so I may assist determine what I need to do and the primary one I obtained was for a casting PA in actuality tv. It was a Craigslist posting. The girl who interviewed me, Clarissa Mendola, was the primary casting director that I labored for and it was a lot enjoyable. She employed me off of a telephone name. She requested me to fulfill her at some brick constructing in Santa Monica. There was no signage on it and I used to be identical to, “I’m both gonna die right here or that is gonna be the beginning of my profession.”

I used to be going to say, it sounds sinister.

It undoubtedly felt like that to start with.

So your complete profession hinges on the low-hanging fruit of the primary advert you answered?

(Laughs) I had no thought what I used to be getting myself into however Clarissa was the very best first boss anybody may ever ask for. She taught me every part within the first week, then flew again to New York and mentioned, “Solid this mission.” I mentioned, “I’m simply the PA,” however she mentioned, “No, go on the market, do your interviews, do your analysis, determine it out.” She totally trusted me and the affiliate, and simply mentioned, “Have enjoyable with this. I’m right here for those who want me.” Then she saved hiring me after that.

So what’s the trail from answering a Craigslist advert to working at Disney?

I labored at Fremantle for a minute on actuality exhibits like America’s Received Expertise and The X Issue, exhibits like that. Then I wished to work in scripted tv, so I utilized on-line at Fox and obtained the job working for Seth Yanklewitz, who was a VP of casting over on the Fox Community and Tess Sanchez, who was the top of casting there.

I realized every part about scripted casting from that workforce. Then in 2019, I wished to return within the room with individuals and be again within the course of. The best way animation is ready up on the studio is kind of the proper mix of each. We’re doing all the casting in-house, we do all the auditions ourselves whereas we’re nonetheless at The Walt Disney Firm.

Is there a distinction between casting live-action and animation?

There’s a distinction. I keep in mind the primary showcase I went to after I began working right here. There was a younger actress on stage and she or he was giving such a phenomenal efficiency. The minute I closed my eyes, every part that she was attempting to convey was out the window. I keep in mind pondering, “Oh, I’m not getting something by means of her voice.” I wasn’t feeling the best way that she most likely wished me to really feel, so there’s that distinction. Some individuals can do it with simply their voice and it’s such a present. I really like having the ability to watch individuals simply change like that.

Do you continue to find yourself closing your eyes quite a bit if you’re if you’re doing that? Or have you ever been doing it lengthy sufficient now to inform by watching?

(Laughs) I’ve been doing it lengthy sufficient now the place I can hear it and I don’t have to shut my eyes, as a result of I additionally like watching the efficiency. We go see a whole lot of theater, a whole lot of stay exhibits for that motive as a result of it’s that very same factor. It’s a must to make somebody with the worst seats in the home really feel every part that the individual with the very best seats in the home is feeling.

Now that you simply’ve been doing animation casting for some time, do you assume you’ve discovered a everlasting residence right here?

I feel for those who requested me this a 12 months in the past, I might have a distinct reply. However as of now, sure, I do. I find it irresistible. I feel that there’s such a pleasure. I really like having the ability to work with actors on this means. I really like seeing individuals who can change their voices inside seconds. It’s such a expertise and so cool to see. Particularly at our studio, the place we do the musicals. It sounds so corny, nevertheless it’s a magical place. (Laughs) I hate saying that, nevertheless it’s true.

What recommendation or little bit of knowledge would you give to somebody coming in to audition for you?

I might say there are two issues. The primary is that the individuals within the room all the time need you to win. That’s all the time good to know. Understanding that, ask the questions that you simply need to ask as a result of you’ve got nevertheless lengthy the casting director goes to offer you. [If it’s] 15, 20 minutes, no matter it could be, that point is totally yours.

Ask the questions and get readability, as a result of if you depart the room, it’s important to depart all of it behind. I hate when the audition is over and the actor asks me the query the place I’m like, “Why didn’t you ask me that firstly?” Have that confidence to ask all of the questions that you could ask to grasp the character higher.

This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.

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Written by Neil Turitz