Oscars 2022: Cindy Tolan’s work on ‘West Side Story’ proves casting is key

Ultimate outcomes will likely be introduced on Sunday throughout a stay present on this ABC station from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

The massive solid of the film was chosen after an in depth search lasting nearly a yr, and the method of choosing performers who’re good for every position in a film is about making the entire higher than the sum of the elements.

That’s the place Cindy Tolan excels.

She is probably not a family identify, however Spielberg positive is aware of who she is — and so do the celebrities of “West Facet Story.”

“Steven Spielberg wished to solid the film as authentically as attainable,” Tolan mentioned. “And he basically mentioned, ‘I will not make this film if we will not do this.’”

RELATED | Oscars ceremony set to interrupt boundaries with historic firsts

Tolan is a casting director, the primary level of contact for a performer in search of a job and a key asset for any filmmaker who’s trying to discover the proper ensemble for a film.

“What’s essential is that you simply need to construct one cohesive complete with out dropping every particular person actor’s voice,” Tolan mentioned.

She solid a large internet, auditioning 30,000 individuals to search out performers who may sing, dance, and act on display.

She was additionally in search of these with charisma — generally known as the “it” issue — to pop on-screen.

“They needed to be quadruple threats,” Tolan mentioned.

Her first step was to start out a social media marketing campaign.

“We created a flier that went viral,” she mentioned.

When a New Jersey teen named Rachel Zegler despatched in an audition tape of “I Really feel Fairly” recorded in her lavatory, Tolan informed Spielberg that he needed to hear and see her.

Later, Zegler was solid in the important thing position of Maria.

On Broadway, Ariana DeBose was so busy enjoying “Disco Donna” Summer time that she did not even need to audition for the film musical. Tolan requested 4 instances and eventually satisfied her to check out.

Now, she’s nominated for an Oscar and received for Finest Supporting Actress on the British Academy Awards.

“I might not be right here if she had not dragged me within the room,” DeBose mentioned in her acceptance speech. “So earlier than Steven mentioned ‘sure,’ somebody needed to open the door. And it was her.”

RELATED | Finest Actor Oscar favourite Will Smith taking ‘King Richard’ buzz in stride

Her gratitude is matched by others much less well-known. Dancers Jeanette Delgado and Ilda Mason gushed about how a lot they owe Tolan on the Nationwide Board of Evaluation Awards.

“It means a lot to us as Latinas telling this story,” Mason mentioned. “And Cindy Tolan gave us that chance.”

The Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences would not give out Oscars for casting, regardless of the actual fact the present president of the group, David Rubin, is a revered casting director. However there could be little question the job is totally essential to the success of the film.

“West Facet Story” is from twentieth Century Studios, which is owned by Disney: the identical father or mother firm as this ABC station.