What does a casting executive do? Casting professionals Clint Alexander (Fox), Rob Decina (CBS Studios), and Marci Phillips (ABC) join us for a virtual conversation about how casting works at a studio or network level. Moderated by Lori Hammel.
If you'd like to submit questions in advance for the panelists, please do so here. This form will also be available during the program.
PANELIST BIOS
Clint Alexander (Fox) is an executive director of casting for FOX in NY. He discovered his love of casting while in undergrad, interning for Avy Kaufman. Upon graduation he worked as an assistant, and then associate, under Beth Bowling and Kim Miscia, primarily working on network series, and then briefly worked for Cassandra Kulukundis before finally landing at FOX. He has spent the last 18 years working for the network, covering the NY talent pool for all pilots and current series and has run the NY office for the last 12 years.
Rob Decina (CBS Studios) In December of 2018, Rob Decina was named VP, Casting in NY for CBS Studios. He has contributed to the casting of many shows across several broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, including: Your Honor & The Comey Rule (Showtime), Nancy Drew & Dynasty (CW), Diary of a Future President (Disney+), Guilty Party & The Game (Paramount +), and Swagger (Apple TV+). He is also the covering casting executive for several CBS episodic shows including, Blue Bloods, Equalizer, and The FBI franchise. At the studio, he developed two programs: a Casting Fellowship for BIPOC candidates, designed to encourage diversity in the profession of casting, and an Educational Outreach Program, where he speaks to colleges and conservatories about auditioning. Previous episodic television casting credits include, Insatiable for Netflix, Shades of Blue for NBC, as well as pilots for the CW Network. His book, The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television had its second edition published in April of 2022.
Marci Phillips (ABC) is the NY VP of Casting for ABC Entertainment covering the entire East Coast (and beyond) acting pool for the ABC Television Network as well as select other entities within the Walt Disney Company. For over 25 years she has cast for ABC pilots, new series regulars, recurring roles and numerous guest star roles.
Marci has been heavily involved in finding (and in many cases mentoring) the talent for the Disney Discovers Talent NY Showcase since its inception in 2000. This illustrious roster includes Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Rodriguez, Pedro Pascal, Jesse Williams, Jermaine Fowler, Ali Stroker and a multitude of others too numerous to mention!
Marci has coached and taught actors for decades and previously worked as a Casting Assistant for MGM Studios. She cast the independent film “Let It Snow”, which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival. Marci also co-produced and cast two off-off Broadway plays and is the author of the book “The Present Actor - A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride”.
Being the daughter of a Broadway actor and wife to multiple actors (one at a time, no bigamy here!), her life experience in this business actually outweighs her professional experience.... but that's too long a story for this Bio!
Lori Hammel is a NYC-based actress and writer. Film work includes Ethan and Joel Coen’s Burn After Reading; Spoiler Alert; She's Lost Control; Puzzle and the horror/thriller Blood Conscious (2022 New York Times pick), along with numerous shorts including playing the lead in Coney Island Queen (Cannes Shorts Corner).
Lori has appeared in a wide variety of comedic and dramatic roles in TV shows including Blue Bloods; FBI: Most Wanted; Jessica Jones; Law & Order (2022); Gordita Chronicles; High Maintenance; 30 Rock and Master of None. Her stage work includes Broadway, Off Broadway and National Tours.
Lori played recurring political pundit Leslie Hillerman on the Onion News Network series, In The Know and is the creator and star of the series Margo Rose Reports. She received an Excellence in Acting Award at the NY International Fringe Festival and is the recipient of a Jeff Award, two Jeff nominations, two After Dark Awards and the SAG-AFTRA Joseph C. Riley Service Award. Lori co-authored the critically acclaimed guidebook Minding the Edge – Strategies for a Fulfilling, Successful Career as an Actor and is a contributing writer for Acting for the Stage (Focal Press). www.lorihammel.com
Please note: no soliciting (including giving out headshots, reels, business cards, scripts) or asking for email addresses from guest speakers.
