‘S Wonderful, ‘S Mara-velous

Thank you to Gilmore Girls casting director Mara Casey for a frank and insightful discussion Thursday. She and casting partner Jami Rudofsky were the twin forces behind populating Stars Hollow with the people we quickly came to know and love.

Not only did she share some wonderful stories about what that time was like, but she also filled me in a bit on what she’s been doing since leaving the casting scene last year.

In short, she’s been helping already-experienced actors rediscover the joys of the art form. As you an imagine, in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, losing that initial excitement is pretty easy. She also helps her students better prepare for and understand the casting process.

While Mara will figure pretty heavily in the book’s exploration of the tremendous effects she and the rest of the so-called “Chicago Contingent” had on Gilmore Girls, let me leave you with this great clip (from the forthcoming movie Pants On Fire) of Mara — playing Mara — opposite the awesome Sean Gunn (Kirk). Enjoy!