Following it's premiere in Canada, the documentary was shown in other film festivals throughout the country including the New York, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Houston, Atlanta and Berkshire International Film Festivals.
Actress-producer Kate Lacey of Belchertown at the premiere party for HBO Documentary Films "Casting By" at the Empire Hotel in New York City on October 12, 2012. BELCHERTOWN – Actress-turned-producer Kate Lacey is shining a spotlight on the under-appreciated role of casting directors.
Lacey, a 36-year-old New Jersey native raised in Belchertown, produced Casting By," which will air on HBO on Aug. 5. The documentary recounts the never-before-told story of Marion Dougherty, the casting director who redefined Hollywood by discovering some of the greatest stars of the 20th century.
"It's a profession that can be easily written off because everyone thinks they can do it. But, if one actor is miscast it really affects the outcome of the project. With great films it always comes down to great casting," Lacey said.
The film, which made its debut at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2012, is a celebratory assessment of casting maverick Dougherty's career and how she revolutionized the way Hollywood cast films in the 1960s and '70s. Dougherty moved away from the established "cattle calls" and started bringing in actors she had spotted in Off-Broadway productions.
Interviews with Dougherty and stars like Jeff Bridges, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Woody Allen, Robert Redford and Diane Lane make up the documentary.
Though mostly dedicated to Dougherty's career, the film also points out the challenging roles casting directors take on, while posing the question, why is casting the only main-title film credit not recognized with an Oscar category?
Lacey, who served as casting director for Stick It" and casting coordinator for "The Hot Chick" and "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," empathizes with casting directors like Dougherty for the lack of appreciation the profession gets.
"The casting director is ultimately responsible for making all of the pieces of the puzzle fit," said Lacey, "Every last little role matters."
Involved from inception of the idea to delivery of the film, Lacey did everything from communicating with agents to budget management.
Though known for her roles as medical examiners and nurses on television shows like "Private Practice" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," Lacey, a graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield and Emerson College in Boston, first became involved in the industry when she moved to Los Angeles for an internship with Dougherty.
"I remember thinking as an intern I can't believe people don't know who this woman is," said Lacey.
Seven years later, while working on the casting for "Step Up," Lacey met Joanna Colbert, who had also worked with Dougherty.
After discussing Dougherty, the two decided they wanted to make a movie and the idea of "Casting By" was formed. In 2006, Lacey and Colbert brought on Tom Donahue as producer and began filming the movie.
"It was a teaming made in heaven," Lacey said.
"The biggest lesson I've learned is there is one recipe for success, you have to be passionate about the story you're telling and you have to have a supportive team working with you. And I was blessed with both of those things."
Budget issues put filming on hold for a while, but an interview with Glenn Close got the ball rolling again. Soon after, Robert Duvall agreed to an interview and then "it just kind of snowballed," Lacey said.
The film was picked up by HBO soon after it's first airing in Toronto.
"I feel like HBO is the gold standard and I believe stands for some of the best quality television going out right now," said Lacey about the deal with the network.
Following it's premiere in Canada, the documentary was shown in other film festivals throughout the country including the New York, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Houston, Atlanta and Berkshire International Film Festivals.
Lacey is currently working as co-producer on another documentary, "Thank You for Your Service." The documentary follows U.S. war veterans as they attempt to rejoin civilian life and the work force.
Though Lacey is becoming more involved in production, she says she wants to continue acting.
"Producing drives me, but acting fulfills all of my creative juices," she said.