Hollywood casting director shares film industry expertise with students

A leading film industry figure – casting director of ‘Rain Man’ and ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ – has shared her top tips on how to get into the industry with students at the University of Wolverhampton.  

Marie Rowe, who returned to the UK in 2012 after 29 years in Los Angeles, has worked in film and television for 30+ years with leading actors including Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro and Robin Williams.

She addressed students across a variety of courses in the School of Media, all with an interest in filmmaking, creative writing and television studies, with her talk covering her break into the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), her move to Hollywood with a role in film distribution and marketing for the Samuel Goldwyn Company, and her job as publicist for the American Cinema Awards produced by David Gest.

She then went on to work on HBO shows which brought her into contact with writer/director Barry Levinson; Marie has worked on most of Levinson’s films in the areas of script development, casting and producing, as well as acting when he cast her as Mrs. Ross in ‘Disclosure’, opposite Michael Douglas and Demi Moore.

Students posed questions to Marie on areas such as what qualities directors need, her tips on how to cast for films, and how to overcome problems and difficulties on set.

Marie Rowe said: “I really enjoyed speaking to the students at the University of Wolverhampton and sharing the knowledge I have gained from working in the entertainment industry. I hope I was able to encourage these up-and-coming filmmakers to believe in themselves and their capabilities, and at the same time I wanted them to realise the importance of acknowledging all members of the filmmaking team which will develop all-round confidence.

“Building relationships and being respectful will also create opportunities in the future. Every life experience is a potential doorway to an opportunity for students to develop their careers and their character. Remain humble, but most of all always be true to yourself and your vision.”

Tracy McCoy, Head of Department of Film, Media and Broadcasting, Faculty of Arts, University of Wolverhampton, said: “It was a great honour to have Marie with us for her guest lecture. Her wide industry experience and practical tips had the students enthralled, and will certainly help them as they progress their studies and break into the film and TV industries.”

For more information on courses within the School of Media at the University of Wolverhampton, please visit www.wlv.ac.uk/arts

ENDS

For more information please contact Claire Tallentire in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736, email: C.Tallentire@wlv.ac.uk