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Artios 2007 Press Release
“The Artios Awards celebrate the hard work that members of the casting society perform on a daily basis that is sometimes overlooked,” said Dawn Steinberg, Event Chairperson and Senior Vice President, Talent and Casting, Sony Pictures Television. “With every year, this special evening gains momentum and recognition as an evening to recognize those people who play a pivotal role in the success of the entertainment industry. Further, these awards give us the forum to honor ourselves, and demonstrate the pride that we have in the work that has been accomplished during the course of a year.”
Each year, in addition to the twenty different theatrical casting categories announced during the award presentation, the Casting Society of America also recognizes Industry notables with a Career Achievement Award and bestows the Hoyt Bowers Award on one of its own. This year, these awards will be presented to Richard Donner and Marc Hirschfeld, respectively, each luminaries in their field.
The Career Achievement Award recognizes excellence in casting, and especially, the recipient’s overall contribution to the industry as a whole. Director/producer Richard Donner is the creative force behind some of the most popular and highest grossing movies of the last twenty years: “The Omen,” “Superman,” “Free Willy 1,2 &3,” the “Lethal Weapon,” series and “Maverick.”
His career started in front of the camera as an actor in Martin Ritt’s television production of W. Somerset Maugham’s “Of Human Bondage.”
“Marty told me I’d never make it as an actor because I couldn’t take direction,” recalled Donner, “but he thought I could give it, so he offered me a job as his assistant.” Donner continued assisting Ritt and many other great live television directors.
After moving to Los Angeles, he directed “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” directed “X-15,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Fugitive,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” and “Kojak.”
In 1975, he directed his first successful major feature, “The Omen.” Under his direction, “Superman -The Movie” became one of the all-time biggest international hits.
Four films followed the success of “Superman:” “Inside Moves,” “The Toy” starring Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor; “Ladyhawk,” by far his favorite for many reasons, (most importantly because he fell in love with producer Lauren Shuler, who later became his wife) “The Goonies” and “Lethal Weapon.” “Superman II, The Richard Donner Cut” was released on DVD in November, 2006.
Mr. Donner joins a distinguished list of previous Career Achievement Award winners that include Lawrence Kasdan, Quentin Tarantino, David E. Kelley, Leslie Moonves, Garry Marshall, Steven Bochco, Norman Lear, and the 2006 honoree, John Wells.
The Hoyt Bowers Award honors casting professionals who have elevated the profession by embodying the spirit and ideals that were uniquely Hoyt Bowers’, and Marc Hirschfeld epitomizes this completely. Mr. Hirschfeld, is an Emmy-award winner and, currently, the Executive Vice President, Casting, NBC Universal Television. He is responsible for overseeing casting for all NBC Entertainment, SCI FI, Bravo and USA Network scripted programs. Most recently, Hirschfeld has overseen the casting of such NBC series as the Emmy Award-winning “The Office,” “Heroes,” “My Name Is Earl,” “30 Rock,” and “Friday Night Lights,” among others.
Before joining NBC, Hirschfeld spent 12 years establishing Liberman/Hirschfeld Casting, which he founded with partner Meg Liberman, as one of the nation’s largest and most successful casting offices. During his tenure with Liberman/Hirschfeld Casting, Hirschfeld and his colleagues were also responsible for casting the ensembles for shows such as “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “NewsRadio,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Party of Five,” “Married . . . with Children,” “The Wonder Years,” and “That '70s Show.”
“There is something unique and enduring about an honor that is bestowed upon you by your fellow professionals, and I am sincerely humbled by this prestigious award,” said Hirschfeld. “I know that I am joining an esteemed group of fellow honorees who precede me, and just being included in the same category of these Hoyt Bowers Award recipients is extremely gratifying. As a result, I want to thank the Casting Society of America -- from whose collective membership I draw so much inspiration in my own work -- for presenting me with this tremendous honor.”
History of the Artios Awards
In October of 1985, the Casting Society of America presented the first awards for excellence in casting at an Artios Awards luncheon. Held in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event was attended by more than 500 industry leaders. Seven CSA members were honored in four different casting categories.
Three years later, the first Artios for theatrical production was presented (to Johnson-Liff Casting) in an added New York ceremony. Today, members are honored in twenty different theatrical casting categories in simultaneous events held in Los Angeles and New York.
About CSA
The Casting Society of America is the premier organization of theatrical Casting Directors in film, television, and theater and is passionately committed to establishing a recognized standard of professionalism in the industry; enhancing the stature of the profession in the industry; freely exchanging information and ideas among members; providing the opportunity to honor the outstanding achievements of our members; and providing members with professional support and resources. Working in conjunction with the newly established Teamsters affiliation, CSA members are a united professional society that consistently set the level of professionalism in casting on which the entertainment industry has come to rely.
With more than 360 members, the Casting Society of America has representation not only in the United States, but also in Canada, England and Australia. For more information, or to become a member, visit www.castingsociety.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dave Linden
(213) 908-0800
dave@thelindengroup.com