Gayle Pillsbury, CSA - Leading The Way
With a casting career spanning various genres, mediums, and three decades, Gayle Pillsbury has contributed to the kinds of cultural cornerstones that have made us laugh, helped us understand our world, and revealed something about ourselves. From the ’90s family sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun to the 2010s coming-of-age drama Pretty Little Liars, Pillsbury, a California native, has carved out a unique perspective and place within the entertainment industry. Now serving her third year as Vice President of Membership on CSA’s Board of Directors, Pillsbury recently worked with IMDbPro to produce our third panel as part of CSA’s collaboration with IMDbPro. Through these programs, she helps CSA showcase the art of casting while supporting one of CSA members’ valuable benefits, complimentary access to an IMDbPro subscription. Learn more about her current work in independent film and her service to CSA in the interview below.
How long have you been a CSA member?
Oh goodness, I sadly don't remember the actual date I joined, but I'd say I've been in CSA for over 25 years.
Why did you join the Board?
Following the pandemic, the strikes, and the dissolution of my 20-year business partnership with my dear friend, I felt isolated. Work was slow to return, people were working from home, and the buzz and hum of the entertainment industry that tethered us together as a community had evaporated. I wanted to join the Board to reconnect with my community, engage with my peers, understand current concerns, and help shape our future. I have been a CSA member for as long as I can remember, but beyond attending the Artios Awards, I had never been what one could call an “active” member. I felt it was time to give back to an organization I am, and have been, proud and honored to be a member of.
What past, current, or future project would you like people to know about?
I’m currently juggling a handful of indie films, each with its own unique voice, but one project in particular has truly captured my heart: Sheila Got Bangs. We’re finishing up casting now, and it’s set to film in North Carolina this October. Written and directed by Lydia Hyslop, Sheila Got Bangs at its core, it’s an intimate exploration of family, religion, and mental health, but it’s also about the quiet, transformative power of music in our lives. The story is set in a rural, small town, and the script is filled with colorful, unforgettable characters. There’s a tenderness and authenticity to this project that makes it stand out, and working with this creative team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
What do you value about being a CSA member?
Above all, I feel a deep sense of belonging and support within the CSA community. Time and again, I’ve experienced the generosity and camaraderie of this community—whether it’s a colleague stepping in without hesitation to answer a casting-related question, recommending job opportunities to each other, or someone offering thoughtful guidance through a tricky business situation. There’s a genuine spirit of celebration here: we lift each other up and we share in each others’ successes. I cherish the opportunities to connect at events, to contribute to philanthropic and advocacy efforts, and to form friendships with casting directors around the world. Being a CSA member has been a source of inspiration and pride for me, and I am grateful to be part of this extraordinary community.
Gayle with the most recent IMDb Pro Panelists: From left to right: Dylan Jury, CSA, Wittney Horton, CSA, Laura Schiff, CSA, Mele Nagler, CSA.
About Gayle:
Gayle Pillsbury is an LA-based casting director and fourth-generation Long Beach native. A USC graduate with a BA in English and Film, she brings over 30 years of casting experience in television, film, theatre, and commercials. Gayle began her career as a casting assistant at NBC and later became Head of Talent and Casting at Imagine Television, collaborating with visionary storytellers JJ Abrams, Aaron Sorkin, Noah Baumbach, David Lynch, and Peter Berg. While at Imagine, she was fortunate to oversee the casting of many projects including “Felicity,” “Sports Night,” “24,” and “Mulholland Drive.” In 2000, she co-founded Zane/Pillsbury Casting with Bonnie Zane, casting acclaimed series such as “Pretty Little Liars,” “White Collar,” “Burn Notice,” “Sneaky Pete,” and “The Purge.”
Recently, Gayle has focused on independent film, casting and co-producing features like “Fractured” and “A Desert,” which premiered at Tribeca and now streams on Amazon. She teaches as an adjunct professor at PACE and serves as VP of Membership on the CSA Board of Directors.
She lives in Echo Park with her husband, three children, and rescue Frenchies.
Leading the Way is a new CSA series featuring the members whose volunteer leadership helps bring CSA's programs, initiatives, and member benefits to life. Each feature offers a glimpse into their career, industry perspective, and commitment to supporting our community.