» Casting Support and Education

Looking for actors for your next film project? As a current Dodge student, you can access specialized casting support led by renowned casting director Russell Boast. 

Our goal is to educate you on the critical role casting plays in the success of a film. Through workshops and one-on-one support, you can get the knowledge and practical support needed to cast your project effectively, ensuring you bring your vision to life.

Casting educational opportunities

Our casting director offers valuable opportunities to learn the intricacies of casting — a skill that can greatly enhance your career in the film industry, through:

• Casting workshops: Boast provides several casting workshops throughout the year that offer practical insights into the casting process. These workshops are open to all students, contingent on available space.
• Casting course: Boast teaches FTV-329/FTV-529: Casting, available each semester for Dodge undergraduate and graduate students. This 1.5-credit course is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of the casting process.

Casting your project

The casting department can connect you to a wide range of talent options for your films and provides other helpful resources, including:

• Personalized casting consultations: If you are working on your thesis film or any other project, you can schedule an appointment.
• Actor database: The casting director maintains a database of Chapman Screen Acting and Theatre students, along with industry professionals eager to work on student films. 
  • After having a casting consultation, the casting director will connect you with the best actors in the database for your project.

Casting Director Russell Boast

Casting director Russell Boast, the former president of the Casting Society of America, brings more than two decades worth of casting experience to Dodge. 

A native of South Africa, Boast has worked with almost every studio and network in Hollywood, casting household names such as Angelina Jolie, Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Rickman and more.

For Boast, teaching the casting process to young filmmakers is something he has always been motivated to do, and he is here to help every Dodge student elevate the quality of their projects through casting.

Contact the Casting Department

We are happy to help you learn more about casting, find actors for your upcoming project, or just answer any of your casting questions!

• Schedule an appointment: To discuss casting for your upcoming project(s), you can schedule a one-on-one consultation. 
• Come by during office hours: Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fridays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 
• Email: boast@chapman.edu.