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Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Casting Support and Education

»Casting Support and Education

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

Our mission is to help you understand the vital role casting plays in bringing a film to life. Through workshops, one-on-one consultations, and hands-on guidance, you'll gain the knowledge and practical tools needed to cast your project with confidence — helping you find the right talent to bring your creative vision to the screen.

Educational Opportunities

Learn the intricacies of casting, a skill that can enhance your career in the film industry, through:

  • Workshops: Several casting workshops, open to all students, are offered throughout the year, giving practical insights into the process.
  • Academic course: Boast teaches FTV-329/FTV-529: Casting, available each semester to 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

Get connected to a range of talent options for your films through:

  • Personalized consultations: If you are working on your thesis film or any other project, you can schedule an appointment.
  • Our actor database: Chapman Screen Acting and Theatre students, along with industry professionals, are eager to work on student films. After a casting consultation, Boast will consult the database and connect you with the actors best suited for your project.
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Russell Boast, Casting Director

Russell Boast is the former president of the Casting Society of America and brings more than two decades of casting experience to Dodge. A native of South Africa, he has worked extensively in Hollywood, casting Angelina Jolie, Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Rickman and many more. For Boast, teaching the casting process to young filmmakers is something he has always been motivated to do. “Casting is a crucial part of the filmmaking process," he says. "I wanted to be able to teach that process so that in the future, casting will be perceived differently."

Contact the Casting Department

Learn more about casting, find actors for your upcoming project, or get casting questions answered!