Production Hubs: San Francisco
When you think of the entertainment industry in California, your mind might automatically go to Los Angeles. However, you’d be overlooking the important local market in the northern part of the state. San Francisco has been the production home to classics like Vertigo, The Rock and Mrs. Doubtfire. And the industry hub is still bustling. Shows like 13 Reasons Why and Tales of the City have filmed in the area, as well as a number of upcoming features. Keep reading to find out more about the Bay Area casting directors behind these projects and more, as well as what they’re up to next.
Nina Henninger Casting
Nina Henninger has a number of impressive film credits under her name, such as Blue Jasmine, Fruitvale Station and Bumblebee. Recently, she did the San Francisco casting for Jexi, starring Adam Devine, and A24’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco. As for series, she’s helped cast shows like Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, 13 Reasons Why and Tales of the City. Henninger has multiple projects on the horizon, as well. For example, she’s listed as the casting director for the dramedy feature in development entitled My Golden Year, which has Melissa Leo attached. Actors interested in learning more about Nina Henninger Casting can check out the company’s website. There they can find the names of some big industrial, print and commercial clients it’s worked with as well. The company also has a Facebook page where it periodically posts casting searches.
Nancy Hayes Casting
Nancy Hayes’ film credits run long. One notable title she cast is The Boat Builder, an adventure family film starring Christopher Lloyd. She also contributed to the extras casting of big name films such as Beautiful Boy and Terminator Genisys, which both shot in San Francisco. As for series credits, the Lifetime Television crime drama The Division, whose cast included a young Jon Hamm and Taraji P. Henson, lists Hayes as a casting director. It may come as no surprise that the series filmed in San Francisco as well. Hayes has an upcoming project that actors should keep on their radars: a drama feature entitled Suspended Belief. The casting director also has a strong presence in commercial, print and industrial casting. Actors can check out the brands with whom the company has worked on the Nancy Hayes Casting site. The site also provides the tip that the company cannot be found on Facebook or Twitter. Hayes’ LinkedIn page offers some potential areas of connection for actors, though, such as information on her alma mater and the interesting degree she earned from it.
Gregg Cohen Casting
Gregg Cohen is a casting director who prefers to stay off the grid. You won’t find a website for Gregg Cohen Casting, nor will you find the company on social media. Cohen said in an interview with Casting Networks that she’s not interested in self-promotion and doesn’t advertise. “I’m really lucky to be working with mainly repeat and referral clients,” Cohen shares. Said clients are impressive names, to say the least. Facebook, Amazon, and Apple are among a number of big brands with whom her company has worked. Actors interested in commercial work should especially keep Cohen in mind, as she is a strong force in the world of commercial casting.
Kristen Beck Casting
Kristen Beck also possesses an impressive commercial resume, and she’s another San Francisco casting director that actors should know. The commercials that Beck casts can generate a lot of buzz, with one example being Airbnb’s 2017 Super Bowl spot. Other impressive brands like Yahoo, Visa, and Google make the long list of clients with whom she’s worked. Actors interested in connecting with the busy casting director can request to join the Kristen Beck Casting Facebook group. Further connection points can be gleaned from the impressive heritage that Beck shared with Casting Networks. For example, she happens to be the daughter of actress Gail Billings, whose credits include titles such as They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and Bonanza. This industry connection may come as no surprise since the San Francisco casting director is originally from Los Angeles. And she brings extensive experience to the northern California production hub, as she’s been casting by herself for 20 years.
Nina Henninger Casting
Nina Henninger has a number of impressive films under her name, and she often partners with Sarah Kliban for theatrical castings, such as Blue Jasmine, Fruitvale Station and Bumblebee. They previously worked together on the San Francisco casting for Jexi, starring Adam Devine, and A24’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco. The latter even won its casting team an Artios as the 2020 awards show. As for series, both Henninger and Kliban have helped cast shows like Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, 13 Reasons Why and Tales of the City. The casting directors have multiple projects on the horizon, as well. For example, Henninger is listed as the casting director for the dramedy feature in development entitled My Golden Year, which has Melissa Leo attached. Actors interested in learning more about Nina Henninger Casting can check out the company’s website. There they can find the names of some big industrial, print and commercial clients it’s worked with as well. The company also has a Facebook page where it periodically posts casting searches. Kliban is the founder and principal casting director of Diversity Casting, and actors can visit the company’s website to find out more about its niche area of foreign-language and diverse casting, as well as the various projects it has cast. More information on Kliban can be gleaned from her LinkedIn page, which lists an impressive range of skills that includes being a licensed minister.
San Francisco has a lot to offer actors when it comes to the number of projects that film there. Should you find yourself shooting in the northern California city, be sure to explore as much as possible. “The Golden City” is a travel destination for a reason. Perhaps you’ll tour Alcatraz or cross the Golden Gate Bridge while you’re there. Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf may make your list, too. If you time it right, you might even catch a Golden State Warriors game. All things considered, should you get the opportunity to film in San Francisco, you’ll likely leave with a few of your own tales of the city.
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