How to Break
into Film
Author and former casting director
Anna Maniscalco-Blasi ’95
Anna Maniscalco-Blasi ’95, a casting director for The Sopranos,
Mona Lisa Smile, The Stepford Wives, Riding In Cars with Boys, and
The Manchurian Candidate, among other films, was immersed
in the world of film from an early age. She watched The Tap
Dance Kid when she was about seven years old and dreamed
of becoming an actress after viewing Norma Rae starring
Sally Field. Years later, while working as an actress, Ms.
Maniscalco-Blasi received her Screen Actors Guild card and
was chosen for feature roles in films and television shows,
including Sleepers, Nick of Time, and Spin City.
Fate would have it that Ms. Maniscalco-Blasi achieved fame
behind the scenes as a casting director. She started sending her
résumé to many casting agencies. Two agencies responded—
William Morris Agency and Grant Wilfley Casting, the latter
of which still represents Ms. Maniscalco-Blasi. She is now also
a published author of the book Lights, Camera, Action! Former
Casting Director for “The Sopranos” Helps Actors Break into the Film
Industry.
Q: How difficult was it to change gears from acting to casting?
A: It was not difficult. I wanted to help other actors get
noticed. As a casting director, I like the person who comes
to meet me who’s not acting. You can go in overacting, but I
want to see you, the person. You want your headshot to tell a
story. Casting directors see that.
Q: What are some qualities that helped you achieve
success in the film industry?
A: Training as an actor helped me become a great casting
director. At Adelphi, the London semester added to my
maturity as an actress and casting director. I wasn’t embarrassed
to ask questions, and was also quiet and listened. All of that
helped me as a casting director.
Q: After you enter the film industry, how difficult is it to
maintain the position and reputation that you acquire?
A: Casting directing is the same as acting: you’re as good as
your last film. There’s always some assistant casting director
to the head-casting director, someone always wants to push
you out of the way. For The Sopranos, I went to Mulberry
Street, looked at the faces, did the research.
Q: What are some of your future goals?
A: Writing. I published Lights, Camera, Action; I have a four-
year-old son and a two-year-old daughter; and I want to write
a children’s novel about daily motherhood wisdoms. I have
been receiving job offers from my work on The Sopranos, films,
and TV shows. I might go back into casting if it is worth it.
I have been receiving calls from a lot of different people in
L.A. I’m currently working on a Sex and the City-type book with
suburban moms.
Q: What advice would you give Adelphi students who
want to break into the film industry?
A: Acting is a craft. It has to be an art, you have to have
thick skin, pound the pavement, don’t take no for an answer.
Don’t be mean, be polite. It takes so much, but it gives back
so much. Just continue to follow your dreams. Get your SAG
card, then day roles, and continue from there. I had stepped
away from acting, contemplating going to law school like my
brother. Whether it was behind-the-scenes or out in front, I
knew it was in my blood.