Hi all,

— First off, I appreciate everyone who has taken time to speak with me about the project and go through the website and the scripts. I wanted to try out a timeline page for the casting process for anyone who would like to stay in the loop.

In general, by the end of this year, I’d love to have spoken with the majority of people across all roles. Then, the process of working through shortlists and finalists will take place in the New Year. I have a firm target of knowing the ensemble by end of Spring, to be able to get to work on revised scripts through Summer. … Here’s the plan:

Current Step: Initial Outreach

October 13 — December 21

(I review lists made in the Summer and send out emails for one role, per week).

By October 19 — Devika

By October 26 — Mei Ling

By November 02 — Samirah

By November 09 — Valya

By November 16 — (Contingency)

By November 23 — Al-Haj

By November 30 — Dwi

By December 07 — Jonathan

By December 14 — Jenny

By December 21 — (Contingency)

* I’ll probably take a break from December 22 — January 04. Likely in the week before that, though, I’ll have an update for the New Year.

Next Step: Work Through Shortlists / Script Calls

January 05 — February 15

— The plan is to hold one more round of conversations in this period, across all roles, with a focus on scripts and character. We’ll likely read through one or two selected scenes (they won’t need to be memorized). There will be a Producer and Casting Associate at this point who may also join the call.

Later Steps: Work Through Finalists / Tapes and Reads

— After the next conversation in January/February, we’ll hope to have finalists or super shortlists for roles and next may request traditional self-tapes of selected scenes to filter further and will also hold a table read and/or a small group read at some point to test chemistries. Also, I’d love to try to make in-person meetings (in which I travel so you all don’t have to) happen before finalizing.

Overall, we’ll try to keep the whole process lean and respectful of time. Maybe expect up to 4 or 5 interactions total through the Spring:

  1. Introductory Call

  2. Script/Character Reading/Conversation

  3. Scene Self-Tape

  4. Small Group Call or Table Read

  5. In-person Meeting

NOTES

  • If anyone has projects/commitments over the coming weeks or months that may lessen availability, don’t worry about it. I just wanted to share a target outline, but we’ll take it step-by-step. Obviously, casting is the most important thing, so we’ll take time to get it right and work with people.

  • Thank you so much again!