There's an interesting new back-page feature in the newspaper I used to run, Back Stage West, called "Rants & Raves," in which actors get the chance to vent anonymously about their frustrations and humiliations at the hands of an often unforgiving industry.

I tip my hat to the idea, since in my last years and months at BSW I was constantly looking for ways for the paper to reflect more of the hard realities of the business--and some practical strategies for dealing with them--alongside the usual chin-up-keep-at-it-be-positive advice that's so easy, and so harmless, to dispense.

A recent "Rants & Raves" column by someone called "H.J." took casting directors to task for what the writer called "false PC spin from casting director quoted in BSW."

Money quote:

"We continually read time and time again in CD interviews: 'I love discovering new talent!' 'There's nothing that excites me more than finding someone new!' 'We look at every postcard and attend a lot of theatre to find new people!' Well, that's a lot of crap."

Ouch! This writer doesn't mince words, and the mask of anonymity gives him or her the chance to simply blast away, without giving specific examples or naming names. I'm sure it felt good to get that off H.J.'s chest, and it no doubt gives BSW readers a vicarious sense of sticking it to The Man.

But I wondered, for my Thanksgiving "Inside Track" column, what would I find if I polled the actors in my large Rolodex and email address book about their favorite casting directors? The responses were widely varying and quite illuminating--and yes, along with the hurrahs for a few prized CDs came a number of gripes about the industry in general. I've organized the responses below, and let the actors themselves remain anonymous.

The casting pros praised below may be the exception that proves the rule, but for this holiday season, actors can be thankful for any office that is supportive and encouraging--the kind of place one actor called "an oasis in the land of cellphones and attitude we call L.A."

FILM/TV

Ronnie Yeskel

The casting director whose diverse credits include Pulp Fiction, Dude, Where's My Car?, Igby Goes Down, and the now-shooting Blade: Trinity got very high ratings from actors I polled. Here are some of the quotes about her:

"She's incredibly supportive of actors, is particularly interested in actors with very strong theatre backgrounds and training, travels the country to see good theatre, and--an extreme rarity out here in LaLa Land--uses good actors as readers for all her auditions. Any actor who comes into a casting session of hers is already five steps ahead of the game. She's also a wonderful human being."

"She has always been a real sweetheart, and she's very good at what she does."

CFB Casting

The casting office headed by Amy McIntyre Britt and Anya Colloff, and best known for casting many seasons of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel (they're now working on Jake 2.0 and Monk), also got effusive praise from respondents. A sampling of the kudos:

"Those are some of the best gals around. They're always filled with respect and positive energy--what you want as an actor."

"Amy McIntyre Britt is hands down my favorite casting director. Why? When she saw the potential in me at an audition, she never forgot me--she brought me in 13 times for roles of every kind for Buffy and Angel, until the producers, then keen to my versatility, wrote a part for me on Angel. Actors pray for CDs like Amy who have great memories and imagination."

JaM Casting

This busy office headed by Mara Casey and Jami Rudofsky casts The Gilmore Girls and has recently added 10-8 to its roster. It got the highest number of positive comments from actors I polled. Here are just a few of their plaudits:

"They love actors and the craft of acting, they get out there and see lots of shows, and they cast outside the boring box."

"Jami Rudofsky is so amazing. She's exactly what it's all about. She's from the theatre, and she cares about the process and the training. It's so busy at that office, it's just crazed, and she doesn't have the time to cast the way she wants--and yet she does. She's still this warm, funny person who cares about who the actor is and has such respect for the craft of acting in a business that often doesn't. You always want to believe that the casting director wants you to do your best, but that's not always the feeling you get in the room. With Jami you do."

Junie Lowry-Johnson

Most actors agree that this powerful veteran of Bochco dramas and the Star Trek franchise (along with many other projects) is among the toughest CDs to get in to see. But one actor who cracked the Junie Barrier is very grateful he did:

"The reason I like her is, I find her very selective and loyal. When she finds a very talented person, she tries to get them as much work as she can; she tends to hire them over and over again. She's always looking for wonderful actors. The flip side is that she's very hard to get in to see."

Mali Finn

Finn--whose impressive resume includes The Matrix films, most of James Cameron's and Curtis Hanson's features, and such discovery-rich indies as Elephant and Foxfire--is well known as a class act, and she's one CD I've personally seen at local small theatres. She doesn't just attend for pleasure, reported on actor:

"She saw me in a play at the Matrix Theatre and brought me in, and I guess fell in love with me. She always calls me in for big films. She also brings me in whenever she has a read-through and, you know, Russell Crowe can't make it. When you get into the Mali Finn Club, you're in."

Bruce H. Newberg

Newberg uniquely splits his time between film projects (Duck, Now You Know) and casting for Broadway (Big River) and local musical theatre (Reprise!, among other companies). One triple threat performer was very appreciative:

"He's like the best. He does creative casting--color-blind casting. I love that about him. Some people do that kind of creative casting and it doesn't work, so then people say, 'See, it doesn't work.' But Bruce does good creative casting."

Pillsbury/Zane Casting

This casting office, headed by Gail Pillsbury and Bonnie Zane, specializes in comedy (Miss Match, George Lopez, Drew Carey), and indeed it sounds like a fun place:

"Gail and her boyfriend remembered the words to a song I sang at a show I did years ago at HBO, the 'Johnny Clown' song. How many TV and film casting directors actually go to the theatre, much less remember the words to a song like 'Johnny Clown'?"

Tammy Billik

This sitcom veteran (Ellen, Married… With Children, the in-production The Help) got some nice nods, including this:

"She's very grounded and honest in her interaction with you."

April Webster

Webster doesn't just cast the kicky spy series Alias; she also casts big-budget features like The Day After Tomorrow and The Patriot. These career heights apparently haven't gone to her head, according to one actor:

"She is a big-time TV and film casting director who loves theatre and actually goes! She also has a very down-to-earth love for actors. Even after all her day-in-day-out, she knows that auditioning can be scary and works with you in an audition. I am not saying this to my own service, for while I have read for April, she has yet to cast me--which in her case just speaks to her integrity."

Joy Dickson/Nicole Arbusto

These indie CDs (The Business of Strangers, The Tao of Steve, the short-lived series The Mullets) bring their theatre background into play, according to a few survey respondents:

"They don't go by film and TV credits; theatre background means something. I think they used to work for Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater Projects, so it's not all about credits--about 'what have you done on TV? ' "

"I love Joy because she's sweet to me and thinks I'm super-talented."

Gary Zuckerbrod

The head of the Casting Society of America apparently knows his trade well. Actors who've been called in for the series Without a Trace had these things to say:

"He's always one for good actors."

"He's wonderful. He makes for a comfortable room, and he's a wonderful reader. When he calls me in, I always know I'll be treated respectfully. It's a room that's conducive to good work."

Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer

With many projects going through this busy office (CSI The Lyon's Den, Dead Zone, Nip/Tuck,  an "Untitled Hotel Project"), there are naturally many grateful actors out there who've landed work with its CDs. But Erich Dawson himself also received this nice compliment:

"He's a truly lovely gentleman."

Patrick Rush

Some actors really notice what casting directors are up to. Take, for instance, this insightful commendation for the casting director of Everwood:

"The wonderful thing about Patrick is, every time I go in, I look around at who he's brought in, and we're always different types. I look around at the waiting room and see, 'That's an interesting choice. I can see how that could work.' He does really interesting casting. I feel very chosen."

Nancy Foy

Foy moves between features (Hidalgo, Blade II) and MOWs (James Dean, The Rat Pack), perhaps in part because of her strong personality, as one grateful actor described it:

"She's got pretty good taste, but what I remember is that in the audition for the director, he asked me a question about the character, and it wasn't resonating; I didn't answer it. On the way to the parking lot, I realized I knew the answer, so I went back and knocked on Nancy's door and asked, 'Can I do it again?' She said she would ask the director; he saw me and I got the part. I have done that sort of thing with other casting directors and they say, 'You know what? You did fine, it's great, don't worry about it.' They don’t have the chutzpah to talk to the director or the producer on your behalf."

Rick Montgomery

Working on broad comedies like Stuck on You, Shallow Hal, The Ladies Man, and the recently casting Death to the Supermodel need not coarsen a casting director's manners. One actor is particularly grateful for Rick's attention and honesty:

"I read for him years ago and he really listened and cared. He gave me feedback right there in the office, telling me I didn't get the part, but that he wanted to cast me for an under-five. I said 'sure,' of course, and we talked about acting for about 10 minutes (a lot of time for a CD). He made me feel comfortable and proud to be an actor. I'll never forget it."

Debi Manwiller

The discerning CD of 24, who previously worked on Chicago Hope and Wolf Lake, got this solid bona fide:

"She knows theatre folks and values them. She's not just from the world of acting as a commodity."

Megan McConnell and Janet Gilmore

This classy duo, who cast the pilot of Alias and currently fill David E. Kelley's reshuffled law drama The Practice with powerhouse performers, are well known to respect theatre credits. Recalled one local stage actor:

"They had me in for The Practice without an agent submission and I went all the way to producers. That felt great."

Finn/Hiller Casting

This busy feature film casting office (S.W.A.T., Terminator 3, Blue Crush) received this high praise:

"Sarah Halley Finn is a lovely human being. She's courteous, she genuinely respects actors, and she has an innate artistic sensibility."

Gwen Hillier

Who says casting associates have no sway? Gwen, who works in Mark Teschner's General Hospital casting office, made a big difference in one actor's career:

"She gave me my first job, and then later gave me another job--both without auditioning. She always keeps her word and genuinely enjoys what she does and treats actors with respect. She also has a great attitude."

Andrew S. Brown

Casting directors don't always get time to see theatre and showcases themselves, so they rely on associates like Brown, who works with Gail Levin (Elizabethtown, Almost Famous, Lara Croft 3). One actor remains grateful:

"Andrew saw my work in a play and called me in. I got to meet with Gail and with Cameron Crowe. I didn't end up getting the part, but I love that he actually went and saw theatre and called me in so they could see someone new."

Juliet Taylor

Woody Allen's resident CD, who's based in New York, is renowned for her excellent taste. Recalled one actor:

"She saw me in something at the Public Theatre and brought me in for a general. She just values actors."

Patrick Baca

Baca moves between features (Halloween: Resurrection) and TV (Strip Mall) but doesn't lose track of his favorite actors in the shuffle. Here's one testimonial:

"He's the dearest man in the whole world. He's been in my corner for so long. He was responsible for me going to network on a series. They chose somebody else because they needed a name, but I was the best, and they all knew it."

Jane Jenkins

The Casting Company (Harry Potter, The Perfect Storm, all films by Rob Reiner and Ron Howard)

"She's a beauty."

Cathy Reinking

(Casting associate, Arrested Development, Still Standing)

"She sees actors instead of resumés."

Megan Branman

(Dragnet, What I Like About You, Northern Exposure)

"Because she has always given me parts that are interesting."

Justine Baddeley and Kim Davis-Wagner

(Adaptation, Charlie's Angels, Never Been Kissed)

"They are nice but they still have yet to cast me in anything."

Mary Buck

Senior VP of Casting, Warner Bros TV

"Because she's a standup broad."

Lisa Miller Katz and Maggie Sherman (associate)

(Everybody Loves Raymond)

"Both of 'em are great."

Juel Bestrop

Bestrop/McCarthy Casting (I, Robot, the Austin Powers franchise, Lovely and Amazing)

"She really pays attention."

Rick Millikan

(The Guardian, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The X-Files)

"He's pretty cool."

DeeDee Bradley

(Smallville, Saving Jason)

"She loves actors and loves agents."

Anthony Barnao

(Profiler, Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story, Blue Sphere Alliance Theatre Company)

"He's not only a casting director but a director and a lover of theatre--someone who is very nurturing of the arts and artists."

Jean Scoccimaro

Scoccimaro/Knoll Casting (Megiddo, Missing Brendan)

"She remembers me and has me brought in for stuff."

Lynn Kressel

(The Rundown, Children of Dune, Spider-Man)

"She's just very nice."

Mark Teschner

(General Hospital, Port Charles)

"He has been a friend."

Cecily Adams

(That '70s Show)

"Because she is an actor and she's so great to read with."

Jennifer Shull

(Now retired, she cast major features for Francis Ford Coppola and Lawrence Kasdan as well as such films as St. Elmo's Fire, Wyatt Earp, and Somewhere in Time)

"She was my favorite in the casting director in the business, and one of the most amazing human beings. Her eyes would tear up when actors would come into the room. She loved actors the most of any casting director I've known. She would do anything for you--she wanted everyone to work."

Sharon Bialy

(Skin, The Mind of the Married Man, Rock Star)

"She's very nice."

Actors are busy people, too. The following film and TV CDs were mentioned as favorites, though no reason was provided. It's the thought that counts.

Suzanne Goddard-Smythe

(Becker, Titus)

Jeff Greenberg

(Frasier, According to Jim, It's All Relative)

Liz Lang Fedrick

(CD for Tarzan series and scout for tough roles)

Leslie Litt

(Friends)

Cami Patton

(Las Vegas, The King of Queens, Grounded for Life)

Marie Claire Sweeters

(The Olsen twins films)

Nikki Valko/Ken Miller

(Two and a Half Men, Malcolm in the Middle)

COMMERCIAL

Craig Colvin

"What I love about him is that he never makes you feel like he's doing you some big favor to call you in.  There's none of that power-trip vibe. Instead Craig gives the impression that he's thankful to have you there, and that he expects you to succeed. Because of that, I invariably do good work for him, which only makes him look good in the end."

Michael Donovan

"I just finished a workshop with him last week. He's a big theatre guy, started out as an actor, and is so very supportive of actors and knows our pain."

Beth Holmes

"Why do I love her? Purely selfish reasons--she calls me in so much that, coincidentally, today I just shot my third commercial that she cast."

Danny Goldman

"He always has a good thing to say to everyone. He leaves his door open and is always happy to mingle with the actors in the waiting room. (He was also an actor, appearing in such movies as Young Frankenstein.) I have known him for years and think he's just great."

Lisa Fields

"I love her 'cause she's so no-nonsense, and she gives good line readings. And she's just really cool: has a kid, wears sexy outfits, goes to hockey games. I like her guy, Michael Tierney, who runs her sessions, 'cause he's way cool and nice."

Deborah Kurtz

"She's super-cool."

Shelia Manning

"She runs a real professional deal; they always get their stuff done."

Also mentioned:

Chris Game and Jed Herold, Chris and Jed Casting

Judy Belshe

STAGE

Joanne DeNaut

Casting director, South Coast Rep

"She loves actors so much, and really knows the local pool."

Paul Dinh McCrillis

Casting associate, Mark Taper Forum

"He is always kind, supportive, and encouraging, even though he won't use me in anything."

Michael Donovan (see Commercials)

Bruce H. Newberg (see Film/TV)

MISCELLANY

The actors I polled didn't just praise CDs; they also had a lot to say about the whole casting process, both its good and bad sides. Here's a smattering of their insights and gripes:

"I love a few but I hate all the others 'cause they're mean and jerky--no, that's not true, but a lot of them are."

"Some CDs are nice and really want to help you; they call you in for many different things. They at least bring you in, so have an opportunity."

"I don't have a real rapport with them. They may know me from my headshot, but I don't call 'em up. We don't hang out. They don't come to see my plays."

"The casting people I love are the ones that to my mind have less fear and less ego than many; they can just sit in a room and look at an actor and evaluate an actor. All I want as an actor is to feel that I'm being watched deeply and evaluated carefully, rather than getting the quick glance that says, 'Does he fit the mold?' It's surprising and rare when you find someone who is paying attention."

"In TV, I find a lot of them have been bitchy and mean or read really bad with you."

"If a casting director is not your advocate, they don't deserve to be in the business. With some of these casting directors, you have to wear a fur coat into their auditions, the room is so cold."

"The ones I love are sweet, lovely people who think of me and bring me in without my having to remind them that I exist."

"I like anyone who's nice to me and thinks I'm super-talented."

Well, don't we all?

Happy Turkey Day.