Jessica Caldrello, Casting Director of Casting By: Since its inception eight years ago, the company has participated in over 76 projects
Many factors play a role in creating a demanding cast like the one for Accidente, explains Jessica Caldrello, the Casting Director of Casting By. “The opportunity to work as a team and have a very diverse and stellar ensemble, with a story that delved into the pain of each character, of each family,” allowed them to bring together diverse and international talents for Accidente, a Mar Abierto production for Netflix, written by Leonardo Padrón, which is currently trending on the platform.
Caldrello added: “Working hand in hand with production and the end client allows us to move quickly and gather extraordinary casts like this one for Accidente.”
SELECTION PROCESS
She explains that in a project like Accidente, auditions are held for the main cast internationally and for smaller roles locally (in this case, in Mexico).
“I would estimate that the reach of this process spans at least 10 countries, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, the U.S., and Spain, but we also had applicants from the U.K., France, Italy, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. We covered the Spanish-speaking world without borders. In Accidente, many people auditioned even though there weren’t as many characters as in other series. One interesting fact is that of the 68 roles we posted through the Prodmee platform (a free platform), over 4,500 talents applied, and of those 68 roles, 57% of the hired actors had applied through that platform. Another interesting fact is that we started the casting in February 2023, and the process ended very close to the project’s launch in September, meaning it was a five to six-month process,” Caldrello said.
She mentioned some anecdotes from this project: “The hundreds of Zoom meetings we organized with Gracia and Klich (the directors) to review the characters in casting and callbacks from where each of us was—Spain, Mexico, Colombia, the U.S.—and our ability, with this modality, to achieve efficient and quality work.”
The executive noted that Casting By, since its inception eight years ago, has participated in over 76 projects, and in her 19-year career, she has been involved in more than 107 projects.
These projects have been produced in six different locations: the U.S. (Los Angeles and Miami), Mexico, Colombia, Spain, the Dominican Republic, and Turkey.
Among the lessons learned from the casting process for Accidente, Caldrello notes that it was the belief that it is possible and to never stop looking for options.
“In this cast, if you notice, everyone is a lead and happily accepted the invitation because it was a promising project with great directors. Plus, it was written by Leonardo Padrón, and produced by Mar Abierto, which ensures quality. Together with Netflix, where Roberto Stopello and Alejandra Serna supported us. Finding talent, talking to agents, working closely with Mariana Iskandarani to accommodate the talent’s schedule, and gradually forming a cast that gave us extraordinary performances. As Leonardo Padrón says, ‘an extraordinary cast’ (they are all superb!),” she said.
Caldrello recalls that they had read the script more than a year and a half ago and were “completely captivated by the story” and felt the pain of each family. “When an actor makes you feel that way, even when you already know the story and its ending, it means that both the talent, the directors, and the entire production team have done a great job,” she added.
Caldrello took the opportunity to thank Mar Abierto and the directors they worked with for their trust.
Accidente es la serie de Netflix de habla no inglesa más vista en el mundo
