His unconventional intuition changed Hollywood, he discovered actors such as Benicio Del Toro, Mark Ruffalo, Bruce Willis or Liam Neeson. Creating a puzzle of different nationalities and faces on “Miami Vice” changed the casting process in television. Meeting with Bonnie Timmermann.
Proud, proud, able to think outside the box. That’s how many people in Hollywood define her, and even more owe her a lot, often for their own careers. Bonnie Timmermann AND casting director, one of the most beloved and appreciated, and was also active in and around Hollywood for a long time. She launched the careers of many actors who became famous and loved by millions of viewers so much that a documentary was dedicated to her. Bonnie From Simon Vallon presented at the 2022 exhibition in the section Venetian classicand will be out soon Miracle Pictures.
She was in Rome to meet the public at an evening in her honor. Event desired and organizedUICD – Union of Italian Casting Directorsunder the patronage Cinematography Commission Rome-Laziocontribution David di Donatello – Italian Film Academysupport e-TALENTA and from Miracle Pictures. A woman who is part of film history, who allowed us to spark a debate about a work that “is not appreciated and acknowledged as it deserves. There are few official awards in the casting director category and it is time for something to change, and this is the first step to raise awareness of the fundamental part, one of the first stages, together with the script, that are necessary for the birth of a film.” Words of the Italian trade association.
This was an opportunity for us meet this soft but determined woman with a low tone of voice and constantly moving eyes, ready to absorb everything around her.. After all, the talents she discovered passed through her studio and changed their lives and careers. Steve Buscemi, Benicio Del Toro, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Bruce Willis, Chris Rock.
She is a proud woman. She likes the word one of her interlocutors uses to describe her; she has always defended her actors. “Always,” he repeats. “I cared about them, even if I may not always be right, sometimes I admit that I was wrong, that the choice does not work. When an actress or an actor comes to me, I feel something, I see them on the big screen, I stand in front of the camera, I see that face in the film and maybe nine times out of ten I’m right. The room changes color, it’s something wonderful. I’m not one to learn things like that, but maybe through kindness you can bring out more qualities in people. I remember when Liam Neeson walked into my room, and at the same time the fax machine that was lying next to me received a request from an Irishman from the IRA, 1.93 meters tall, to play the villain in Miami Vice. Crazy, it was him. At that point, I told Michael Mann that if he didn’t catch the man sitting in my office, he would have to fire me. It was too crazy and perfect. I have always chosen a cast that is diverse. I don’t think about color, but about who I think is right to present to the director and producer.”
Bonnie Timmermann began her work as a casting director in the late seventies and continues to work today. Lately he has been producing In the land of saints and sinners Robert Lorenz with Liam Neeson (discovered by her), Kerry Condon, Jack Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Ciarán Hinds, took part in the Orizzonti Extra section at the last Venice International Film Festival. In 1984 he began his decisive collaboration with Michael Mann with the series Miami Vice (which would then continue in films such as Manhunter, Last of the Mohicans, Insider, Heat). Its cast includes African-American, Indigenous, Latino and Asian actors, bringing them to the forefront in a way never before seen on television or in American cinema. Timmermann has always strived for authenticity.. And also equality and gender parity. Bonnie often changed the character’s personality, choosing a woman instead of a man. All this works not only in auteur films, but also in many blockbusters.
Among the films he worked in are Armchair for two John Landis (1983) Karate kid (1984) with Ralph Macchio, Dirty dancing (1987) with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray (also strongly opposed to the production, who considered it not good enough), Awakenings Penny Marshall with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, AmericansWith Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris AND Jonathan Price, Carlito’s Way Brian De Palma, 1993 Black Hawk Down Ridley Scott Armageddon Michael Bay or Quiz Robert Redford.
But how does your work change today, when Hollywood wants the “politically correct” choice, even if acting has to mean becoming someone else? Nowadays Hollywood tends to force the choice of an actor, for example, a Jew to play a Jew or a gay to play a gay. “I agree with you, you should always choose a great actor. I think this is a mistake, but it is also true that many people don’t have a job or don’t get one when there is a suitable role for them. No one The Last of the Mohicans, a great movie, there wasn’t even an Italian or a Jew in it when they were the ones casting Native Americans at the time, like Eli Wallach for example. At that time, I only wanted Indians, First Nations, or some kind of Native American. For me it was a joy; I wanted to be real, something special. So I’m torn: let the best actor win, but on the other hand, try to give work to as many people as possible.”
His partnership with Michael Mann is special.. This is how he tells it. “When I first met him, he was looking for a role in one of his films. We worked great together he liked many of my ideas, shook my hand and said, “We always work together.” And we did it in three TV series and many films.. Everything went well because we had a good relationship, it is very important to love your director. The casting director is the first director, the first person who will see these people who will then become the actors of the film. I fill my studio wall with photographs of every scene in a film, looking at each from the perspective of the actors they serve. He was always very helpful. All before meeting them, on the wall, in some kind of puzzle. Lately I’ve become a producer and have a better understanding of what it’s like to be on the other side, what’s at stake, money and choice. It made me a better casting director because I know more things.. I test producers with my choices, but I wouldn’t do it for a second if I wasn’t convinced because I know how hard it is to be a producer. And sometimes it’s so disappointing.”
But how did you choose the actors? Of course, in an unconventional way, given that “I’m not on social media, not even in the phone book, but if you find me, you’ll get my attention. I’m always looking for new people. Always. I go to museums, the theater, listen to live opera, go to ballet to keep my enthusiasm up.. This is what makes me think and look everywhere for a possible actor. In this sense, New York is crucial for me. I left Broadway to find completely marginal actors. Benicio Del ToroThen in the documentary we see what a beautiful boy and emotional wreck he was when he was very young. How could you not see this in the film? It was emotional and sincere. For the role of Al Pacino’s daughter in HeatI chose Natalie Portman instead. I immediately realized that he was very good, that he could do whatever he wanted, then we did an audition, it was great. Michael saw this, and the choice was made without doubt. However, she had a lot of competition – from Kate Winslet to Alicia Silverstone.”