As one of the top female casting directors in the industry, Tina Marie McCulloch is an important part of a project’s success. Responsible for building a tone for TV series or movie, she picks actors that bring a director’s vision to life. A supporter of rising talent she offers them ideas and advice on her TMC Talks series. McCulloch is the Casting Director on the exciting series “NarcoLeap” that is heading into its second successful season. In case you’ve been asleep in the sci-fi world, “NarcoLeap” has been bringing audiences something fresh and new. Get to know this talented Casting Director and find out what’s in store on her hit series.
Colleen Bement: Thanks for taking time out to chat with Nerd Alert News. Can you tell us what all is involved with the position as Casting Director does?
Tina Marie McCulloch: The casting process for most projects has the same foundation. We read the scripts and go over all the character breakdowns with the director and producer. Send out the project to the agents; then, the agents submit the actors they think are right for the roles. I will pick my selects from the agent submissions and have them audition, and from there, I will make my picks from the session and send the tape over to the team. The director and producer will decide which actors they would like to see for callbacks. After callbacks, I will get a list of whom they would like to book for the project. I will then send the offer to the agents, and the negotiations and contract process will start.
CB: Let’s chat, “NarcoLeap.” For those who have yet to watch season one, it is time to dive into it. What challenges did you face in finding the perfect talent for the exciting series?
TMM: Season one for character Adian, we had to find an actor that was funny and showed vulnerability and could keep up with Chelsey Reist. I had some actors in mind, and they were great, but then Madison Smith came in, and I remember thinking, Wow, this could be our Adian. For Season Two, we have a very dynamic character coming onboard. Her name is Luisa. We needed to find a Hispanic female that could embody someone that started in the slums of El Salvador, who has strength and a natural seductive charisma. We did find our Luisa, and we can’t wait for everyone to meet her!
CB: Is there anything about Season Two that you’re allowed to share with our readers?
TMM: Season 2 will introduce LUISA VELASQUEZ, the charismatic leader of a small group of Gen Z’s scattered around the world, who have the same natural ability to do astral travel as Kelsey, but are much more practiced at it. We learn that the military organization run by Kelsey’s father was formed specifically to go to war with this group of young mutants, who call themselves THE TRIPPERS, because they intend to use their powers to save life on earth…by assassinating the Boomers who are destroying the earth for profit and power.
CB: Do you have projects on your horizon that you’re allowed to tell us about?
TMM: I can’t say too much about my upcoming projects, but I will say this. I have been reading some incredibly edgy scripts.
Haven’t seen “NarcoLeap” yet?
STAY ALIVE. STAY AWAKE.
Kelsey has never been very remarkable. Things don’t get any easier when her persistent teenage lethargy escalates into full-blown narcolepsy. Her dreams are always different but have a recurring theme; being trapped in someone else’s body. With the help of her only friend Aidan, she investigates what is happening to her only to learn that she is actually commandeering the bodies of real people across the globe. Kelsey’s ability is something the military wants to use as part of a covert operation turning people that can astral project into assassins. Operation lead, Colonel Slater sends Miles and agent, out to bring Kelsey in and begin testing on her. It isn’t long before Kelsey is on the run fighting to stay alive and to stay awake.
Check out the trailer for Season 2.
Written by Colleen Bement
