Ali Coffey is an award-winning Irish casting director and the founder of AC Casting and Fishpond. With over two decades of experience, Ali offers a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in casting. Here, Ali shares her thoughts on casting – including the aspects she loves, the diverse skills required, how to build a career in casting, and how she chooses projects.
Date 27th February 2025
FP Host Aislinn Aungier
Guest Ali Coffey, Casting Director and Fishpond Founder
SUMMARY
Ali Coffey is an award-winning Irish casting director and the founder of AC Casting and Fishpond. With over two decades of experience, Ali offers a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in casting. Here, Ali shares her thoughts on casting – including the aspects she loves, the diverse skills required, how to build a career in casting, and how she chooses projects.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. People Are the Heart of It
• Ali loves working with actors and seeing their careers grow.
• Why it matters: Casting directors remember the actors they build relationships with – showing up authentically and professionally can create long-term connections.
2. Casting Requires a Wide Skill Set
• Ali’s job isn’t just about taste – it’s memory, admin, intuition, people skills, and more.
• Why it matters: Understanding the complexity of casting helps actors appreciate the process and where they can stand out (beyond just performance).
3. Communication Is Everything
• Ali emphasises strong relationships with actors, agents, and production teams.
• Why it matters: Clear, kind communication with casting goes a long way – in auditions, emails, and beyond.
4. Organisation Is Critical
• Casting offices track a huge volume of information to revisit actors for future roles.
• Why it matters: Keeping your profile up-to-date and being easy to find means you’re more likely to be remembered and re-considered.
5. Empathy Makes Better Casting
• Ali sees empathy as key to guiding actors through high-pressure situations.
• Why it matters: Casting directors want you to do well – they’re on your side. It helps to trust that.
6. The Path In: Start as an Assistant
• Most casting directors begin at the assistant level and learn by doing.
• Why it matters: If actors are curious about transitioning into casting (or understanding it better), this offers a realistic entry point.
7. Mentorship Matters
• Ali values seeing her assistants grow into associates and directors.
• Why it matters: The casting world is small. Being generous, respectful, and consistent builds trust – and a good reputation travels.
8. Choosing Projects Is a Balancing Act
• Casting choices must align with team capacity, timelines, and budgets.
• Why it matters: If you’re not seen for something, it’s not always personal – many factors go into who gets called.
9. Culture Counts
• Ali strives to create a warm, collaborative, fun working environment.
• Why it matters: Be someone people want to work with – reliability and kindness are just as important as talent.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
“I love seeing people find the right roles for them.”
– On the joy of helping actors succeed.
“Empathy is essential – for actors, and for everyone around you.”
– On the human side of casting.
“A casting director wears so many different hats all the time.”
– On the complexity of the role.
“You’ve got to make yourself indispensable.”
– Advice to those starting out in casting.
“Communication skills are what make the work environment function.”
– On how good relationships drive good casting.
“Being remembered often comes down to how you made someone feel.”
– On building lasting impressions with casting teams.
“It’s a balance between artistic jobs and the ones that keep the lights on.”
– On the realities of choosing projects.“Casting directors are watching – even when you don’t know they are.”
– A reminder for actors to always bring their best.