Harika Uygur, one of the leading cast directors both in Turkey and in the international sector: “I cannot say that okay we did save the film.”
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 Harika Uygur, who has her own casting agency for 10 years, is also known at the international level. In her own words, she is “thinking more creatively in the prime of her career.” In Uygur’s web site, this introductory sentence welcomes you: “…The best way to find out which mask you need at which situation is to consult an adviser. In the world of the camera, which is also called ‘show business’, this adviser is the ‘Casting Director’, in here, Harika Uygur.” What does it mean for you to be counted among the world’s 10 best casting directors? This is not an accurate description; I am not among the world’s 10 best cast directors. There are casting directors who are much better than me and I can at least count 20 of them. I do not know how it did happen but somehow I was included in IMDB ranking. It was spread as such. In order to be in that category, I have to work on several big-budget movies every year. Are there any golden rules for casting and what are they? Yes, the sine qua non of casting is “audition”—taking test shots of actors—and seeing how the actors interpret the role after passing the test shot. Having a complete and good script is also the sine qua non, at least for me. Is there such a thing called “perfect cast” in the context of director, producer, scriptwriter, and cast director relationship? Of course there is but by whom? When you think it is the perfect cast, an audience who sits behind you at the theater says, “Nope this man/woman does not fit this character” and you look back and think. Why did he/she say that? Hmmm, he/she might be right… I think perfect cast is a relative concept. For me, the right cast is the cast that first I and after that director and producer is content with. Can you give example of movies that you think it had the right and successful cast? For the reasons I mentioned above, I do not think either domestic or international there is such a cast or film. Each movie might have some faults. Exactly like that viewer at the theater, I find faults even in films that I was responsible for casting. An actor we think is the right cast for the role before shooting the movie might not seem the right one anymore after the movie is finished… Which films that you think you did save? Can I say, in “Carousel” we saved the movie by deciding on Zeynep Oral? Would another actress be the right one as well? It could be! No one knows until seeing it on the screen. For that reason, I cannot say that okay we saved the movie I can only say what is right or wrong. Is there any movie that a cast director does not accept to do the cast? In recent years, I do not accept projects if I do not like the script. Because first I have to believe in the project so that I can pick the right cast or I can convince the actors why they need to be in the project. If I do not like the script, the actors will refuse it as well. Was there any movie you rejected? Yes, but I do not remember their names. As I said before, if the script is not good, it does not even register in the memory. Is there any project that you could not forget, regardless negative or positive? I do not forget casting works I did for foreign films. Plus, there are young and successful Turkish directors; working with them is very enjoyable and creative. Is there any project you were not sure about but you were content with the outcome? I always have doubt but I usually am content when I watch it. What are the chances for an actor who is talented but inexperienced? Talent brings the experience. If he/she were prepared well for “auditions” it would be no problem. Is there easy or difficult cast? If the director is looking for someone who is almost perfect, for me this can be a difficult cast. In other cases, there is always someone who can play every kind of role and I always find that person. It might be unreal but who is your dream cast? Tomer Sisley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Gary Grant. I am sure it would be chaotic. Is there such thing called dream cast? No, it only happens in animations. What is the formula to understand the director’s intention? The secret is being able to enter the director’s world. Who says the last word, the director, producer, or you? Director but it is the cast director who brings the people together that the director has the last say. Which projects are you working on right now? I am working on Osman Sınav’s story “Uzun Hikaye/Long Story” which is a period film that takes place in three different towns. We are also working on a Faysal Soysal’s poetic script “Yol/The Road”, plus I am about to finish casting of Mahmut Fazıl Coşkun’s film “Yozgat Blues”. Your goal? My goal is to take part in international projects that will also include Turkish actors, to create a common language in European cinema, and of course, to be part of system that will create possibilities for Turkish actors to participate in “Shooting Star.”
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