"As first time filmmakers, we were looking for someone who wanted to work with us, and not for us. It was important to us while building our team that people felt open and confident to bring their expertise to the table and really create a unified vision that would translate to the screen. When it came to assembling our cast, Marjorie did exactly that. She not only introduced us to some of the finest actors we've had the pleasure of working with, but she was engaged, determined, and passionate about filling each role with the best match possible. And for that - we are forever grateful." Alex Lee Williams - Producer/Director HELLMINGTON
"As an actor creator it's really nice to work with a casting director that truly cares about her actors and who tries to think outside the box." Samantha Wan - co-creator SECOND JEN
Marjorie Lecker truly has a unique approach to casting. She is able to find talented actors, and performers, outside of the usual rotation. Thanks to Marjorie we made a lot of surprise discoveries, who proved invaluable to our ensemble. Amanda Joy co-creator SECOND JEN
TIFF 2022: “Something You Said Last Night” Is a New, Quietly Subversive Trans Cinema
BY DREW GREGORY
SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
Due to the impeccable casting and sharp writing, Renatta’s family feels like a real family. There are inside jokes we don’t get. Past hurt we’ll never see. Decades of history only hinted at in overreactions to the daily annoyances of a beach vacation with people you know too well and love more than like.
Carmen Madonia is stellar as Ren, charming and self-assured despite her not-so-teenage angst. Ramona Milano as Mona, Joe Parro as Guido, and Paige Evans as Sienna give equally specific and lived-in performances. These actors deserve praise, but so does casting director Marjorie Lecker, as well as De Filippis themself. “Great directing” has become synonymous with interesting mis-en-scene, but when a cast is this good and has this much chemistry, that is a sign of excellent direction.
"Marjorie Lecker did an extraordinary job casting 5ive Girls and Swearnet for me, two of the best casts I have ever worked with. Her ability to find new talent, make smart and bold casting choices and make the gruelling grind of casting feature films fun, make her a standout casting director. Always enjoy and look forward to working with her to build the best cast possible." -- Warren P. Sonoda, director.
Working with Marjorie was exceedingly wonderful. She is resourceful, creative, insightful and candid. Her instincts were unfailingly right. When I was stubborn and timid, she was patient and bold. Without question, our film was made way better by her consistent contribution.
Isaac Cravit -Director/Writer -SOLO
Marjorie is one of the finest casting directors I have worked with. Her eye for new and seasoned talent is impeccable. More importantly she understands character in its relationship to story, the most important quality of any casting director. She also brings a humanity and color to her work which makes her choices delicious for any filmmaker." -- George Hickenlooper, Casino Jack, Factory Girl, Man From Elysian Fields
"I had the distinct pleasure of working with Ms. Lecker as my casting director on the movie "Her Husband's Betrayal", a thriller I directed for Lifetime Network in Toronto, Canada. Her understanding of the script, and her knowledge of how characters ARE the story, was instrumental in making that film a success. She not only helped bring my vision for each role to life, she enriched and deepened the entire motion picture with her contributions, both as a gifted professional and as a wonderful collaborator. Any film director would benefit from Ms. Lecker's talent, support and encouragement; I know I did Ron Oliver, director Her Husband's Betrayal
Marjorie Lecker is a true artist….and a pure professional.
My collaboration with her has always been a pleasure.
When Marjorie casts, it is cast in stone, solid choices and solid advice.
George Mihalka- director-24 Hour Rental, Sticks and Stones, Don’t Click
We collaborated with Marjorie on two of our highly successful productions,; one of which was the CBC's mini-series CANADA RUSSIA '72, to which we were thrilled to see that her work was recognized securing a Gemini nomination for her role as casting director.
Marjorie has an uncanny instinct for the feel of any genre of production and thus finding the perfect actor for each role.The casting of CANADA RUSSIA '72 had its unique challenges, Marjorie was not only charged with finding Actors that resembled the original iconic Team 72 players, but she had an additional challenge in finding ones that could skate and perform on the ice for 6-8 hours a day, twice that of a regular NHL Player. She not only accomplished this successfully, she did so in a remarkably short time period,: : We were very happy that the series garnered critical acclaim in the media, and also won Judah Katz a Gemini for Best Supporting Actor as Alan Eagleson, a role she was instrumental in casting." Timothy M.Hogan - president Dream Street Pictures
Marjorie is the ultimate partner to a director during the casting process. Her incredible attention to detail, and immense knowledge of the talent pool is the only reason I was able to cast my film. She is honest, and brings a dynamic energy to the audition room. If making good movies starts with casting, MArjorie is a testament to that. Thyrone Tommy - director, writer, producer - MARINER
“Marjorie worked tirelessly and collaboratively, and her knowledge of both big name and hidden talent make her the go-to choice for casting in Canada." Jeff Biederman, Showrunner, Second Jen
"Marjorie! You've been so, so fantastic to work with. It's just so nice to have a CD who's actually involved and cares about bringing in good people for the roles, and adapt with us as they change. We were really lucky to have you onboard. Now for all the other shows, let's continue!! It was a refreshing change from casting directors who offer little to no opinion. You're the best." Steph Ouaknine-producer- Ms.Labelled, Inhuman Condition Smokebomb/Shaftesbury
Marjorie is a great casting director, who truly values and develops her relationships with actors as well as with directors and producers in order to bring in terrific talent that speaks to the uniqueness of the project. I like that she looks at non-traditional choices, and suggests different people every time I work with her. I appreciate her desire to find new talent and give young actors a chance, as discovering new faces and showcasing rising stars is a wonderful boon to any project. Melanie Windle - producer -Seraphim, Inhuman Condition, Ms.Labelled, V Morgan Is Dead
In my opinion Marjorie is one of the finest casting directors I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
Marjorie is consistently presenting talent who are fresh, and interesting.
Marjorie does the one thing that I wish every creative key on my films does: She surprises me with ideas that I wish were my own! Bill Marks – Don’t Click.Casino Jack ,Hellmington Final 24, 14 Days In Paradise, Curse Of The Iron Mask ,Swearnet, The Returned
"Marjorie, it's the brilliant casting that won us this award! Thank you." Jill Golick - Winner of Canadian Screen Award - Best Interactive Production 2014 - Ruby Skye: P.I. Season 2 -
I worked with Marjorie on CLAIREVOYANT for Shaftsbury where we faced some interesting challenges. Marjorie is a true professional with terrific candor, and she had a great intuitive sense about our project. Her extensive network and keen knowledge of local talent helped us create the cast we were looking for, and made the whole process a lot of fun.
Simone Stock-Director
https://twitter.com/ACTRAToronto/status/1098338307463962624/photo/1
TIFF 2022: “Something You Said Last Night” Is a New, Quietly Subversive Trans Cinema
BY DREW GREGORY
SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
Due to the impeccable casting and sharp writing, Renatta’s family feels like a real family. There are inside jokes we don’t get. Past hurt we’ll never see. Decades of history only hinted at in overreactions to the daily annoyances of a beach vacation with people you know too well and love more than like.
Carmen Madonia is stellar as Ren, charming and self-assured despite her not-so-teenage angst. Ramona Milano as Mona, Joe Parro as Guido, and Paige Evans as Sienna give equally specific and lived-in performances. These actors deserve praise, but so does casting director Marjorie Lecker, as well as De Filippis themself. “Great directing” has become synonymous with interesting mis-en-scene, but when a cast is this good and has this much chemistry, that is a sign of excellent direction.