Casting Director Lori Wyman wins Artios award for HBO’s RECOUNT

Casting Director Lori Wyman wins Artios award for HBO’s RECOUNT

As I write this, I am sitting in my beautiful hotel room overlooking a magnificent pool area. The temperature is much cooler than the South Florida weather I just left earlier today. I woke up at 3:45 this morning to catch a 6:30 AM flight. The plane ride wasn’t too bad. Nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was on time, I caught a few winks and I arrived as scheduled. I even managed to write out all of my daughter’s thank you notes for the gifts she received yesterday for her 7th birthday. My friend, Jessica, picked me up at the airport and we immediately went for a very healthy and delicious lunch at a new place called SEED. I am macrobiotic so it is always a challenge to find food wherever I travel to. Jessica is also macrobiotic, which is how we originally met, so I always feel “safe” when I am with her. I know she will always steer me to the best eating choices.
We even ran into Madonna’s macrobiotic chef in the restaurant. You know it’s gotta be good.
So, why am I here AGAIN? This time I am nominated for an Artios award. These are casting awards that are given out by the CSA, Casting Society of America, members. I have been nominated for the casting of HBO’s RECOUNT. This time I am only up against other TV movies, as opposed to the Emmys where I was up against John Adams, which was a miniseries.
It’s funny, when I looked out over my balcony in my hotel room, I noticed the very same view I had from the hotel I stayed at when I was here for the Emmys in September. I don’t know my way around LA that well, so I didn’t realize I was staying directly behind the hotel I was at last time I was out here.
This is a very short trip. I flew in this morning and I will be flying home tomorrow. I REALLY hope I win the statue this time. This will be my 3rd nomination for the Artios. That’s OK. When I was at the Emmys I heard about a man who was winning his 11th Emmy. That sounds pretty impressive until you find out he had been nominated 49 times. REALLY! There was another guy who was winning his 6th Emmy. It was his 35th nomination though. There’s determination for you, huh?
Since I am only going to be in LA for a day, I took a cab ride over to the Samuel French Bookstore. If you are an actor and you have never been in this store, it is a must-see. They have so many books all about our business. I had sent them a copy of my book, The Organic Actor, to see if they would carry it. I spoke to a guy named Mark and he had received the review copy I sent, but he is not the deciding vote as to whether the store will carry it or not. You can help me out. If you are in LA and wander into the Samuel French book store, ask them if they carry my book. If enough people ask for it, they’ll be more inclined to carry it. Thanks,
I just looked at the clock and I have to get ready. I am staying at the hotel where the Artios awards are being held. I figured I’d give myself a break and not have to deal with renting a car and figuring out how to find my way back to the hotel at midnight, like I did last year. I made it back last year, obviously, but not without a few panic attacks and gripping the steering wheel so tight I thought I was going to break my fingers along the way.
I will write after the awards and see how I feel then. WISH ME LUCK!!!!







It is 1:46AM as I write this. I WON!!!! It was really exciting. My heart was pounding as they read the nominees and then showed clips of each movie nominated. When they called my name, I was so excited I screamed. I had called my husband so he could hear them announce the winner. Once they announced my name I dropped the phone on my table and quickly walked up to the podium. Finally, recognition for almost 30 years worth of casting in Florida. Finally, paying all of those dues was worth it.
The statue is heavy and made of lead crystal or glass. It is definitely a weapon. I cannot possibly get away with bringing it on the airplane. They gave me a padded case, but I am afraid to pack it for 2 reasons. One, what if it breaks? and Two, what if someone steals it?
Even though it is heavy, I wouldn’t mind carrying it to make sure it is protected. What happens if it doesn’t pass security? Then what do I do?????? HMMMM?
Well, I have been up since 3:45 yesterday morning and I am fading fast, so I am going to bed and I’ll figure it all out in the morning before I get to the airport.
Great night!!!!
The awards show last night was great. Neal Patrick Harris was our host. He had hosted the Emmy’s I attended this year. While performing his opening monologue he even made a declaration that he was gay. Something about asking him which casting director made an impact on his life and he told about his experience with one Tony Sepulveda and how that experience turned him. Everyone was laughing. It was all in good fun. Then
Sean Hayes from Will and Grace was giving an award and when Neal introduced him, he mentioned that Sean was also a “friend” of Tony’s. It was a racy crowd. Those LA casting directors know how to have fun, let me tell you. I saw lots of casting director friends and big agents and managers. There were many hundreds of people in attendance and everyone had a good time. I sat at the HBO table.
Joshua Jackson from Dawson’s Creek and most recently Fringe, gave me my award. After we gave our speeches we were whisked backstage for photo ops. All in all it was very exciting.

I’m on the plane now and so is my Artios award. I took a chance and made it through security. Not without a scare though. Security was called over to check out this crystal award. I smiled all cutesy and told the security guy how excited I was to have won this award and even showed him my name and last night’s date engraved into the crystal. He congratulated me and let me pass. WHEW!!!
Tomorrow is back to work. I still have a few more weeks of work on the French film I am casting.
Lots going on with the book promo. Radio shows, book signings and on camera auditioning workshops will also keep me busy for the next month.
All this goes to show you, don’t give up on your dreams..