Emily’s path to casting wasn’t exactly straightforward. Growing up in New Jersey, she never imagined herself in the world of casting. After moving to California at 17, she began exploring art, specifically printmaking, and eventually worked at a silk-screening company designing and printing T-shirts. While she loved getting ink on her hands and spending time in the darkroom, she later took an opportunity to learn the sales side of her job, which helped her develop business and communication skills that would prove invaluable in casting.Her first encounter with casting came when her partner, who was trying to break into film production, suggested they move to Los Angeles. Emily felt that if they were moving to LA, she should change careers too and look. As a result, she studied every role in film production, yet none truly captured her interest. Two experiences ultimately led her to casting.First, she happened to be at a dinner at the home of a Hollywood screenwriter, where he invited everyone to join him in reviewing auditions after the meal. The moment she saw the auditions, she was mesmerized by the process and the fact that casting could be a career. Secondly, attending a film festival panel on casting directors provided her final “lightbulb” moment—seeing how they could shape a story by choosing the right actors sparked her curiosity and gave her the push she needed to commit.

Emily began her casting journey by flipping through the Yellow Pages, calling casting directors to see if anyone needed an assistant. Eventually, she found a director who couldn’t pay her but welcomed help with organizing headshots, marking the true beginning of her career. Over the years, she worked with various casting directors and eventually became an assistant under the legendary Mali Finn. This role was pivotal for Emily, immersing her in Hollywood’s high-level productions on films like Titanic, The Matrix, Terminator 2, and more. As a casting associate with Mali, Emily gained experience managing the logistics of casting—coordinating auditions, organizing extras, and collaborating closely with directors. She learned to balance her talent for spotting potential with the technical demands of casting, and, most importantly, Mali taught her the value of kindness and support for actors. These elements have since become foundational to Emily’s approach and have helped establish her as one of the best in the industry.Emily continued building a fulfilling career in film, particularly in independent projects, until one day she met Tom Keegan, a video game director and also a parent at her daughter’s school. Though Tom was capable of handling his own casting, they began working together, and it became clear that Emily’s casting expertise and connections to talented film actors allowed Tom to focus on other aspects of his work. Together, they crafted a partnership that contributed to some of the gaming industry’s most beloved titles. Although video games were a new medium for her, Emily found the casting process to be universal and enjoyed the industry’s unique challenges. She discovered that video games were anything but simplistic; modern games are increasingly relationship-driven, with complex stories, richly layered scenes, and well-written scripts. This new world allowed her to apply her skills in fresh and meaningful ways, further broadening her career.