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Casting director Tess Sanchez was blindsided when she lost her job. So she turned the page

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Tess Sanchez, a Hollywood casting director for over two decades, was known for saying “We’ve decided to go in a different direction” after auditions. This phrase served as a soft blow to actors. However, in 2020, when she lost her job, instead of succumbing to defeat, Sanchez transformed her professional setbacks into a delightful literary work. The outcome is her new book of essays titled “We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction,” which recounts her amusing, outrageous, absurd, and touching experiences from her career.

Sanchez found writing her first book after losing her job to be incredibly healing as it provided an outlet for working through various issues. Despite completing the story, she doesn’t feel ready to embark on a new chapter in life yet, as she continues to navigate and resolve some lingering concerns. It’s not that she considers herself fully resolved or fixed, but rather that her journey is ongoing.

In Sanchez’s memoir, you won’t find actual Hollywood gossip or specific names mentioned. Instead, she uses a creative approach by casting fictional characters based on real people, making it easier for readers to visualize the scenes as if they were watching a movie. For instance, a dead-end boyfriend is described as looking like Topher Grace, so he’s referred to as “Topher” throughout the book. At one point, Sanchez portrays herself as Jennifer Lopez, while her friends are depicted as Jessica Biel and Selena Gomez in her narrative.

She shares with The Times, “I firmly believe that being a casting director is an ongoing role for me, both professionally and personally. It’s simply how my mind operates. You could say I enjoy playing cupid, and I view it as a form of ‘casting’ – finding someone’s partner or significant other. I take pleasure in setting people up.

Instead of being a contrived romance, their love story was unique. They tied the knot with actor Max Greenfield from “New Girl” and “The Neighborhood” in 2008, welcoming daughter Lilly and son Ozzie into their lives, which garnered some media attention. However, this is not common for them as they’ve largely kept their personal life private. The profound affection between the two is a key aspect of the book. Greenfield wrote the introduction and the book is dedicated to him. In many ways, their encounter in a bar, followed by an on-again, off-again relationship, detailed vividly in the memoir’s early chapters, resembles a popular romantic comedy. It includes their separation, reconciliation, Greenfield’s rehabilitation for addiction – a turning point for both – and eventually their marriage.

In many stories, her family and career play significant roles, but it’s the unexpected termination from her job that serves as the starting point for this book, as she puts it. This life-altering incident unfolded at home when Greenfield was busy in the kitchen. Instead of a routine check-in meeting, Sanchez found herself being let go on her computer screen.

Books

As a seasoned movie critic, let me assure you that at the age of 50, Chelsea Handler is far from slowing down. In fact, she’s gearing up for another round in the spotlight with her third Netflix comedy special, titled ‘The Feeling,’ set to be released on Tuesday. Interestingly enough, this comedic offering shares some thematic similarities with her recently published seventh book, ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having.’ So, get ready for a double dose of Handler’s unique brand of humor and insight!

It seems to create a domino effect, impacting nearly all my relationships, from my spouse to my children.

In her role as Vice President of Talent and Casting at The WB from 2000 to 2007, Sanchez played a crucial part in the casting process for several popular shows including “Felicity”, “Dawson’s Creek”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Smallville” and “Supernatural”. During her tenure, she observed her supervisor, the casting director, who astutely predicted the rise of talents such as Shia LaBeouf, Channing Tatum, Jessica Chastain, and Amy Adams to stardom. Later, from 2009 to 2020, Sanchez worked at Fox where she served as Executive Vice President of Casting for the latter part of her career with the network. Notably, she contributed significantly to casting beloved characters on shows like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “The Mindy Project” over a span of more than ten years.

Towards the end of her long-standing career at Fox, Sanchez held the position as the most veteran senior programming executive, with her being the sole woman of color in a top-tier creative role. The loss of a job that had significantly shaped her identity throughout much of her adult life was undeniably devastating.

In seven chapters, Sanchez describes the build-up to a devastating moment, where she was unexpectedly dismissed during a Zoom call. This unexpected event left her speechless, with only the repeated phrase, “That’s how my story ends,” echoing in shock.

I can’t downplay the intensity of my feelings that fateful day or my exaggerated reaction. It was as if I had been struck by a bolt from the blue; they call it ‘being blindsided.’ I had poured myself into my job – some might say more than was healthy – but it wasn’t just about the work, it was also about the strong connections I had forged there. I had striven tirelessly to reach where I was, and I acknowledge that I crossed the line between work and personal life. The truth is, my job meant more to me than words can express. It wasn’t just a job; it was a significant part of who I am.

After being fired, she shared with The Times that she became a changed friend, a changed sibling, and a changed daughter.

After the termination of her employment, she disclosed to The Times that she transformed into a new kind of friend, a new type of sister, and a new variant of a daughter.

She mentions, “The core theme of my book revolves around understanding why a specific job played such a significant role in my life and exploring my identity beyond that position. When it disappeared, I felt an emptiness which led me to reflect on my career journey. This reflection took me back to the start, allowing me to delve deeply into how I entered this field, who my inspiring supervisors were, and how I arrived at where I am today. These aspects are what I discuss in detail in the book.

People from all walks of life can empathize with Sanchez’s experiences. Topics like job loss and significant life events are common to everyone. Two years ago, as massive job losses followed the pandemic, Sanchez recounts numerous meetings she held with publishers to discuss her memoir.

In every gathering I attended, someone would share a personal story about a friend or spouse experiencing job loss – a struggle I could deeply empathize with. The impact of such a loss was strikingly universal, and it was heartening to find common ground with these women who had also gone through this hardship. The pandemic brought unprecedented job losses across the world, with companies trimming down and many having to adapt and find new paths. Some managed this transition effortlessly, while others, like myself, found it challenging.

Books

In her recently published memoir, Ione Skye shares stories from her past, including how a deep yearning for affection led her to quickly engage in relationships with the likes of Keanu Reeves, River Phoenix, Matthew Perry, Anthony Kiedis, Robert Downey Jr., and several more notable figures.

Sanchez expresses her willingness to consider further ventures in the entertainment world, while simultaneously considering writing another book without revealing specifics. The transition from being a casting director to an author isn’t a huge jump; both roles involve telling a story, delving into character interactions, and recognizing intangible chemistry among characters.

The role of a casting director, as she describes it, is about providing a platform for an actor to reveal their true self, thereby capturing those essential human qualities that make someone a compelling storyteller. Essentially, a casting director is hiring an actor to bring a story to life, and there’s nothing more rewarding than connecting with someone on a deep level in an audition room and truly understanding their personality.

The stories and insights found in her first book may not fully depict Sanchez as a person, but they vividly portray the era when she was climbing the Hollywood ladder, where high-budget productions and encounters with stars were an everyday occurrence for her. She regrets that the golden age of Hollywood, much like her career, now feels like a bygone era.

She shares that following the pandemic, the strike, and the devastating L.A. fires, the entertainment industry has suffered greatly. Hollywood once thrived, and she was a significant part of its growth during her early career. While promoting this book feels a bit awkward due to her background working behind the scenes, she is eager and open to whatever lies ahead – be it returning to casting or writing another book. The process of writing this was incredibly organic for her.

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2025-03-28 13:32

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