James Gandolfini only had a few minor film credits and only two television credits (one in a made-for-tv movie), before snagging the role of Tony Soprano in The Sopranos. An actor with no major roles rarely hits the jackpot with a starring role on television. However, Gandolfini beat the odds and became one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen from 1999-2007. Yet, it took some convincing before The Sopranos creator, David Chase, knew he'd found the series' leading guy. It stands out that Chase acknowledged that the actor wasn't lacking in the talent category; it was all about whether he was "threatening enough."
When Gandolfini's agent contacted the creator, he watched the actor's reel, and called the agent back with one concern. Coming courtesy of Vulture, Chase said:
"I think he's brilliant. I have one concern, and that is, 'Is he threatening enough?'"
If you've watched The Sopranos,...
When Gandolfini's agent contacted the creator, he watched the actor's reel, and called the agent back with one concern. Coming courtesy of Vulture, Chase said:
"I think he's brilliant. I have one concern, and that is, 'Is he threatening enough?'"
If you've watched The Sopranos,...
- 4/28/2025
- by Lashaunta Moore
- MovieWeb
James Gandolfini wasn’t well known when he landed the part of Tony Soprano on the HBO series “The Sopranos,” and the show’s creator David Chase wasn’t completely sold on the casting when the actor’s agent contacted him. After Chase watched the actor’s reel, he called back and asked, “I think he’s brilliant. I have one concern, and that is, Is he threatening enough?”
“David, if your only concern is is he threatening enough,” Nancy Sanders replied. “If you said to me, ‘He’s a little chubby,’ or ‘He’s losing his hair,’ I could understand. But he’s threatening enough. This is your guy.”
The conversation was recorded in the new book “Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend,” an excerpt of which was shared by Vulture Friday. “In the movie version of The Sopranos, I thought about Robert De Niro,” Chase also explained.
“David, if your only concern is is he threatening enough,” Nancy Sanders replied. “If you said to me, ‘He’s a little chubby,’ or ‘He’s losing his hair,’ I could understand. But he’s threatening enough. This is your guy.”
The conversation was recorded in the new book “Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend,” an excerpt of which was shared by Vulture Friday. “In the movie version of The Sopranos, I thought about Robert De Niro,” Chase also explained.
- 4/26/2025
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
James Gandolfini was cast as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos for a surprising reason which had nothing to do with his previous gangster roles. The role of Tony Soprano made a household name of James Gandolfini, who had previously appeared on Broadway, and in intimidating supporting roles in movies like True Romance. However, his gangster roles in Get Shorty and True Romance had less impact on being chosen to play Tony Soprano than audiences might think.
The Sopranos was always much more than a gangster movie, and so it was vital that the actor playing Tony could capture the intimidating persona needed to be a mob boss, while also displaying the vulnerability, and anxiety of man struggling to cope with his responsibilities. Gandolfini's performance was a vital part of The Sopranos' biggest success - the ability to get an audience to sympathize with a gangster. Gandolfini's nuanced performance as Tony Soprano won him many accolades,...
The Sopranos was always much more than a gangster movie, and so it was vital that the actor playing Tony could capture the intimidating persona needed to be a mob boss, while also displaying the vulnerability, and anxiety of man struggling to cope with his responsibilities. Gandolfini's performance was a vital part of The Sopranos' biggest success - the ability to get an audience to sympathize with a gangster. Gandolfini's nuanced performance as Tony Soprano won him many accolades,...
- 3/25/2023
- by Mark Donaldson
- ScreenRant
Film-lover designed film posters in Rome in 1960s, including one for Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2.
David Weisman, the Oscar-nominated producer of Kiss Of The Spider Woman and an accomplished graphic artist, has died in Los Angeles from illness. He was 77.
Weisman passed away on October 9 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles due to complications from neuroinvasive West Nile virus.
Born in Binghamton, New York, on March 11, 1942, Weisman attended Syracuse University’s School of Fine Arts in the early 1960’s. Inspired by La Dolce Vita, Weisman dropped out of college and travelled to Italy, where he found work designing film posters in Rome,...
David Weisman, the Oscar-nominated producer of Kiss Of The Spider Woman and an accomplished graphic artist, has died in Los Angeles from illness. He was 77.
Weisman passed away on October 9 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles due to complications from neuroinvasive West Nile virus.
Born in Binghamton, New York, on March 11, 1942, Weisman attended Syracuse University’s School of Fine Arts in the early 1960’s. Inspired by La Dolce Vita, Weisman dropped out of college and travelled to Italy, where he found work designing film posters in Rome,...
- 10/18/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
David Weisman, an Academy Award nominee as producer of Kiss of the Spider Woman and an accomplished graphic artist, died on October 9 from complications from neuroinvasive West Nile virus. He died in Los Angeles at Cedars Sinai at age 77, according to his publicist.
Born in Binghamton, New York, in March 1942, Weisman attended Syracuse University’s School of Fine Arts in the early 1960’s. Inspired by the classic Italian film La Dolce Vita and armed with a gift for languages, Weisman dropped out of college to design film-posters in Rome. There he met Federico Fellini, for whom he created a poster for 8 1/2 (Otto e mezzo).
Returning to New York, he collaborated with Otto Preminger, who asked him to create the title sequence for Hurry Sundown. He then became Preminger’s assistant on the film. Weisman also designed the key art for The Boys in the Band, among many others.
In 1967, with...
Born in Binghamton, New York, in March 1942, Weisman attended Syracuse University’s School of Fine Arts in the early 1960’s. Inspired by the classic Italian film La Dolce Vita and armed with a gift for languages, Weisman dropped out of college to design film-posters in Rome. There he met Federico Fellini, for whom he created a poster for 8 1/2 (Otto e mezzo).
Returning to New York, he collaborated with Otto Preminger, who asked him to create the title sequence for Hurry Sundown. He then became Preminger’s assistant on the film. Weisman also designed the key art for The Boys in the Band, among many others.
In 1967, with...
- 10/18/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
David Weisman, who was Oscar-nominated as producer of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” died Oct. 9 in Los Angeles due to complications from West Nile virus. He was 77.
Weisman had a long career as a graphic designer and photographer and co-wrote and co-directed cult classic “Ciao! Manhattan” about 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y., Weisman dropped out of Syracuse University in the early 1960s to design film posters in Rome. He met Federico Fellini and created a poster for “8 1/2” before returning to New York to work with Otto Preminger on “Hurry Sundown.” He also designed the key art for “The Boys in the Band” and many other films.
On “Ciao! Manhattan” he partnered with John Palmer, an alumnus of Andy Warhol’s Factory. He worked as associate director on avant-garde film “The Telephone Book” and created “Shogun Assassin,” edited from a series of Japanese samurai movies.
Weisman begin...
Weisman had a long career as a graphic designer and photographer and co-wrote and co-directed cult classic “Ciao! Manhattan” about 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y., Weisman dropped out of Syracuse University in the early 1960s to design film posters in Rome. He met Federico Fellini and created a poster for “8 1/2” before returning to New York to work with Otto Preminger on “Hurry Sundown.” He also designed the key art for “The Boys in the Band” and many other films.
On “Ciao! Manhattan” he partnered with John Palmer, an alumnus of Andy Warhol’s Factory. He worked as associate director on avant-garde film “The Telephone Book” and created “Shogun Assassin,” edited from a series of Japanese samurai movies.
Weisman begin...
- 10/18/2019
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Editor’s note: Kim Voynar and Nathaniel Luke Pinzon are co-founders of Xr content and consulting studio WonderTek Labs, and are co-producers on Lena Herzog’s 2019 New Frontier selection “Last Whispers.”
Sundance Film Festival began featuring Vr content at its New Frontier section in 2012, but the first wave of Vr development began when cinematographer Morton Heilig filed his 1962 patent for the Sensorama. It gave viewers the passive experiences of riding a bike, a helicopter, or a go-kart, with full-color 3D video, stereo sound, haptic vibrations, scent, and wind effects.
A half century later, his technology’s promise is still waiting to be fulfilled. Head curator Shari Frilot always intended New Frontier to disarm and disrupt, and on that count the 2019 lineup ably delivered. However, if the Vr industry is still yearning for its version of “The Jazz Singer” — the project that could catapult a once-fringe technology into a world-changing sensation — that was not on display.
Sundance Film Festival began featuring Vr content at its New Frontier section in 2012, but the first wave of Vr development began when cinematographer Morton Heilig filed his 1962 patent for the Sensorama. It gave viewers the passive experiences of riding a bike, a helicopter, or a go-kart, with full-color 3D video, stereo sound, haptic vibrations, scent, and wind effects.
A half century later, his technology’s promise is still waiting to be fulfilled. Head curator Shari Frilot always intended New Frontier to disarm and disrupt, and on that count the 2019 lineup ably delivered. However, if the Vr industry is still yearning for its version of “The Jazz Singer” — the project that could catapult a once-fringe technology into a world-changing sensation — that was not on display.
- 2/2/2019
- by Kim Voynar and Nathaniel Luke Pinzon
- Indiewire
As the Sundance Film Festival’s groundbreaking and technology-facing New Frontier section kicks off its second decade in existence, the 2017 edition of the section boasts its most stacked and varied programing picks yet. The full slate includes “story worlds” in Augmented Reality headsets, projection-mapped acrobatics, a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data via the internet of things and a host of socialized, interactive and immersively haptic Vr story experiences.
The rest of the lineup includes live performances, a feature film and augmented reality experiences built to complement 22 Vr experiences and 11 installations, showcased between three venues in Park City. The Claim Jumper will host 10 immersive installations focused on cross-disciplinary story construction, while the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation and the Vr Bar will offer a lineup of mobile Vr. Two New Frontier projects are part of the Festival’s New Climate program, which highlights the environment and climate change.
The rest of the lineup includes live performances, a feature film and augmented reality experiences built to complement 22 Vr experiences and 11 installations, showcased between three venues in Park City. The Claim Jumper will host 10 immersive installations focused on cross-disciplinary story construction, while the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation and the Vr Bar will offer a lineup of mobile Vr. Two New Frontier projects are part of the Festival’s New Climate program, which highlights the environment and climate change.
- 12/1/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Top brass at the Park City jamboree announced on Thursday 20 virtual and augmented reality presentations and 11 installations.
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
- 12/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Top brass at the Park City jamboree announced on Thursday 20 virtual and augmented reality presentations and 11 installations.
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
- 12/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Top brass at the Park City jamboree announced on Thursday 20 virtual and augmented reality presentations and 11 installations.
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
The eleventh New Frontier programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontier will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
- 12/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Top brass at the Park City jamboree announced on Thursday 20 virtual and augmented reality presentations and 11 installations.
The eleventh New Frontiers programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontiers will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
The eleventh New Frontiers programme includes storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, and a Vr beauty salon producing neuroscience data.
Established Vr artist Chris Milk and Aaron Kobli are behind Life Of Us, while immersive journalist Nonny de la Peña will premiere Out Of Exile: Daniel’s Story.
New Frontiers will be staged at three Park City venues: Claim Jumper will host ten immersive installations; the Vr Palace will feature 17 Vr experiences alongside an additional installation; and the Vr Bar will offer a line-up of mobile Vr.
Three projects are part of the festival’s New Climate programme highlighting the environment and climate change.
Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer and chief curator, New Frontier, said: “In an era that has recalibrated economies, redefined social realms and rewired the connection between the individual and the world, we must also...
- 12/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Premieres highlight 7th Method Fest
Steal Me, a family drama directed by Melissa Painter, will open the seventh annual Method Fest independent film festival April 1 at Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6 Cinemas in Calabasas, Calif. The festival, which runs through April 8, will screen 25 films, including nine world premieres, plus 47 selected shorts. Screenings will take place at the Grand Palace Stadium 6 and the Louis B. Mayer Theatre on the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills. Jim Wilson's coming-of-age drama Whirlygirl will serve as the fest's centerpiece film, and its star Monet Mazur will receive the Rising Star Award. Susanne Bier's Brothers, which took home the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January, will serve as the closing-night film. Other awards to be presented during the course of the fest include the Indie Hero Award to Jena Malone, the Maverick Award to Crispin Glover and the Family Legacy Award to the Bridges family: Jeff, Beau and their late father, Lloyd. Sean Astin and Fritz Coleman will host the closing-night awards ceremony.
- 3/22/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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