Meet Maria Chavarri | Casting Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Chavarri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
I had been aware of my love for cinema since sixth grade, when I finally told my family that I wanted to be a film director. However, many people in my circles made sure to warn me about the dangers of pursuing a career in film. At such a young and impressionable age, those reactions made me back off from my original passion and divert my interest to a career in something “safer”—advertising, journalism… never too far off from storytelling.

However, at 16, I was presented with the opportunity to leave my home in Spain to finish high school in the US. Even though it was initially thought as a great chance for me to improve my English and get out of my comfort zone, it became much more than that. Living by myself and meeting people from different backgrounds gave me the freedom and confidence I needed to pursue a career in film. I found Loyola Marymount University when scouting for colleges to apply to, and its reputation as a great film school motivated me to stay in the US for higher education.

In short, deciding to study in the US made me rediscover my interest and passion not only for film, but for the entertainment industry. I never thought I could be in the heart of it, studying in LA and working in projects and companies that create such meaningful content.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Casting Director/Professional based in LA!

I work as a Casting and Talent Relations Intern at Disney Television Animation and Disney Branded Television within the Walt Disney Company and I like to be involved on independent short films as well. My first notable project was directing casting for Boris Vesselinov’s short film Sunless, which after being a Finalist at the Manhattan Short Film Festival among others, now qualifies for Academy Award (Oscar) consideration! I also love helping out friends on set. Most recently, I directed the casting process for a close friend’s first American Film Institute’s cycle film. It was really fun and I also got to be 2nd AD on that set!

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned and would love to pass down to whoever is reading this would be to take notes of who you meet and what you learn from them. I’ll explain with a personal story. When I got an email about the initial round of interviews for my current Disney position, the first thing I did was to look up the name of the recruiter I had been assigned. It just so happened to be one of the guests of an online event my school had hosted a year prior! I remembered her and the advice she had given at said event, and I made sure to bring it up on my interview. That clearly left a mark on the recruiter, as I demonstrated not only that I remembered her, but that I am an attentive and caring person. I quickly passed to the second round of interviews and, ever since, I make sure to keep track of everyone I meet in a professional setting along with a brief blurb about what I’ve learned from them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question! I definitely think about wanting to show my sister around if she were to visit me in LA soon, and I surely have some spots I’d take her to. Firstly, I would go on a day trip to Laguna Beach and go to my favorite bracelet charm store to customize some jewerly for each other. We would eat some ice cream from Gelato Paradiso and walk around the beachfront.

We would definitely have a Disneyland day as well! I would take her to my favorite rides (Cars, Space Mountain, and Guardians of the Galaxy are up there) and eat churros after an exhausting day hopping between the parks.

Lastly, I’d take her for a walk around Pasadena to grab boba and chill at the Cal Tech campus—all very low key.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been so lucky to have the support and mentorship of many amazing people. My family, especially my father, have always been supportive and trusting of my hard work and dedication paying off. The Lizardis, my American family, have also rooted for me since the very first day and I could not be more grateful for their unconditional love and support. It is very rewarding to share my victories with my two families, and I know they’ll be there no matter where my career leads me.

I’ve also been very fortunate to have many mentors throughout my education and early career. Simran Porwal, Myles Dement, Judith Chavez, Amshu Medapa, and Alfredo Achar have helped me find and pursue my passions while at LMU. I would also like to thank Carla Marcantonio, Cassie Comley, and Steve Domier for being faculty members highly invested in my personal and professional success.

Lastly, I am very fortunate to work with the best team in town at Disney Television Animation and Disney Branded Television. They are my number one cheerleaders in such an intimidating industry, and I could never ask for a better work environment.

Website: mariachavarri.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariachavarri/

Image Credits
Vanessa Lua, Boris Vesselinov, Adriel Meka, Lorenzo Lizardi, The Walt Disney Company