The Magic of PIxar: Voice Casting with Kate Hansen-Birnbaum
In this episode of High Notes, Melissa chats to Kate Hansen Birnbaum, Casting Director at Pixar, whose credits include beloved animated films like Inside Out 2, Soul, Elemental, and Luca.
Kate shares her unconventional path into casting, which began at a San Francisco talent agency under the mentorship of seasoned actors. She offers a rare look inside Pixar’s intricate casting process, highlighting the value placed on authenticity, natural vocal tone, and the ability to truly inspire the animation team. The conversation touches on Pixar’s commitment to diverse and inclusive casting, including their practice of anonymised auditions to help reduce unconscious bias.
Kate also brings the episode to life with memorable stories from her career, particularly the joy of working on Elemental — and shares thoughtful advice for aspiring voice actors. She highlights the importance of continuous growth and curiosity, and the unmitigated joy of delivering life-changing news to chosen performers.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10779349/
Subscribe to the BRAVA newsletter for news updates, training opportunities, and more from the world of business, acting and voice: https://www.brava.uk.com/subscribe
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:19 Kate's Journey into Casting
02:19 The Casting Process at Pixar
04:22 Finding Unique Voices
08:02 Diversity and Inclusion in Casting
10:16 Changes in Casting Over the Years
16:50 Advice for Aspiring Voice Actors
19:33 Favourite Moments and Final Thoughts
Read an edited transcript here...