Tipsy Casting

Producer Whitney Davis joins the conversation to share insights into her career journey and the evolving landscape of Hollywood. As Vice President of Development & Production at Anthony Hemingway Productions, Davis discusses her work on projects like MIKE (Hulu), True Lies (CBS), and the L.A. Law pilot (ABC), as well as her role in identifying compelling IP and fostering new creative talent.

The discussion also explores Davis’s early career at CBS News and her time as Director of Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion at CBS Entertainment, where she worked to elevate underrepresented voices in the industry. She reflects on her decision to publicly challenge systemic issues in Hollywood, the response that followed, and how her advocacy continues to shape her work today.

Throughout the episode, Davis offers valuable insights into the development and production process, the importance of authentic representation, and the future of storytelling in film and television.

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Today we have an absolutely killer guest—pun fully intended, given his impressive track record in horror and beyond.

You’ve seen him in Smile, Jennifer’s Body, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream—but Kyle Gallner is so much more than a horror genre staple. He’s a true chameleon, seamlessly moving between indie darlings, blockbuster hits, and some of the most compelling performances on screen. Whether he’s playing the brooding outsider, the best friend you wish you had, or a character who keeps you up at night, Kyle brings an undeniable intensity and authenticity to every role.

Today, we’re diving into his journey as an actor, what draws him to these complex characters, and of course, the wild world of auditions, casting, and making it in Hollywood.

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This week on Tipsy Casting, we break down The Pitt’s unique salary structure—what sets it apart, how it affects talent, and its potential impact on the industry. We also answer all the questions submitted via Instagram, covering everything from casting insights to behind-the-scenes industry secrets. Plus, we’re joined by one of our listeners, Esther Jolee, who won our holiday giveaway last year to be our special guest. She shares her journey, her current place in the industry and asks us her very own questions. Grab a drink and tune in for another unfiltered, fun conversation!

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Join us this week for our latest installment of the Modern Class of Casting Visionaries with the fabulous Casting Director, Neely Eisenstein!

Over the past 10 years, Neely has cast nearly 30 films including the coming-of-age movie, SNACK SHACK written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, rom-com PLUS ONE starting Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine, and the Sundance favorite, EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE starring Zac Efron. 

In this episode we dive in with Neely discussing...

-Her unconventional start in casting that all stared with the toy industry

-Her love of theatre 

-We sidetrack into how Shakespeare is having a resurgence in 

-Her outlook on how the industry was when she started all through how she sees it looking in the near future

-The problems we as CDs are running into dealing with lack of willingness with agents to participate in helping to attach talent to Indies

-How we can try to bridge gaps and get back on the right road 

-Diving into some current awards season controversy from the SAG awards to the BAFTAS and the casting awards being awarded to people who are not in casting

-How amazing it is to be back in the room for casting sessions and how it “fills our cup right up”

-Neely tells us what her favorite projects were to cast

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Today, Jess & Jenn sit down with the brilliant and versatile Kai Wu, a writer and producer whose storytelling has shaped some of the most captivating genre series on television. From Hannibal to The Flash, Carnival Row, Paper Girls, and American Born Chinese, Kai has built a career bringing rich, character-driven worlds to life. She also created The Ghost Bride for Netflix and recently earned a WGA Award nomination for her work as a Co-Executive Producer on A Murder at the End of the World (FX).

Born in Taiwan and raised in Maryland, Kai's journey into writing began with diary pages and evolved into developing original projects with Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and Freeform. In this conversation, we explore her path as a storyteller, how she navigates the industry post-strike, and the challenges of crafting fresh, dynamic genre narratives.

Pour yourself a drink and join us for a deep dive into the mind of a writer who continues to redefine the boundaries of television!

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