Casting for Change: Practical Tips for True Inclusive Representation

About The Webinar

Casting Directors Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, Candido Cornejo Jr., and Elle Jones dive into authentic, inclusive casting practices. Learn how to bring diverse perspectives to the screen without falling into tokenism. Don’t miss this chance to explore impactful strategies that will elevate your content and help you reach new audiences!

Meet the Panelists

Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick (she/her) is a casting director focused on authentic representation, especially for underrepresented communities and disability inclusion. With over 14 years at Nickelodeon, Danielle cast iconic shows like Blue's Clues & You and Dora the Explorer, and she now leads her own casting office. Recent credits include HBO's American Girl: Corinne Tan and Netflix's You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. As co-VP of Advocacy for the Casting Society of America, Danielle spearheads initiatives for diverse actors and serves on multiple boards, promoting equity and accessibility in casting.

Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, CSA

Join HBO and Netflix Casting Directors for practical insights on achieving authentic, inclusive representation on screen.

Candido Cornejo, CSA

Candido, a proud Two Spirit casting professional of Tlaxcalan and Nahuat descent, has over 15 years of experience and is a dedicated advocate for Latine, Native/Indigenous, and trans/nonbinary representation. She’s collaborated with notable casting offices like Ronnie Yeskel and The Telsey Office and has cast acclaimed projects such as The Hatfields & McCoys and The Fosters. Recently, her work includes The Roof and Beautiful FL on Disney+’s Launchpad Season 2, and the indie film Say A Little Prayer, which premiered at LALIFF.

Elle Jones, founder of Elle Jones Casting, is the casting director and co-producer for Road to L'Etape Du Tour and Final Frame.  Elle’s six-woman team includes an accessibility coordinator, and they are currently casting a feature with a Sundance award-winning director. Previously, she managed programs and casting for the Dramatists Guild of America and held senior HR roles at Finn Partners and Disney. An advocate for inclusivity, Elle serves on the advisory board of the ReelAbilities Film Festival.

Elle Jones