Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington

Still on cloud nine after bringing home an Artios last night for Die Hart 3: Hart to Kill, and for a nomination in the commercial category as well. Being a casting director who works across genres and mediums is something I consider a privilege. My theatrical work informs my commercial work, and vice versa. It keeps me current, expands my knowledge of actors, and frankly, helps when I’m in a pinch. Plus—I’m not sure if y’all have noticed, but our industry is kinda…going through a lot! I don’t have the luxury of being good at just one thing! Remaining nimble isn’t optional. It’s survival, and it’s smart.  Enjoy these pictures, as well as a couple clips from my speech. What a wonderful night! (PS: is this pixie cute or what!?)

Hi friends. With all the recent articles flying, I feel compelled to weigh in. It’s no secret that I’m a Casting Director married to an actor. For the past 3 years, I’ve benefited from the flexibility provided by self-tapes as a CD, while also witnessing first-hand what it’s been like for actors. CD me knows at the beginning of the pandemic, casting exclusively from tape was done out of necessity and concerns for safety. But in July of 2021, SAG removed the language about tapes being preferential, and yet…nothing really changed. Why? Well, budgets have been reduced/reallocated, timelines truncated, people relocated, many folks have downright refused to even try returning in-person, and simply put: it’s more efficient *for CDs* to do at least the first round via tape. Wife-of-an-actor [and friend to even more] me recognizes all of the pros. But let’s talk about some cons. It’s lonely. It’s tedious. If you have kids & need to tape on a weekend or have a last-minute deadline—god help you. Finding a reader can be challenging. Taping from home puts you in a vulnerable spot—it means people see where you live. You might feel compelled to invest in fancy equipment, even if people say only the acting matters. You may have to constantly move furniture or other things around. Taping with a partner can really put a strain on your relationship. Believe me. The biggest downside? Auditioning in a vacuum. The overwhelming majority of self-tape requests come with ZERO direction, tonal notes, or context. Zip, zilch, nada. In person, CDs asked actors if they had any questions. Over tape, the opportunity for that conversation is gone. For new projects it means everything is a wild guess. You end up doing a billion takes until one finally feels “right,” send it, and cross your fingers. CONTINUED IN COMMENTS……….

Hi friends. I have cancer. I know. It was a surprise for me, too. In May, Tate and I went away for the weekend for our anniversary. We had so much to celebrate—marriage, selling our house (oh yeah, also: we moved—surprise again!), and just feeling really good about life. Like any married couple of 13 years, we spent a lot of the weekend in bed together…binging Hacks. Somewhere between episodes, I noticed a lump on my left breast. I didn’t think much of it, but since our move was coming up, I called around Monday to find the soonest imaging appointment. I got one that Wednesday. They told me it was cancer immediately after my scans. It felt like I had been absorbed by a black wall. For the first time in my life I couldn’t picture anything in my mind but a dark void. I literally couldn’t see the future. My head and heart were empty. Fast-forward: we moved, I had successful surgery in July, and next week? Well, next week I start chemo… Even though it’s stage 1, I’m considered intermediate risk for recurrence, so I’ll have 4 rounds of chemo, then a month of radiation, and then hormone therapy. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. I drew the short straw. Will I rally? Yes! Will I approach this the same way I do everything: with resilience, practicality, and a sense of humor? Yes! But in quieter moments, I just feel sad. I’m sharing this for two reasons: 1. To urge every person reading this to get regular mammograms. 2. Because I’ll likely lose my hair, and I just want to get ahead of it. I’m continuing to work (by choice!) through treatment, but I may not always feel up to making my little self-tape direction videos. Consider this my hall pass. Aaaanyhoozles…that’s what’s going on with me. It actually feels good to get this off my chest (pun fully intended). If you feel like sending good vibes, funny memes, or shows to watch during treatment—I’ll happily accept all three. 🥰 PS: also—if’n you could, please check in on Tate. He’s the greatest guy and I want to make sure he’s supported too. ❤️

Casting Green Bank was the most pleasant experience, start to finish. Can’t wait for y’all to see! Dream team: @joshruben @andyhorwitz @jack_greenberg @aarontheh @bigswellentertainment @pangaeastudios Starring: @brittanyogrady @tatianamaslany @kumailn @jim_belushi @taylorjohnsmith & an abundance of incredible actors from Atlanta Associate CD: @janeflowerscasting

Loved finding this stellar cast for another round of commercials for Adobe 🎥 @timwilkime 🎬 @thepamrobison 🚜 @ruckusfilms 🎭 @eddie_leavy @deadeyebrakeman @emilie.sy.ong @nina_concepcion @anulanavlekar @nicholasheffelfinger @tonycavalero @gojamconzgo @patriscuit @hasanminhaj More to come!

What a fun review to wake up to after last night. Congrats to all!

Delighted to be nominated for two Artios this year. See y’all there!

GRIND - SXSW 2026

The Oracle - Sundance 2026

525,600 minutes ago, I had no idea life would be completely different. But we measure life in love, and sometimes even pull off a huge surprise along the way.

🔔Today was my last day of chemo! And during Breast Cancer Awareness month to boot! **I’m not done yet, though!** Next up: a respite in November, 15 rounds of radiation in December, then hormone therapy for 5 years. I am so immensely grateful to literally everyone I’ve ever met or encountered in my entire life. The outpouring of love and support from family and friends near and far has been truly touching. Not to mention all the fuzzy socks, cheesecake, soup, baked goods, art, books, blankets, gift cards, coloring books, savory pies, poetry, grocery store runs, presents for the kids, rides for the kids, flexibility from employers, flowers, an antique garnet ring, offers to babysit, candles, cards, and endless texts/calls/DMs…it goes on and on. And then there are the folks who have either been through breast cancer themselves or are currently in treatment too—we all trade our specific diagnoses (for the record: I’m stage 1a Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—Grade 2 tumor, estrogen+, progesterone-, HER2-, node negative [though there were isolated tumor cells in one node], onco score of 32. Not a carrier for any cancer genes, but family history of BC after age 65). Some of these have been men, some are women I know, some I’ve just met, some went through everything privately, others publicly, or they just found out, and some so long ago their treatment plan was completely different—but they are still kickin’. There’s an immediate camaraderie that forms between each of us, and it extends further to anyone who has ever had any sort of cancer. Or their brother, or mom, or grandparent, or aunt…on and on. Keep the love coming (not asking this in a needy way!)—we will especially need support when I start radiation since it’s a daily thing and the commute to/from my treatment center is long. For those who have asked about a meal train: this is when we will need one. BUT I DIGRESS!! I have a ways to go, yes, but I can do this. MVP award goes to @tateellington , who has been with me in every chemo infusion, and his support between appointments has been so tender and caring. He pats my sensitive lil’ bald spot and tells me I’m beautiful. He continues to be the best.

Super excited to be nominated for Die Hart Season 3, *and* Walmart Making Of Deals Of Desire for this year’s @csacasting Artios Awards! Huge thanks to dynamo Associates @janeflowerscasting @allymbader and @brenteporlagente .