Today we’d like to introduce you to Roni Hummel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Roni. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey started at the age of 8 when my mom took me to an open audition call for children… on the set of Indian Paint starring Johnny Crawford, many may know him from the old tv series The Rifleman. He was in Texas, in my hometown to shoot a movie. I begged my mom to take me to the auditions, actually, it was an interview. However, the director said, I was too blonde and fair skinned, they were looking for Hispanic or American Indian. I cried out to the director, please let me in the movie, I’ll dye my hair and even my eyes, just please let me stay. I guess he took mercy on my pathetic little self and told my mom to bring me to set each day and I could PA (the extent of carrying apple boxes), but I was happy to be there and have lunch with cast and crew! Back then, a set was a big deal, large 18 wheelers loaded with equipment and cameras the size of Volkswagons and a 200 man crew. It was amazing. I was hooked and it has never left me. I wanted to do this forever. My parents being somewhat Bohemian Musicians and performers themselves (my entire family was musicians, singers and vaudeville act touring the US for 20 years), wanted me to pay more attention to academics. I, on the other hand, had Hollywood on my brain.
Later, when I was 14 another film came to Texas Starring Robert Blake, Charlotte Rampling, and the Late Chris Connelly. I worked in a small scene in which Robert Blake was a part of. I knew who he was because of little Rascal reruns and I had heard of the film he had finished a few years earlier called In Cold Blood by Truman Capote but I was not allowed to watch it… I had only heard about the film. It was thrilling to meet him. After that, it was Back to school and normal life for a bit.
Then, came Semi-Tough, a film about football starring Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Brian Dennehy and Jill Clayburgh, a Michael Ritchie Film. This one, I really got a taste of many Dallas actors I met while on set including a young, well we were both much younger Cathryn Hartt she was working on set in production for Director Michael Ritchie as Talent Coordinator. Cathryn is a fantastic acting coach in DFW area.
On One of the days I was on the set, I had lost my pay voucher during an outside scene… it was a freezing 22 degrees outside, I believe it had fallen out of my pocket. During the scene, we had to remove our coats. When I had to leave for the day, Cathryn asked for my voucher and I had lost it. She snapped at me… “Well, you just got a free day on set.” I still laugh about that… at the time, it wasn’t funny, but what is funny is that Cathryn has become a dear friend and I have teased her about this… she claims no, I didn’t. We have come full circle as friends. Cathryn agreed to work on my film Old Broads as a recurring character Joan, who likes to dress Country Sleaze and pickpockets.” It’s a fun role, she says for a Julliard Trained actress “I love her!
I continued working on films here and there, as well as commercials as best I could. I had married and started a family but still continued being as active as I could in the industry. I went to school and became a degreed photographer and worked with several prominent photographers as a high-end celebrity photographer.
Later, I joined Peggy Taylor Talent and eventually, my son was signed with her as well. That was an adventure doing my own auditions and taking him to his Go Sees as we called them back in the day sometimes, at the same time. It was a lot to keep up with.
I turned to Theater for a few years as Stage Manager working with several local Theater Companies. I enjoyed my time while there and again met so many Dallas actors whom I have remained close to. When Born on the 4th of July came to Texas to shoot. I left Theater to get back to film as quickly as I could. That was a fantastic film to work on. Again, I found myself working on and off through the years on many projects. I went back to school and recieved a degree in digital imaging for photography. While working sporadically on films, I was also working as a digital imaging specialist on professional photographers competition prints.
Over the years, I have remained true to my heart and stayed within the film industry. I have steadily worked since 2006 and am now able to work full time in the industry.
I started working production side learning everything I could. I wanted to soak up every aspect of filmmaking. I took workshops from several sources and attended Texas Film Commission Workshops. I own a craft service business since 2006 and still run it or have someone else to run it for me if I’m on another shoot. I have worked as a PA, Talent Coordinator, Set Coordinator, Wardrobe Assist, Art Department Assist, Locations Scout, Craft Services, Celebrity Personal Assistant, Green Room Assistant, Casting Director, Producer, and Director. I have worked for AMS Pictures Dallas in Original Programming Department for 5 years all together and 3 years of that on 2 TV series for Reelz Network. I have worked for NBC/Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, ABC/Disney I have worked for Name Tag Films in various positions, Three Step Productions (Oklahoma ) as Production Coordinator, I worked as Casting Director for Fly Rock Media for a television series Vindication on Amazon Prime. I helped produce a music video mini short which is supported by USA Film Festival and Women in Film as well as WFAA television with writer/producer/director Anna Michelle Terry and her husband Todd Terry.
I’m working on two scripts as co-writer with Industry professionals at the moment. My goal is to create more film work here in Texas utilizing Texas Talent and TexasCrews. I would love to have distribution companies move to Texas. I love to invite them to come and see what we have to offer! We have such a diverse landscape and people, cities, towns, country, actors, crews so much here in Texas. And such creative film work here.
Three years ago, I wrote and created an episodic tv comedy series Called Old Broads. It is now on the Film Festival Circuit, it has been accepted to the Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase this July! and hopefully, we will see it on a network one day soon.
My true calling is Casting Director I love actors. I am an actor myself. I love working with them helping them and doing what I can to see them succeed. I will continue in this industry as long as I am able and as long as they’ll have me. It is an honor and a privilege to work in the film industry. My 2 sons work in this industry as well as my son, Clint Young worked for George Lucas for 12 years as an artist, he is now in Austin, Texas and works as a concept artist in the gaming industry and Joe Young works as a producer with Name Tag films in Dallas. My daughter Lindsey is not in the industry however her husband is a Dallas Police Officer who is security for tv/film sets such as Queen of The South, False Prophet, and many commercial projects. It’s all in the family!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. I have had to prove myself every step of the way… not only as an actor but as a female on the production side. It has taken years to establish myself as a hard working professional capable of doing the hard work, thinking through and making executive decisions. I had to prove I had the Kahonies to do it… I wanted to throw in the towel many times but I stuck with it swallowed my pride and did my work… I didn’t complain or cry or whine. My dad used to say to me when I cried over hurt feelings. Are you bleeding? If not Then pull yourself up and go do what you need to do. I still do that…
Roni Hummel Productions /Roni Hummel Casting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have worn so many hats in this industry. Goodness. I love every aspect of film, film making. I love being an actor. It’s something in me, I can’t explain it. It’s like a sense of urgency. Weird. But, I love working with actors
I love casting and the whole process of casting. I learn a great deal from actors, watching them, listening, learning… I’m fascinated by them. There are no creatures quite like them, it’s almost spiritual.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Gosh… so many wonderful moments I have held in my heart. I think when an actor or a producer even director calls me and asks for my advice, I’m like, wow. But I guess casting a great cast for a show and you know the minute people watch the show… you are watching them, watch the show and knowing that the audience is enjoying this and is captivated and the actors are perfect and your thinking “I did this… I helped create this ”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4274841
- Phone: 817-781-1124
- Email: ronihummel@gmail.com
- Instagram: Roni Hummel
- Twitter: RonHum
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
