Article: Casting directors grope with groups: the ensemble acting challenges begin before the cameras start to roll.(V PLUS: SAG AWARDS PREVIEW)

A great ensemble cast doesn't necessarily lead to a great film--but it helps. In five of the 12 years it has been awarded, the SAG Award for ensemble cast of a film has predicted the picture award at the Oscars ("Crash," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Chicago," "American Beauty" and "Shakespeare in Love"). Even if it doesn't lead to Oscar's top prize, a SAG win in the cast category can create Oscar heat, as it did for last year's winner, "Little Miss Sunshine," which went on to win for original screenplay and for Alan Arkin's supporting turn.

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Variety spoke with several casting directors about the major ...

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