OUR TEAM

OWNER / CASTING DIRECTOR

JEFF OLAN is a  native of Munster, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with talent and productions. ‘Pulp Fiction’  was Jeff’s first project. And, he has collaborated with Tarantino on three other films. He has been involved extensively in a multitude of areas in film, television, stage and radio. 

 Jeff embarked upon his career as a communications and drama major at Indiana University appearing in several stage performances. He was an active member and graduate of the famed ‘Second City’ comedy troupe based in Chicago and served for two years as a nighttime disc Jockey on WJOB in Hammond, Indiana.  He also became a popular on-air radio personality for “Olan’s Casting Report” in the mornings on K-EARTH radio (101 on the FM dial) in Los Angeles from 1984 to 1986, during which time he interviewed many distinguished guests from the film and television Industry.

On December 11th, 1984,  Jeff participated in a contest living on a Billboard overlooking the famous Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. He lived there, perched on the billboard, for six months until June 6th, 1985.  As one of the original “survivors,” he received national and international attention including appearances on ‘Good Morning America’, ‘The Today Show’, ‘Entertainment Tonight’; an article about him in the TV Guide (June 85 with Nancy Reagan on the cover); and print media in over 50 countries for this stunt. Johnny Carson made a reference to the billboard sitters in one of his nightly comedy routines, and Jeff actually got the honor of sitting at Mr. Carson’s desk on his last day of The Tonight Show.

Jeff continued to work in the entertainment field professionally as an actor and appeared in several television programs and feature films. His many credits include the daytime TV soap operas ‘Days Of Our Lives’, where he played a reporter (NBC); ‘Capitol’, where he played a studio stage manager (CBS); the nighttime episodic TV show ‘The Facts Of Life’, playing one of the lead girls boyfriends (ABC); the feature film ‘Best Of The Best 2′, playing a security guard’ the CBS movie ‘Donor’ playing a paramedic; as well as playing a cop on the original ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ directed by Wes Craven.

In addition to his acting career, Mr. Olan utilized his vast talents in the area of production to become a production coordinator for an Independent Commercial Company. He created, wrote, and co-produced a syndicated television show ‘Caught In The Act’, and was able to acquire the last taped interview from Bill Gazarri of the famed Gazarri’s on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California- who was responsible for the rock band Guns & Roses.  In 1999, Jeff started production as a producer on the cult feature film Holy Hollywood which stars the legendary actor Mickey Rooney, Tony Tarantino (father of Quentin), Tony Leach (writer of the animated feature film ‘Hoodwinked’), and, also features the late Sal Pacino (father of Al), Amy Linker (star of 80’s TV series Square Pegs with Sarah Jessica Parker), Gil Espinoza (Actor/Casting Director who now works with Jeff Olan), and Estelle Olan (Jeff’s mom).

In 1992, Jeff Co-founded and was one of the senior partners of Rainbow Casting in Los Angeles. Some of his personal credits with that company include Academy Award Winner Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino (starring John Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson), The Net & Gunshy (both starring Sandra Bullock), The Good Girl (starring Jennifer Aniston), George Of The Jungle, Jackie Brown, and the popular TV series My So Called Life for ABC.

At the end of 2001, the partners of Rainbow Casting went their separate ways, and in early 2002, Jeff opened the doors of Jeff Olan Casting, Inc. His exemplary reputation in the business with not only his talent, but with the producers, directors, cast, and crew that he works with has allowed him and Jeff Olan Casting to become one of the leading Independent casting agencies in the industry. Jeff also served on the board as Vice President of the Valley International Film Festival for five years to promote independent filmmaking.

Jeff  is a co-star in the film Strictly Background that revolves around ten extras trying to make it in the very tough, but rewarding entertainment business.  He is also a developing producer on a few TV shows as well as a feature film. Jeff enjoys exploring different things and always says, “If we knew our fate it wouldn’t be life”.

JOC CASTING DIRECTORS

SILAWN LEWIS was born in New York City.  As a child, she spent hours in her bedroom glued to the television during every spare moment. A year after graduating high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Army. She started her professional career on the technical side, working as a cameraperson and audio/video editor for a top New York City advertising agency. She later moved to Atlanta where she worked at a local television station as a master control operator, as well as a studio cameraperson for two live music video programs. One year later, she was promoted to the position of Program Manager of the station. Although she was eventually offered a salary increase and the opportunity to host her own weekly news-format TV show, she decided to return to New York City to continue working behind the scenes on productions.

After working in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles on several projects including commercials, videos, award shows, TV pilots, etc., she permanently relocated to Los Angeles in 2009. She expanded her knowledge and experience and began getting opportunities to work as a Production Coordinator, Talent Coordinator, Stage Manager, Script Supervisor, Assistant Director and Director on TV, film and stage productions.

Of all industry jobs and experiences, casting is her absolute favorite, because she loves being able to give actors jobs on a daily basis.  During her time at JOC , Silawn has cast the background actors for the feature film, Poolman; the Disney+series, The Santa Clauses; the HBO series, Euphoria, the upcoming feature film ‘MaXXXine’, among many others. She is in development  on her own digital/web series, ‘Forked Road’, which is based on her autobiography.

Silawn loves animals, TV/Movie Trivia, Broadway shows, and predicting Oscar Nominees!

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AMIR SOLIMAN  was born and raised in Los Angeles. He’s always been motivated and eager to make something for himself in the film industry. Film has always been a passion of his, and that passion lives on today. Amir is currently studying Film at community college where he plans to transfer to UCLA or USC Film School.

He’s worked on Taika Waitiki’s film, ‘Next Goal Wins‘, the HBO series, ‘Euphoria‘, ROKU’s award-winning feature film ‘Weird: The Weird Al Yankovic Story’, a Beyonce video from her ‘Renaissance’ album, and the upcoming L.A. Riots feature film, ‘April 29, 1992′. Amir loves music as well, some of his favorite artists being Tame Impala, the Beatles, the Doors, Kali Uchis, and Travis Scott. His favorite things to do are hang out with friends, go to amusement parks, and watch horror films!

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KIRSTIN RACICOT although born in California, spent her early years growing up on a large farm in Oklahoma and her teenage years in Missouri where she earned her B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Stephens College operates a summer-stock theatre program in northwest Iowa, where she spent seven Summers working at the Okoboji Summer Theatre as an actor on their mainstage, as well as directing children’s theatre, and simultaneously, serving as the Public Relations Director to the theatre for several Summer sessions.

Since moving back to sunny California in 2014, Kirstin has had incredible opportunities as an actor onstage at the renowned Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the L.A. Opera in Pagliacci, and in Mozart’s classic The Abduction from the Seraglio. She’s made TV/Film appearances in projects such as on HBO mini-series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. Kirstin has worked as an actor and Assistant Director with the Lakeside Players – a theater group up in the mountains of beautiful Lake Arrowhead. She has also worked as Assistant Director for Rogue Machine Theatre in L.A. on the world premiere play The Super Variety Match Bonus Round, Stage Raw Ovation Recommended.

Through all her experiences, Kirstin quickly found a love for production work in television and film. Since working at Jeff Olan Casting, Kirstin has had the opportunity to help cast the stand-ins for several shows, such as The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise. She also assists in casting background for Season 16 of Grey’s Anatomy, and the third season of the Netflix series On My Block. Her most recent and biggest accomplishments has been casting background roles for the feature film Waldo -starring Mel Gibson; Project 716 – a Universal Studios project; and the feature film This Game’s Called Murder. Kirstin would like to thank her family for their continued support on this crazy ride and to Jeff Olan for allowing her to grow as an artist in this wonderful business.

IN LOVING MEMORY

      GIL ESPINOZA  did the primary background casting for the popular ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy since Season 1, as well as other TV series and feature films. With over 17 years of experience working with Jeff Olan, Gil was just as comfortable behind the scenes doing casting, coordinating on set, and working hands-on with production as he was in front of the camera and on the silver screen.  Gil’s distinctive voice served him well as a working voice actor. And, he was a teddy bear in person!  WITH J.O.C. SINCE THE BEGINNING, GIL WILL BE MISSED BY OUR ENTIRE TEAM AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. R.I.P. GIL  – 2019

      JOC CASTING ASSISTANTS

                  

      Millette                                              Casse