I was saddened to see Louis DiGiaimo listed in the In Memoriam section of the recent Oscar telecast. He was primarily known a legendary Casting Director whose credits included The Godfather, Rain Man and Donny Brasco.
However, aside from being a Casting Director, Mr. DiGiaimo was also a producer. More importantly, he was a producer who wasn't afraid to read over the transom screenplays that interested him. Over the course of a couple years, he read a few of my screenplays. He had kind things to say about my aging mafioso in love screenplay "Candido." He said he liked it, but he rejected it because he said it would never find financing because the leads were too old to be bankable. Being young and cocky, I disagreed. Then he patiently gave me examples of similar films that languished in development because they relied on older casts -- including a project of his own based on a Broadway play that had four Oscar-winning women attached.
I often think of Mr. DiGiaimo, especially when young writers or filmmakers seek out my advice, and then shoot me down when I disagree with their vision.
Thanks for the reads, Mr. DiGiamo. And thanks for taking the time to impart your wisdom to a hard-headed young screenwriter.
Rest in peace.