Melissa’s Life
LA Times Obituary
She traveled around the country, finding unusual and intriguing “real people” and was instrumental in encouraging companies to seek out new, fresh and unusual faces, helping to change the way Americans were portrayed on commercials and in film and television.
In 1994, she set up Martin Casting, Inc. out of Chelsea Studios, steadily growing her business as her talents grew. Martin Casting was soon sought out for film and television casting in addition to a thriving commercial casting division.
With her growing staff, unique talent and background, Martin-Zander attracted marketing and commercial companies from all over the country, working with some of the best-known commercial directors on a bevy of Clio-winning spots, including Jeff Preiss, the team Dayton-Ferris, Michel Gondry, Alejandro Gonzalez-Inarritu, Paul Hunter, Andrew Douglas and Brian Grazer. A short film, “The Tonto Woman,” starring Francesco Quinn, son of Anthony Quinn, was nominated for a 2008 Oscar for Live Action Short Film. Martin-Zander also cast a promotional short for “The 300,” directed by Zack Snyder, which was so well received at Comic-Con that it led to the project's expansion into a feature film.
With her husband Erich Zander, Martin-Zander built Digital Casting Studios in 2003, and in 2006 opened a West Los Angeles facility, 310 Casting Studios, home to Martin Casting, Inc. Both Martin Casting, Inc. and 310 Casting Studios will continue under Zander's leadership.
Martin-Zander was an accomplished painter, scuba diver, jet skier and motorcyclist. She leaves behind a devoted and talented staff and hundreds of friends who admired and loved her fearless entrepreneurial spirit, her professional warmth and her delight in life's joys, most especially her beloved husband and business partner, Erich Zander, and their daughter Beatrix, 7.
A public memorial service for Melissa Martin Zander will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 9:30 am at First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood/The Wesley School Chapel, 4832 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, 91601. For more information, please go to http://www.melissamartinzander.com. A scholarship fund has been established for her daughter Beatrix Zander's education. To contribute, contact Toby Vargas at 818-995-8629 or email at toby@vargasbiz.com.
