Even many members of the academy misunderstand what casting directors do.

Behind the Wizard of Oz in the two-part "Wicked" movies were people actually pulling the strings. They set the table for the hit double-punch movies long before the cameras ever rolled out: The casting directors helped pick who made it to Oz."Our job is to ...

No one else in Oscar history has ever been nominated in this category nine years running. The late, great Sammy Cahn had held the category record, with eight consecutive nominations from 1954 to 1961.

The Oscars - officially called the Academy Awards - celebrate the best films from the last 12 months. This year will be the 98th Oscars ceremony and it will take place on 15 March. The full list of nominations,