Clika Casting Director Paul Sinacore on Authentic Casting and Building Culturally Rooted Studio Films

LOS ANGELES - EntSun -- Since its January 23 nationwide release through Sony/Columbia Pictures, Clika has emerged as a notable example of how culturally rooted, grassroots filmmaking can translate into mainstream theatrical visibility. The film opened in 522 theaters and grossed approximately $1.26 million in its opening weekend, driven by strong community engagement from the Mexican-American and Latin music communities at the heart of its story.

Directed by Michael Greene and written by Greene and Sean McBride, Clika represents the culmination of an inspired three-year creative journey that began with limited resources and a deeply personal vision. Developed outside traditional studio systems, the film reflects sustained artistic commitment and discipline.

"This was never a project built overnight," says casting director Paul Sinacore, CSA. "It was
built through years of persistence, refinement, and belief in the story Michael and the team were trying to tell."

Sinacore, founder of Paul Sinacore Casting, was instrumental in assembling the film's ensemble, emphasizing cultural credibility, emotional truth, and performance authenticity.

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"Authentic representation isn't about surface-level markers," he explains. "It's about
understanding community and lived experience. When audiences recognize themselves on
screen, that connection becomes powerful."

A member of the Casting Society and the Television Academy and a 2026 Artios Awards
nominee for Excellence in Casting, Sinacore brings an interdisciplinary perspective shaped in part by academic training in social psychology and cultural anthropology at UCLA.

"Casting is behavioral science as much as creative instinct," he says. "You're building micro-communities on screen. That requires research, empathy, and cultural fluency."

Clika's ensemble — which includes Eric Roberts, Master P, and the late Peter Greene alongside emerging talent — reflects a balance of recognizable names and culturally embedded performers. Sinacore appears in the film as Jim opposite Roberts, a role offered by Greene.

The film's premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre drew strong turnout from artists, influencers, and members of the Latino creative community, underscoring its crossover appeal.

Supporters point to the film's intentional positioning as accessible, family-oriented storytelling.

"Not every story is meant to follow the same tonal template," Sinacore notes. "Clika chose to

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lead with heart, community, and hope. That was a creative choice, not a limitation."

Beyond Clika, Sinacore's work spans studio features, independent cinema, and premium
streaming series. A longtime SAG-AFTRA performer with decades of on-set experience, he brings a holistic perspective to casting informed by experience across production and
performance.

"Working across disciplines creates a deeper responsibility," he says. "You're not just filling roles — you're shaping narratives that influence how communities are understood."

As the industry enters a period of heightened attention to casting as a creative discipline, Clika offers a case study in how research-informed, inclusive casting can function as both an artistic driver and commercial asset.

For Sinacore, casting is not a service function, but a core creative partnership that helps
filmmakers translate vision into lasting impact.

"Every meaningful film begins as someone's fragile idea," Sinacore says. "My role is to protect that idea long enough for it to become something real. Clika is proof that when artists stay committed to their truth, audiences respond. That's the kind of work I want to spend my life doing."

For more information, visit paulsinacorecasting.com and IMDb at imdb.me/paulsinacore