Allen calls for casting Oscar WOODY Allen declines an invitation to the Academy Awards each year, but that has not stopped him from calling for a new award to be added to Tinseltown's glitziest evening. He has written an open letter to Hollywood, calling for an Oscar to recognise casting directors - the people who find the right star for the role, frequently negotiate salaries, juggle schedules and who are often seen by aspiring actors as gatekeepers to success.