Agent complains: Minorities are 'putting talented white performers out of work ... and it stinks'

[Wayman_Wong]

Gemma Hamilton of Lowy Hamilton Artists complained about a casting call, posting: “I’m bored of breakdowns asking for BAME [black, Asian and minority ethnic] actors. Casting them because of the colour of their skin because it adds that va va voom to the cast list, or their skills in performance? And now I see a breakdown for BAME only that are actor/musos. It’s putting talented ‘white’ performers out of work. I think it stinks.''

BritishTheatre.com reports that Hamilton's posting has set off a social media backlash and inspired #VaVaVoom.

Olivier winner Amber Riley, who starred in ''Dreamgrils'' in the West End, tweeted: “Dear Actors who happen to be of color, you are NOT taking up a white person’s space when U work. U DESERVE to be there, and don’t let anyone’s intimidation of your #VaVaVoom tell you any differently!”

  https://britishtheatre.com/actors-respond-to-agents-complaint-about-bame-actors-with-vavavoom/

[HeyMrMusic]

Yeah, people of color are not taking away jobs from white actors. If anything, it’s lazy casting directors like this who don’t give people of color enough opportunities, only employing them when they’re required to or, worse, whitewashing their productions.

[Elegance101]

I'm not excited for Dave to show up to this thread...

[geoffreyC]

White people are currently doing horrific things nationwide in the US.  Perhaps we need a complete moratorium of their privileged presence in the arts until we find out what's going on.

[stlrod]

geoffreyC said: "White people are currently doing horrific things nationwide in the US. Perhaps we need a complete moratorium of their privileged presence in the arts until we find out what's going on."

That’s  as racist as the original comment.  

[GeorgeandDot]

stlrod said: "geoffreyC said: "White people are currently doing horrific things nationwide in the US. Perhaps we need a complete moratorium of their privileged presence in the arts until we find out what's going on."

That’s as racist as the original comment. "

This joke went MILES over your head.

 

[Rainah]

please pity the poor actors who have SLIGHTLY less roles they can try out for, even though they still get the vast majority reserved for them.

[VintageSnarker]

HeyMrMusic said: "Yeah, people of color are not taking away jobs from white actors. If anything, it’s lazy casting directors like this who don’t give people of color enough opportunities, only employing them when they’re required to or, worse, whitewashing their productions."

*Applause*

[Dave28282]

Finally, a healthy countereffect from the business. The situation has become untenable.

The reality of casting is that black people are overrepresented at the moment. I'm not critiquing that given in itself. Because things like this can happen in a project. For example when the most talented or suitable people for a role happen to be black. No issues with that scenario.

What I find problematic is that what I described above is not the reason for this overrepresentation. Therefore it feels unfair, unhealthy and forced. Not to me, but especially to other races, such as Asian people. Whenever there is a casting project of, let's say 3 people. They put at least 1 mandatory black person in nowadays. I see it in every project, pilot, series, movie, show, reading, commercial. The percentage of that is out of balance, not only population wise, but also compared to for example Asian people. It's completely out of balance. That's not healthy. That is focusing on race too much in a negative way. 

Especially in the past few years casting directors and award show judges seemed extremely sensitive and impressionable about this attacks. They were accused of being racist when not casting a black person in a project of 3 people or not giving awards to a black person. They were basically forced to cast on race in the wrong way. Frantically casting black people in everything to avoid criticism and falsely look diverse. It could very well be that casting directors and award show judges are beginning to get tired of this overrepresentation and are aiming for true diversity. To some people there can never be enough representation of the race of choice, but that is not what diversity is about. Especially if the numbers have already far exceeded the percentages, it should always be an insult if someone gets or doesn't get a role or award based on race. That goes for both the negative and positive intentions, It's always bad.

If you insist on color counting, then do it both ways. Because the question is: How much out of balance is enough?

Now, some people are clearly not intelligent enough to be content with a healthy balance, or don't understand what equality actually means. As long as you crave an unhealthy balance to get "even", you are part of the problem.

You can choose to play the victim role forever and try to take more than is fair, or you can think in actual solutions. It's clear that I don't think the solution lies in doing the same thing in return, with privileges for certain races now and silencing others. In my opinion there is a fair way. In order to stop sordid debates such as this one The State should:

Draw up a census establishing the exact ethnic mix of the population.  

Update it annually. 

Legislate so that all opportunities and vacancies in all professions and occupations (in the public and private sectors) are filled in strictly proportional ratios. Not excluding the entertainment and sports industries. Enforce the same laws on business ownership in every city, town and village.

In this way real and perceived discrimination, unfairness and prejudice would be eliminated. Although of course, being the complete opposite of colour-blindness, it would entrench forever the idea that people deserve to be treated differently due to their colour. But the same vision is present now in certain camps anyway.

This way there would be no more overrepresentation of black people in casting, and also no more underrepresentation. There would be no more overrepresentation of white people in casting, but also no underrepresentation. One could argue that anyone who is against this plan has a double agenda or does not want equality.

In reality this would mean less overrepresentation of black actors at the moment. Creating a healthier situation. So basically what Gemma Hamilton is saying is true. The current situation is unfair and it stinks and it should not be accepted. Saying "white people" should accept this unfairness is like saying "black people" should accept unfairness too. You can't just promote unfairness when it suits you. That's racist.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Nevermind. Not engaging with Dave anymore. Not worth my time.

[BWWMatt]

Hi all, we've deleted some posts in here that included personal attacks on people. Clearly this topic is going bring heated debate, but please keep it at that- debate about the topic, not personal insults. I know that might not be easy when discussing race, especially when fairly controversial actions are being suggested, but in order to keep the conversation constructive, we ask that you try to stay on topic. Thanks. 

[Dave28282]

Matt, can you please stop accusing me of that. It's the opposite. 

Give a reaction that actually says something valuable instead.

[Matt Rogers]

Dave28282 said: "Matt, can you please stop accusing me of that. It's the opposite.

Give a reaction that actually says something valuable instead."

Well, Dave, I can't respond because clearly anyone who calls you out on your crap gets their posts deleted. So have a ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave28282]

I think this agent is tired of color counting and being forced to cast on race, and longs for casting on actual talent, but that's made impossible for her this way.

The color counters are preventing equality.

In their opinion equality means 1 black person in every cast of 3. In my opinion it lies in something else. Casting people. Which could mean the possibility of a white cast of 3 people without being attacked. Clearly, it would still be attacked and so the solution in the previous post could level that out and within that given, true talent casting could occur.

[GeorgeandDot]

I think you need some empathy. Maybe place yourself in someone else's shoes for ten seconds. You need some serious self reflection if you think any of what you just said is even remotely acceptable in this day and age.

Also, I find is positively disgusting that the very second a PoC is cast, everyone assumes that it was because of the color of their skin. Maybe they were just the best person for the role.

<<post edited by BWW staff>>

[Dave28282]

GeorgeandDot said: " that the very second a PoC is cast, everyone assumes that it was because of the color of their skin. Maybe they were just the best person for the role."

It is so out of balance that it's very obvious nowadays. And realistically speaking, if 10 actors audition for a role, of which 1 black actor, there is a 90% chance the role does not go to the black person, if based purely on equal statistics. 

So with realizing that given, a solution that matches society is actually not a bad idea.

[Elegance101]

Whenever Dave says something racist on this board, I imagine that it's the girl in his profile picture saying it in a very nasally voice.

I also really doubt that Dave even knows any people of color personally. That's the only way he makes sense to me. Even when I first read the name of this thread, I knew Dave would waltz on in here, take this over, and generally turn it into a nightmare with his racist, "I don't see color" attitude. 

[Elegance101]

Dave28282 said: "GeorgeandDot said: "that the very second a PoC is cast, everyone assumes that it was because of the color of their skin. Maybe they were just the best person for the role."

It is so out of balance that it's very obvious nowadays."

Here's something GeorgeandDot said recently that you need to hear: to the majority, equality feels like inequality (I may have paraphrased). 

 

[Dave28282]

Elegance101 said: "Whenever Dave says something racist on this board, I imagine that it's the girl in his profile picture saying it in a very nasally voice.

I also really doubt that Dave even knows any people of color personally. That's the only way he makes sense to me. Even when I first read the name of this thread, I knew Dave would waltz on in here, take this over, and generally turn itinto a nightmare with his racist, "I don't see color" attitude."

Olivia doesn't have a nasal voice :)

And I don't have a "I don't see color" attitude. I just understand what true equality is a bit more. See my post above.

[Dave28282]

Elegance101 said: "

Here's something GeorgeandDot said recently that you need to hear: to the majority, equality feels like inequality (I may have paraphrased).

"

Well, if equality for black people means a higher percentage of roles than any other race and still complain then yes, it feels like inequality to every other race.

[Elegance101]

Dave28282 said: "Elegance101 said: "

Here's something GeorgeandDot said recently that you need to hear: to the majority, equality feels like inequality (I may have paraphrased).

"

Well, if equality for black people means a higher percentage of roles than any other race and still complain then yes, it feels like inequality to every other race."

The point

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Your head

[Dave28282]

I could say the same about the real point of equality and your head.

[Maggie05]

Elegance101 said: "Dave28282 said: "GeorgeandDot said: "that the very second a PoC is cast, everyone assumes that it was because of the color of their skin. Maybe they were just the best person for the role."

It is so out of balance that it's very obvious nowadays."

Here's something GeorgeandDot said recently that you need to hear: to the majority, equality feels like inequality (I may have paraphrased).

It's something like this: When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression

 

[Dave28282]

Maggie05 said: "

It' something like this:When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression

"

So the black privilege of getting a higher percentage of roles than any other race will result in feeling oppressed when it is taken back to equal level?

Well, I guess that's true. But equality starts with acceptance of equality.

And that does not mean a higher percentage of roles for any race. Period.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

This agent reeks of white privilege. 

As do many of these long paragraph comments in this thread. 

Please,

you're all making yourselves look bad by even analyzing this.

The agent is wrong PERIOD. 

We've had decades and decades of white performers being the majority. 

Everyone needs to check in with themselves and recognize this quote,

"When you're so used to having the upper hand, equality feels like oppression."