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One of many stories:
I had just been taken on by my first talent agency (that& #39;s another story) & told my agent I was not doing commercials (cos I didn& #39;t want to sell products I didn& #39;t believe in) or anything I found offensive. They readily agreed.
I turned down many auditions.
I had just been taken on by my first talent agency (that& #39;s another story) & told my agent I was not doing commercials (cos I didn& #39;t want to sell products I didn& #39;t believe in) or anything I found offensive. They readily agreed.
I turned down many auditions.
At some point, I realized (another story) that turning down work just meant another actor would do it & the negative stereotype they played would still affect me when other writers would write to those same archetypes, because that was what was on TV, what sold.
Needed a new way.
Needed a new way.
Got an audition for an offensive part & decided to go in. I learned the lines as written but also re-wrote lines I found offensive.
I know this is not a thing one is supposed to do, but I politely prefaced by saying, "I have a lot to offer, if they would like to consider me".
I know this is not a thing one is supposed to do, but I politely prefaced by saying, "I have a lot to offer, if they would like to consider me".
I did the altered lines & was sharply told to do them as written. So I did. But, petitioned again why it was offensive & how a small fix would make it better. Death stare, then,
"You need a sense of humour."
I said, "Thank you. I& #39;d love to do this, but not as written".
"You need a sense of humour."
I said, "Thank you. I& #39;d love to do this, but not as written".
As soon as I left, I heard casting loudly & furiously discussing why I was wrong.
By the time I got outside, my agent called & asked why I screamed at everyone. I said I didn& #39;t & explained. She didn& #39;t believe me, then,
"You need a sense of humour."
She said they& #39;d blacklist me.
By the time I got outside, my agent called & asked why I screamed at everyone. I said I didn& #39;t & explained. She didn& #39;t believe me, then,
"You need a sense of humour."
She said they& #39;d blacklist me.
I found out CBC was the broadcaster. I called front desk, got patched through to a producer, explained my issue. They said,
"You need a sense of humour."
I explained further & they said, "Okay, I think I understand, but put it in writing & send it to us".
"You need a sense of humour."
I explained further & they said, "Okay, I think I understand, but put it in writing & send it to us".
I wrote CBC, found out the production company, called them,
"You need a sense of humour."
I explained more & they said "Ok I think I get it, put it in writing please". I emailed casting, my agent, production & CBC. I also sent a separate letter to casting explaining.
"You need a sense of humour."
I explained more & they said "Ok I think I get it, put it in writing please". I emailed casting, my agent, production & CBC. I also sent a separate letter to casting explaining.
No replies, but I didn& #39;t think I& #39;d get any.
But, that casting director didn& #39;t bring me in for at least ten years. I never auditioned for that production company ever again.
I called them & asked if they got my email. They said yes & the head of the company would reply personally.
But, that casting director didn& #39;t bring me in for at least ten years. I never auditioned for that production company ever again.
I called them & asked if they got my email. They said yes & the head of the company would reply personally.
2 weeks later, a reply. The email said, "Thank you for your thoughts. We appreciate your input."
I called & asked why they waited 2 weeks for a non-reply. Then pressed that if they continued making this kind of show, they& #39;d get in trouble.
They asked if I was threatening them.
I called & asked why they waited 2 weeks for a non-reply. Then pressed that if they continued making this kind of show, they& #39;d get in trouble.
They asked if I was threatening them.
