WA Actors Out in Cold
Tue, 16 July 2002, 07:45 amAngelique21 posts in thread
WA Actors Out in Cold
Tue, 16 July 2002, 07:45 amThis has been really bugging me, so I'd like to hear what others think:
There is a feature film to be shot in WA next month which features a couple of big name actors (fair enough - box office and all that) and is, I believe, at least partially funded by Screenwest. However, there are several minor roles which WA actors where auditioned for. A handful of WA guys got roles (congratulations!). However, there were two minor female roles which (after months of waiting with baited breath) I have just found out were given to Eastern States actors. These would be one or two days shoot. I don't know, maybe I'm biased as my "availability was asked" for one of the roles - but knowing the wealth of talent in WA, I find this completely unnecessary (and somewhat insulting). What do you think? Should Actors Equity help local actors have first "dibs" on minor roles in locally funded projects by instituting some policy or other? I mean, we wait long enough for anything to happen here and when it does they'd rather pay Eastern Staters to fly over here! Its time we recognised that some major talent has come from (and still is in WA). Let's see...Judy Davis, Heath Ledger, Marcus Graham, and my old mate, Frances O'Connor (just to name a few)
Thou impertinent fool-born strumpet!
There is a feature film to be shot in WA next month which features a couple of big name actors (fair enough - box office and all that) and is, I believe, at least partially funded by Screenwest. However, there are several minor roles which WA actors where auditioned for. A handful of WA guys got roles (congratulations!). However, there were two minor female roles which (after months of waiting with baited breath) I have just found out were given to Eastern States actors. These would be one or two days shoot. I don't know, maybe I'm biased as my "availability was asked" for one of the roles - but knowing the wealth of talent in WA, I find this completely unnecessary (and somewhat insulting). What do you think? Should Actors Equity help local actors have first "dibs" on minor roles in locally funded projects by instituting some policy or other? I mean, we wait long enough for anything to happen here and when it does they'd rather pay Eastern Staters to fly over here! Its time we recognised that some major talent has come from (and still is in WA). Let's see...Judy Davis, Heath Ledger, Marcus Graham, and my old mate, Frances O'Connor (just to name a few)
Thou impertinent fool-born strumpet!
Re: WA Actors Out in Cold
Thu, 18 July 2002, 04:25 pmDave Ryding wrote:
> I have never thought that i was whining and whinging. In my
> opinion I was stateing some facts and some opinions.
My comments weren't aimed at you specifically, David. However, a lot of the thread has been full of bitter whinging. In fact, my original comment was taking a swing at Alan's attitude: that the 'us vs them' attitude that sandgropers have towards the eastern states was justified because sandgropers miss out on the jobs. It's not justified and it is incredibly petty. In the long run it will likely only worsen the situation.
> > that an Eastern-stater would understand the 'reason why the
> > west despises the eastern seaboard so much'?
>
> I also never made this comment. Don't assume that all the
> seprate postings equal one opinion. Certainly we agree on
> some points and have a general sentiment but only one person
> made this quote and seeing as they had nothing to add besides
> this quote maybe they were just stirring?
Alan made the comment. Since you though to defend his pettiness I thought I'd quote him back to you.
> Blowing off some steam is always useful.
But there are more constructive ways to do it. Channel it into something that will retrieve results and change the situation. If you don't, then six months from now we'll have another whingefest, and frankly, it looks really unprofessional.
> I believe Equity and vocal members of it are aware of this
> issue and are constantly working with companies to ensure
> equitable ( and no I wasn't being punny) opportunity for
> everyone.
>
> I know for a fact that the casting of a major show last year
> was positively affected by a vocal member of the industry
> raising the point with the company involved.
That's good to hear but many voices would have been better. And the message can never be allowed to die. It needs to be repeated ad nausem. That's the least every aggrieved member of the community can do to help improve the situation.
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