Academy takes historic action to increase diversity — Page 19

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "Try normal behaviour and get normal answers.

It's behavior. We speak American here.

"

I speak English.

Do you have any other hobbies aside from discriminating?

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 01:48 PM

“If 100 people would audition for a role, including me, I would only have a 1% chance.”

“I’m a casting director.”

If the latter were true, it would be the BEST. COGNITIVE. DISSONANCE. EVER.

Not all casting directors are racially biased, no matter how much you would like that.

So what race would you favor if you were a casting director?

I'm not sure if my work as a casting director would have a racial bias, mainly because I have done anti-racism work for three decades. I know how to check myself. But it's a process and it takes effort as EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the business (except old white English actors) is finally starting to realize.

But I am sure I have biases. Your dream world, where casting people only "see" talent, is a total fantasy.

FindingNamo said: "All human beings have biases.

I'm not sure if my work as a casting director would have a racial bias, mainly because I have done anti-racism work for three decades. I know how to check myself. "

So you can switch it off when working but others can't? That's a ridiculous statement.

And from your comments here, it's not like you see black people exactly the same as white people. Or is that only personal?

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 07:32 PM

FindingNamo said: "How can anyone see people "exactly the same" as other people? How?"

How to be judgement free until after the performance you mean?

Easy. Just don't obsess over race. Just see people. You should try it once.

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 07:42 PM

FindingNamo said: "Which is why there are so many white movies and white musicals and white plays."

What is a white movie? I see black actors in every movie nowadays so that can't be it.

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 07:54 PM

Except for a few extras, Into the Woods had an all white cast.

Actresses of color weren't even allowed to audition for Katniss in the Hunger Games.

And, no, this isn't just a "black person issue"...POC in general want fair representation. It's not just about quantity of roles or percentages from thin air...it's about the quality of these roles.

Showface said: "Actresses of color weren't even allowed to audition for Katniss in the Hunger Games."

If that is their choice they wanted the role to be white.

And that is a problem because?

It is also a matter of accepting that not every characteristic is always preferred.

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 08:12 PM

Because I personally don't prefer one race over another.

But who are we to say what others must find beautiful or prefer in every way?

That is exactly what we are talking about. One can deliberately cast a white person (and only invite people with that characteristic) because of that person's vision of beauty. Or that person thinks the role benefits from looking like a majority, etc. Nothing wrong with that.

About the voting body of awards, I thought we already agreed that there is nothing wrong with a diverse group.

But there is also nothing wrong if the finalists happen to be white. Or black. Or whatever.

And to answer your question. This whole issue is not about being blind for race. We shouldn't ignore any characteristic, we should celebrate it. Not every role is for everyone and that's fine, it has all to do with personal visions of beauty, thinking what majority of audience will like to see, what do you want your character to look like/eradiate, etc. When I say I don't look at race, I mean that I give everyone a chance and first would like to see their talent. According to that I can decide how much the other things weigh and what I eventually like in the role.

Updated On: 2/10/16 at 08:38 PM

Yes, it might be influenced by many forces, a big influence can be what people recognize in themselves or own parents growing up, etc. That goes for every person and is not something you will be ever able to change and you also shouldn't want that. Fact is that 77% of the population is white and 12% is black and there is nothing wrong with either one of them, it's just the simple fact there are much more white people than black people. Nothing more, nothing less.