backwoodsbarbie said: "I agree that unless race is a plot point, skin color shouldn't matter in casting. That being said, directors have certain aesthetics that they look for. It's why the Rockettes have to be at least 5'6" and we'll never see a plus sized Elle Woods.
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Everything should matter in casting.
Elle Woods' or Christine in Phantom's weight is not a plot point, but many casting directors think that the role does not benefit from an overweight actress. And this goes for every characteristic.
From the way the way eyes are placed, posture, eradiation, to the tone of voice, weight, age, type, origin, look, anything you can imagine. It's all about aesthetics and there will always be minorities that feel excluded.
If casting directors prefer any person above another for any reason, there is no need to feel bad. You can't force someone to change their preference.
People get rejected for every imaginable little detail for as long as showbusiness exists.
If we cast a fat Christine or an extremely tiny Danny Zuko, or a 50 year old Elle Woods, is that some kind of victory for mankind? Because then certain minorities feel better? That is not what casting is about. Is it wrong to want to make the actress look younger? Is it rude not to show her naturality? Now, in the case of black people, what is it about? Is it about the fact that you like to see more black actors work (and dressed/changed as anything, just like everyone else)? Or is it that you just love to see characters changed to black?
If it is the latter, you have a problem.
Because that is kind of racist.
If a casting director rejects someone for Christine, because he/she prefers someone else's lips, eyes, tone, poise, aura or origin for Christine that is not racist.
More often than not, being black comes with more characteristics than just being black and there is nothing wrong with that.
Do you want to acknowledge black as a characteristic, like we do with everything in life, or do you want to make it disappear.
Updated On: 5/19/16 at 10:06 AM
