Fandom: Tin Ear, Part 2

[nebroadwe]

Regarding the Avatar live-action casting call for extras and its tin ear ... it gets worse, according to this report from the day of the call:

"We're trying to create these four different nations so we're looking for different skin tones, and features, and bone structures," [casting director Deedee Rickets] said...

One middle-aged black woman, clad in a denim jacket and black slacks, raised her hand. "Are you at a disadvantage if you didn't wear a costume?" she asked, evidently concerned about her "non-ethnic" outfit.

"Absolutely not!" Rickets reassured her. "It doesn't mean you're at a disadvantage if you didn't come in a big African thing. But guys, even if you came with a scarf today, put it over your head so you'll look like a Ukrainian villager or whatever."

Riiight. Because, of course, all exotic foreign cultures are interchangeable: Belgians are Ukrainians are Koreans are Kenyans. And everyone looks exotic in a headscarf. What is this woman thinking? Surely she cannot be unaware of the kerfuffle surrounding the casting of the leads, so why hasn't someone sat her down and pointed out the need to tread lightly? (It's probably too much to ask at this point that the production staff actually be culturally sensitive, but at least they could try to fake it.) Augh. Must write more letters!

Comments

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

Just when I thought they couldn't get any dumber, they go and astound us.

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

I have no idea myself. I'm usually geographically challenged when it comes to these things. Living where I do we don't get many opportunities to do things.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

I've had opportunities; I just keep being too intimidated to show up. I'm not a crowds person. But perhaps it's time to stand up and be counted! (It would be a story that gets me radicalized. I'm such an English major.)

Sorry about screwed-up threading; I can't edit my own comments, bah.

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I bet I would be too scared of that many people as well. (Considering I live in a tiny island...)

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

I've sometimes thought I'd like to live on an island, except that then I'd worry about storms and flooding. Unless maybe I lived on a hill in the middle. Yeah, that'd be okay. I love water, but I have this kind of practical aversion to residing near it, since I grew up with flooded basement problems. I live on top of a slope now, and watch all the snowmelt flow away ... :-)

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

My mom would totally agree with you. We actually live 5 mins. (on the shore of the island) so it's far enough away that we wouldn't have to evacuate, God forbid something that strong ever came along. It's a pretty calm area where you don't have to worry about...anything. *le sigh*

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

I'm beginning to think I should go to the protest being planned for the next casting call. Except I've never been to a protest and am not sure how this one's being organized ... must find out ...

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

*sooo wish I could be a fly on the wall for this....*

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

If I do go, I'll post a report.

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

*dances*

[(Anonymous)]

...Really? I mean, really?

Astounding.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

I really, really wish this were satire, but it does not appear to be, despite being quoted in an opinion piece.