Most actors have found themselves in an audition that didn’t feel quite right. A bit too much nudity required. The sides sound a little off. The reader happens to be the producer, director, co-star and cameraman.
The casting notice, in hindsight, usually contains clues about what’s in store. British actor Laura Bates has been hunting for the humor in these foreboding postings. Her research into the listings has turned into a great series titled “Casting Call Woe,” which is on tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter.
Many focus on the sexism female performers face in the unsigned, non-union world. One post reads: “We need women comfortable with dressing in revealing clothes, for the scenery.” Another casting call audaciously proclaims, “Payment: smiles.” Still another announces, “She needs a full bosom. Large breasts are somewhat essential for a few bouncy scenes.” On and on they go, with outlandish true-life texts lovingly paired with idyllic scenery in a series of casting-call-themed memes.
For her project, Bates looks for ads seeking a particular type of person, with certain looks, builds, and skills. She finds those calls that are a little more unusual, in which the auditioning actors
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