End Casting Director Self Tape Studios
End Casting Director Self Tape Studios
The Issue
We the undersigned professional performers are dismayed by the rise of casting personnel charging actors to self-tape auditions in their offices. We strongly urge the Casting Society of America (CSA) and the Commercial Casting Directors Association (CCDA) to message their respective memberships and advise them to immediately cease this practice.
We fully understand that most casting professionals are supportive and fans of the actors they endeavor to cast, and do not and would not engage in these practices. That said, we must remember that Casting directors are employed and paid by Studios, Networks, Streamers, Advertising agencies and other producing entities to help cast their projects. It is highly unethical and a clear conflict of interests for any type of payment to ever flow from performers to decision makers who influence or control the hiring of actors.
Even if a casting office is charging actors for the space and facilities only, and not casting the project being self-taped, the flow of money from actor to casting director is problematic. This creates what’s known as a “pay-to-play” dynamic, wherein actors opt to pay a casting office to increase their visibility and potentially advance their audition prospects there as well.
As with the Casting Workshops from several years back, this may also be illegal. Six years ago, the Los Angeles city attorney cracked down on this practice and stated, “It’s unlawful to charge any performer for an audition…. Aspiring performers who pursue their dreams should be treated with respect and never be exploited for profit.”
We believe that these types of scenarios, in which payment flows from actor to casting professional, director or producer, are unacceptable and potentially illegal.
Most performers understand why self-tapes became the dominant form of auditions during the heights of the pandemic, but many are concerned that we may not return to in-person auditions for film and TV anytime in the foreseeable future.
The last thing that should happen is for casting offices, subsidized by our employers, to receive any type of payments from performers, including for self-tape auditions. Money should not exchange hands between actors and those who cast us.
Respectfully,
Unite for Strength
The Issue
We the undersigned professional performers are dismayed by the rise of casting personnel charging actors to self-tape auditions in their offices. We strongly urge the Casting Society of America (CSA) and the Commercial Casting Directors Association (CCDA) to message their respective memberships and advise them to immediately cease this practice.
We fully understand that most casting professionals are supportive and fans of the actors they endeavor to cast, and do not and would not engage in these practices. That said, we must remember that Casting directors are employed and paid by Studios, Networks, Streamers, Advertising agencies and other producing entities to help cast their projects. It is highly unethical and a clear conflict of interests for any type of payment to ever flow from performers to decision makers who influence or control the hiring of actors.
Even if a casting office is charging actors for the space and facilities only, and not casting the project being self-taped, the flow of money from actor to casting director is problematic. This creates what’s known as a “pay-to-play” dynamic, wherein actors opt to pay a casting office to increase their visibility and potentially advance their audition prospects there as well.
As with the Casting Workshops from several years back, this may also be illegal. Six years ago, the Los Angeles city attorney cracked down on this practice and stated, “It’s unlawful to charge any performer for an audition…. Aspiring performers who pursue their dreams should be treated with respect and never be exploited for profit.”
We believe that these types of scenarios, in which payment flows from actor to casting professional, director or producer, are unacceptable and potentially illegal.
Most performers understand why self-tapes became the dominant form of auditions during the heights of the pandemic, but many are concerned that we may not return to in-person auditions for film and TV anytime in the foreseeable future.
The last thing that should happen is for casting offices, subsidized by our employers, to receive any type of payments from performers, including for self-tape auditions. Money should not exchange hands between actors and those who cast us.
Respectfully,
Unite for Strength
Petition Closed
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Petition created on March 3, 2023