Yes because there are starlets who are willing to do it. As far as the gay casting couches since they haven't been exposed yet, they also will continue.
@MontanaMarriott not true; you can have the bitter ugly trolls but if women/men don't fall for them then it doesn't have to happen again. But it will because those people have zero moral codes and only care about their ambition.
Until the industry makes a real effort to discontinue overlooing this practice it will continue. BTW, "making a real effort" does not mean running the occasional played-out perv out of the business long after his sell-by date and/or posting blind items. That's just meaningless passive-aggressive virtue signalling. It's actually counter-productive, if you're really interested in stopping casting couch BS, because it gives people cover and an excuse to say, however incredibly, that they just had noooo idea there was gambling going on at this establishment.
(Long time reader, first comment ever) This can stop now. How? Where's SAG-Aftra on this? This is workplace harassment, pure and simple. I looked at their website, and there's nothing about reporting harassment or how to file a grievance. SAG should IMMEDIATELY establish a hotline, investigate complaints, and threaten SHUTDOWN of any production that is found to have a hostile work environment.
Way, way back in the 80s -- after my film/tv production stint, I shortly worked as the Publicity Director for this now defunct organization known then as the Artist's & Writer's Workshop.
Down the hall of this now torn-down building on La Cienga, was a talent agent.
Several times a week, there would be a starlet in the hall waiting for a 'meeting' with this agent.
While the meetings were taking place, (sexual) moaning could be heard in our offices down the hall.
Not sure if by saying "Hollywood" you mean the industry itself or the city.
This shit happens in other markets as well. I am a decades long member of SAG-AFTRA in the midwest & oh yeah, I've got stories. Not pretty ones, either.
My ambition to be a V/O actress came to a screeching halt after being sexually assaulted by a producer here in the midwest that I had worked with on numerous occasions. I had spoken to my therapist at the time & due to my extremely fragile condition (depression, anxiety, PTSD) & how the system treats assault victims, we came to the conclusion that reporting the assault would do me more harm than good.
At the next union meeting I attended, I casually mentioned the producer's name to the office manager to get a 'read' on him. She spoke of him in such glowing terms that I knew nothing would happen if I pursued the matter through AFTRA (this was before the merger). I asked other talent about him as well & rec'd. similar responses.
This was not an isolated incident, either: In my early days in L.A. I was told I needed to pose for nude photos in order to get representation (nude photos to get voice over work? Um, no), was chased around the office of a fairly well known producer in BH ( thankfully, the door was unlocked & I was able to run out ). I have also been slobbered on & groped by an acting instructor. And on & on.
I don't know if "auditions" via the casting couch will continue to be a thing but I am still, almost 15 after being assaulted, too traumatized to find out (though I am still a card carrying, dues paying union member, go figure).
For chrissakes, I just wanted to do voice over!
PS: After the assault the local producer sent me a dozen roses. I have no words.
You're not alone. I was supposed to be in a feature film back in 2010 (the whole thing sounded too good to be true—it wa so easy, no audition or anything). Until I started showing up early and the AD would start mollesting me. And then the writers would snark at me. And I ended up leaving and I didn't set foot in an audition for a couple of years after...
Then an acting class really exposed me to what it's like to have to compete with another student who reciprocated the acting teacher's advances (it felt like a battle you Couldn't win—The married teacher was hitting on me too at first, there's even a candid photo of him Rubbing/grinding himself between my legs). He was screening his rapist friend's work in class. Then he made my life hell for weeks before cutting out all my scenes last minute.
I'm messed-up in the head from all my experiences too. Most of us end up that way.
Yes, because 1) the men will probably adapt and just be less overt about it from now on, and 2) because there's likely no shortage of women willing to do whatever they sense it takes to get ahead.
I doubt the casting couch will ever go away. It's been going on since probably the beginning of Hollywood. Some actresses might not think twice about it, but I bet there are plenty of others who have had to make a choice - suffer the couch or not make the rent, or believe they'll never get work because they said no.
I doubt it will ever go away, the combination of the absolute power of the people who hold the jobs and the knowledge on the part of the actors that their careers could be negatively affected for years almost guarantees it will continue to be a problem. It may go below the radar for a bit, but give it a few years and it will be back. I can so see H.W. pulling as many people down with him as he can, he won't go easily or quietly.
yes. though it will become more discreet -- smart predators will require non-disclosure agreements to be signed before any sexual contact occurs. and there will be plenty of willing prey.
As long as people want fame more than they have self-respect, there will always be a place for the casting couch.
And fuck off, Riven. We can blame the "victims" here all we want if they were in fact willing participants, even if - ESPECIALLY if - that willingness was propelled only by the desire to become famous.
Is the sun hot?
ReplyDeleteLol. Rom d
DeleteYes because there are starlets who are willing to do it. As far as the gay casting couches since they haven't been exposed yet, they also will continue.
ReplyDeleteAs long as there are bitter ugly trolls who want to use their position and power to overcompensate for the shortcomings, YEP, PRETTY MUCH
ReplyDeleteYep.
ReplyDelete@MontanaMarriott not true; you can have the bitter ugly trolls but if women/men don't fall for them then it doesn't have to happen again. But it will because those people have zero moral codes and only care about their ambition.
ReplyDeletevictim blaming rape apologist bullshit
DeleteUntil the industry makes a real effort to discontinue overlooing this practice it will continue. BTW, "making a real effort" does not mean running the occasional played-out perv out of the business long after his sell-by date and/or posting blind items. That's just meaningless passive-aggressive virtue signalling. It's actually counter-productive, if you're really interested in stopping casting couch BS, because it gives people cover and an excuse to say, however incredibly, that they just had noooo idea there was gambling going on at this establishment.
ReplyDeleteI asked Wolfie if he would like oral sex on the sofa last night. I told him it would cushion the blow.
ReplyDelete(Long time reader, first comment ever)
ReplyDeleteThis can stop now. How? Where's SAG-Aftra on this? This is workplace harassment, pure and simple. I looked at their website, and there's nothing about reporting harassment or how to file a grievance. SAG should IMMEDIATELY establish a hotline, investigate complaints, and threaten SHUTDOWN of any production that is found to have a hostile work environment.
Enty, are you trying to be funny?
ReplyDeleteWay, way back in the 80s -- after my film/tv production stint, I shortly worked as the Publicity Director for this now defunct organization known then as the Artist's & Writer's Workshop.
Down the hall of this now torn-down building on La Cienga, was a talent agent.
Several times a week, there would be a starlet in the hall waiting for a 'meeting' with this agent.
While the meetings were taking place, (sexual) moaning could be heard in our offices down the hall.
There are "casting couches" everywhere, in business, politics, music industry, hell the hospitality industry. Why would Hollywood be any different?
ReplyDeleteWorlds oldest profession and all that. Of course it will go on.
ReplyDeleteyes
ReplyDeleteNot sure if by saying "Hollywood" you mean the industry itself or the city.
ReplyDeleteThis shit happens in other markets as well. I am a decades long member of SAG-AFTRA in the midwest & oh yeah, I've got stories. Not pretty ones, either.
My ambition to be a V/O actress came to a screeching halt after being sexually assaulted by a producer here in the midwest that I had worked with on numerous occasions. I had spoken to my therapist at the time & due to my extremely fragile condition (depression, anxiety, PTSD) & how the system treats assault victims, we came to the conclusion that reporting the assault would do me more harm than good.
At the next union meeting I attended, I casually mentioned the producer's name to the office manager to get a 'read' on him. She spoke of him in such glowing terms that I knew nothing would happen if I pursued the matter through AFTRA (this was before the merger). I asked other talent about him as well & rec'd. similar responses.
This was not an isolated incident, either: In my early days in L.A. I was told I needed to pose for nude photos in order to get representation (nude photos to get voice over work? Um, no), was chased around the office of a fairly well known producer in BH ( thankfully, the door was unlocked & I was able to run out ). I have also been slobbered on & groped by an acting instructor. And on & on.
I don't know if "auditions" via the casting couch will continue to be a thing but I am still, almost 15 after being assaulted, too traumatized to find out (though I am still a card carrying, dues paying union member, go figure).
For chrissakes, I just wanted to do voice over!
PS: After the assault the local producer sent me a dozen roses. I have no words.
You're not alone. I was supposed to be in a feature film back in 2010 (the whole thing sounded too good to be true—it wa so easy, no audition or anything). Until I started showing up early and the AD would start mollesting me. And then the writers would snark at me. And I ended up leaving and I didn't set foot in an audition for a couple of years after...
DeleteThen an acting class really exposed me to what it's like to have to compete with another student who reciprocated the acting teacher's advances (it felt like a battle you Couldn't win—The married teacher was hitting on me too at first, there's even a candid photo of him Rubbing/grinding himself between my legs). He was screening his rapist friend's work in class. Then he made my life hell for weeks before cutting out all my scenes last minute.
I'm messed-up in the head from all my experiences too. Most of us end up that way.
Yes, because 1) the men will probably adapt and just be less overt about it from now on, and 2) because there's likely no shortage of women willing to do whatever they sense it takes to get ahead.
ReplyDelete(Oh and same applies to the gay casting couches)
ReplyDeleteI doubt the casting couch will ever go away. It's been going on since probably the beginning of Hollywood. Some actresses might not think twice about it, but I bet there are plenty of others who have had to make a choice - suffer the couch or not make the rent, or believe they'll never get work because they said no.
ReplyDeletePower corrupts.
I doubt it will ever go away, the combination of the absolute power of the people who hold the jobs and the knowledge on the part of the actors that their careers could be negatively affected for years almost guarantees it will continue to be a problem. It may go below the radar for a bit, but give it a few years and it will be back. I can so see H.W. pulling as many people down with him as he can, he won't go easily or quietly.
ReplyDeleteyes. though it will become more discreet -- smart predators will require non-disclosure agreements to be signed before any sexual contact occurs. and there will be plenty of willing prey.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure NDAs çan cover illegal activities.
DeleteAs long as people want fame more than they have self-respect, there will always be a place for the casting couch.
ReplyDeleteAnd fuck off, Riven. We can blame the "victims" here all we want if they were in fact willing participants, even if - ESPECIALLY if - that willingness was propelled only by the desire to become famous.