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The Type Casting Machine

12 years, 2 months ago - Xenia Glen

Being a mixed race actor, I've had to learn the hard way that the typecasting machine can be pretty brutal.

I've had auditions where the casting director (despite having seen my headshots) has told me I look "Too Asian" or "Not Asian enough". During a recent audition a casting director told me I was too English though instead of sending me away like a normal person, he simply suggested that I should "Squint more" and perhaps that would "help". It was not a good moment.

Now I’m not going to name or shame anyone here, but I’ve been called into auditions one too many times where the casting director has decided to spring this one on me:

‘Great, great... Now can you repeat that please? This time in Cantonese.’

Asides from about four words in French, I can speak nothing but English. This I can assure you is listed on my CV, in bold. One time I threw caution to the wind and said ‘Yes. Yes I can repeat that in the completely foreign language that you have assumed I speak due to my skin’ and repeated my lines in gibberish.

My gibberish skills, won me 4 call backs and had to finish there as to be honest, I just couldn’t keep it up.

Admittedly, the amount of castings for mixed race actors has certainly increased over the past few years. Though I can’t help but focus on how limiting the roles are, I have never come across a casting for a mixed race lead that doesn’t focus on the fact they are of a different heritage to the norm. I’m officially fed up of playing stereotypical asian roles.

Are there any mixed race actors experiencing better luck? Do you think the future for casting mixed race and ethnic minority actors will change for the better?

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12 years, 2 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Don't let the bastards get you down! Keep going. Keep fighting. Keep demanding. And as Paddy said above, make your own roles, films and dramas. Most of all, don't compromise on who you are.

Good luck.
@wozyW

Response from 12 years, 2 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren SHOW

12 years, 2 months ago - Selina Armoudon

Hi Xenia,
I would have to agree with the comments made by both Lee and Paddy.
I know we have discussed working together in the future, because if you can't beat them, outshine them with a better project.
I'm loving the new TV series' that have emerged which break the social norm, especially "The Mindy Project" and "The new normal".
I have been lucky and have not had an experience like yours although it would be nice for casting directors/ directors if they did not specifically list an ethnicity for character, especially if it makes no difference to the role or film/play.
Good Luck : )

Response from 12 years, 2 months ago - Selina Armoudon SHOW

12 years, 2 months ago - Mai Cunningham

Hi Xenia,

This is exactly the same thing I've been feeling and a lot of others in the same mixed asian/ white boat. I feel neither white enough to play typical English roles, yet not asian enough to play others. There was a recent event held by Equity, Spotlight, SOLT and other organisations to dicuss this current problem that in particualr effects east asian actors and out of that there is now a group of us 'Eurasians' getting together and organsing our own showcase as it were. Doing our own work and getting it seen, as others have suggested. We're already in the process of organising it but if you give me your details I can invite you to the facebook group or get you involved in the next one. (if there is one!)

Response from 12 years, 2 months ago - Mai Cunningham SHOW

12 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

>>Though I can’t help but focus on how
>>limiting the roles are, I have never
>>come across a casting for a mixed
>>race lead that doesn’t focus on the
>>fact they are of a different heritage
>>to the norm.

Change it! Get writing, get producing, keep active in the industry and get into a position where you can change things.

In fairness, I think all actors face what you've experienced, only in different dimensions (too tall, too blonde, too Welsh) as well as for performance.

Response from 12 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW