Hobbit Casting Agent Fired For Dismissing Non-White Hobbits
- Thread starter Elizabeth Grunewald
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You'll notice that I said "for example" when providing just one authority. There are other authorities that don't take the "one among many influences" position but, rather, take a "sole influence" position. Do I need to provide additional authorities or can you do your own research?The_root_of_all_evil said:
Discriminate (verb) - to recognize or perceive the difference, marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions.
Yeah. That's what casting agents do for a living. I can't get a job playing a buff action hero in a Hollywood blockbuster because I'm pasty and overweight. It'd never play, so I don't get the part because its largely recognized that there are certain archetypes for these parts, and I don't fit them.
Playing devil's advocate, though, the Shire has always been that place of ideal, innocent (near ignorant) living. In contrast to the "outside world", which is consumed with warfare, politics, and strife, the Shire is meant to serve as that beacon of hope to the characters and the audience familiar with it. It also makes a good start to "the hero's journey" and the character growth contained therein.
It actually makes more sense to me to have multi-cultural hobbits in this regard. I personally believe that society will never be rid of prejudice (I'm not going into my opinion on this further, but it stems from conflict and social identity theories in sociology and psychology). Because of this, a multi-cultural utopia is perfect for the Shire. Particularly when we get to compare it to the racism inherent at the end of the book, where lines are drawn between Dwarves, Elves, and Men who are all competing for the wealth left in the dragon's hoard.
I'm not sure if the director considered this angle, but it's an interesting enough premise that I would support any endeavor to do so. Even if it meant a slight departure from the source material I love.
Yeah. That's what casting agents do for a living. I can't get a job playing a buff action hero in a Hollywood blockbuster because I'm pasty and overweight. It'd never play, so I don't get the part because its largely recognized that there are certain archetypes for these parts, and I don't fit them.
Playing devil's advocate, though, the Shire has always been that place of ideal, innocent (near ignorant) living. In contrast to the "outside world", which is consumed with warfare, politics, and strife, the Shire is meant to serve as that beacon of hope to the characters and the audience familiar with it. It also makes a good start to "the hero's journey" and the character growth contained therein.
It actually makes more sense to me to have multi-cultural hobbits in this regard. I personally believe that society will never be rid of prejudice (I'm not going into my opinion on this further, but it stems from conflict and social identity theories in sociology and psychology). Because of this, a multi-cultural utopia is perfect for the Shire. Particularly when we get to compare it to the racism inherent at the end of the book, where lines are drawn between Dwarves, Elves, and Men who are all competing for the wealth left in the dragon's hoard.
I'm not sure if the director considered this angle, but it's an interesting enough premise that I would support any endeavor to do so. Even if it meant a slight departure from the source material I love.
You'll perhaps recall you said that Gollum was Jewish. I've yet to see evidence that proves this. Just something that hints it might have been the reason.JDKJ said:
If they decide to start messing with the Hobbit and decide to make it more "culturally diverse" then they may as well replace the swords and bows and axes with walkie talkies. How about this, let's make Gandalf and Bilbo more than just friends! Rename the entire flick Brokeback Hobbit.
(Btw I can say all this because I'm both bi and a daughter of mixed heritages so nya! =P )
Okay enough of a joke rant...
In all seriousness, while in most parts of the world there is a general trend toward a mixing of cultures and races, and tolerance tends to be fairly widespread we need to beware of attempting to "improve" art. Note how only some crackpots who no one even remembers mentioned that everyone in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was by and large white.
There is a reason for this: Tolkien was writing a fantastic version of medieval England. Hello, wake up and smell the coffee there was not much in the way of ethnic diversity in medieval England. Just like there wasn't in medieval Africa.
So, do you really still think that you are entitled to a role clearly not written for you?
I've been trying out for roles for years and despite the fact that I am considered by friends and family to be a good actress, I simply got passed over because I wasn't considered right for the role. (It happens all the time, at least I had the good sense to not try out for the role of a Taliban Warlord. )
Do I feel bad about the casting director losing his job? Hell yes!
Do you guys know how tedious a job it is? It's boring sitting there watching hundreds of people pretty much doing the same thing over and over again. I know that sure as hell they were not going to cast a paraplegic in a role which requires running and jumping and Hong Kong martial arts.
It would be a real shame to see Tolkien's work marred by attempts to alter it. Sure we can adapt it to a film format to make it watchable, but Gandalf was not played by Laurence Fishburn because it would not have been in keeping with descriptions and depictions of Stormcrow. (although that would have been kinda neat... like on the bridge in Matrix Reloaded with the sword.. except against a Balrog... hehe.. sorry back on topic!)
It is also plain to see that we must take a stand against those who want to try and stir up racial issues just because they can. My grandmother faced racism and oppression because of the color of her skin, but did she feel that she was entitled to special treatment? No. She told me that she wanted respect and equality.
It's not racism to be turned down for a role if you are clearly not right for it. (Quit playing the race card. It's pathetic.)
(Btw I can say all this because I'm both bi and a daughter of mixed heritages so nya! =P )
Okay enough of a joke rant...
In all seriousness, while in most parts of the world there is a general trend toward a mixing of cultures and races, and tolerance tends to be fairly widespread we need to beware of attempting to "improve" art. Note how only some crackpots who no one even remembers mentioned that everyone in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was by and large white.
There is a reason for this: Tolkien was writing a fantastic version of medieval England. Hello, wake up and smell the coffee there was not much in the way of ethnic diversity in medieval England. Just like there wasn't in medieval Africa.
So, do you really still think that you are entitled to a role clearly not written for you?
I've been trying out for roles for years and despite the fact that I am considered by friends and family to be a good actress, I simply got passed over because I wasn't considered right for the role. (It happens all the time, at least I had the good sense to not try out for the role of a Taliban Warlord. )
Do I feel bad about the casting director losing his job? Hell yes!
Do you guys know how tedious a job it is? It's boring sitting there watching hundreds of people pretty much doing the same thing over and over again. I know that sure as hell they were not going to cast a paraplegic in a role which requires running and jumping and Hong Kong martial arts.
It would be a real shame to see Tolkien's work marred by attempts to alter it. Sure we can adapt it to a film format to make it watchable, but Gandalf was not played by Laurence Fishburn because it would not have been in keeping with descriptions and depictions of Stormcrow. (although that would have been kinda neat... like on the bridge in Matrix Reloaded with the sword.. except against a Balrog... hehe.. sorry back on topic!)
It is also plain to see that we must take a stand against those who want to try and stir up racial issues just because they can. My grandmother faced racism and oppression because of the color of her skin, but did she feel that she was entitled to special treatment? No. She told me that she wanted respect and equality.
It's not racism to be turned down for a role if you are clearly not right for it. (Quit playing the race card. It's pathetic.)
LOOK AT IT!She was applying to play an extra right? Is it really impossible to imagine that in whatever scene they need extras for, a Harfoot ( which do have brown skin) might not be there for some reason? While I do imagine that those crowd scenes will contain mostly Fallohide hobbits there is no reason there can't be a couple Harfoot amongst them and thus allow for more open auditions.
So you're requiring proof beyond all reasonable doubt and question? Like were in a murder trial? If so, then you aren't caring that burden of proof when you claim that Gollum isn't Jewish. At least I provided you substantiation of the fact that there's scholarly research suggesting that Tolkien's inspiration for Gollum was Golem. What have you provided in support of your contrary position? A whole lotta nothing, best as I can tell.The_root_of_all_evil said:
Exactly. None.Casual Shinji said:
Makes about as much sense as casting Denzel Washington as Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. Now what kind of moron would do that? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Much_Ado_About_Nothing_(film)]
That woman is being racist against a fictional race!
And I quote LotR page 4:
"Before the crossing of the mountains the Hobbits had already become divided into three somewhat different breeds: Harfoots, Stoors and Fallohides. The Harfoots were browner of skin, smaller and shorter,..."
"Before the crossing of the mountains the Hobbits had already become divided into three somewhat different breeds: Harfoots, Stoors and Fallohides. The Harfoots were browner of skin, smaller and shorter,..."
OH NO SHE DDN'T! I felt that pwnage all the way from Africa. Me and all the black hobbits wuz like "nigga wut".PayJ567 said:
Then we went hunting.
Brown, not black. If they were black it would've gone something like thiszala-taichou said:
"Before the crossing of the mountains the Hobbits had already become divided into three somewhat different breeds: Harfoots, Stoors and Fallohides. The Harfoots were dark of skin, kind of like a sort of chocolate colour - but not dark chocolate,because that's racist... But I digress..."
