Regarding ‘Fake Auditions’ for Gags
Dear friends,
I refer to having read several of the past responses on this matter, and agree that what has been done is no laughing matter (pun definitely not intended).
In point form to highlight some issues:
1) Actors’ time involved in attending of ‘audition’
2) Lack of decency in showing basic respect
These two points sum up my sentiments after having observed your interaction.
1) Actors’ Time Involved in Attending of ‘Audition’
Singapore is unlike our larger counterparts who can afford full-time media actors who don’t have to hold day jobs and are widely applauded on the big screen or TV.
It is advisable not to be inspired by gags of other countries such as the States, where famous A / B-list actors are punked and pranked on in gags.
Our actors here take the time out to attend auditions steadfastly, some in the hopes of being able to work hard at expanding their portfolio, and may not meet with an all-too easy process of leave application from their day jobs, etc.
MCS cannot blame the Arts Community for this reaction, because what has been displayed is the true and honest expressed feelings of the victims.
I label them victims because if this was not a media gag for sake of entertainment (and in this case, severe lack of), I might be inclined to find this a mis-selling of product, a mis-representation, and being a media body does not exempt any corporation / organisation from being accused on those grounds.
In short, grievous, and poorly handled.
The senior management should seriously look into this matter before it goes altogether public.
If the production company should not want to be misunderstood as being possibly fraudulent in-part or completely, they are encouraged to come forth with sound reason (not excuse), and be aware that if the Canadian counterpart should know of this is all its entirety (i.e. a petition be drawn up and sent over / made public), the extent of consequences could be un-funny.
2) Lack of Decency in Showing Basic Respect
As communicated, do not take it for granted that our local actors can afford the luxury of time in going for auditions they perceive and hope to be genuine, because of good faith. The fact that this can be executed at the expense of actors who have to take time out from their daily work or family, provides grounds for a gag that’s anything but funny.
There is no humour and we can see no hilarity in where the planning committee is / was coming from.
It strikes me as juvenile, and poorly attained in terms of showmanship for entertainment purposes.
And do not turn that table to accuse the victimised actors for that in turn, because they have every right to feel, in short, cheated.
Should the people responsible for this find the actors who have stepped forth, to be ‘petty’ or any sense along those lines, please feel free to do a self-check. No two societies are the same. We are not the United States, we are not Canada, much as actors all strive to achieve the same purpose, and that is to entertain.
However if in a society and culture like ours, where prudence is not executed to at least ensure that basic respect remains intact, may I suggest, that the people behind the planning of this idea take their talented ideas to foreign soils.
Because then maybe, we are too small-minded to hold large ideas like theirs, such as belittling actors of their time.
My two cents’ worth.
And apologies if it sounded a little harsh.
Regards,
Touch of Clay
Words expressed are of personal opinion and by no means express the collective word of members of the arts community.