On Sunday, I read this blog post about Daryl Eisenberg, a casting director, who, during a casting session, tweeted about the auditionees. She didn't mention any auditionees by name but some of her comments were rather snarky.
A debate ensued on several theater websites about this issues. People came down on both sides. Not wanting to be left out, I thought I'd jump into the fray, only on my own blog.
Personally, I think Ms. Eisenberg is incredibly rude to tweet during an audition. It shows complete disrespect to comment on the auditionees, even if she is doing it between auditions. Actors spend a good deal of their lives auditioning and they don't get paid for it. It takes a lot of time to prepare for an audition and get yourself there. Several actors I've worked with have had to travel up to New York, audition, then return to Philly for a show that night. Of course, the actor is paying for his/her own travel (and most working actors do not make a ton of money). Often, an actor cannot audition because of the demands of the show he/she is currently in which means he/she loses out on a potential job.
If the actor is expected to respect the time and talent of a casting director by being prepared and showing up on time and NOT tweeting during an audition, I think it only fair that the casting director shows the same respect.
Can you imagine if an actor walked into an audition or even a rehearsal and start twittering or IM'ing in the middle of it? I doubt Ms. Eisenberg would give that person a job but she's allowed to tweet? I hate double standards.
Plus, I'm a bit over the constant use of electronic devices. They are very useful in certain ways and in others, just a waste of time. My daughter has a friend who started texting someone else while the two of them were together. They're 11 years old! What could possibly be so important that she needed to text right then and there! I guess I'd have to ask Daryl Eisenberg the same question: What could be so important that you needed to twitter about it right there in the audition room?
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I agree it seems incredibly rude. I'm a phones off at mealtimes and social gatherings person and having been to several work interviews lately wouldn't dream of having my phone on during one! Some of the interviewers by the way had no compunction answering their phone mid-sentence.
ReplyDeletein with you ladies...i am sure they thought it was cute...but seriously...RESPECT...thats what I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteYes, but nothing like a little controversy to get publicity for the shows being casted eh?
ReplyDeleteOh Wenderina, good point, I hadn't thought of that. Oh what people will do. Baino and Brian, totally agree though. I have no land line, just a cell phone but if I'm home with my husband and kids I usually don't answer it because all the important people are right there with me.
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