A year ago, actor Nick Alexander began receiving emails from the casting director following his self-tape auditions.
Despite not going any further in that audition or subsequent auditions, she continued to receive communications framed in a way that suggested she was chosen for her talent.
“In the beginning, I’ll admit that many actors felt a sense of excitement, believing that someone was aware of the possibilities for me,” she told If.
However, in a thorough review, Alexander noticed the common language of email.
Coming from a marketing background, the Flunk actress quickly realized that the message was part of a massive mailing strategy designed to capitalize on the wishes of vulnerable performers.
“I didn’t respond and just chose to delete the message,” she said.
“The email continued quite regularly and my approach remained the same. I’ll delete it and move on.”
Nick Alexander.
Alexander’s experience is one of several similar instances that led the Australian Casting Guild (CGA) and the Media, Entertainment and Art Alliance (MEAA), encouraging people to be diligent in auditions and cast workshops.
In a joint statement posted on social media on Thursday, the organization said it was advised on actions that included abuse and exploitation of actors in audition settings and solicitation of actors to participate in cast workshops through mechanisms such as wardrobe shape and rejection notifications.
The statement notes that allegations have been made against casting directors, who are being treated as “maximum severity” rather than members of the CGA.
After receiving the same email, several actor friends contacted for advice, and was noticed by the same casting director and others who spent money, Alexander suspected that the person she handled was an individual referenced in the statement.
“In my over 20 years of professional experience, I have never met a casting director who works like this,” she said.
“The casting experts, like all of us, are fully grateful to try and create a sustainable career and explore additional revenue streams. However, in this case, this method was misleading and ethically unhealthy.”
She added that receiving unsolicited emails asking for payment in exchange for opportunities should be an immediate red flag for performers.
“Usually, the casting director won’t start contacting them directly unless you’re a freelance or approach them yourself,” she said.
“And of course, the old saying still applies. If it seems too good, it probably does.”
Please read the complete statement below.
