[School Plays] Stereotypical Casting :|

So you audition for a certain role but they then give you a "nerdy" type role?

I'd say if you bring this up with your teacher(s), parents and headmaster something will be done about it.

Well I was quite close with my drama teacher and she often told me that she picked the "gangster" type people, because the play would be more popular as in, more people will come to watch it because of the people that are in it. I can see her point I suppose, but then again, I dont think its fair.

Unlucky bud.

At my school you couldn't be in plays in year eleven - I used to enjoy being involved in the auditions lmao

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To those saying Drama isn't a 'real' GCSE - it counts to sixth form so?

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Originally Posted by HotelUser

I completely understand how you feel Rob and I can totally sympathize with you, but As Mike's said that's how the industry worked. If not and feelings were spared imagine how bad television and media in general would be :P

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I know, but this isn't West End, Broadway or anything, this is a school play and it's supposed to show of the talents of the students, not who is the closest celebrity look-a-like or what ever?

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Originally Posted by eoin247

So you audition for a certain role but they then give you a "nerdy" type role?

I'd say if you bring this up with your teacher(s), parents and headmaster something will be done about it.

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Yup pretty much. I went along to the auditions, did what I thought was a pretty good audition. My singing teacher listened and said it was strong, but I get given a crappy "nerdy" role.

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Originally Posted by TanyaaTurner

Well I was quite close with my drama teacher and she often told me that she picked the "gangster" type people, because the play would be more popular as in, more people will come to watch it because of the people that are in it. I can see her point I suppose, but then again, I dont think its fair.

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I can see where they would come from, but the guys who are playing the "gangsters" in this, aren't even that cool. The cool people don't bother to audition LOL.

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Originally Posted by Milestone

Unlucky bud.

At my school you couldn't be in plays in year eleven - I used to enjoy being involved in the auditions lmao

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To those saying Drama isn't a 'real' GCSE - it counts to sixth form so?

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Thanks, I've thought of quitting a few times, but I don't want to dissapoint my teacher because I know he sees potential in me, so why he didn't give me a better part I don't know. But I want to show dedication no matter how bad the part is ¬_¬

And yeah Drama IS a real GCSE - it's more "real" than business studies/Film studies/media studies lol.

Rob, of course it's about talent too but unfortunately the acting industry isn't always one where a spectrum of talent can be presented. Some parts are more important than others and, of course, they have to select the individuals who look best for the role. I could be the best actor in the world but unfortunately I'm just not the right guy to act out a 50 year old woman in a play, for instance :P

Not sure how film and media studies can be compared to business? :P

I didn't take Business studies, but that's only because I do not need to have a GCSE in it to do it in Sixth Form.

EDIT: Huge example. Daniel Radcliffe. He isn't the best actor ever, but he was picked because he fitted what they wanted and vision'd him as - not just because he was the best actor there - he probably wasn't.

As far as I was aware, actors are chosen more on appearance than acting style. I mean, look at Daniel Radcliff, a lousy actor at the best of times but he pulls off the Harry Potter look quite well. Afterall, if you need someone with braces and/or glasses, you'll find someone who fits the bill perfectly. It's a harsh fact of life really :P

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Originally Posted by Milestone

Not sure how film and media studies can be compared to business? :P

I didn't take Business studies, but that's only because I do not need to have a GCSE in it to do it in Sixth Form.

EDIT: Huge example. Daniel Radcliffe. He isn't the best actor ever, but he was picked because he fitted what they wanted and vision'd him as - not just because he was the best actor there - he probably wasn't.

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I suppose that's true. And to some extent I'd agree with what they did there. But as I've said, school is different. Obviously you can't have a girl playing a boys part and vice versa (although for some reason my primary school did that...) but I think especially with the parts like "crap shooter" which is a type of chorus, but they have a lot of scenes, it should not be what they look like - you can make anyone look like a 30's gangster given the right clothing - but it should be their acting ability.

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Originally Posted by HotelUser

Rob, of course it's about talent too but unfortunately the acting industry isn't always one where a spectrum of talent can be presented. Some parts are more important than others and, of course, they have to select the individuals who look best for the role. I could be the best actor in the world but unfortunately I'm just not the right guy to act out a 50 year old woman in a play, for instance :P

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You did mention how it shouldn't be chosen on "attitude" as well. Attitude has a lot to do with it, dedications a real issue for school productions and whilst the "gangsters" etc might not be the best actors like yourself who excels in Drama, their attitude and dedication can often be very good during school productions from my experiences so perhaps that's why they're picked. I'm not doubting you wouldn't be as dedicated as them or have the right attitude, but seeing as they're louder people it'll rub off a bit more and they'll be noticed.

Saying that though, I got the main role in Year 7 and one of the better ones in Year 8 productions at school and I don't see myself as a gangster :P

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Originally Posted by Jordy

You did mention how it shouldn't be chosen on "attitude" as well. Attitude has a lot to do with it, dedications a real issue for school productions and whilst the "gangsters" etc might not be the best actors like yourself who excels in Drama, their attitude and dedication can often be very good during school productions from my experiences so perhaps that's why they're picked. I'm not doubting you wouldn't be as dedicated as them or have the right attitude, but seeing as they're louder people it'll rub off a bit more and they'll be noticed.

Saying that though, I got the main role in Year 7 and one of the better ones in Year 8 productions at school and I don't see myself as a gangster :P

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Lol, that's true I suppose. hence why I want to stay in this because I want to show I'm dedicated even though I have a bad part.

And obviously it's worked in the past because I got Hamlet & The White Rabbit - but then there aren't really stereotyped groups in either of those plays - they're are just single characters.