I was recently casting a project looking for Japanese, Hispanic and Caucasian talent, and i posted an ad on craig's list...i got a great response as usaual, but along with all the wannabee actors, i got THIS email....i thought it was interesting, and i thought i'd share:

Why has Hollywood stayed overwhelmingly White & Black? Why is there lack of representation of non-Black minorities in the entertainment industry? Who is responsible for the institutionalized racism that exists in Hollywood?

Until about fifteen or so years ago, Black actors mostly played stereotypical and negative characters with a few exceptions. Through years of activism, hard work and being vocal on this issue, the Black community of artists has finally earned the respect of Hollywood and the landscape is much better for them now.

But how about other non-Black ethnic minorities? Does every ethnic group need to fight separately to end the resistance and the discrimination? Latinos make up about 12 to 13 % of the USA population (NO, I'm not Latino, Chicano, Hispanic, etc.), 5% of the population is Middle-Eastern and/or Arab (NO, I'm not Arab, Middle-Eastern etc.), Asians make an additional 3%. Then there are Native Americans who are about 1%. And how about the millions of Americans who do not easily fall into a specific race, minority or ethnic group?

The landscape of Middle America has changed, but Hollywood keeps beating the same drum. T.V. Networks keep losing viewership and movie box-office sales have dropped consistently in the last five years. Why? Could it be that the old formulas are no longer working? Is America sick of the same type of actors with similar looks being pigeon-holed in the same cookie-cutter roles?

If you're not convinced yet, try taking in all the covers of magazines next time you're at a news stand. I guarantee that about 90% of the covers will be of white faces, 9% Black and maybe 1% everyone else.

Let's examine some typical answers that industry professionals are famous for when confronted with this issue:

Agent: hey, don't blame me; I just try to send actors for the roles that casting directors put out, go talk to them.

Casting Director: hey, don't blame me; I just try to bring the right actor for the roles that the directors are trying to fill, go talk to them.

Director: hey, don't blame me; I was just hired by the Network, Production Company, Studio, to direct the film. I make no decisions on the casting. Go talk to the producers.

Producer: hey, don't blame me; I was hired by the Studio, Production Company, Network to make this film, go talk to the executive producers.

Executive Producer: hey, don't blame me; I am assigned by the Studio, Network to oversee the smooth production of the film/T.V. show, it's the Chairperson, CEO, President of the Studio,Network that green-light these projects.

Chairperson, CEO, President: hey, don't blame me; we just make movies, shows that are good, the writers write them, go talk to them

Writer: hey, don't blame me, we write films that get sold and that's what the industry wants, go talk to the production people

And the cycle continues.

I often hear the following, "Hollywood makes shows, films that appeal to Middle America, i.e. Ohio"?. Well, guess what, the landscape of Ohio has changed too. As a non-descript ethnic guy, I get hit on by more people from the Mid-West and South than any other region of our country. Can we please give people in Ohio a little more credit?

Ironically, Jews pretty much control and run Hollywood. A people who have endured thousands of years of discrimination, racism and oppression, you'd think they'd do better. So why are they doing this? There are many theories. Jews will often say, "Jews started Hollywood from t he ground up." So what? Does this give Jews a green-card for nepotism and discrimination? Most other industries were started by non-Jews FROM THE GROUND UP. Would it be O.K. for them to discriminate against Jews? Is the WASP establishment justified in keeping Jews out of Country Clubs because THEY started the county clubs FROM THE GROUND UP?

Why are most ethnic artists afraid to point out that the emperor is not wearing any clothes? Is it because they are afraid to be called trouble makers, cry babies, or even worse-talent less, lazy actors who are blaming their failure on discrimination and nepotism? So what? When actresses over the age of forty, i.e. Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Cathie Bates, complain about the lack of roles for mature women, nobody accuses them of lacking talent!

So where do we go from here? Are we non-Black ethnic actors powerless? ABSOLUTELY NOT! We need to unite and unite our family and friends. Once we have a united voice, we can send a message to Hollywood that they would not be doing us a favor by casting us. In fact, once we boycott films and T.V. shows and their sponsors/advertisers, that do not reflect the true colors of America, Hollywood will take notice fast.

Plus, do not accept someone's response with a few exceptions. I once verbalized my concern about this issue to a Hollywood heavy-weight. I challenged him to name a few actors of Middle-Eastern decent. After a few minutes of thinking, he came up with one name. Guess what it was Tony Shaloub who is a Lebanese JEW.

And the band plays on...

If I had a dollar for every email I have gotten asking the same questions over and over again....I'd be a billionaire and I wouldn't NEED to work as a casting director......
So, Ive decided to answer allll of those "frequently asked questions" right here, right now:

..1 No, I am not casting any roles that you would be "right" for. If I was, I would have contacted your agent...If you don't HAVE an agent, there is a reason for that....see number 5...

..2 No, I am not casting any projects in Green Bay, or Sacramento, or Charleston, or Salt Lake, or Lexington...etc......99.99percent all of my jobs are cast and filmed in Los Angeles, CA...and no, my clients are not willing to look or book anyone outside of the L.A. area. Sorry.

..3 No, I cannot represent you...I do not represent anyone...I am not an agent, I am a CASTING DIRECTOR...There is a big difference...Casting Directors are hired by producers, advertising agencies, photographers and other related companies to find the cast for their movie, TV show, commercial, video and so forth. They screen actors, contact agents, put out casting calls, and arrange auditions, etc. AGENTS represent people. They are the link between actors/models and casting directors/clients. Talent agencies send actors/models out on auditions/go-sees and earn their living by taking a percentage of the actor's income.
Capiche?

..4 No, I do NOT have a "Casting Couch"....I don't know WHO came up with this concept, because I don't see how it could have worked...We don't get to pick who gets the job..the director and the client do...so honestly, it should be the "ad agency couch"....

..5 Ok...quick crash course in how to "break into the acting biz":
- go and get some inexpensive, color, digital headshots done (Dana Patrick Photography is my personal fav.)
- go put yourself on LA Casting Networks and Actors Access too if you're feeling ambitious.
- get online EVERY morning and submit yourself for projects you are "right" for.
- go to Samuel French Bookstore and get the latest edition of "The Agencies" and a copy of "How to Break into Commercials" by Terry Berland.
- send out a headshot, resume & witty, short cover letter to all agents listing in "The Agencies" who are currently looking for your "type".
- keep submitting through LA Casting every morning and just wait for the agents to call you, DO NOT call ANY agencies you have submitted to. If they want you, THEY will call YOU...and sometimes they may wait a few months...sometimes they don't call at all.
- when/if the agents DO call, go and interviews with a few agencies before you decide on which one to go with....and make sure they are SAG franchised.
- take some improv classes at The Groundlings or Improv Olympics before you start auditioning and keep at it after you start...it's good to keep your tools sharp and keep those acting muscles in shape.

..6 If I were you, I'd stop emailing casting directors on myspace with random questions or comments. If, God forbid, you DO get an audition with them, if they remember you, you will be teased incessantly! ;-)

ok.....so eeeeeeeverybody's blogging these days....it's the newest, latest, craze sweeping the nation...but what IS a blog for...and are people blogging safely? Bloggers are prone to predators and even just the public's scrutiny. My brother's girlfriend (an actress) just booked a network TV pilot BASED on some damn kid's blogs...talk about identity theft.... pedophiles are scrolling through young teenagers' blogs, just digging for ammunition to lour in some unsuspecting kid.... I mean, aren't blogs just really a public diary of someone's private thoughts?