i am in shock

[girlwiththemouseyhair]

I'm directing an all-female production of a Doll's House, as usual the actors have all written to industry types to invite them in the hope of getting work afterwards.

One (female) casting director has come back and said "I could lie and say I'm too busy but actually I make a point of not seeing all-female productions"

WTF?? I'm frankly appalled, incredibly angry and upset and just in total shock....but before I commit professional suicide, I am right to feel like this aren't I?! Isn't it like saying "I don't see black plays?"

[Goblinchild]

Are you going to ask her to elaborate on her reasons?
It's more shocking that it came from a woman in the industry rather than a man. You'd have hoped that she'd have been promoting interesting and challenging female drama rather than dismissing it out of hand.

[WildSheepChase]

I'd definitely ask her to expand on her reasons....

[noddyholder]

If I'm honest I hate films that have only men/women in them.Or at least have never seen one I've enjoyed.There do seem to be more that are men only and I don't enjoy them at all.I admire her honesty maybe it is just not her thing

[JosieRosie]

YANBU. Think you should ask her to explain her reasons

[girlwiththemouseyhair]

trouble is she has said it to an actress, I'm not in touch with her. It's a balancing act between having it out with her and therefore jeopardising the actresses chances at being seen by her for future work.

I'm just in shock really

[claig]

Good point about the balancing act. I don't think you can risk bringing it up with the casting director because, as you say, it will get her back up and she may bear a grudge against the actress.

My guess is that the casting director hasn't been to any all-female productions and therefore doesn't know how good they can be. She possibly thinks that they are politically correct and that is why she avoids them. Nothing will change her mind short of going to actually see one. She doesn't know enough about them, but she has already made her mind up about them.

[claig]

Most polite people would just say that they are too busy. But she wanted to make the specific point that she never watches all-female productions. For her to be so blunt and not give any artistic justifications most probably means that it against her way of thinking and that she even enjoyed spelling it out.

[girlwiththemouseyhair]

i think you're right claig, but I don't get why? Was she thinking the actress would agree with her, was she testing the actress?

In any normal circumstances I would think it was rude, but considering this play has come out of so many conversations I've been part of this year about the industry still being very anti-women and how we escape being labelled and how we use our art to explore issues like sexism, racism, politics on every level, it's just so disheartening to hear something like this - and of course for the work to be judged before it's even seen

[claig]

She just wanted to be rude. She didn't care what the actress thought. She thinks she is cleverer than the actress, she thinks she is in the right. She feels superior. She is like a harsh Simon Cowell type critic who can be rude and can offend without a care.

It is very sad that she is so dismissive. She can't be changed because that is how she thinks. There is no point trying to change her, it would be like banging your head against a brick wall.

Hopefully, one day she will change her views as she realises that her fixed opinions were wrong.

[claig]

'Was she thinking the actress would agree with her'

Thinking about it more, there is an element of what you say in there as well. The overwhelming impetus for what she said was just rudeness, but it is tinged with the message that the casting director is right and that the actress shouldn't do these performances in the future, because if she sends her CV, or whatever it is called in the acting profession, then the casting director will dismiss it instantly. So the casting director is being rude and dismissive, but also dishing out some very blunt advice.

[claig]

girlwiththemouseyhair, don't let the bastards grind you down. Keep on doing what you are doing and don't be discouraged.

Your post has made me realise just how difficult it is to produce works of art, only to have them dismissed by people who have invested nothing.

I have looked up some of the quotes about critics. There are some real gems among then, and the list of famous names of literature who speak against critics is immense. You are in good company.

Some classics are

"He who throws dirt always loses ground"

"Having a sharp tongue will cut your throat"

and one from Lord Byron, showing that critics have dismissive, closed minds and fixed opinions, set before they even start.

"A man must serve his time to every trade save censure ? critics all are ready made."

[edam]

Horrible and stupid but this is ONE casting director. You get knobs in any walk of life, don't let this one daft woman put you off. Cow. And you are right, it is just as bad as saying "I don't watch all-Black casts".

Claig, you and I are agreeing more and more on MN, I'm seriously worried I'll wake up one day and find I've voted Tory under your influence...

[edam]

Oh, and Claig's got a v. good point about critics - different fields but Sony turned down the Beatles saying guitar groups were over, and every famous author could wallpaper their room with their rejection slips.

[claig]

edam, it's only a matter of time until you see the light, just like the Three Wise Men. Merry Christmas

[claig]

by the Three Wise Men, I of course mean
Cameron, Osborne and Gove.

[edam]

Merry Christmas yourself. Just been reading the Thick of It Christmas book - can't wait until they get started on your lot!

[TheFeministParent]

There's women in all walks of life who submerse themselves in anti women stances.