Comments on: Short-statured actor vows "100 Midget March" to protest Snow White casting tall people as little people http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 23:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444799 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444799 What a maverick. What a maverick.

]]> By: Frenzy Hunter http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444320 Frenzy Hunter Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444320 If it's my movie that I'm making, I'll hire whomever I please. If I want to hire a man to play a woman, or a cat to play a dog, then so be it. If it’s my movie that I’m making, I’ll hire whomever I please. If I want to hire a man to play a woman, or a cat to play a dog, then so be it.

]]> By: CH http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444240 CH Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444240 I do think the comparison to other minority actors is apt... but... I don't think wanting to play Snow White's dwarves is the answer to the problem. It's just the same ol' "Shooting a midget out of a cannon" circus stereotypes. The problem is that the _roles_ are very stereotypical. When there is no direct need for some minority character, the character is cast as a straight, white, pretty/handsome, appropriately young... without any direct reason for it. Why should every major block buster be about some "normal height" white person? Why not cast the best person, no matter how he or she looks like? Demand more variety in casting! And demand that scripts are actually written with more of a variety. Why has the romantic lead to be tall? I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a big crush on mr Dinklage! You could even get more variety in the stories by casting different types of people... not the same ol' re-packaged shi... block buster. I do think the comparison to other minority actors is apt… but… I don’t think wanting to play Snow White’s dwarves is the answer to the problem. It’s just the same ol’ “Shooting a midget out of a cannon” circus stereotypes.

The problem is that the _roles_ are very stereotypical. When there is no direct need for some minority character, the character is cast as a straight, white, pretty/handsome, appropriately young… without any direct reason for it. Why should every major block buster be about some “normal height” white person? Why not cast the best person, no matter how he or she looks like? Demand more variety in casting! And demand that scripts are actually written with more of a variety. Why has the romantic lead to be tall? I’m sure I’m not the only one who has a big crush on mr Dinklage! You could even get more variety in the stories by casting different types of people… not the same ol’ re-packaged shi… block buster.

]]> By: CH http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444203 CH Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444203 I know Grumpy, and he is a dwarf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_(mythology) We don't hang together quite as often as we used to, but we try to find some time every now and then. I think he and the other dwarves had some fall out or something... I don't know, he doesn't really want to talk about it, but he doesn't seem to be in contact with them anymore. I know Sneezy still lives in the forest, but I don't know if any of the others do or what they are doing overall (can't find them on LinkedIn... Sneezy had a blog, so that's how I know of him living in the forest, but he hasn't updated it for at least a year). I know Grumpy, and he is a dwarf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_(mythology) We don’t hang together quite as often as we used to, but we try to find some time every now and then. I think he and the other dwarves had some fall out or something… I don’t know, he doesn’t really want to talk about it, but he doesn’t seem to be in contact with them anymore. I know Sneezy still lives in the forest, but I don’t know if any of the others do or what they are doing overall (can’t find them on LinkedIn… Sneezy had a blog, so that’s how I know of him living in the forest, but he hasn’t updated it for at least a year).

]]> By: CH http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444185 CH Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444185 Sure, why not? And the other way around. It would actually be quite interesting of not having external characteristic decide who should play what role, but instead the artistic skills as an actor. I don't think a role should be given due to the actor having a "pretty face", "nice boobs", "young", or whatever. Sure, why not? And the other way around. It would actually be quite interesting of not having external characteristic decide who should play what role, but instead the artistic skills as an actor. I don’t think a role should be given due to the actor having a “pretty face”, “nice boobs”, “young”, or whatever.

]]> By: urami renga http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444029 urami renga Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444029 Actually, there are two more achondroplastic actors (one man, one woman) needed for later seasons of GoT, if they're following the books. Actually, there are two more achondroplastic actors (one man, one woman) needed for later seasons of GoT, if they’re following the books.

]]> By: Chris Muir http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1444006 Chris Muir Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1444006 Antinous said " You're grasping at straws to defend an execrable practice." I don't really think I am. Ageism is totally rampant, and probably affects more actors than this. Casting a sighted person in the part of a blind person doesn't seem _that_ much different to me than this dwarf casting. Antinous said “ You’re grasping at straws to defend an execrable practice.”
I don’t really think I am. Ageism is totally rampant, and probably affects more actors than this.

Casting a sighted person in the part of a blind person doesn’t seem _that_ much different to me than this dwarf casting.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443999 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443999 You're grasping at straws to defend an execrable practice. You’re grasping at straws to defend an execrable practice.

]]> By: Chris Muir http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443987 Chris Muir Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443987 Apparently, the discussion system here only allows a certain level of nesting, so this is in response to Antinous' "How is this different" comment, below.  Maybe it isn't really different, but the fact remains that you're not going to see many unknowns in your average blockbuster. Movie casting has more than its share of unreality. In the case of Snow White and the Huntsman, many of the dwarves in question were getting on in years. So now, we're looking for 50-60 year old dwarf character actors. None available? Well then, would it be OK to cast younger dwarves and make them up to look older?  Lots of people in movies get made up to be older than their age, right? Isn't that continuing systematic discrimination based on age? The Bob Hoskins character in this movie is also blind. So now we're looking for a 60 year old, blind, diminutive, character actor. Make sure that all the accents are genuine, while you're at it. Movies are pretending. We seem to think it's OK to pretend about some things and not others.  Apparently, the discussion system here only allows a certain level of nesting, so this is in response to Antinous’ “How is this different” comment, below. 
Maybe it isn’t really different, but the fact remains that you’re not going to see many unknowns in your average blockbuster. Movie casting has more than its share of unreality. In the case of Snow White and the Huntsman, many of the dwarves in question were getting on in years. So now, we’re looking for 50-60 year old dwarf character actors. None available? Well then, would it be OK to cast younger dwarves and make them up to look older?  Lots of people in movies get made up to be older than their age, right? Isn’t that continuing systematic discrimination based on age? The Bob Hoskins character in this movie is also blind. So now we’re looking for a 60 year old, blind, diminutive, character actor. Make sure that all the accents are genuine, while you’re at it.

Movies are pretending. We seem to think it’s OK to pretend about some things and not others. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443940 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 07 Jun 2012 04:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443940 How is this different than an excuse to put white actors in blackface before there were any black actors who had made it into A films? How is this different than an excuse to put white actors in blackface before there were any black actors who had made it into A films?

]]> By: Chris Muir http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443910 Chris Muir Thu, 07 Jun 2012 03:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443910 For better or worse, "name" actors are cast for most speaking parts in major movies. Are there even eight "name" little people working today? Beyond Peter Dinklage (who is amazing in everything I've seen him in) and Warwick Davis (who is pretty good in "Life's Too Short"), are there six more name actors that could pull this off? For better or worse, “name” actors are cast for most speaking parts in major movies. Are there even eight “name” little people working today? Beyond Peter Dinklage (who is amazing in everything I’ve seen him in) and Warwick Davis (who is pretty good in “Life’s Too Short”), are there six more name actors that could pull this off?

]]> By: Funk Daddy http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443823 Funk Daddy Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443823 We could use technology to go back in time!  That's something we all dream of in different contexts, might make a good short story. We could use technology to go back in time! 

That’s something we all dream of in different contexts, might make a good short story.

]]> By: Funk Daddy http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443816 Funk Daddy Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443816 Totally, but I'm talkin bout Kutcher's acting ability. Jobs was also super smart, incredibly articulate and quite animated. I don't see Kutcher doing him justice Totally, but I’m talkin bout Kutcher’s acting ability. Jobs was also super smart, incredibly articulate and quite animated. I don’t see Kutcher doing him justice

]]> By: Funk Daddy http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443808 Funk Daddy Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443808 In relation to the job pool/seekers being discussed. Starring roles? The 7 roles discussed I would count as starring roles, but no pools beyond white guy had better count their chickens using starring roles. Thankfully most actors don't require starring roles to earn their keep. In relation to the job pool/seekers being discussed. Starring roles? The 7 roles discussed I would count as starring roles, but no pools beyond white guy had better count their chickens using starring roles.

Thankfully most actors don’t require starring roles to earn their keep.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443767 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443767 So the fact that some actors are little known due to past discrimination is a good reason to continue systematic discrimination. Nice. So the fact that some actors are little known due to past discrimination is a good reason to continue systematic discrimination. Nice.

]]> By: Chris Muir http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443759 Chris Muir Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443759 One of the reasons I wanted to go see Snow White and the Huntsman was that I saw that Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane and Nick Frost were in it. These are actors who have done previous work that I've enjoyed. I didn't know what roles they were playing before I went. I was surprised the first time I saw them in the movie, but they were great in the roles. Could little people have played them? Yeah probably, but these are quality actors with a fair amount of name recognition. I think they were cast because of their acting ability and name recognition.  One of the reasons I wanted to go see Snow White and the Huntsman was that I saw that Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane and Nick Frost were in it. These are actors who have done previous work that I’ve enjoyed. I didn’t know what roles they were playing before I went. I was surprised the first time I saw them in the movie, but they were great in the roles. Could little people have played them? Yeah probably, but these are quality actors with a fair amount of name recognition. I think they were cast because of their acting ability and name recognition. 

]]> By: Susan Carley Oliver http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443721 Susan Carley Oliver Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443721  "LGBT roles, different ethnicities, women's roles, none of these are in short supply anymore' Seriously?  Please list for me the vast supply of starring roles this year for women or LGBT; I'll let you include the incredible array from last year as well. [taps foot] Still waiting.  ”LGBT roles, different ethnicities, women’s roles, none of these are in short supply anymore’

Seriously?  Please list for me the vast supply of starring roles this year for women or LGBT; I’ll let you include the incredible array from last year as well.

[taps foot]

Still waiting.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443714 Xeni Jardin Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443714 There is no such union, you know? No union specifically representing the unique rights of dwarves/little people/[insert term here]. There is no such union, you know? No union specifically representing the unique rights of dwarves/little people/[insert term here].

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443711 Xeni Jardin Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443711 MAJOR DERP. Corrected. Sorry, was in medical appointments all day and this was a careless error on my part. MAJOR DERP. Corrected. Sorry, was in medical appointments all day and this was a careless error on my part.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443712 Xeni Jardin Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443712 I totally fucked up. Fixed. I totally fucked up. Fixed.

]]> By: Calton http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443709 Calton Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443709 No, it's more like, "If we're spending $170 million with actors like Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, Why should we hire marginally talented actors merely because of their size when we can get the talent of Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins, and Eddie Marsten. Other than hiring Peter Dinklage and Warwick Davis, then cloning them digitally ?" No, it’s more like, “If we’re spending $170 million with actors like Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, Why should we hire marginally talented actors merely because of their size when we can get the talent of Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins, and Eddie Marsten. Other than hiring Peter Dinklage and Warwick Davis, then cloning them digitally ?”

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443654 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443654 Since Hollywood has generally decided that women don't bring in as much money as men when playing lead roles, maybe we could just cast all the roles in films with male actors and digitally add secondary sexual characteristics. Since Hollywood has generally decided that women don’t bring in as much money as men when playing lead roles, maybe we could just cast all the roles in films with male actors and digitally add secondary sexual characteristics.

]]> By: Mazoola http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443652 Mazoola Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443652 At least there's already a protest song they can use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADpsIb7vfs At least there’s already a protest song they can use:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADpsIb7vfs

]]> By: Palomino http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443636 Palomino Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443636 I agree. In Lord of the Rings trilogy, fantastic actors played the lead rolls, little people filled in the rest, it worked out great.  Anyway, I'm a total fag, and love it when a straight man plays a gay man better than a gay man could. It's like Gay Drag.  I agree. In Lord of the Rings trilogy, fantastic actors played the lead rolls, little people filled in the rest, it worked out great. 

Anyway, I’m a total fag, and love it when a straight man plays a gay man better than a gay man could. It’s like Gay Drag. 

]]> By: Zane Stuart http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443630 Zane Stuart Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443630 Always hear about actors who are told "this role was made for you". Apparently that wasn't the case for this film. *sarcasm Always hear about actors who are told “this role was made for you”. Apparently that wasn’t the case for this film. *sarcasm

]]> By: Palomino http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443631 Palomino Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443631 Xeni, isn't there an Actors Guild or Union that should have stepped in pre-production?  Xeni, isn’t there an Actors Guild or Union that should have stepped in pre-production? 

]]> By: Rick. http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443614 Rick. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443614 Sorry, little people. The dwarves in Snow White are the best things ever in movies this year. Sorry, little people. The dwarves in Snow White are the best things ever in movies this year.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443608 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443608 <blockquote>they did hire midgets/dwarfs, but not for the actual acting/speaking.</blockquote>Upstairs Downstairs.

they did hire midgets/dwarfs, but not for the actual acting/speaking.

Upstairs Downstairs.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443604 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443604 Hey, Steve Jobs was hot. Hey, Steve Jobs was hot.

]]> By: Chris Muir http://boingboing.net/2012/06/06/short-statured-actor-vows-10.html#comment-1443596 Chris Muir Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=165098#comment-1443596 That's sort of the flip side of this issue, though, isn't it? (and he was wonderful in "Living in Oblivion" ridiculing the all too common role of little people in cinema.) That’s sort of the flip side of this issue, though, isn’t it? (and he was wonderful in “Living in Oblivion” ridiculing the all too common role of little people in cinema.)

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