,
11 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
A thread to clarify for all of you spectacularly missing the point here - devils, wizards, murderers, pirates, trees and so on can and should be played by any actor because that's acting. Actors play people and creatures who are the opposite of who they are in reality.
But...
But...
Trans people, people of colour, disabled people and those from marginalised groups are real and human and those people can indeed be - gasp - actors.
No one is debating what acting is and should be and can be.
No one is saying you CAN'T play those people - what they're saying is maybe you should take a step back, check your privilege and pass the baton to a fellow actor from that group of ACTUAL HUMANS and give them a chance.
No one is saying you CAN'T play those people - what they're saying is maybe you should take a step back, check your privilege and pass the baton to a fellow actor from that group of ACTUAL HUMANS and give them a chance.
If you're still deemed the best actor for the job, then well done you, have a sticker.
But if you've been handed a role that's telling someone else's story and a million actors who could tell it EVEN BETTER were ignored in the process - that's not OK.
But if you've been handed a role that's telling someone else's story and a million actors who could tell it EVEN BETTER were ignored in the process - that's not OK.
The problem stems from the fact we're not telling stories about these people enough thus when we DO tell them - we should support and inspire the people they're about.
Once we're on a level playing field and we're telling stories left and right about EVERYONE you can play who the hell you want. Until that time comes maybe step back and play one of the other 3038373 parts you're ALSO right for.
Choosing to take on a role that an actor from a marginalised group could play - perhaps the only role that year or decade they're suited for because unlike you they don't have the privilege to just play whoever they want - well that's just a bit shitty, innit?
The assholes who say things like "so all murderers should be played by murderers???" "so only doctors should play doctors!?!?!" are purposefully missing the point and being obtuse because they find the idea of true equality a threat.
There's a huge problem in commercial casting where actors are brushed aside for "real people" and that's just as frustrating. People fail to understand those in the acting profession ARE real people and that's where so many crossed wires stem from.
Just be kind to one another. If someone is asking for a hand to succeed don't refuse them it because you've never needed it.
Anyways. I'm going back to sleep. I only woke up for a sip of water and it turned out y'all needed schooling on basic human kindness and compassion.
Peace ✌️
Peace ✌️
