When Harris is asked to audition for a different character last minute, it sparks the question: what does being mixed race look like? And can we ever assume someone’s heritage from the colour of their skin?
This is the first short film directed by Tomas Howells and written by Jacob Seelochan, shot the week before lockdown began in the UK. Please consider sharing this short film and spreading the word using #ACastingRoom
“…I write/direct mostly comedy and something I’ve noticed over time is that sometimes when people (guys especially) see something of mine and like it, the reaction is positive but in a way where it’s apparent that they're surprised by it being funny and enjoyable in some way. For example I often get a “I actually really liked it….” or “That was actually pretty cool”....Why the “actually”?! Were they expecting to not like it?!”
“When you get cast as white or Asian, both of those feel fine just because I guess I am half. But it's when it gets more specific and they say actually, we want you to look more white so you need to bleach your hair blonde. Things like that are where it becomes uncomfortable…”
Crazy Rich Asians. The Sun is Also a Star. To All The Boys We’ve Loved Before. These are all examples of controversial mixed-race casting, either mixed-race actors cast in mono-racial roles or vice-versa. To tackle this question of Who can be cast in what roles?, we gathered six different thoughts, reflections, and opinions from mixed folks on the question of Mixed Race casting in film and television. Is it socially productive and ethical to cast mixed-race actors in mono-racial roles or to cast mono-racial actors in mixed-race roles? Who can play who on the big, small, and laptop-sized screens in the 21st century? With the rise of mixed-race representation in the media, in mixed-race roles and not, we’re diving into this question and the many different views that mixed folx have on the subject…