Last week I was offered what would have likely been my first major paid (PAID!) role in a local feature film. The producer-writer-director has won an Emmy, been nominated for a second Emmy, and has made four other films which were successful for their respective genres. On the surface, it seemed pretty amazing--the cherry to my day's delicious sundae.
You see, I started this unseasonably warm Saturday with dreams of a paisley shaped swimming pool followed by a round of swashbuckling and martial arts demonstrations with my friend Kenny. We were auditioning a new segment of combat for Stephen Weitz & Rebecca Romaly of BETC fame. Considering I fell asleep to the National Geographic special on the Science of Evil, the dreams were a relief. I dreamed a few days ago about ecological disaster after watching The Future of Food so waking from dreams of theatre and paisley swimming pools was a welcome alternative to the nightmares that could have ensued.
Anyhow, I headed into Denver later that morning to crash the auditions for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, the acting school I attended for a year and a half in NYC. I showed up with no knowledge of who might be auditioning the young hopefuls, only thinking I might say hello and send my well-wishes back to New York. It turned out the auditioner was none other than Joan See, the founder of the school and one of my biggest cheerleaders. It was great. And it made me feel great about being an actor. It was the perfect boost to my morale after the fiasco of nearly being homeless in pursuit of my craft.
I came home from Denver reeling and revived in my quest to build the acting community in and around Boulder. After a few rounds of Munchkins with the housemates (NERDS!), I checked my electronic communication platforms and got the message about the audition. I was being offered a private audition for a supporting role. The film's leading actress had recommended me and wanted to set me up for a time slot. I'll be working with her on an upcoming Amish film and couldn't believe my good fortune. Then I checked the links she sent for the project. Billed as a 'psychological thriller/slasher with adult themes', the movie's title is Misogyny. The catch phrase? "The girls said he was too nice to date...they were wrong." Of course, what really won me over was the poster. Yes--check it out!
Hm... an exposed left breast, with the "h" tastefully *almost* covering the nipple, dripping with blood. There's just enough string and hand in the frame to indicate the woman is bound. And, bloody psycho font. Why wouldn't I want to see this movie?
To be fair, I haven't read the script, I don't know the plot, characters, & story, and I don't know the man making it. Plus, it's money ($$!); I could get paid to... well... act? In spite of the glowing recommendation and privileged audition, I came to the hard realization that I'm not in this business for money after all--ain't that a bitch!
I'm not a prude, and there are a lot of things I will do to make movies, but no, no. I cannot in good conscience participate in a slasher movie titled Misogyny. I can't in good conscience participate in a slasher film titled Rainbows and Unicorns for that matter. It goes against everything I stand for in movies, art and life. How does a movie like this get funded over and over and over again? Why is our culture ready and willing to pay to watch beautiful women get subjected to abuse and then discarded? And why are women still participating in it?
I'm sorry if the nice guys feel like they finish last, but you know what? Put on your big-boy pants, take some ownership of your life, and stop blaming and objectifying the women around you for taking away your power.
So, to my first potential paying gig, I said no. I wrote a kind letter to the woman who recommended me and declined to participate in the slasher film, explaining that the genre wasn't to my taste. I just said "No, thank you" to making money as an actor in a film. The very thing I wanted most of all, and I said no.
Oh, well. Boxes of herbal supplements and self respect, here I come.
E, I have viewed this trailer twice and I do not like it what so ever. One is the Script doesn't have any strength in the trailer to suggest it's a winner. Two, the film shots are done at a man's dominance angle...and three, yes the name says it all. I've seen IMDb ratings on it and women really like it, but those are only 14 votes and it could be coming from other gals involved with the script. I'm a TG woman and last night I don't know if it's still some remaining male in me or the girl in or both, but I wanted to drop that "MF". He's a brilliant film maker, but this one I just say man you should have left the subject alone. That's what I like about you...You know if a woman was filming it and had solely written it, this would have more of a meaning to the story. I think you made great decision by turning it down. I'm so sick of films that say women deserve pain and I think that's why I want to beat his ass so bad. This morning I've been surfing to get a download of the whole piece without having to pay ten bucks to see it. If it's very repulsive as the trailer is. I'll kick his ass over the $10 I lost. Men don't like the film either and I bet if you took a 100 women who didn't have anything to do with the production, they may burn down a theatre and kill him or praise him as god who knows? Only time and areview will tell. Chris Madron
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