This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
"Casting Whores for Quentin Tarantino project," reads the first line of a casting call issued in late May. The call continues, unabashedly requesting women to include a photo and sizes in an email with "Whore in the subject line."
The offending call, posted on Facebook. (Women in Hollywood)
First called to wide public attention by Women in Hollywood, the casting call was widely criticized for basically failing to even try to use slightly respectable language while looking for women to fill bawdy roles.
Women in Hollywood followed up with the casting company, which reported the word "whore" was drawn directly from the project's script which, as WIH was assured, was written by and will be directed by a woman. Of course, WIH argues that using such language is ultimately still derisive towards women who work in the industry:
Putting a casting call out for, or including women in your script with the description of “whores,” is not OK. Nor is asking actresses to submit their photos and information for consideration with the subject line “Whore.” Aside from the fact that there are better words to use if one is looking to cast women who work in the sex industry, this description is actually a typical example of Hollywood sexism, particularly as it pertains to roles for women. It would’ve been just as easy to have said that the project was looking for actresses to play prostitutes, saloon girls, or brothel workers but the use of the word “whore” to describe these roles is degrading and the fact that casting announcements frequently use the word is indicative of an ongoing problem in the film industry.
Words carry weight, and the word “whore” comes with a lot of baggage.
We've known for a while (since its inception) that the film and television industry is a highly misogynistic place. Aside from being chronically underrepresented, women working in all parts of the entertainment industry must endure a consistent onslaught of "Well, that's the way it's done."
In March, a group called Casting Call: The Project released a short video of women reading real castings calls. Like the above call for the Tarantino project, the calls are, shall we say, less than savory.
There was also the account @femscriptintros, that tweets nothing but the character introductions of various female roles in scripts read by producer Ross Putnam.
Some of the more recent additions:
JANE - once pretty, now thin and weak.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) March 3, 2016
JANE (20’s), a neighborhood girl with fuck me eyes for him.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 13, 2016
JANE - his wife, 30’s, beautiful, wearing lingerie - applies lipstick in front of a mirror, making it into an erotic show.
— Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 12, 2016
