MovieChat Forums > Past Life (2010) Discussion > Swell, one more foreign actor taking an ...

Swell, one more foreign actor taking an American lead

posted 14 years ago by ducdebrabant
77 replies | jump to latest

So we can't cast our own parts anymore? This is becoming completely ridiculous. I sat there watching, and I said to my partner "I'll bet anything this guy is one more Irish or British actor faking an American accent." Looked him up and sure, enough: born in England, grew up in Australia.

It's not as if he brings anything to it we couldn't find here. Matter of fact, I find him very charisma-challenged. Not that goodlooking and not particularly engaging. The networks need to get over this idea that the best way to cast American parts is to shop overseas.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

[–] crappola515 14 years ago

Canadian actors have been playing "Americans" for decades and continue do so. No one cares. Why the sudden outcry because Brits and Aussies are joining their ranks?

Vic Mackey: "God creates all men equal. Out of the womb, he starts playing favorites."

[–] ducdebrabant 14 years ago

I'm annoyed about the Canadians too, now that the numbers are so large. Since Canada puts up barriers to American actors being employed there, it's not fair that they export so many of their actors here. But you're right, it didn't bother me for decades ... because it's never been this bad.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

[–] movielover2011 14 years ago

Specifically what are these so-called barriers that Canada puts up for American actors that you mention so vaguely above? Don't just start making things up, because there is no such "barrier" to American actors in Canada.

[–] crappola515 14 years ago

Let's take a step back. How many American shows are really "American"? By that I mean, are made on American soil, with completely American production crews? How many of those have a "foreign" lead actor? Those are really the only ones that can be complained about.

If it's made in Canada (or elsewhere) with a non-American crew, it makes no difference if one or more of the leads is not American. The front of the camera merely reflects what's behind it.

A series, movie, etc is a business product. Just like that "American" food product made with materials from China. Telecommuncations company with a call center in India. The clothing company that has its stock sewn in Bangladesh. Etc.

As a poster above pointed out, your complaint is really no different that what the rest of the US is complaining about. Companies shipping jobs overseas and hiring "foreigners" for jobs that can be filled by Americans.

Vic Mackey: "God creates all men equal. Out of the womb, he starts playing favorites."

[–] ducdebrabant 14 years ago

It really does seem to me that if an American series spends money shooting in Toronto or Vancouver with a Canadian crew and Canadian extras, and provides a lot of jobs for Canadian actors, it should be allowed to have some American leads. If the Canadians are going to get all the economic benefit, they should put up the money. At the moment, the Canadian government subsidizes foreign production on Canadian soil, but only enough to entice that production away from the U.S., not enough to get a show made.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

[–] crappola515 14 years ago

If the Canadians are going to get all the economic benefit, they should put up the money.

You make it sound like American companies are being dragged up to Canada in chains. They aren't. They are choosing to spend their money in Canada. If as you say, Canada has in place rules about foreign production companies working in their country, then good for Canada. They had the foresight to think of benefiting their country.

If American companies don't like those rules (which I doubt includes that all leads have to be non-American), they can walk away.

Vic Mackey: "God creates all men equal. Out of the womb, he starts playing favorites."

[–] ducdebrabant 14 years ago

Of course they're not being dragged up there in chains, but you seem to be saying that once they are there, they become Canadian series and might as well have all-Canadian casts. I disagree that when an American production company shoots in Canada the Canadians should be given all the parts. That's not the way it is now, and I don't think that's the way it should be, either.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

[–] crappola515 14 years ago

I'm not saying "they might as well" anything. What I am saying is if Canada has rules in place that benefit Canada, then great. Don't blame Canada for looking out for their own.

If American production companies object to these rules, then don't go to Canada. Stay in America where they don't have to abide by them, can hire only Americans and can choose whoever they want for the leads. Which you seem to believe they aren't doing now.

Simply put, you cross the border, you play by that country's rules. If you don't want to, don't leave home.

Vic Mackey: "God creates all men equal. Out of the womb, he starts playing favorites."

[–] movielover2011 14 years ago

I see you didn't choose to answer my question above, because you know you are wrong, none exists. Here it is again:

Specifically what are these so-called barriers that Canada puts up for American actors that you mention so vaguely above? Don't just start making things up, because there is no such "barrier" to American actors in Canada.

Answer: None

[–] dmfaust 14 years ago

There is one major neglected issue here on the Canada front. Often casting is fairly localized, otherwise requiring leads and others to move to the area of filming at least part of the year. Many productions utilize the available local pool, including potential leads when possible. This is why you see the same actors repeatedly popping up alongside one another in supporting and extra roles. The various Sci-Fi(I refuse to say Syfy) channel productions are the perfect example of this. In other words, it is often logistics more than anything else beyond the leads.

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[–] rlil2001 14 years ago

No more Bridget Jones and the like for you.

No more Scarlett O'Hara and the like for the English, then.

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[–] BetaKappaZata 14 years ago

i know what you mean i hate when someone from europe takes control over an american show. like a lot of hosts on game shows or reality tv have some accent from britian.. (personally i think the english accent is the most annoying)

i like these clothes i like this hair, it's not emo it's not anything ¬¬

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[–] kwikman 14 years ago

What ever happened to 'the best man gets the job'? Foreign or not, the role/job MUST go to the best person that tries-out. If the looks, voice, timing, and/or any other factors that involve the casting/hiring process to make them stick-out above the rest, there's no problem. If so, then you're PRO Affirmative Action & a retard!!!

[–] imdb2-32 14 years ago

Yeah, those damn FOB immigrants, stealing jobs from honest, flag-waving, hard-working Americans. Obama's fault. Where's Limbaugh where you need him?

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