N.W.A.’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Casting Call Causes Controversy

N.W.A.’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Casting Call Causes Controversy


With the N.W.A. biopic currently in the works, the “Straight Outta Compton” flick put out a casting call that’s causing quite a stir.

Gawker, who first published the full call sheet, shows that the film is looking to cast four different types of women thoughtlessly ranked from A to D.

You can see for yourself below:

SAG OR NON UNION CASTING NOTICE FOR FEMALES-ALL ETHNICITIES—from the late 80′s. Shoots on “Straight Outta Compton”. Shoot date TBD. We are pulling photos for the director of featured extras. VERY IMPORTANT —You MUST live in the Los Angeles area (Orange County is fine too) to work on this show. DO NOT SUBMIT if you live out of the area. Nobody is going to be flying into LA to do extra work on this show— and don’t tell me you are willing to fly in.

SAG OR NON UNION FEMALES — PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN. DO NOT EMAIL IN FOR MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY:

A GIRLS: These are the hottest of the hottest. Models. MUST have real hair—no extensions, very classy looking, great bodies. You can be black, white, asian, hispanic, mid eastern, or mixed race too. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: A GIRLS

B GIRLS: These are fine girls, long natural hair, really nice bodies. Small waists, nice hips. You should be light-skinned. Beyonce is a prototype here. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: B GIRLS

C GIRLS: These are African American girls, medium to light skinned with a weave. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: C GIRLS

D GIRLS: These are African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone. Character types. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: D GIRLS

As you can see, each “grade” differs by ethnicity, skin tone, and body type. Once the call sheet went viral, the debate over whether or not it was undeniably racist begun online.

While Hollywood is no stranger to reinforcing negative stereotypes and connotations, “Straight Outta Compton” looks like it is purporting a European-centric idea of beauty in a hardcore gangster movie. What do you say, cinephiles?

“Straight Outta Compton,” which stars Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr., will hit theaters next year on Aug. 15.

SOURCE: Gawker


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