I have recently been working on a casting fic that has a large amount of young minority members. And when I was involved in casting those roles I realized that lately it seems that there are fewer and fewer decent up and coming actors. Now I'm sure I'll come across as a racist bastard, which I assure you I am not. I could honestly only find one or two up and coming actors and actresses that I actually liked, including whites.
The main problem is that now the media is judging actors not on their merit as in days of old, but on their pure sex appeal. Hollywood is now giving more roles to the blondes, or the Megan Foxs, Lindsay Lohans, and Zack Effrons of this world. Whatever happened to actors that got roles solely on their abilities. The Katherine Hepburns, the Jimmy Stuarts, and the Sydney Poitiers, actors that had actual true abilities, not just looks. Now I admit there are some talented actors and actresses out there, you have Jamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly (who I think of as the next Katherine Hepburn,) and a few others. With the exception of Keira, they are getting up there in age, and we don't have that many people coming up to replace them. I mean who is the Denzel Washington for the next generation? Ashton Kutcher? I have yet to see a male single actor under 22 that has half Denzel Washington's presence.
And rather than give roles to upcoming actors with actual talent, movie studios would rather give them to rappers and singers that have no talent. A role that could go to Meagan Good would be rewritten so that Beyonce could play it, or a role for Anthony Mackie will be rewritten for Common. The studios will rather settle for someone with a known name and less skill, than take a chance on an actor that may have some real skill.
In my time of trouble I turned towards my niece and nephews as to what actors they like, and I get bombarded by the Disney brigade for my troubles. I get to hear of the wondrous natures and abilities of Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, Kyle Massey, Ashley Tisdale, Zac Effron, and Brenda Song. I honestly felt a little sick, sick that this is what the next generation is growing up with. They don't know to expect any better from actors. The younger generations are losing sight of actual talent and only relying on what the media feeds down their throats. Our generation isn't much better, look at the magazine stand next time you go to the store. I guarantee you that there is at least one magazine with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, or Jennifer Aniston on it. Hell, I fear that even this site is starting to get as bad. We are suggesting people for roles and talking about Megan Fox and Beyonce based solely on their looks not their actual acting abilities.
I don't want our future generations growing up with only the Megan Fox's and the Beyonce's as an inspiration. Do you? I grew up looking up to Denzel Washington, Sam Elliot, Harrison Ford, and Morgan Freeman, actors with real caliber. I fear that this generation may have missed out on real role models.
Don't get mad at me, this is my opinion. If you can suggest any good young actors, I would appreciate it, and sorry about my rant there.
Thank you for your time,
HAWK out