Six years ago, we pointed out an interesting situation with Scientology and casting calls.
Scientology, after all, is perpetually making nutty films about the “technology” of founder L. Ron Hubbard, and those roles used to go to Scientologists themselves. But that became a problem when so many disillusioned members began a mass exodus starting about 20 years ago, and Scientology was forced to reshoot so many videos because the people featured in them had left the church.
The Cine division increasingly turned to non-Scientologists to star in these productions, and that resulted in a steady stream of pretty unintentionally funny casting calls for Los Angeles area actors who might be tempted to make a quick buck appearing in a goofy short film that only Scientologists would end up seeing anyway.
Now, of course, all of Hollywood is out of work as the screenwriters and actors are both out on strike at the same time, something that hasn’t happened since 1960.
We figure the temptation to accept some non-union work from Scientology will be even greater than usual, and sure enough, the church is still putting out casting calls.
Here’s one we thought you might find amusing, submitted to us by a reader.
It’s downright Shakespearean, isn’t it?
But can a striking SAG/AFTRA actor take a job like this without running afoul of the union?
Looking at the guidelines, it appears that nutty Scientology films may fall under some of the exceptions allowed by the union, right? Here’s the list. Let us know where you think Scientology tech films might fall in this rubric.
Got some stories about what it’s like to act in a Scientology production? Drop us a line!
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I hope Sarah Taylor can find a better job without hiding in the trunk of an actor’s car.
I would guess the Corporate/Educational Non-broadcast (formerly Industrial) category is where all Scn projects would be regulated to, but then DM would start frothing about his “nEtWoRk.”
1. I stand with WGA.
2. I stand with SAG-AFTRA.
3. Was anyone actually surprised they wanted someone "White"?