The Business
Cracking down on pay-to-play auditions & a bonus Oscars banter
After an investigation by reporter Gary Baum, the LA city attorney has filed charges against more than two dozen people involved with casting workshops that are allegedly paid auditions for minor roles. Baum tells us how these workshops became so prevalent, and casting director Billy DaMota explains his longstanding opposition to the practice. Plus, one last look at the major Oscar races.
By Kim Masters • • 28m ListenIf you're an aspiring actor, you may have paid to attend casting workshops that were supposed to be educational, but really just offered very quick auditions for very minor roles. The casting workshop business has made millions of dollars, but it turns out that paying for an audition is illegal and now the LA city attorney is cracking down on the practice. Reporter Gary Baum talks about his investigation that recently led to the filing of criminal charges, and veteran casting director Billy DaMota explains his longstanding opposition to these pay-to-play auditions. Then the Hollywood Reporter's awards analyst Scott Feinberg tells us how likely it is that La La Land will sweep the Oscars.
Photo: lincolnblues
In this episode
3 storiesHollywood news banter
Matt Belloni, editorial director of the Hollywood Reporter, joins Kim Masters to discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.
Read the story6 minCracking down on pay-to-play auditions
In La La Land, Emma Stone plays aspiring actress Mia, who finds herself demoralized as she faces one failed audition after another.
Read the story12 minA historic Oscars win, couched in chaos
Scott Feinberg from the Hollywood Reporter tells us just what happened last night when Faye Dunaway announced the wrong best picture winner, and no one fixed the situation until two La La Land producers had already given speeches.
Read the story9 min
