White people shouldn't do ethnic voiceovers?
Discussion
Simpsons have stopped white people doing voiceovers for people of colour. And there is a general mood to stop this.
Now I can understand that blackface has an unsavoury history, but isn't voiceover just 'harmless' acting? Is it any different from British actor's doing American or Russian accents?
Should Killing Eve have hired a Russian instead of a scouser?
All a bit confusing to me.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-5320...
Now I can understand that blackface has an unsavoury history, but isn't voiceover just 'harmless' acting? Is it any different from British actor's doing American or Russian accents?
Should Killing Eve have hired a Russian instead of a scouser?
All a bit confusing to me.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-5320...
hyphen said:
Now I can understand that blackface has an unsavoury history, but isn't voiceover just 'harmless' acting? Is it any different from British actor's doing American or Russian accents?
I hate that British actors apparently have to use an American accent to get acting work in the US.It reeks of racism.
It's bonkers.
Soon you'll only be able to play parts with your natural hair colour and changing your regional accent will be forbidden as well, of course.
Let's just get rid of the concept of actors completely. People can only play themselves because that's the only person they truly represent.
That's what it's all about right? Representation?
It's simply nonsensical.
Soon you'll only be able to play parts with your natural hair colour and changing your regional accent will be forbidden as well, of course.
Let's just get rid of the concept of actors completely. People can only play themselves because that's the only person they truly represent.
That's what it's all about right? Representation?
It's simply nonsensical.
Edited by Dagnir on Saturday 27th June 09:56
Stay in Bed Instead said:
I hate that British actors apparently have to use an American accent to get acting work in the US.
It reeks of racism.
On the basis of this they wont be allowed to do that anymore anyway.It reeks of racism.
There has been some controversy for a while about non disabled actors playing disabled characters. Voice overs is taking this to a whole new level though.
One thing not mentioned is that voice over actors typically voice multiple characters on an animated show
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Simpsons...
Hank Azaria has voiced 32 roles, some minor, others regular. To have a voice actor of the correct ethnicity voice every role would require a large expansion in the cast.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Simpsons...
Hank Azaria has voiced 32 roles, some minor, others regular. To have a voice actor of the correct ethnicity voice every role would require a large expansion in the cast.
CheesecakeRunner said:
I guess the argument is...
A) Actors act. This means they deliberate pretend to be someone or something else. They shouldn’t need to be the same sex/gender/orientation/colour/ethnicity/etc as the person they are portraying purely because they are acting.
B) If A) holds true, and people’s prejudices get in the way during casting, then white straight actors predominantly still get the jobs.
So whilst it seems a little silly to say that in a profession where you pretend to be someone else, you must be the same as them, I can understand why it’s happening at the moment.
Exactly. It's an attempt to fix a specific problem that exists at the moment. It's not a statement of how things should be normally. No one in their right mind would say that it is inherently immoral for a black person to play a white character or vice versa. Ditto "blacking-up".A) Actors act. This means they deliberate pretend to be someone or something else. They shouldn’t need to be the same sex/gender/orientation/colour/ethnicity/etc as the person they are portraying purely because they are acting.
B) If A) holds true, and people’s prejudices get in the way during casting, then white straight actors predominantly still get the jobs.
So whilst it seems a little silly to say that in a profession where you pretend to be someone else, you must be the same as them, I can understand why it’s happening at the moment.
These measures are an attempt to break us out of vicious circles that perpetuate racial prejudice in our society. You can certainly argue the toss about their effectiveness, but the intent is entirely reasonable. If the wiring in your house is knackered and you can smell burning, you'll put up with no electricity for a few days while the problem is being fixed. You turned the electricity off as a short-term measure, not because you thought electricity itself was bad. See? Nothing like a s
t metaphor to explain an idea.
Does anyone still watch The Simpsons? It has been terrible for years. It's generally accepted among fans of the show that the rot started to set in around season 8-9 and the quality had really plummeted hard by season 11. The fact that season 30 is now in production gives an idea of where the level of quality the program is now at.
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