Accepting acting job that differs from personal beliefs.

[princesspumpkin]

What is your opinion on an actor doing a commercial for a politician that has different beliefs than the actor? A commercial like one of those running-for- office-ads around election time. The actor would just be "acting" like Tom Cruise playing a serial killer in Collateral, or Charlize Theron in "Monster". The actor and politician differ in views on major issues like abortion. On one hand, it's the actor pretending to be someone, but on the other hand, the actor doesn't want people to think that they support the politician's views. Any thoughts?

 

[Beth76]

Do you have a specific example of this? I can't see many actors "acting" in a politcal ad for someone they don't support. I don't really see any acting going on in those either. A regular commercial is one thing, but a political ad is different.

 

[goodeats]

I assume she's talking about those ads where they have 'everyday people' talking about what they believe. In most cases they're just 'nobody' actors.

I think it's completely different to have Tom Cruise play a serial killer in a work of fiction than to have an actor play somebody in a political ad. In the first case you aren't inspiring anybody to do something, but in the second you are encouragin people to vote for somebody you don't believe in. I would imagine that most people would not do that.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I could care less. I don't pick and choose my entertainment based on the performers personal beliefs.

 

[princesspumpkin]

I could care less. I don't pick and choose my entertainment based on the performers personal beliefs.

My question is more about the actor's beliefs. If you were in that situation, would you shoot the commercial even though your beliefs were vastly different than the politician's? And goodeats, they're just "undiscovered actors" not "nobody" actors

 

[Bob Slydell]

My question is more about the actor's beliefs. If you were in that situation, would you shoot the commercial even though your beliefs were vastly different than the politician's?

Sure. Money's money, no matter where it's coming from.

I guess there'd be exceptions to the rule, but only in extreme cases (e.g. you wouldn't catch me doing an ad for the NRA or PETA).

 

[princesspumpkin]

Sure. Money's money, no matter where it's coming from.

I guess there'd be exceptions to the rule, but only in extreme cases (e.g. you wouldn't catch me doing an ad for the NRA or PETA).

Exceptions to the rule exactly, and this is a case of "extreme" (abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.) I wouldn't necessarily agree with "money's money", no matter where it came from, though.

 

[pearlieq]

It's a tough call. If I were desperate for rent money or needed it to take of my child and there were no other practical options for money, I might.

If it's just a job and there's a good chance of another job coming along, or if you have a day job, then no, I wouldn't do it.

Part of the difference between the Tom Cruise scenario and the political ad is that the political ad is real and has real consequences. I suppose you could make the argument that Tom Cruise playing a serial killer might glorify it, but I don't think his movie portrayal would actually convince someone to go out and give murder a try. By contrast, the ad very well might influence someone to do vote or act in a way contrary to your beliefs.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Exceptions to the rule exactly, and this is a case of "extreme" (abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.) I wouldn't necessarily agree with "money's money", no matter where it came from, though.

Do you have a specific example that you're thinking of, BTW?

 

[princesspumpkin]

It's a tough call. If I were desperate for rent money or needed it to take of my child and there were no other practical options for money, I might.

If it's just a job and there's a good chance of another job coming along, or if you have a day job, then no, I wouldn't do it.

Part of the difference between the Tom Cruise scenario and the political ad is that the political ad is real and has real consequences. I suppose you could make the argument that Tom Cruise playing a serial killer might glorify it, but I don't think his movie portrayal would actually convince someone to go out and give murder a try. By contrast, the ad very well might influence someone to do vote or act in a way contrary to your beliefs.

My sentiments exactly.

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I have reached my decision.

 

[marybet]

I couldn't do it. If I couldn't vote for the person than I couldn't act in their ad.

 

[Chuck S]

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I have reached my decision.

Princesspumpkin, Were you the person having to make this type of decision? If so, my sympathies, it must have been difficult being put in that position. Or are you doing some sort of article, or something on the subject? Just curious.

Either way, I hope you are happy with your decision and wish you luck.

It is an interesting subject. Personally, I don't think I could do a commercial for something I didn't believe in. I'm too passionate about things that are important to me.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Princess pumpin, Were you the person having to make this type of decision? If so, my sympathies, it must have been difficult being out in that position. Or are you dong some sort of article, or someting on the subject? Just curious.

Either way, I hope you are happy with your decision and wish you luck.

Yes Chuck, it is I. I called my manager to inform her of my decision. Of course, she's pushing hard for me to go ($$$$$$), but I have to remember that I do have strong beliefs that are stronger than money (and I also have to face my Sunday School teacher every week ). I knew what I should do, I guess I just wanted someone else to agree with me. Thanks

 

[princesspumpkin]

Do you have a specific example that you're thinking of, BTW?

KKK or drug money to name a few.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think you decision is appropriate.

There's a difference between not accepting a job b/c it is "too small" or the actor thinks they are hot stuff and not fit for it.

There are plenty of actors who do not accept positions--just because of reasons that conflict with their beliefs. (I'm sure Tom Cruise will not play a shrink who prescribes anti-depressants...but maybe if the money is just right.... )

If it is a commercial and I vehemently would not use the product or endorse the position--then I would probably say no. Also--depends on the script and the potrayal. But remember--your manager is also thinking of his/her wallet--so $$$$$ to you is $$$ for him/her.

 

[Castlebound]

What is your opinion on an actor doing a commercial for a politician that has different beliefs than the actor? A commercial like one of those running-for- office-ads around election time. The actor would just be "acting" like Tom Cruise playing a serial killer in Collateral, or Charlize Theron in "Monster". The actor and politician differ in views on major issues like abortion. On one hand, it's the actor pretending to be someone, but on the other hand, the actor doesn't want people to think that they support the politician's views. Any thoughts?

I see a big difference between Tom Cruise playing a part in a movie and an "undiscovered" actor acting in a politician ad that makes it seen like they are a real person and the views stated in the ad are their real views. Everybody knows who Tom Cruise is and and knows that he isn't really a killer. The problem with the politician ad is that as an "undiscovered" actor most people are going to think that the actor is a regular person and those are their views. That is a big difference to me. I wouldn't do it because of that and I'm glad you decided the same.