Acting With A'Net'

By Bob Fraser

New Star Wars TV Series Will Employ No Actors (San Francisco, May 30, 2008) According to informed sources, the proposed new television series based on Star Wars, will employ no human actors. The entire series will be produced using state-of-the-art computer animation, computer generated voices and dialogue replacement technology, and non-union animals wearing prosthetic devices. "This is a slap in the face to actors everywhere," said one unnamed source, who was picketing outside the Screen Actors Guild headquarters, in Hollywood.

Doesn't this kind of thing make you angry? I should say so.

The trouble is – none of it is true. I made it up.

I think it's time to address the issue of 'internet information.'

Although the internet can be a source of great information – it's very nature can lead to lots of misuse. For instance, I read this morning that George Lucas is also a union buster. That's utter nonsense, of course, but because it's out there – on the net – it gets repeated and eventually accepted as 'data.'

Now the truth is that most of this stuff is harmless mischief or understandable ignorance. 

But it can be something worse.

I'm sure it isn't news to you that there are scam artists on the 'information super-highway.' Like crooks who use the street corners in our major cities to bilk innocent tourists out of cash, there are thousands of con-men on the internet – whose only purpose is to harm you financially. Or worse.

This is a particular problem for actors who are using the internet to market themselves, to look for work, to obtain representation, and looking for useful information regarding their dreams of professional success.

This criminal activity may involve convincing you to come to an "audition" where the only purpose is to con you out of your cash – for services that you don't need, don't work, or are never delivered. What makes it even worse, most of these criminals don't have even the slightest connection to real show business.

In fact, the problem has gotten so bad, that most of the states with a fairly large population of actors, have had to pass laws against the most egregious of these practices. So, the next time you see something that says, "Want to be in the movies? It's Easy and Anyone Can Do It." – click the 'run away' button.

This goes for things that assure you that investing in motion pictures is a good way to make money, that nudity is a requirement of stardom, that expensive pictures of your toddler will result in immediate employment, that talent scouts are hanging around malls in Missoula Montana looking for the 'next big thing' – or that every actor who attends so and so's intensive workshop is guaranteed stardom.

In other words, put on your thinking cap and take a close look at the claims being made.

Is it reasonable to assume that Warner Brothers needs to take out classified ads to find actors? That 'talent consultants' working out of Tick's Belly, Virginia have an 'in' with the industry? That someone who once worked as an extra in Ben Hur – can teach you the business? That if you pay a fee – you'll have a real shot at appearing in Spielberg's next picture?

Now, I know that you think you are immune to these kinds of things, but remember how you felt at the beginning of this article? When you were angry with George Lucas' decision to do his next project without actors?

See how easy it can be to get caught up in a lie? Especially one that seems 'reasonable' – and plays to your prejudices? That's why it's important to think things through – because what sounds reasonable in one context can usually be seen for what it is – as soon as you apply your good sense to the outrageous claim.

If you are about to spend a serious amount of money for pictures, classes, seminars, or a chance to audition for 'a top modeling agency' – stop! Think it through. Do your due diligence. Don't accept claims at face value.

As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "Be careful out there."