Anemone's Research Emporium

Letter to Vancouver Film School

5, 1437 Matthews Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6H 1W7
acerridwen@telus.net

July 15, 2008

James Griffin
Vancouver Film School
200-198 Hastings Street West
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H2

Dear Mr. Griffin,

I have applied to audition for roles in several VFS student films, and have auditioned for two. For the most part, everyone and everything is great, but I'm having problems with the content of some of the scripts. The first one involved being groped, which I would not have been ok with had I been offered that part (I auditioned for a different role but was asked to read for that one). The second film was fine, and actually, I was really impressed by the script. The third role involved kissing and lying on top of someone. I asked the person arranging the auditions about whether this could be changed or not, and he said we could discuss it if they wanted to hire me for that role, and that I didn't need to do anything like that for the audition. However, I was too stressed out by the content, and had to cancel my appointment for the audition.

Yes, I realize sexualized content is common in films today. It didn't used to be like that, and I don't agree with it. I've been told I'm simply not supposed to take those roles if I don't like them (though there don't seem to be many other roles to choose from). But quite frankly I was surprised to see so much of this so far in the student films I've seen scripts for, and I was surprised at how stressful I personally would find this. All I wanted (and still want) is the chance to do one day's work (assuming anyone sees fit to hire me), to see what it's like to actually do a film, rather than just do acting classes.

I emailed VFS about this last week through the website, and have not heard back, which is why I am writing you. What is VFS's policy for student film content? I gather that someone with VFS chooses which scripts to film, then assigns students to them, but that's all I know. Do you have any guidelines? Is there someone I can talk to about this?

Thank you,

Anemone Cerridwen