You have probably seen the viral video above by now. In the clip, 25-year-old actor Lukas Gage is having a Zoom audition with a director.
And before the director knows that Gage can hear him, he begins talking about his living space.
These poor people live in these tiny apartments. Like, I’m looking at his, you know, background and he’s got his TV and you know…
Gage interrupted him before he could continue, and the actor actually handled it incredibly well.
“I know, it’s a sh***y apartment. That’s why give me this job so I can get a better one,” he smiled and laughed. The director was super embarrassed that Gage heard him.
“Oh my God. I am so, so sorry,” he apologized. Gage laughed it off like it was no big deal, “I’m living in a four by four box, it’s fine. just give me the job and we’ll be fine.”
Well, it’s likely Gage didn’t end up getting the job because he posted the clip for the world to see. And while he chose not to publicly name the director in the video, the director actually came forward this week.
The British director, Tristram Shapeero, who has worked on several shows including Veep and Never Have I Ever, wrote an essay titled ‘Zoom and Doom’ for Deadline.
Despite what is probably wise advice: to say the least possible and let this pass, I have decided to come forward, take responsibility, make the apology Mr. Gage deserves, and offer some background for my unacceptable and insensitive remarks.
He goes on to explain that he wasn’t talking smack about the apartment, he was actually expressing emapthy.
My words were being spoken from a genuine place of appreciation for what the actors were having to endure, stuck in confined spaces, finding it within themselves to give a role-winning performance under these conditions.
And you know, I actually believe him. When I first watched the clip, I didn’t really get why people thought it was so bad. To me, it doesn’t sound like he’s making fun of the living space. It’s more like, “This poor guy,” which might be a little condescending/snobbish, but I don’t think he was coming from a bad place.
