Saturday, March 25, 2017

Reddit Blind Item

From here.

My coworkers and I play recurring strippers on the second season of a tv series. Our costumes range from bras, thongs, and thigh highs to traditional stripper monokinis, g-strings, and leg wraps depending on the scene. We're always in "stripper heels" (Pleaser, Bordelo, lucite platforms, etc) and, when not on camera, are always in cover robes or our personal long jackets. Being a burlesque dancer, as most of my coworkers are also, we do these kind of roles pretty often, but having a recurring gig that pays daily about the same as a weekly show does is pretty rad.

The director of the first episode we were on, who is also the Executive Producer, took a liking to us on the first day, which isn't uncommon. Usually casting sends in girls that are just "hot" and can dance, but we are a group of professionals and know how to make the right faces and how to play to camera. He spoke with us individually to find out our stories and what we do for a living and, by the end of the day, had given us his personal number to ensure that we were cast as the "core group" from now on. Now, I know that this isn't the way it's supposed to be done, but it's really not uncommon. I've regularly had Directors of Photography and Directors alike do the same so that I could contact we could remain in contact for future productions as a stand in, photo double, for a quick part, etc. It shouldn't, but it happens.

Now, all of that preface work to get to this: while he is personally ensuring that we get good camera time and are cast every time they need strippers (this show needs them a lot), he has asked some of us for "[our] picture", "sexy pics", "some pictures", etc. We all have professional photos that are already on our websites and instagrams, so we just sent those to keep the relationship above water without sacrificing our dignity. Yesterday, I was the only one of the main crew there and, while having him on set ensured that I got great coverage and was treated really well generally, he texted me later asking me to text him this weekend "if [I] wanna grab a drink ora coffee".

I know that he's just a creepy old man and we shouldn't have to comply, yada yada, but sadly this is how the industry is for women, especially women who play strippers, escorts, hookers, etc. People on set seem to forget that we're just actors and not really the people we play, so we suffer this kind of harassment regularly. Please don't try to tell me that I just shouldn't play these characters or give me "fatherly advice". That's not what I'm asking for here. I'm fully aware of how things should work, but it rarely ever does work that way.

Definitely has to be NCIS.


21 comments:

  1. And i thought Mark Harmon was a stand up guy.
    A friend of mine is an editor on this show.
    I will have to call him and ask the $64 question.

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  2. I thought it was Gary Glasberg. Isn't he legendary?

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  3. someone2:59 AM

    Actually, it sounds like the producer acted in a relatively respectful fashion, inviting her to text him *if* she wanted to go out. If it's just one time, and unless the preferential treatment goes away if she doesn't follow through, I don't see how this is harassment.

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  4. Don't see how this is NCIS when it clearly says PLAYS. They are far from their second season. Even NCIS LA isn't on a second season.

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  5. Clearly not NCIS.

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  6. Farmgirl3:41 AM

    Why not Preacher or Queen Sugar?

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  7. Phyllis Whitweed4:11 AM

    Empire?

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  8. Marie4:13 AM

    Shades of Blue

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  9. Police dog4:28 AM

    Empire?

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  10. Ms. Anne Thrope4:39 AM

    It was edited to show her location as being New Orleans. It's NCIS:New Orleans for sure. Michael Zinberg in an EP & was the director of the first episode.

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  11. He asks her to text back if she wants to grab a drink or a coffee and that's harassment. Those poor burlesque dancers, what horrifying conditions, no woman should ever be subject to texts like that.

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  12. Zilla15:07 AM

    @Bleu, you're right, no woman or man should have to be subjected to being hit on in the workplace. Nobody should be made to ferl awkward or uncomfortable or feeling like they will stop getting work assignments if they say "No, I don't want to go out with you."

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  13. Marie5:17 AM

    I saw that and thought the same but they're already airing season 3

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  14. Wendy5:55 AM

    I mean, he just asked her out. God forbid he find her attractive? Yes, it's awkward for her, but I'm sure she gets hits on at other places too.

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  15. Yarzy6:01 AM

    I'm thinking Ballers - Julian Farino

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  16. elle b9:28 AM

    Preacher, if they are still filming season 2.

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  17. Scandi Sanskrit9:55 AM

    Oooh, bypassing agents... Naughty, naughty (who cares).

    PS: Enty, I actually watch "NCIS", mkay? They don't have that many stripper roles. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen an episode with strippers. "CSI", maybe (especially Vegas edition).

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  18. AndrewBW12:21 PM

    @david Be sure and let us know!

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  19. Agreed, I think it's Ballers as well.

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  20. D.R.B6:29 AM

    Lucifer

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