Who’s Who?

Students will cast a fictitious film or show. Give the students a series of photographs of individuals of different races, ethnicities, ages, both male and female. All are in the running for the following roles: the protagonist (singer/songwriter), the protagonist’s father, the father’s boss, the janitor at the father’s company, the family’s live-in housekeeper, the protagonist’s love interest, the protagonist’s neighbor/friend. For discussion:

  • How did you make your casting decisions?
  • How did race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and age play a role in the casting decisions?
  • Will these casting decisions impact the meanings conveyed in the final product? Why? Why not?
  • How is casting relevant to a discussion of media representation and stereotypes?

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