A satiric web series using real-life experiences Cambridge native Nigel Downer has experienced in the casting room – while based on fictitious setups with embellishments – has picked up multiple Canadian Screen Awards.
Bit Playas follows two lifelong friends who navigate the whitewashed world of acting in Toronto while facing microaggressions and stereotyping in the casting room while attempting to avoid the stereotypical roles marginalized actors can fall into.
“What was happening in the audition rooms was – and can still be – currently happening. Black actors auditioning for the thug or the athlete or 'the token' which only perpetuates the stereotype of how (white) society sees us,” said Downer, “or how they think they're supposed to still see us. Casting has gotten better. Production companies, ad agencies, and writers have all gotten better at being more inclusive."
The reception of the show, which is hosted on CBC Gem, was overwhelming with the show scoring the Canadian Screen Award’s prestigious fictitious best web program or series and best writing in the web program or series category.
“On the night, it was unbelievable. It happened so fast, too! Both of the wins did," said Downer. "Mostly because the event was virtual, but also just a voice-over announcing the nominees and the winners – with barely a moment to take in the announcement of the winner – before the voice and visuals moved on."
The concept for the show began in 2013/2014 when Kris Siddiqi approached Downer with the idea.
“He always had us as the main characters, and definitely wanted to tackle issues like cultural identity, stereotypes mixed with pop and nerd culture. All the things that made Kris and I the best of friends and a great duo on and off-screen,” said Downer.
Confident in the show, the duo pitched it to the production company LaRue Entertainment, and they were on board.
“With LaRue on our side, we pitched it to some broadcasters, and CBC was interested. They asked for a couple more details from us, which we gladly made, and the next thing we knew, we got an offer for scripts for four episodes. Then four more episodes,” said Downer. “Many revisions later we got the green light from them to shoot all eight episodes.”
Bit Playas was released on CBC Gem on Boxing Day of 2019 and picked up the two CSA awards this past May.
Recognizing that stereotyping is harmful to dedicated actors, Downer said as cliche as it is, there is still more work to do when it comes to diversity on and offset.
In the premiere episode of Bit Playas, Leon, who is played by Downer, auditions for a chicken commercial audition sprinkled with vague racism saw the buttoned-down and tie-wearing actors asked to be more urban – resulting in the actor donning a do-rag and spray painting the city streets while eating chicken.
Wanting to hold his morals, Leon says he has had enough with the stereotypical roles a middle-aged black man is cast for, only to find out that his agent has booked him an audition in a film for the part of Thug No. 4.
With roommate Ahmed, played by Siddiqi, in tow, the duo enter into the casting room and are greeted with another subtle nod to the racialization the film industry places on minorities actors.
Downer’s character is directed to one side of the room where several black actors sit awaiting their chance to audition for Thug No. 4, while Siddiqi’s character is ushered to the other side of the room where multiple Middle Eastern men sit awaiting their chance to audition for the part of a cab driver.
Downer said one way to end the scripted parts for marginalized characters enforcing stereotypes is to ensure people of colour are holding producers roles and casting directors roles.
“The more authentic voices and experiences from more people of colour at the very beginning of any given production will go the longest way. And it doesn't stop there. I'm also talking about the crew, make-up, wardrobe, hair, etc ... The whole dang thing,” said Downer.
However, Downer said he still agrees you always want to have the best person for the job, but, at the same time, the voice of whoever the character is will be portrayed how the writer envisioned the character looking when they wrote the script.
“Right now, in 2021, I think the tides are turning. It's taken a while, but it’s a thing, man. It’s nice to see more diversity on my recommended page for Netflix and it’s nice it’s not just a bunch of white people on all these thumbnails,” said Downer.” I think that the leading man is no longer the handsome white man, it could be anybody.”
