Actresses like Carradine, Merrin Dungey & Sprague Grayden complain about the cost of audition tapes; “We never come back to the room”

UPDATED: Various actresses such as Ever Carradine (The story of the maid), Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies) and Sprague Grayden (high city) took to Twitter this week to express frustration with the pandemic trend of (expensive) band auditions and whether in-person auditions are really a thing of the past.

Caradine began her social media diatribe by noting that an ad for a “trusted casting agency” appeared on her Instagram account, offering self-adhesive opportunities for a fee. If we can audition and record, can’t we just audition and actually read without paying $50 to audition?

When asked if actors now have to pay to audition, Carradine replied, “No, but you have to pay for a facility where they can record and read with you. In pre-Covid times this was a last resort and most felt auditions take place in person in the room with cast, producers and the director. Self-taping was like one of 20 auditions. Now it’s 20 out of 20.”

She continued, “I don’t blame them for offering their space or helping actors on set. Not at all. It’s more about getting back in the room.”

Carradine’s tweets were shared by Dungey, who responded: “This is real bullshit. It’s bad enough that we can’t get in and to get a good connection you have to use a service because you need a reader/light/mount. We now pay to get a job. Without notes. No communication. long sides. It’s not ideal.”

To which Carradine replied: “We also pay for the work we don’t get.”

Lisa Ann Walter (Abbot Primary School) suggested that Dungey running for union officewhile actress horror comments on the trend: “Self-taping has given me and my family the opportunity to move to a much healthier city.” Think of the young/unknown actor who absolutely needs a shot at the casting agency, wants to show what they can do. Who protects them?”

One such place that now offers self-taping rooms is Betty Mae Casting, which advertises “light storm LED daylight with beauty dishes and a calming environment” for $30 for 15 minutes or $45 for 30 minutes. There is also an additional fee of $10 for camera/editing and $10 for a reader.

Director Mary Vernieu’s (Glass onion, knife out) opened the spaces on March 1 after briefly experimenting with the pre-pandemic spaces.

“Since auditions are typically requested via self-tape these days, we’re happy to provide the actors with our space and equipment so they can make their tape the best it can be,” a spokesperson told Deadline. “To be clear, we just offer the same service as any other reception facility. We do not ask actors for a room to audition for our projects. Actors booking this service will not be seen by Betty Mae’s casting directors or staff, nor may they use this service to film for Betty Mae projects. Anyone booking a room must send a tip in advance before the appointment is confirmed.”

In her tweet, Carradine admits that self-taping rooms aren’t the problem; Therefore, the audition process has been changed forever due to the pandemic. A senior executive producer told Deadline that taped auditions “save so much time” and are permanent, but “I don’t know all actors love it, which is a shame.” The Betty Mae narrator added: “We don’t know where it’s going. It often depends on the studios/networks/producers and their health and safety policies. We hope we can all be together again soon!”

“My problem is getting into the room,” Carradine tweeted. “I personally miss reading and drowning in self-tapes. I don’t belittle anyone who asks to rent their space for actors to record themselves. I pay a facility down the street to record all the time.