Market for brown actors?

Question

As far as the on-camera acting industry goes, I assume most of the parts are tooled towards Caucasian actors, but can anyone give me an insight into the market / demand for actors of South Asian / Indian descent? (In North America)

Answer 1

Like anyone else, you just have to throw your hat into the ring and wait until you fit the breakdown for a role.  You could get lucky and get a major role but they are obviously few and far between in the American market.  In the UK there seems to be a few more.  Not meaning any disrespect, the only examples I can come up with would be Harold and Kumar and the occasional store owner.  I do have a friend whose son is South Asian and he is a working actor at age 13.  He goes back and forth between theatre and film, tv & commercials, etc.  There is work, you just need the training and an agent who believe in you enough to push for you and get you the auditions.

good luck,

Marianne

Answer 2

There are plenty of roles that don't require the actor to be a certain ethnicity but there are also many that do, including some that ask for Southern Asian/Indians. You just have to keep your eyes open. Good luck!

Answer 3

Um, no offense, but I assume you watch films or have seen Actors of color.

   Certainly in 2008, ethnicity hardly matters, in fact ethnicity may even be a benefit in obtaining many roles.

   While it may seem a NARROW market, the essence of the industry is profit, and any actor who is a "bankable" commodity.

   It may be the case that BOLLYWOOD, the second largest film industry on the planet,  might be a more obvious market? In this era, as I said, the person fits the part, as much as the part should fit the person. It seems logical that a casting for a Caucasian female, might mean that a Caucasian is chosen, but the field/craft isn't so racist, as one might think.

  I suggest too, that interacial relationships in film today, are perfectly acceptable, and in another analogy, regarding females,,,an ad from long ago, "We've come a long way baby"