"Criminal Minds" is going through a lot at this time. After Shemar Moore's exit, another member is out. According to new reports, Scott David, "Criminal Minds" casting director, was relieved from work due to some issues.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that the "Criminal Minds" longtime casting director was relieved of his duties because he was involved in pay-to-play workshops where actors have to pay for access to potential auditions.
Per the report, "Criminal Mind's" production company Touchstone Television confirmed that David is no longer part of the show, but they declined to discuss the details about his termination. The publication tried to contact Scott David for comment about the issue, but there was no response.
Dea Vise, another casting director is against workshops. "The problem is we're paid by the producers to find actors. So how dare we be paid by the actors? That's double-dipping."
Before David left "Criminal Minds," some of the representatives for several actors disclosed that it was important to encourage clients to consider workshops at Scott David' North Hollywood-based The Actor Link.
"Scott David is a very big casting director," said agent Courtney Peldon of Aqua. "You're not necessarily going to get in front of him [without attending his classes]. They can be a wonderful way."
"Everything in this business is based on relationships. If it's the only way to make an impression, then you've got to use what you've got to use," said Gigi Garner, a workshop advocate.
In a separate report from The Hollywood Reporter, a 2002 decree prohibits workshop from advertising that their attendees gained auditions, interviews or employment by meeting a casting director through a workshop.
Individuals have different perspectives about workshops. Some believe that it's a great opportunity, but labor scholars and diversity advocates think that it reflects poorly on Hollywood's goal of pursuing structural reform for the less advantaged.
"The opportunity costs are already very high in this business, and these workshops aren't helping," says Professor Nelson Lichtenstein. "It's pernicious, and it's predatory. This is why you're supposed to have oversight."
