IMDB - Help the aged.
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The Internet Movie Database has well and truly put the panther amongst the hawks by revealing an actress’ true age.
When the thesp signed up to IMDB’s pro service, she was required to give her date of birth. IMDB then went and revealed the big number on her profile.
She is now suing Amazon, who own IMDB (presumably they bought it on Ebay), for more than $1 Million, claiming that revealing her actual age could lead to her missing out on acting jobs. The actress has so far remained unnamed but this blogger believes it to be Anne Hathaway, she may look young but she has the eyes of an 84 year old. I swear I saw her in the background of Voyage Dans Le Lune the other night on channel 5 and that was out in 1902!
Some may argue that IMDB posting actors’ ages is a good thing as it means we are able to once and for all discover whether Anne Hathaway is some sort of time travelling robot.
But while most of us use IMDB to look up “That guy from you know thingy with what’s her name? You know that guy!” Industry professionals use IMDB to actually make films. Casting directors scour profiles like desperate fishermen and IMDB Pro has a wealth of information about actors’ agents, publicists, salaries... You can even find out Ryan Gosling’s favourite animal! I won’t say what it is, that’s his business. Besides I think it’s a very odd and slightly disturbing choice.
When it comes to actors’ ages, especially with females, filmmakers tend to prefer a younger choice rather than an older actor who has ‘had their chance’. Therefore if an actors’ true age is revealed, no matter how young looking they might be (Anne Hathaway) the temptation is there for a casting agent to disregard an older actor and skew for a younger one – because they’re ‘hungrier’ and have the chance to make it big in the next few years.
$1 Million may just be beer money to IMDB, but it’s the precedent that matters and now The Wrath of the Unions has descended upon them. The SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) have both officially criticised IMDB, stating that the website ‘Facilitates age discrimination”. It is on.
I think even Thatcher would have to agree with the unions on this one. The only age details on an IMDB profile should be playing age, not Gregorian age.
If an actor claims they can play a 25 year old, fine. It’s up to the casting director to say “25?! You’re having a laugh! You mate/love are 40” When they turn up to the audition.
What’s the point anyway? We all know certain actors utilise CGI and lighting softer than a freshly shampooed dove to look younger anyway. Andie Macdowell does not look “30? Ish” because she uses L’Oreal Revitalift every morning before yoga. Lies, carefully lit lies.
The real point here is that IMDB have been very impolite. Never, ever, ask a lady her age. It’s extremely rude. Unless you’re selling life insurance... Or alcohol.