Conservative "Commercials" coming down the pike...

Yup! That'll solve all the GOP's problems... better commercials!

Some background & full disclosure -- I'm an actor, working (luckily) in Los Angeles. I've made my living mainly from commercials and regional theater for the last ten years. It's a profession that without union protection would be unfathomable in this day and age.

So imagine my surprise when I saw this posted on one of the casting sites (see below the fold):

Wednesday, Jul. 1, 2009, 5:03 PM Pacific
NOT SO SURE
Internet Project
Conservative political information web commercials

SPECIAL NOTE: Breakdown Services has been unable to verify the union status of this project. We have been assured by the producers of this project that they intend to file papers and comply with all union requirements. Breakdown Services recommends that talent representatives perform “due diligence” prior to submitting any union actors.

Director/Writer/Producer: Frank Di Bugnara
Casting Director: Frank Di Bugnara
Interview Dates: 7/3/2009
Shoot/Start Date: 7/13/2009
Pay Rate: $550
Location: Phoenix, AZ

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY ASAP BY 5 PM, 7/2

Special Notes: Pay is per spot and would cover 6-months of internet-only usage. Our client will then have the option to extend the usage at the same rate per time period. If the client determines they want the spots for broadcast usage, we can discuss working a buyout deal with you.

Sides will be emailed to you if we'd like to schedule an audition time with you.

Online reels are a HUGE plus.

We are casting for an internet-based series of conservative political information commercials. The main purpose of the commercial campaign is to advance traditional conservative ideas. The first project, for example, will be about healthcare reform. It's possible down the line that our client will seek broadcast airing, but for the time being the commercials will only be distributed online.

For these projects, there will be 2 central characters, both caucasian males that look to be between 25 and 35 years old. Regardless of the scenarios and the numbers of actors in them, these two will always be the central focus. Because of this, the actors cast need to commit to being a part of the project for the unknown duration of the campaign. Future shoots could be frequent or infrequent, depending on the politics of the day, and could happen with little notice. Again, these commercials will promote a conservative political agenda. Prospective actors will need to feel comfortable with being publicly associated with this effort which will cover a wide variety of issues from this perspective.

[ BRAD ]
Caucasian, 25-35, considers himself politically left-leaning or undecided though is open to discussion about the issues and often finds himself doubting his beliefs when talking to his friend Jason. (We are looking for charismatic actors who can have fun while “becoming the characters” and help to evolve the roles over time. Be quirky and not afraid to take risks.)
[ JASON ]
Caucasian, 25-35, is a well-informed conservative who is able to make unique analogies with each issue in an effort to sway Brad. (We are looking for charismatic actors who can have fun while “becoming the characters” and help to evolve the roles over time. Be quirky and not afraid to take risks.)

So someone in Phoenix, AZ is going to start producing web commercials to rescue the conservative cause. Now the parts of this I find interesting are:

1. The union status is indeterminable. Well of course... conservative commercials would not want to support the union cause, but I can tell you that the producer is completely unaware of union minimums and residual payments if he thinks he can "can discuss working a buyout deal with you." There are NO buyout deals for union commercials made for television in the United States. You use an actor's image, you pay him. Now if these commercials were made for overseas airing, the union (Screen Actors Guild) allows for buyout deals for Europe and such. I had a very profitable Renault commercial in 2009.  But I don't think the subject matter here would play as well on, say, French TV.

2. I love the description of the left-leaning character, Brad. He's persuadable when confronted with conservative ideology. Because that's how most of us are -- facts and figures fly out the window when confronted with "unique analogies" that support a conservative ideology.

3. It shoots in Phoenix, but this breakdown was being released in LA. So they're willing to fly professional actors out, but don't know one thing about union minimums?

4. Since the actors involved will have to be comfortable promoting a conservative agenda, do they really think they're going to find a left-leaning individual to play Brad? He'd better be a VERY GOOD conservative actor to play left-leaning believably. Without union wages, they're unlikely to find one.

5. A little googling brings up this press release relating to a spot director Frank Di Bugnara produced in the 2004 campaign for an organization called "Let Freedom Ring." And if you want to laugh even more, look at this!

So keep your eyes out. I'm sure these conservative web commercials will be a viral hit. Hopefully we can all have fun watching them!