Over the weekend, social media went crazy after actor Lukas Gage (“Euphoria”) shared one of the most cringe-y audition videos you’ll likely ever see. And it’s not because Gage did poorly in the audition or was made to look like a fool somehow. In fact, Gage comes off looking great, but the audition was terrible because of director Tristram Shapeero’s awful Zoom faux pas.
As seen in the video that Gage posted to social media, the actor was clearly setting up for an audition on Zoom for the filmmaker and others for an upcoming TV gig. But the audition got off on the wrong foot when a mystery filmmaker (thinking he was muted) said, “These poor people live in these tiny apartments. I’m looking at his background and he’s got his TV…”
To which Gage replied, “I know it’s a shitty apartment, that’s why give me this job so I can get a better one.”
After the video went viral people tried to figure out who the mystery director was. Through the process of elimination and some internet sleuthing, people started to mention the name Tristram Shapeero. Well, now the filmmaker has come forward to admit it was him and to offer an apology to Gage (via Deadline).
In his apology, he said, “First and foremost I offer Mr. Gage a sincere and unvarnished apology for my offensive words, my unprofessional behavior during the audition and for not giving him the focus and attention he deserved. My job is to evaluate performers against the part I am trying to cast. Lukas deserved better.”
Shapeero added that it was “emotional to see actors work so hard to win the few parts available” during the pandemic.
As for the choice of words, particularly saying “poor” during the video when describing Gage, the filmmaker said, “I was using the word ‘poor’ in the sense of deserving sympathy, as opposed to any economic judgment. My words were being spoken from a genuine place of appreciation for what the actors were having to endure, stuck in confined spaces, finding it within themselves to give a role-winning performance under these conditions.”
Shapeero is probably best known for his various TV directing jobs including “Superstore,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and a couple of dozen “Community” episodes. You can watch the original video below, as well as read the full apology from Shapeero.
Here’s the full letter written by Shapeero:
You probably don’t know who I am, but you’re likely familiar with my story. An actor, Lukas Gage, posted a clip on social media taken from a Zoom casting he and I had been a part of back in August. During it, an unmuted director makes reference to tiny apartments and ‘these poor people,’ referring to actors. The quick-witted Gage responds that he knows his apartment is ‘shitty’ and that is why he needs this job so he could get a better one.
Since Gage posted the video it has had millions of views and he has received support from all corners of the acting world and from many of his fans. Initially the director was not identified, although there was much speculation about who it was, which ultimately proved correct.
Despite what is probably wise advice: to say the least possible and let this pass, I have decided to come forward, take responsibility, make the apology Mr. Gage deserves, and offer some background for my unacceptable and insensitive remarks. I am Tristram Shapeero, a 20-year veteran television director, half in the UK, and the second half here in the US.
First and foremost I offer Mr. Gage a sincere and unvarnished apology for my offensive words, my unprofessional behavior during the audition and for not giving him the focus and attention he deserved. My job is to evaluate performers against the part I am trying to cast. Lukas deserved better.
This Zoom audition took place in August, after four months of lockdown. A number of my co-workers were also on the auditions which happened over several days. It was emotional to see actors work so hard to win the few parts available and we were deeply moved by the passion of these young people under the extraordinary circumstances.
I was using the word ‘poor’ in the sense of deserving sympathy, as opposed to any economic judgment. My words were being spoken from a genuine place of appreciation for what the actors were having to endure, stuck in confined spaces, finding it within themselves to give a role-winning performance under these conditions.
As I say on the video, I’m mortified about what happened. While I can’t put the proverbial toothpaste back in the tube, I move forward from this incident a more empathetic man; a more focused director and I promise, an even better partner to actors from the audition process to the final cut.
With humility and gratitude,
Tristram Shapeero