We might all want to be in the movies – but this time the price may be too high?
Ageism seems to be alive and well in movieland – at least in Australia. Despite the successful nomination of a bunch of fabulous mature female actors – Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench – in Australia if you’re over 60, you’re either an old duck or an old bag, according to one casting agency.
To quote their online advert:

“We are looking for a 60+ FEMALE for a coveted role as a TV presenter on movie EXTRA …the ol’ duck needs to be DIFFERENT to all the other ol’ ducks…
she needs to LOVE MOVIES and like seeing them in the cinema …
she needs to be OPINIONATED but not have ‘lavender’ points of view…
she will be joined in the cinema and on the screen by a YOUNG GUY (TBC)…
these 2 REAL-LIFE characters will bang on about movies they see in cinema on an ongoing basis …they’ll get movie tickets a plenty plus get their head on telly
So do you know an OUTRAGEOUSLY INTERESTING ol’ bag who’s got some really strange ideas and not afraid to broadcast ‘em?
You do???
Then we want to hear from YOU!
Email [address removed] and let us know about your Nan. Include photos and a short video (under 3 minutes) of the old dear chatting about her fave flick (if possible)
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD SYDNEY SOON - APPLY NOW!”

At @boutSeniors we love the idea of mixing generations and life experiences to create a more diverse reviewing panel, but it seems that this “ol duck” is being selected on the basis of being an “old duck” and not for any particular skill set. The old bag/duck seems also not to be worthy of a salary – just a handful of movie tickets, and the questionable “payment” of getting her head, and “strange” ideas, on the telly .
Apparently this poor “old dear” might also be technologically challenged – as the call to action is for “you” to email about your “Nan…
Who wrote this copy? We could generalise and say it was a spotty faced, nerdy youth without a clue how older people live and work – but then we hope we wouldn’t be so foolish as to categorise and insult any age group……

Tell us what you think – have the team at @boutSeniors lost their sense of humour? – maybe this type of advertising is actually ok? Vote now