The New York Daily News is reporting that Julian’s Auctions has pulled the audition tapes featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr. and other A-listers auditioning for parts early in their careers under threat of legal action from SAG-AFTA..
SAG-AFTA’s collective bargaining agreements include protections for performers against exploitation of audition and interview tapes, which must be erased upon performers’ request. Breech of the agreements may result in legal action against the party that refuses to honor any said requests as well as claims against producers and casting directors that divulged the tapes.
General Counsel for SAG-AFTA has put Julian’s Auction on notice that they must pull the tapes from the auction or face legal action. They have put out the following statement:
“Auditions are not public performances, and under SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements performers are entitled to expect them to remain private. SAG-AFTRA, on behalf of our members, has requested that Julien’s Auctions discontinue the sale of these private tapes, and they have agreed to do so immediately,” said SAG-AFTRA General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.