SYNOPSIS

Actors often deal with the dilemma: play into a stereotype or act against it? With the growth of diversity in entertainment, particularly in television, there’s also been an increase in the depiction of Middle Eastern and South Asian characters. But this increase includes characterizations that many consider to be one-dimensional and lacking nuance. How does an actor up for the role of a “Convenience Store Clerk" or “Terrorist Number 4" avoid adding to negative stereotypes of people with these backgrounds. And alternatively, what happens when typecasting is so pervasive that casting directors dismiss actors who don’t look the stereotype? With a small range of roles, is it possible for these actors to help reframe the conversation, while creating and sustaining their careers? Panelists will share their real-world experiences in creating a different narrative, as well as moments they were able to transform portrayals into more complex, multidimensional characters – from comedians, satirical newscasters, ingénues, and yes, even terrorists.

Thanks to the SAG-AFTRA Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Department for assistance in this event.

PANELIST BIOS

Aline Elasmar
Aline discovered a love of the arts at a young age. She grew up on stage performing in plays and musicals. And backyards. And on kitchen table. And anywhere she could get an audience. After finishing her MFA in Acting, Aline moved to Los Angeles and began appearing in local LA Theater and independent films. In 2014, Aline joined the cast of Lifetime’s groundbreaking drama UnREAL as “Shia”. In a show filled with polarizing characters, Aline’s “Shia” proved to be the one fans love to hate. Before joining the cast of "UnREAL," Aline was seen recurring opposite Halle Berry in EXTANT. Other television appearances include: NEW GIRL, ROSEWOOD, SOUTHLAND, 90210, CASTLE, and the upcoming series CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS. Look for Aline later this year in the upcoming feature UNFORGETTABLE starring Rosario Dawson and Katherine Heigl.

Azita Ghanizada
Azita learned how to speak English from watching American television, the future actress easily took a liking to performing and dreampt of becoming a storyteller like those she mimicked as a child; that combined with the family's regular trips to a local cinema that showed Bollywood movies, and her mother's passionate love of Indian and American film stars, inspired her to take the leap of faith. After graduation with a degree in English and Journalism, she relocated to Los Angeles after only having been on an airplane once before andchased her dreams. She began workingsteadily in television commercials and guest starring on popular television shows, including HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, ENTOURAGE, VERONICA MARS, THE MENTALIST, BONES, PSYCH, GHOST WHISPERER, CASTLE, and UP ALL NIGHT. She quickly began landing series regular work, first on the nighttime soap, GH: NIGHT SHIFT, the Jenji Kohan Pilot, TOUGH TRADE, then in 2010, Azita joinedDavid Strathairnas a primary cast member of the Syfy series Alphas where she played Rachel Pirzad, a woman with enhanced sensory abilities."Alphas" was picked up to series, but only lasted two season. She followed up ALPHAS, with the NBC comedy pilot, ELLEN MORE OR LESS. In 2015, the actress began filming the "The Untitled Joshua Marston" feature opposite Michael Shannon and Rachel Weisz. The film, now titled "Complete Unknown" premiered at 2016's Sundance Film Festival, where Azita was named one of the festivals rising stars. A chameleon on film and television, she has taken on different dialects and languages on screen and has portrayed everything from Indian-Arab-Persian-American, Greek and French-Algerian, to simply the All-American Girl next door.

Maz Jobrani
Maz is a founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour which first aired on Comedy Central. He has had three Showtime specials, BROWN AND FRIENDLY, I COME IN PEACE and most recently, I’M NOT A TERRORIST, BUT I’VE PLAYED ONE ON TV. He performs stand-up live around the world, including the Middle East where he performed in front of the King of Jordan. Maz has also performed stand up on THE TONIGHT SHOW and THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON. Most recently, Maz starred as the title character in the award-winning indie comedy, JIMMY VESTVOOD: AMERIKAN HERO, a film which he co-wrote and produced. In the Summer of 2015 he played the role of Jafar from Aladdin in the Disney movie, THE DESCENDANTS. With over 50 guest star appearances, Maz can regularly be seen on television's most popular shows. Guest stars include GREY’S ANATOMY, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, TRUE BLOOD, and SHAMELESS. He is a regular panelist on NPR's WAIT WAIT DONT TELL ME and has given 2 TED Talks. His LA Times Best Selling Book, I'M NOT A TERRORIST BUT I'VE PLAYED ONE ON TV, was published by Simon & Schuster, and hit shelves in February 2015.

Aasif Mandvi
Aasif is well known for his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning show, THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART. Most recently, Aasif wrote, produced, and starred in the HBO series, THE BRINK, co-starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins. Other recent television appearances include CBS’s PERSON OF INTEREST and MADAM SECRETARY. Mandvi will next be seen starring opposite Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, and Julia Roberts in MOTHER’S DAY, directed by Garry Marshall. November also marked the release of his memoir, NO LAND’S MAN, a collection of humorous and personal stories published by Chronicle Books.Mandvi co-created and starred in the critically acclaimed web-series, HALAL IN THE FAMILY, which addressed anti-muslim bigotry through humour and received a staggering 577 media impressions worldwide. Mandvi also received rave reviews for originating the role of ‘Amir Kapoor’ in the world premiere of Ayad Aktahr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, DISGRACED, at Lincoln Center. He was the recipient of the 1999 OBIE award for SAKINA’S RESTAURANT, a play he wrote and starred in. Other stage credits include the Broadway revival of OKLAHOMA and SUBURBIA. In film, Aasif’s recent work includes, MILLION DOLLAR ARM with Jon Hamm, THE INTERNSHIP, starring alongside Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, MOVIE 43, THE DICTATOR with Sacha Baron Cohen, DARK HORSE for Todd Solondz, RUBY SPARKS, (from the creators of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), GODS BEHAVING BADLY, and PREMIUM RUSH. He also co-wrote and starred in TODAY’S SPECIAL, which premiered at the London Film Festival. Additional film credits include leads in THE LAST AIRBENDER and THE MYSTIC MASSEUR, and supporting roles in IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY, THE PROPOSAL, GHOST TOWN, MUSIC AND LYRICS, SPIDER-MAN 2, FREEDOMLAND, ANALYZE THIS, MARGIN CALL, and THE SIEGE.

Navid Negahban
Navid is most widely regarded for his portrayal of “Abu Nazir” on the Emmy award‐winning Showtime Series HOMELAND. He currently stars in the independent film BABA JOON, inspired by director Yuval Delshad’s life. The film premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and recently went on to win five Ophir Awards, the equivalent of the Israeli Oscar. Navid’s upcoming credits include BRAIN ON FIRE directed by Gerard Barrett. The film is based on Susannah Cahalan’s memoir of the same name and Navid stars opposite a stellar cast that includes Chloe Grace Moretz, Richard Armitage, Carrie‐Anne Moss, Thomas Mann, and Jenny Slate. Navid will next be seen in Fernando Coimbra’s war drama SAND CASTLE alongside Henry Cavill and Nicholas Hoult, as well as the espionage thriller DAMASCUS COVER opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Olivia Thirlby, and John Hurt. Also upcoming is Henry Hughes’ DAY ONE which has been nominated for this year’s Oscar for Best Short Film, Live Action. Navid appeared in Clint Eastwood’s AMERICAN SNIPER opposite Bradley Cooper. Born in Mashhad, Iran, Navid caught the acting bug at the age of eight, when his portrayal of an old man drew laughter from a large audience at an elementary school play. His passion for acting led him to Germany where he spent eight years honing his theatrical skills prior to arriving in the United States. He is fluent in English, Farsi and German, and in his spare time enjoys traveling, studying anthropology, shooting pool, driving and playing poker. Navid also had significant supporting roles in the films BROTHERS starring Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal; CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Amy Adams; and WORDS AND PICTURES with Clive Owens and Juliette Binoche. Born in Mashhad, Iran, Navid caught the acting bug at the age of eight, when his portrayal of an old man drew laughter from a large audience at an elementary school play. His passion for acting led him to Germany where he spent eight years honing his theatrical skills prior to arriving in the United States. He is fluent in English, Farsi and German, and in his spare time enjoys traveling, studying anthropology, shooting pool, driving and playing poker.

Camille Allick, moderator
Camille is a media/diversity consultant with extensive experience in entertainment and a particular focus on the creation of informed multicultural representations in media and programming for events. Ms. Alick has consulted on award-winning shows and productions, such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Homeland and Marc Cherry Productions. Other clients have included Warner Bros., Producers Guild of America, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Writers Guild of America, West, Writers Guild of America, East and Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC). From 2008–2013, Ms. Alick spearheaded the creation of the nonprofit, nonadvocacy, informational service, Muslims on Screen and Television (MOST); building it from inception to its current status as a key touchstone and popular resource utilized by studios, writers and producers. Camille has sat on the Board of Directors for the Arab Film Festival and previously filled the role of the festival’s LA director. As former co-chair of the Women’s Initiative at the Pacific Council on International Policy, Camille helped create and produce relevant programming. Ms. Alick currently serves on the board of Los Angeles/Beirut Sister Cities, Arab-American National Museum, L.A. Steering Committee and the Department of Homeland Securities, L.A. Roundtable.

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