Director who mocked actor Lukas Gage’s ‘tiny’ apartment in video audition apologizes

Director Tristram Shapeero apologized after the camera caught him mocking Euphoria star Lukas Gage’s ‘little apartment’ during a video audition.

Last week, actor Gage, 25, made headlines after sharing a clip of an exchange with Shapeero while trying out a new role via video call.

The director was heard from at the TV star’s house after forgetting to press the mute button, saying, “These poor people live in these little apartments.

Like he’s looking at his background, you know, and he’s got his TV.

Gage then replies: “I know this is an incredible apartment. So give me this job so I can get a better one.

The video has gone viral and Shapeero, known for his work on shows like The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has now apologized for his comments.

Writing for Deadline.com, he explained, “This Zoom audition took place in August, after a four-month lockdown.

“Several of my colleagues were also present at the hearings which took place over several days.

“It was exciting to see the actors working so hard to win the few roles available and we were deeply moved by the passion of these young people under extraordinary circumstances.

“He used the word ‘poor’ in the sense of deserving sympathy, as opposed to any economic judgment.

“My words were spoken from a real place of appreciation for what the actors had to endure, trapped in tight spaces, finding themselves within themselves to deliver a winning performance under these conditions.

He went on to insist that he was “mortified” by his comments and said it made him a more “empathetic” man.

Shapeero added, “I am mortified by what happened.

“While I can’t put the proverbial toothpaste back in the tube, I come out of this incident a more empathetic man; a more focused director and, I promise, an even better partner for the actors, from the audition process to the final cut. “

After the audition clip went live, Gage received support from several stars, including actor Kevin McHale, who applauded him on Twitter.

McHale wrote: “Thanks @lukasgage for posting this. Actors have to step on the board and be open and vulnerable during an audition and too often the people on the other side don’t take into account what that entails and how personal it is.

Fuck them. (Also, this room is nice and you handled it very well) ”.