Full "Californianization": Photos from the high-profile and low-profile castings for Anush Abrar's project (23 photos)

Today, 10:00

Category: photographs and photographic works, 18+

The word "casting" has gained a strong foothold, almost displacing the simpler and more understandable word "interview." It just so happens that we associate casting with something, primarily, inappropriate. Swiss photographer Anoush Abrar took a series of photos in Los Angeles of women attending various castings. He called his project "Californication." Why? The subjects of Abrar's project are simply newcomers trying their best to find success in the affluent state.

Not all the girls in Abrar's photos are there to film porn—some are applying for the most mundane jobs. However, even for an interview with the cemetery director, the American women prefer to wear provocative outfits. Perhaps they think a miniskirt and cleavage will help them get the job?

To make it clear what's happening in the photos, Anush Abrar posted a short caption under each one, explaining the job the beauties were applying for.

Natalia came to the office of a well-known publication in response to an ad that was calling for women with anorexia to audition. Applicants were required to provide several photos wearing minimal clothing, as well as a story about their struggle with anorexia or how they overcame it.

Aiko applied for a job at an escort agency that provides wealthy men with young, attractive female companions. The ad stated that the girls should be ready for anything and that they needed to look like a million bucks. However, the pay section coyly mentioned that the salary started at $100 per meeting.

Rebecca came to the cemetery office because she saw an ad on the website that the company was looking for an assistant manager. It also stated that shifts had to be worked in the office near the burial sites.

Francesca is looking for work in the adult industry. She attended a casting call, the description of which clearly hints that she needs to be prepared for more than just talking and undressing in public.

Erica came to apply for a job as an erotic model. The company specifies that photo and video shoots take place both in and without underwear. Those who successfully pass the casting are promised full-time employment with the company, with all the attendant social benefits.

The ad that attracted Elizabeth began simply: "Big Butt Girls Wanted." It was a large porn studio with offices in Los Angeles and Miami, producing both traditional and lesbian porn. Applicants were required to have an open mind, a love of travel, and be between 18 and 25 years old.

Catherine applied the most intense makeup possible and chose her most revealing dress, as she was auditioning for a men's magazine company. She really needed the job.

When Angie went to the interview, she wasn't quite sure what the job was. The company needed a woman with no inhibitions, sexy, and outgoing. The employer considered experience in the porn industry a plus. It turned out to be the very studio that hosted fake porn castings with men and women.

Jennifer showed up to the casting wearing her best lingerie, a gift from her boyfriend. Her dream is to work as an erotic model for an agency that collaborates with adult magazines and websites in the US, Europe, and Asia.

A girl, hiding her real name, came to a casting at a porn studio and felt a little out of place.

Rebecca expected to be forced to undress, perhaps completely, at the modeling agency, but this photo shoot came as a complete surprise.

The beautiful Sandra has invested a lot of time and money in her body and hopes it will pay dividends. For now, the aspiring erotic model lives very modestly, renting a room in a poor area of LA. Every casting is a chance to escape her cycle of problems.

Aisha came to LA from the provinces, knowing exactly what she wanted from life. This isn't her first modeling casting, so she's not surprised by anything and is just trying to present herself favorably.

Natalie is tense, knowing full well how such interviews can end. Companies that produce adult content don't particularly care about intelligence or eloquence.

Another future Hollywood star was given a test photo shoot on the beach, Baywatch-style. Unfortunately, most long-legged beauties don't know that their ceiling with such agencies is a photo on the cover of a cheap magazine for single men.

If you're young, attractive, and need money, there's always work for you in California. At least temporarily.

Trisha was studying at university and wanted to work as a teacher. But California was so tempting with easy money, and agency managers were so eloquent and generous with their promises.

It took Anush Abrar 10 years and six trips to the United States to complete the project. Sometimes, getting into the inner sanctum of a porn studio or fashion magazine was more difficult than crossing the ocean—castings are usually closed events.

Sometimes, Abrar managed to invite himself to the girls' homes and take a few photos in their modest homes—these are the saddest and most hopeless photos. When asked his opinion of the girls in the photos, the photographer says he doesn't judge them, but simply acts as an outside observer.