Well now, let me tell ya somethin’ about them folks on a movie set, the ones ain’t never acted a lick in their lives. See, it’s a whole different ballgame than them fancy actors you see on TV. Filmin’ a movie with regular folks, it’s got its ups and downs, just like bakin’ a cake – sometimes it rises, sometimes it falls flat.
First off, you gotta understand these ain’t professionals. They ain’t spent years learnin’ how to cry on cue or pretend to be someone else. They’re just…folks. Like your neighbor, or the fella down at the feed store. So, you can’t be hollerin’ at ’em like some drill sergeant. Gotta be gentle, like you’re coaxin’ a stray cat to come eat outta your hand.
- You gotta talk plain. No fancy words. Just tell ’em what you want, clear as day. Like, “Walk over there, pick up that cup, and look surprised.” Not none of that “Embody the character’s emotional arc” mumbo jumbo. They’ll just stare at you like you got two heads.
- And patience! Lord have mercy, you need a whole heap of patience. They’re gonna mess up. A lot. They’ll forget their lines, they’ll look at the camera, they’ll trip over their own feet. You just gotta breathe deep and tell ’em it’s alright, we’ll do it again. No point in gettin’ all hot and bothered.
Now, some folks say it’s cheaper to use non-actors, and maybe it is. But let me tell ya, what you save in money, you spend in time. ‘Cause you gotta explain everything, every little thing. How to stand, how to walk, how to hold a fork. Stuff a real actor would know without you sayin’ a word. It’s like teachin’ a baby how to walk, step by step.
But here’s the thing, sometimes, them non-actors, they bring somethin’ special. Somethin’ real. ‘Cause they ain’t pretendin’. They ain’t puttin’ on a show. They’re just bein’ themselves, in that moment. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. That realness, that rawness, you can’t teach that. It’s like findin’ a wild mushroom in the woods, tastes better than anything you could grow in your garden.
One thing I learned, is you can’t just hand ’em a script and expect ’em to be perfect. You gotta let ’em wiggle a little, you know? Let ’em say things their own way, as long as they get the gist of it. ‘Cause if you try to make ’em into somethin’ they ain’t, it’ll just look stiff and phony. Like a scarecrow dressed up in a fancy suit.
Another thing, them fancy directors, they talk about “motivation” and “backstory.” Forget all that. Just tell ’em what they need to do, and why. Like, “You’re sad ’cause your dog ran away.” Simple as that. They can understand that. They ain’t got time for all that psychological mumbo jumbo.
And don’t be afraid to show ’em what you want. Sometimes, the best way to get ’em to do somethin’ is to do it yourself. Show ’em how to walk, how to talk, how to look. Mimicry, they call it. I just call it plain common sense. Like teachin’ a kid how to tie their shoes, you gotta show ’em first, then they can do it themselves.
Now, findin’ these folks, that’s a whole ‘nother story. These days, you got them internet things, where folks post about auditions. But back in my day, you just went down to the town square and asked around. “Hey, you wanna be in a movie?” Simple as that. And sometimes, the best folks you find are the ones you ain’t even lookin’ for. Like findin’ a twenty dollar bill in your old coat pocket, a nice surprise.
And get this, some folks think you need a whole crew of people and fancy equipment to make a movie. But honestly, all you really need is a camera and a computer. Heck, most folks got that already. Actors help, sure, but they ain’t the whole shebang. It’s like makin’ a stew, the meat is important, but you need the potatoes and carrots too.
So, yeah, workin’ with non-actors, it’s a mixed bag. It’s hard work, it takes patience, and it ain’t always pretty. But sometimes, just sometimes, you get somethin’ truly special. Somethin’ real, somethin’ honest, somethin’ you couldn’t get any other way. Like findin’ a four-leaf clover in a field full of weeds, a little bit of magic in the everyday.
And remember, treat ’em with respect, give ’em clear directions, and for goodness sake, have some snacks on hand. Folks get grumpy when they’re hungry. It’s just like havin’ company over for dinner, you gotta make ’em feel welcome and comfortable, or they ain’t gonna stay long.
