How to Work Effectively with Non-Professional Actors

Start by Practicing with Non-Professional Actors

When making films as a hobby, one common challenge is “finding actors.” While you could involve theater-trained individuals with acting experience, I recommend starting with non-professional actors, including yourself, if necessary.

There are several reasons for this, but to put it simply: filmmaking beginners usually face technical challenges that overshadow acting issues. Before demanding great performances from seasoned actors, it’s essential to practice “making movies” with a team of non-professionals first.

Challenges with Non-Professional Acting

The biggest issue with non-professional actors is their lack of acting skills. Advice like “put more emotion into it” rarely works for them because, even if they feel emotions internally, they lack the techniques to express them convincingly on screen.

Surprisingly, the solution lies in a paradox: “Don’t make them act.” Instead, aim for filming methods that minimize the need for acting altogether.

Avoid Saying “Ready, Action!”

Opinions differ, but when working with non-professional actors, I rarely use the phrase “Ready, Action!” During rehearsals, everything may go smoothly, but as soon as they hear “Action,” their demeanor often shifts unnaturally, breaking the flow.

Thanks to advancements in digital recording, we no longer need to conserve film or tape. I suggest finishing camera setups, doing a light rehearsal, and then rolling continuously while instructing actors, “Treat this as practice and just perform until the end.”

Instead of starting with “Action,” I initiate scenes with their movements or dialogue and provide feedback, like “Let’s try it faster this time.” I rarely stop the camera between takes. By removing the pressure associated with “Action!”, actors shed unnecessary tension and start to perform more naturally. This seemingly casual performance often appears as genuine as that of trained professionals.

Eliminate Pauses or Rushing

Some professional actors consciously pause before delivering their lines to emphasize their moments, but this doesn’t work for non-professionals. On the flip side, many amateurs rush their lines out of nervousness or fear of forgetting them.

To counter these tendencies:

• Avoid unnecessary pauses that make scenes drag.
• Don’t let them rush through dialogue in a way that feels unnatural.

By tailoring direction to individual tendencies, filmmakers can create fleeting moments where non-professionals “act well” without even realizing it.

Avoid Combining Actions and Dialogue

Non-professionals struggle with multitasking—delivering lines while performing specific actions. For example, lines like “Pick this up, say something, then stand while completing the dialogue” often lead to awkward performances.

Instead, separate actions and dialogue whenever possible, allowing actors to focus on one task at a time. Through repeated practice, you can capture footage that minimizes awkwardness, resulting in scenes that appear natural and polished.

Balancing Practicality and Creativity

This approach is, perhaps, the only way non-professionals can compete with trained actors on screen. By consciously designing your scenes and reducing reliance on “acting,” you’ll create opportunities for your actors to shine, even if they are beginners.

I hope these insights prove useful!