What should I expect from a true crime re-enactment "acting" offer?

May 2, 2007 12:03 AM

I have been asked to "act" in a CourtTv's Missing Persons Unit episode because of my apparent resemblance to a murderer. What should I expect?

A woman approched me this morning at work (in front of my boss!) saying "You really look like this killer that we're doing a show on. Would you like to play him in a re-enactment?" She took a quick photo of me, and then called back later to tell me that everyone she showed my photo to agreed that I did indeed look like that particular criminal, and could I commit to an eight hour shoot next week? Based on her name (Tara) and her company (Story House Productions) and her mentioning missing persons, everything seems legit--and their office is literally across the street from me. I happen to have a free day during their shooting schedule. Should I say yes? If so, what should I expect? She didn't mention anything about pay. Will I be famous? :) The "role" will not include any lines or spoken material. If I call her back, what questions should I ask? What answers should I expect? Any tips/advice/things to be aware of? I have absolutely no background in anything remotely related to acting, theater, tv production... anything, really. Thanks in advance for your help!

posted by madag to media & arts (25 comments total)

Expect for even more people to think you look like that murderer.
posted by HotPatatta at 12:42 AM on May 2, 2007 [2 favorites]

If it were me, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this business.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:57 AM on May 2, 2007

On the one hand I say do it. Hey, you'll be on TV, playing a murderer in a reenactment! Wacky!

On the other hand, who's to say that people won't mistake you for the murderer and call the cops on you. Actors tend to not refuse work - if they're charming average citizens, then maybe it's not a desirable thing.

All said and done, if it were me, I'd do it.
posted by Sticherbeast at 1:10 AM on May 2, 2007

I've read about real people acting as criminals on "America's Most Wanted" who have been freaked out when people have 'recognized' them as the actual suspects and attempted to 'detain' them to buy time for the police to arrive so they could collect the (presumed) reward.

I reckon it's only a matter of time before one of the 'actors' on these shows is shot due to someone mistaking their identity for the 'real' criminal. On the other hand, the odds of this happening to you are pretty slim. I'd go for it - the years of laughter watching a recording of the show will be worth it, and it's probably not bad money.

Some advice: Demand a professional DVD of the episode as part of your deal.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 1:11 AM on May 2, 2007

Oh, and if you've never been on a film set, expect a lot of "hurry up and wait." Otherwise, I'm sure they're experienced at directing non-actors. If you do wind up doing this, just do everything they say and have fun with it.

As for what to do in the event of mistaken identity in the weeks down the line...well, I can't help you there. Get the production company on speed dial, just in case you need to explain yourself? I'm not sure how paranoid you'd need to be.
posted by Sticherbeast at 1:14 AM on May 2, 2007

I second Stitcherbeast on the "hurry up and wait". I've done some extra work before, for TV and one movie, and you spend roughly 75% (or more) of the time...waiting. Of course, if you're in most of the shots that will be different, but even then...bring your iPod.
posted by zardoz at 2:15 AM on May 2, 2007

I say do it just so you can get your own page on imdb.
posted by DefendBrooklyn at 4:11 AM on May 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

Disregard alarmists above.
Most fun you'll ever have.
E-mail me and we'll talk.
posted by Dizzy at 5:30 AM on May 2, 2007

Ask about payment.

My mother is a director and a buttload of my friends are in film, so I've ended up on the sets of a lot of productions in various roles. With regards to "hurry up and wait" and "bring your iPod," the first is true, but the second might not be good advice. If you zone out, you will get shouted at, and if you don't initially hear the shouter, you'll get shouted at some more. Film and TV sets are tense enough without people being angry at you, trust me.

As for the actual acting, well, that's a hard thing to just give tips for. You might want to pick up a book like Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen (whom I have heard was a great teacher). You don't have to read it all the way, as it's a pretty detailed discourse on method acting (basically, where you attempt to truly empathize with your character, taking on his emotions), but it should offer you a few pieces of wisdom you can use, even having never done it before. You probably won't have too much trouble with a no-line part.

My personal advice on it: maybe you've noticed, but the vast majority of people cannot act. There are basically two reasons why this is true:
1. They are self-conscious. This will ruin you anywhere, whether it's playing tennis, playing a gig, or running a business meeting, but in acting, it's DIRECTLY CONTRARY to what you're trying to do. Think about it: you're trying to present yourself as another person, but on some level you are devoting mental energies to what the audience thinks of you? There's no way it will work. GET INTO IT. Remember that the character (unless it was specifically written as such) would have no reservations with being him- or herself. After all, he or she does it every day.

You're allowed to be nervous, but compartmentalize it as much as possible. Butterflies suck, I know, but they can be ignored; once you start worrying about embarassing yourself it's all over.

2. They lack attention to detail. This type of person has no particular reservations about performing their role, but they somehow forget what being a real person is like once they start. Their voice inflection fluctuates excessively or doesn't exist at all; their face is emotionless as they deliver their lives; they do nothing while they wait for the next line, the next cue for them to act. Depending on your disposition, this is easier to fix. Although the optimal way to do that is to have a director that guides you to what you should be expressing, it is possible with a well-developed critical eye to alter these habits yourself. Do something in front of a mirror, maybe, and afterwards, ask yourself if a real person could have said and done what you need. If not, try to figure out why.

In retrospect, I apologize...this post was probably excessive given the role you've got lined up, but who knows...maybe you'll get the bug. It's a blood-thirsty one...I'd know. :) I hope it works out and you get to try something new. Have fun!
posted by invitapriore at 5:34 AM on May 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

No.
It is pretending.
It is for money.
I've played a serial killer, a nazi and a coked-up writer in the past 6 months and I've had a ball with each of them.
Besides my obsession with leavened dessert products, I'm the most normal guy in the world.
posted by Dizzy at 6:54 AM on May 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

I've read about real people acting as criminals on "America's Most Wanted" who have been freaked out when people have 'recognized' them as the actual suspects and attempted to 'detain' them to buy time for the police to arrive so they could collect the (presumed) reward.

Yup, this very well might happen. A friend of the family was on "Unsolved Mysteries", and he got spotted, more than once, I believe.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:00 AM on May 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

Sets can be fun or boring. You might or might not be recognized. One way or the other, there's no way you should turn down such a ridiculous and bizarre request, you'll regret it forever.
posted by YoungAmerican at 9:07 AM on May 2, 2007

Actors tend to not refuse work - if they're charming average citizens, then maybe it's not a desirable thing.

Or, alternatively, they don't need any real "acting", so no need for someone with experience. In that case, hiring someone who's non-union (and doesn't know how the game works) could save them quite a bit of money.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 9:25 AM on May 2, 2007

Yeah, do it.

A million years ago I was asked to be an extra on Baywatch. I got all feminist about not wanting to be anywhere near such a horrible show. So I turned it down. Flash forward 15 years and now I'm like, "Jesus, I was hot enough to be on Baywatch! I sure wish I'd mellowed out and just done that."
posted by miss lynnster at 9:29 AM on May 2, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh, and if you've never been on a film set, expect a lot of "hurry up and wait."

Yeah - my one and only 'interviewee' experience for 3-minutes of on-screen time took about 18 hours of actual time.

But - hell, it was eye-opening and I got to be on the Discovery Chanel. And I didn't get paid ;-)
posted by jkaczor at 10:07 AM on May 2, 2007

Channel . sigh.
posted by jkaczor at 10:08 AM on May 2, 2007

Susan Lucci was walking in a mall one time. An old woman with a fierce look on her face stalked up to Lucci and slapped her, then turned around and walked away without a word.

Of course, it wasn't really Lucci the old woman was slapping, it was "Erica Kane", the villainous woman Lucci plays on the soap opera "All My Children".
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 11:50 AM on May 2, 2007

I'd do it. Chances are it'll be one of those TRUE CRIME: BLOOD MURDER in 90210 shows on CourtTV, right around 9 AM. It won't be enough to make you famous, but it'll be funny and maybe you'll make a couple of bucks.
posted by GilloD at 1:43 PM on May 2, 2007

I think this pretty normal stuff. A friend of mine growing up was a character actor in that show unsolved mysteries. the fact that the role doesn't have any "spoken" material is probably an allusion to the fact that, even though you're in the show, you're not eligible for SAG membership. anyway. have fun with it.
posted by phaedon at 1:44 PM on May 2, 2007

on a related note, one other friend plays a robot (that's all i'm gonna say), you can't ever see the guy's face, and they fly that guy all across the country just do his thing.
posted by phaedon at 1:46 PM on May 2, 2007

I had a friend that was on an episode of America's Most Wanted as an Asian gang member. It was pretty neat. He got paid and the only person who thought the he was really a gang member was his grandma (who didn't understand English that well). That took some explaining.
Now it is just a fun story to tell. So, go for it.
posted by nimsey lou at 4:52 PM on May 2, 2007

What a terrible idea. They could not possibly pay you enough to portray a killer on an LCD-type show like this. The potential for physical harm, interpersonal weirdness and nightmares is simply too high for what they are going to offer in return.
posted by Scram at 8:57 PM on May 2, 2007

Sceam--
It is pretending!
Like what kids do! And kitties with balls of yarn!
Tony Hopkins is NOT Hannibal Lecter!
He's just a nice man who sleeps very well (on fine 10,000 thread-count Egyptian linen sheets, I presume) knowing that he did a good job PLAYING, not BEING a murdering monster.
Just saying.
posted by Dizzy at 12:45 AM on May 3, 2007

Dizzy, did you read the comments above about people not understanding the separation of actor & character? Now think about how people with bad logic like that may also have other kinds of bad logic (I should hurt/confine/report this person). I agree with Scram: this is tempting as an experience / story for the grandchildren, but not worth it.
posted by lorimer at 3:20 PM on May 3, 2007

lorimer--
Not sure I understand you, but I'll send a signed 8X10 if you want.
posted by Dizzy at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2007