Actor Quote by Charles Burnett
“With non-professionals, there's a lot of time you have to allocate to getting what you want with them, but also you cast based on who they are, to bring out their real personalities. So it's less about working on character and more about just getting them comfortable in front of the camera to be themselves, and understanding the process.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Killer of Sheep, 1978 (director's commentary)
Comfort and authenticity with non‑actors arise from trust and patience, not strict direction.
In simple terms: Make them feel safe.
Key Takeaway
Build rapport before directing.
Themes
trust
authenticity
collaboration
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- documentary work
- workshop teaching
- community theater
Key Concepts
improvisation
human connection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you foster comfort in collaborators?
- When does guidance become control?
A Different Perspective
Time‑intensive; may delay production.
