Extras and their actions

IN MY OPINION:

WILLIAM REYNOLDS;

SO, WHAT DO EXTRAS TALK ABOUT WHEN>>>>

Here are some comments from those that actually KNOW>

When I direct a scene with extras, I usually do one of two things:

• if audio does not matter, I have them talk about private stuff, because it helps them behave naturally
• if audio matters and their chat could interfere with lines of the actors or other relevant acoustic events, I have them talk without making any sound at all. It is the same when you see a party with people dancing - there is no music playing back between "Action!" and "Cut!". We have the music on to give the extras a beat and a feeling for how to move their bodies, but as soon as the cameras start rolling, the music is switched off again.
• You can sometimes observe the effect, that actors in a loud atmosphere talk and act just normal instead of speaking up (which would change their mimics dramatically); then you know (unfortunately) that neither the director, nor the actors, nor the continuity person are good at what they are doing … :-)
• BUT THEN 'OF COURSE' YOU HAVE THOSE 'SO CALLED' 'NATURALS' { NOT!}