Commercials aren’t really shot on film much any more, it’s largely digital video, so the distinction between union/non-union is made in some other way. The film/not film line was also relevant to whether or not the appropriate union was SAG or AFTRA, but they’re now merged.
Some of those commercials may in fact use “real people,” but all that means is that the producers found some non-actors with acting talent. And there are some which are clearly a lie–like the car commercial where the guy is in a cage with a bear outside. No one would ever put a civilian in a situation like that; although I guess it’s possible through Hollywood magic the real guy and the bear were never actually together, I haven’t examined it shot by shot.
I say that because people seem to be assuming so in this thread. What is done is that the advertiers bring in a bunch of people and then only use those who give the reactions that sell the product. Those who don’t are edited out, or a new group is brought in to react.
I didn’t notice that. Am I missing something? I can’t imagine a commercial with ‘real people’ being shot live.
Some commercials used to be done live, often using the announcer for a live show,. There’s a famous commercial shot live long ago with a Timex watch strapped to an outboard motor propeller. When they stopped the motor and tilted it out of the water… the watch was gone. IIRC the announcer was John Cameron Swayze.
Personally it mean nothing to me b/c ‘real’ people can get paid to say anything .
I really love the ads that show a person ‘after’ photo of a weight lost ,or new teeth or facelift but you never see the ‘before’ photo .
