When and why did they stop using the actual family members in the re-enactments?

[mtaylor72]

This is one of the things I loved about the early years of UM. I liked how the producers, whenever possible, had the actual family members and police officials participate in recreating the events. I didn't care if the acting was bad/wooden - it made it more real to me. I assume using the actual people involved saved a ton of money in not having to hiring actors.

[tarheelslim]

I found it shocking when I realized they did this sometimes.

They probably stopped doing it because it may have been difficult for the family members to predict what the psychological toll would be on them, even if they thought they were okay with it.

[drew790]

My guess is an entertainment union type thing.

[soilentgreen]

Stack mentioned on the original Gus Hoffman segment (Season 1) that his mother Rose asked that an actress portray her in recreating the painful scenes.

Some of the actual people were as competent as the actors. The earlier years of the show were often filmed near the actual locations, so it made sense to involve people affiliated with the cases. If you watched the earlier specials and seasons when they originally aired it was apparent how unusual and distinctive UM's style was in that era, it really was an intriguing show.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by tarheelslim

I found it shocking when I realized they did this sometimes.

They probably stopped doing it because it may have been difficult for the family members to predict what the psychological toll would be on them, even if they thought they were okay with it.

I think this is exactly why they eventually stopped doing it.

In the earlier years, I'm sure they asked the people involved if they would like to take part in the reenactment and many agreed. However, there were some cases where they probably wouldn't have bothered. For instance, it would have been just plain cruel to ask Gord Mcallister to recreate the Blind River Rest Stop saga.

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by tarheelslim

I found it shocking when I realized they did this sometimes.

They probably stopped doing it because it may have been difficult for the family members to predict what the psychological toll would be on them, even if they thought they were okay with it.

Same. I always wondered how the person who re-enacted the event felt when the case was extremely gruel. Like not only having to recall such a grizzly event, but to reenact it must have been weird.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by drew790

My guess is an entertainment union type thing.

^I'd be willing to put money on this being at least a part of the reason.

And as others have said...I'm surprised some were able to, given the nature of some of the things they were reenacting...

[drew790]

Originally Posted by bell83

^I'd be willing to put money on this being at least a part of the reason.

And as others have said...I'm surprised some were able to, given the nature of some of the things they were reenacting...

I recall the reddit AMA they indicated the people liked and found comfort in participating in the reenactments as a sort of closure and a desire to help. I don't really think peoples feelings was a significant factor in this, I think they'd have done what they could to save money and kept offering for people to do it.

Aside from maybe the acting unions (after all "this is not a news broadcast") the 90s were more polished, viewing audiences expected more, I'd put money on someone at NBC insisting on professionals to grow with the times and keep up with the ratings.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by drew790

I recall the reddit AMA they indicated the people liked and found comfort in participating in the reenactments as a sort of closure and a desire to help. I don't really think peoples feelings was a significant factor in this, I think they'd have done what they could to save money and kept offering for people to do it.

Aside from maybe the acting unions (after all "this is not a news broadcast") the 90s were more polished, viewing audiences expected more, I'd put money on someone at NBC insisting on professionals to grow with the times and keep up with the ratings.

I didn't mean I thought them reliving things was a factor in it stopping...though I can see, re-reading my post, that it sounds that way. It was more just my surprise that some were able to. Although what you say does make sense. I remember watching an interview with Lou Diamond Phillips, talking about when they filmed the scene in La Bamba when he gets on the plane. He said that Ritchie's actual sister was there, and had started crying and talking to him as though he were actually Ritchie, asking why he had to get on the plane, and stuff like that. And I guess it was kind of a...I dunno...cathartic (?)....bit of closure for her.