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Independent film directors with limited resources often have to make do with inferior filmmaking elements. These filmmakers can't always get the best camera or the perfect location, but sometimes these disadvantages can work in their favor. Often indie movie directors won't have access to experienced people to play their characters or those that have much film experience. These directors will have to pick and choose from whatever resources are available in their area; high school drama departments, college theater departments, and local community theater.

Some film directors may have to cast regular people, not actors. Although the process may not be as clear cut as working with actual thespians, non-actors can bring a lot to a film.

Open To Direction

Experienced actors have already formed their opinion of what they want in a director and that opinion may be for the director to just leave them alone. When you're in the position of having to make do with whatever acting resources are available to you, it helps a lot to be able to mold and shape those performances personally. Non-actors are more likely to be open-minded about the actor-director relationship and may be more amenable to changing their performance to your wishes.

Magic Might Happen

Most actors have a technique that they use to elicit performances. They do homework, they build a character, and then portray that character. Although they may not think so, many of them are rigid in their approach. A non-actor has no technique other than doing whatever works. Whereas being a trained actor may be limitation if they're not careful, a normal person won't be so restrictive. With this free and easy attitude a non-actor will try anything and might just hit on something really special.

Fresh Faces

Along with bringing novel ways of acting, these non-actors will have a look that will have never been seen in any other film production. Physical looks is an important part of the screen actor and shouldn't be overlooked when casting. Even though a non-actor may not be able to play a character as a naturalistic, trained actor would, you can get a lot of mileage from their appearance alone. Not only will they have likely never appeared in another production, they may never again appear in one after yours. Your film will be the only documentation of this person in a fictional piece and if they are interesting enough it may mitigate any poor acting.

Real Performances

When you don't have the option of casting actors you might be able to find a non-actor whose real-life personality mirrors that of the character. They may not need to do any empathy exercises or even consider motivations. They may be able to just naturally do what's called for in the script and for it to seem real. They may have already done the scripted things in real life or they may just be so familiar that they can do them without much thought.

It's easy to lament lack of resources and harder to use what you have to full effect. You may not get the actors you wish you could, but what really defines you as a director is your ability to get what you can from what you do have. There will always be other films where you can do it better, but for now show us what you can do with what little you have.