Bit-Players: The Unsung Backbone of Movies
Bit-players in movies are the people that can actually make a huge difference if they’re not there, but when they are there they tend to be the people that the main actors are paid to overlook. In other words, they’re the ones that fill in the spaces in the room and in the conversation so that the dialogue can run smoothly and the scene can play out the way it needs to. They’re the unsung backbone of the movie that makes it run by being as quick to the point as possible before blending into the background once again.
Ben Fong-Torres: A Real-Life Bit-Player
Ben Fong-Torres is an actual person whose family immigrated to the US and adopted a Filipino surname so that they wouldn’t be caught by the Chinese Exclusion Act. It was a rather tense time in America when the Fong’s made their way onto US soil, and in order to have a chance at a life, Ben’s father had to do whatever it took to get them through customs so that they could start a new life. Eventually, he would graduate from San Francisco University with a B.A. in radio, TV, and film. He was also a writer and was with Rolling Stone magazine almost from the beginning.
Torres actually had a very prosperous career but in Almost Famous is more of a bit player standing behind the main scenes waiting to get his two cents in. He’s portrayed by actor Terry Chen in a decent representation that paints him as a rather knowledgeable and interesting person. Throughout much of his life though, Torres was without a doubt one of the more influential people in many different venues. The difference between him and the bigger names that got known throughout history is that he didn’t always strive to be the top dog or the face of any company he was with. He did what he could to be the best and to gain renown but he seemed to be happy with his role and didn’t try to overplay himself. He was a bit-player by habit, it would seem.
The Role of a Bit-Player: Supporting the Main Characters
The role of a bit-player really is to be there when needed and otherwise fade away into the background if you’re not. A great many actors have started out this way and have risen to the top throughout their careers. Torres did a lot with his career but in terms of standing out, he always seemed to be content to be known but not be so famous that he had to be the center of attention. With so many people in various industries trying to be the top dog of their particular field, this is kind of refreshing, really.
Bit-players are every bit as important to a story as the main characters, but they are supportive roles. In life, it’s about the same; if you’re a bit-player, then you’re there to make others look good and then go back to your job. In the movies, you’re there to move the dialogue along and keep the key points of the film in focus. Then it’s time to head back to the background.
Ben Fong-Torres was a master of this lifestyle.
“I know how my lady gets”
