AMC REALITY SHOW 'Filmfakers' has real Niles talent behind it

Marla Puccetti will get 'fired' in the second episode of 'Filmfakers.'
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Young, aspiring actors are being set up in a new reality TV show, and a Niles native is part of the ruse.
Marla Puccetti is a producer of "Filmfakers," which debuts at 10 tonight on AMC. Puccetti is a free-lancer with City Lights Media in New York, which created "Filmfakers" for the cable station.
The inexperienced actors believe they've landed their first movie roles. They actually are sent to work with improvisational actors who concoct strange scenarios to get reactions out of them.
As casting director, Puccetti is the first person the novices meet.
Why pick on actors? "It's not so much picking on actors. We're poking fun of the movie industry in general. They happen to be part of the joke," says Puccetti, 32, a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren.
After all, faking it is Hollywood's business.
Going to the extreme
The "Filmfakers" professionals take on personas such as a crazy producer or a drunk special effects guy. "You will find these people on real movie sets at some level," Puccetti said. "We do go to the extreme with some of the pranks we pull on them."
"Filmfakers" is different from its reality TV competition in at least one way: the "real, genuine reactions" of the aspiring actors, Puccetti said. Other shows coach their participants on what to say when the cameras are rolling.
Tonight, three actors are sent to work on a low-budget, straight-to-video horror movie, where the other actors pull out every fright flick clich & eacute; in the book.
On Nov. 3, Puccetti plays along when she takes three other actors to a Mafia movie set and the producer fires her for tardiness. The actors don't know what to do, since Puccetti has guided them as they signed contracts and went to their first wardrobe fittings. "They're kind of confused and upset," she said.
Keeping in touch
Six episodes are planned in all, featuring 18 green actors and various film genres.
"They don't always take the reveal well," Puccetti said. "There have been some tears." She has kept in touch with all 18 participants. "They still trust me, believe it or not. They want to be involved in the editing process. ... They are very sweet and very concerned about the way their image is going to be projected on television."
They don't walk away empty-handed, however. Each was paid $1,000 for three days of "work," and they received transportation, room and board as well.
"They definitely get an acting class like no other acting class," Puccetti said.
Not everyone on "Filmfakers" is faking it. All scenes are shot by professionals. Each participant receives a tape of their on-set work that they can use as an example of his or her talent.
The "Filmfakers" victims also get to work alongside some celebrities, including "CHiPS" TV series star Erik Estrada, model Rachel Hunter and "American Idol" runner-up Justin Guarini.
Coaxing the celebs into participating wasn't difficult. "They were all up to it," Puccetti said, but "they wanted to make sure it wasn't a mean-spirited show, that it wouldn't harm [the young actors] in a way that it scarred them."
Luring more actors
Preproduction begins soon on the next six episodes of "Filmfakers," and filming is scheduled in February. If the show takes off, it won't be as easy to lure unsuspecting actors next time.
"I think we have to take it on the road," Puccetti said.
She would be happy if that road leads to greater Youngstown. "It would be great to move home and do what I do," she said.
Her background
Puccetti studied telecommunications at Ohio University and worked for two years as an associate news producer at WYTV Channel 33. She also has worked on shows for Oxygen cable TV and commercials for BMW cars and Titleist golf balls.
Puccetti's father, now deceased, was an owner of Station Square Restaurant in Liberty. Other family members still live in Niles.
shaulis@vindy.com