The overwhelming majority of cast members in SLACKER had little or no prior acting experience. Most were selected “off the street” based on a particular look or attitude. Their roles in real life were as varied as the characters they portray in the film: musicians, artists, students, astrologers, bartenders, student loan extenders, slackers . . . The cast was encouraged during the rehearsal process to collaborate with the director in shaping their roles. —Richard Linklater