How far would you go to get actors cry?
- Thread starter Tetewsky
- Start date
Sounds a little extreme. The best way Ive found to get the tears rolling is through meaningful direction.
maranfilms
Veteran
Take my advice, If your working with an actor that has to physically hurt them selves to cry. Hire someone else.
This sounds like a no brainer to me.
And if you do decide to use someone so unprofessional, then make sure you carry a damn good insurance policy. Evevybodies sue happy these days.
This sounds like a no brainer to me.
And if you do decide to use someone so unprofessional, then make sure you carry a damn good insurance policy. Evevybodies sue happy these days.
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
A "good" actor can cry when you want them to without committing physical pain.
Chris Adler
Veteran
I'd say the best way is to write moving material and hire a good actor. Should be no need for tricks like this.
J Davis
Veteran
+1 to what they say.
If you are working with a trained actor or talented actor or a combo of both they can cry on demand and stop just as quick.
Also they can probably cry 8 different and distinct ways if you asked them to show a range (I've someone do this immaculately during a casting session).
If they can't do this without resorting to 'method' acting and inflicting pain on themselves you could threaten them with re-casting and see if that produces some tears.
If it doesn't then carry out the threat and re-cast them. You will be doing yourself and your production a favour.
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tired
Well-known member
No actor worth his money needs to do that, some may need 'direction' but if the script calls for such an emotional response and the script is decently written the actor should have no trouble getting to the emotional truth of the scene.
I assume we're talking about drama here but what if it's for a TVC? - I saw a problem with an actor a few years ago for a cable TVC.
They wanted a series of people getting emotionally involved in the movies they were watching. The audition was easy, they showed some footage of baby seals! but at the actual shoot the director decided to change that for an excerpt from an Adam Sandler movie (he was trying to act) and the poor guy just sat there staring with a WTF look on his face. We had to move on to another actor.
In that situation we need to try to provide the right motivation and I think that's all about good direction, tailored to the actor.
Crying on demand needs to be part of the casting if it has to happen in the shoot. Causing physically pain doesn't usually cause the right tears in adults anyway, so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't even work. Even if it did it would be unreliable, hard to stop after it starts, and could leave marks for makeup to deal with. Not the ideal solution, and not something a good actor would need.
HDkilledFILM.
Burnin' down the House
Really, no one has ever tried eye drops? Or onions?
Getting good actors is the first thing to do, but maybe, just maybe the person is right for the part but cannot cry on command and you don't have time to have a deep talk with them to bring it out... Onions or eye drops.
Getting good actors is the first thing to do, but maybe, just maybe the person is right for the part but cannot cry on command and you don't have time to have a deep talk with them to bring it out... Onions or eye drops.
maranfilms
Veteran
And let me guess. This idiot you call an actor most likely has no medical insurance, and all us tax payers will pick up the tab for this moron. I honestly dont believe you but either way im done in this thread. what a waste of space.
pveal
Well-known member
So Tetewsky when you say "some" you mean that more than one of your actors has offered to injure themselves in order to get teary on camera. I'm just interested what kind of situation you are in. If the actors are having trouble acting the tears then you might consider tea tree oil applied with a cotton bud under each eye, this will make eyes water but the actor will have to do the rest.
Edit: I hadn't seen the last three posts: Umm, ok, either you are A) joking B) an idiot (sorry but I have to be frank)
I hope you are joking.
rogar-SunGlass(DBG this thread makes me want to write things ..... I better sit on my hands I'm not so certain tears need to roll or, for that matter, a character needs to cry. Watching a character fight the urge to cry can be very emotive. Also, someone who wants and tries to cry but cannot can bring many conclusions for the audience to draw but that is a different matter somewhat.
Do you really want your actor to cry or do you want your viewers to shed a tear?
Do you really want your actor to cry or do you want your viewers to shed a tear?
Kit Hannah
Veteran
So I talked to the people in my war film. I told them I'm fine as long as they don't sue/hold me responsible. One of the guys is going to put a bullet in his legs tomorrow for extreme method acting. I'll let you guys know how it goes
Do people really think he's not being sarcastic? Simmadown, you guys are being way too serious! LOL. The idea is beyond ridiculous.
I would go and pull out nosehairs to make actors tear up.
Tim Joy
Veteran
It depends what they mean by "injure themselves". If they mean pinch the part of their nose between the nostrils really hard then I say go for it. If they mean cut a finger off then no. There are other ways too: wipe some Ben gay under the eyes. Works like a charm.
It's a film, it's all faked. It will be edited and put in a different context anyway. Cheat a little to get the shot (if the actor is otherwise good.) Even the greatest actor might have trouble crying on cue sometimes.
It's a film, it's all faked. It will be edited and put in a different context anyway. Cheat a little to get the shot (if the actor is otherwise good.) Even the greatest actor might have trouble crying on cue sometimes.
I was joking and I can't believe it took this long for people to figure it out. The concept is beyond ridiculous.