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Tom Wagner

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:58 pm

Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 597 Location: Long Island, NY

Okay, let's go the opposite of the Laughing thread: Crying.

When called upon to perform a scene that involves crying or heavy emotion does it help to have someone to play off of or does it make a difference? I realize it's all character driven but do you try to use a "point of reference" to get in the mood? Does playing a "heavy" scene invite self-consciousness?

Thank you.

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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:27 pm

Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 905 Location: HERE!

I think it is helpful (but not really necessary, with enough experience) to play off of another character - but you can also, in a sense, play off of your own character's situation or predicament, providing there is enough of a run-up to the "breaking point" at which the underlying emotion is exposed.

In regards to having an emotionally evocative personal point of reference, Virginia Greg once dramatically demonstrated to me how you switch on/off "the waterworks" by simply playing your character without inhibition - and how "making yourself cry" by dredging up some past personal trauma was a lot of self-indulgent B.S., having nothing to do with good professional acting (and she didn't abbreviate it, either). She would also have asserted that if you became uncomfortably self-conscious performing an emotionally "tender" or "heavy" scene - you should pack your bags and get out of the business!

Mike Sommer

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:51 pm

Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 455 Location: Los Angeles

You are obviously speaking of just the emotion of crying, you're not expending the energy of mustering up actual tears. "?"

I've found that smaller characters voices (such as children etc..) the emotional switch can be turned on and off much easier. Have you found characters that are easier to cry then others? If so, what would you contribute to the reason for this?

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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:47 pm

Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 905 Location: HERE!

Quote:

...just the emotion...not expending the energy of mustering up actual tears."?"

Want tears? Virginia could give you that too, if you wanted (pointless though, as the microphone wouldn't hear them). Good acting lets any character express/reveal genuine emotion -when it is allowed to be uninhibited. No need for YOU to be happy or sad or frightened or angry, in pain or ecstasy, just because your Character is. To reiterate Olivier's famous barb to Hoffman about "The Method" (after literally putting himself through weeks of mental torment and physical torture during the filming of "Marathon Man"): "Why don't you simply try Acting?".

Quote:

Have you found characters that are easier to cry then others? If so, what would you contribute to the reason for this?

Each character (written properly, of course) has its own distinctive range of emotional expression - and if you step outside that range, it "rings false". Simple as that.

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