how to make fake fainting look real?

Question

I am in a play and I am supose to faint as the very last thing. In pratice when I fake it you can tell that I am faking it. I have never had a role where I am to faint. any tips on how to make it look real. Someone told me to make myself passout, but I have heard that is dangrous and I don't have a clue how to do it. anyone have any tips on how to make it look "realer" if that's a word. It looks really, REALLY fake and it is the worst part of the play right now. PLEASE someone help me.

Answer 1

It needs to look convincing, not necessarily "real".

When a person faints for real they more often than not fall forward, literally flat on their face. The reason "stage faints" go backwards is because, when you fall forwards, it is almost impossible to avoid putting out your hands to stop your fall. As soon as you make any obvious effort to break your fall, the illusion is gone.

The easiest method is to make it look like your legs are coming out from under you.

Practice in slow motion first. Simply stand straight up, then "curl" your legs so that you basically drop to your knees. From your knees, fall while twisting so that you land on your hip, elbow, then shoulder in a "rolling" action.

Do it slowly at first so that you overcome the urge to break your fall with your hands, then speed it up so that it appears more fluid. You can add flourishes as you become more comfortable...things like head lurches or flailing legs as you roll make it look like you're swinging down like a falling tree when you're actually dropping straight down (imagine a building being imploded).

If acting is in your long term plans, think about taking a martial arts class...one of the first things most teach you is how to fall and roll properly. It's great for leaning balance and body control.

Answer 2

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RE:
how to make fake fainting look real?
I am in a play and I am supose to faint as the very last thing. In pratice when I fake it you can tell that I am faking it. I have never had a role where I am to faint. any tips on how to make it look real. Someone told me to make myself passout, but I have heard that is dangrous and I...

Answer 3

Start by filming yourself doing the faint, then watch it to see what looks wrong. Other people can tell you, but it just won't click until you see it yourself.

Next, remember that this needs to look realistic, but it also needs to be artistic. A perfectly real faint isn't necessarily your goal. It should be relatively graceful. Throw a bunch of pillows on the floor and practice going boneless. When you faint, your knees buckle and gravity brings you down. You aren't throwing yourself to the floor, the floor is pulling you down. Your body becomes too heavy to support and the joints just collapse on themselves. Don't catch yourself - that should be obvious. Putting your hands out is a giveaway.

Answer 4

I remember when I learned how to faint in my acting class-way back- and for several weeks I would just faint now and then. It's hard to describe, but it's in the relaxation and the body turning so you land on your knees then your hip. When you get it down it really looks like a faint.

Answer 5

if u dare to bare some pain, this is what you will do:
open your eyes and stare at the space in front of you, and stop walking. than you act as if you are trying to balance yourself as you swirl your body back and forth or sideways. than take a fall backwards or frontwards. just before your body slams on the ground, close your eyes. my mom faints this way. hope it helps.

Answer 6

you can either lock your knees until you pass out, or just make your entire body go limp. dont think about where your head or arm is gonna fall.

Answer 7

you know what... you just gotta hit the ground... might hurt a little but that's what you gotta do!