Can somebody give me tips to crying on cue?

Question

I just want to know how!

Answer 1

I disagree completely with the other answerers. Take it from someone who's worked professionally in the arts for over 25 years -- audiences prefer to watch someone fighting to NOT cry. It's more touching and pathos-laden.

If you actually cry onstage, no one is really going to see your tears due to the distance. Also, if you actually cry, it's going to constrict your throat and your diction will suffer. The need -- and responsibility -- to convey the text with clarity trumps/overrides all desires to effect "realistic" responses. A few people in the audience may be impressed with your ability to cry, but the majority are going to be annoyed that your histrionics got in the way of the dialogue.

Remember, even the most emotional scene still needs to be in control -- you can't just go out there and wildly chew the scenery. There's an old motto -- "Excess within control."

Trust me on this -- I've done projects with people who were overindulgent, and it was just not effective. If you ever do a film and have to cry, deal with it then. On stage, show that your character is fighting to NOT cry -- it's more tension-inducing for the audience, and will allow you to remain in control of yourself.

Answer 2

If you are doing what an actor is supposed to do ("reacting to stimuli in imaginary circumstances in a creative and dynamic manner that is true to the character and his environment so as to communicate ideas and emotions to an audience" --Tony Barr) you will cry. Otherwise, you are not being a very effective actor. Simply said, all you have to do is let the stimuli that makes the character cry, make you cry.

You can forget all the garbage about emotional memory and thinking of something sad,etc. If you are really acting, you will cry.

Find out more. Ask me anything about acting, I give free advice to aspiring actors.

Answer 3

This works for me - You have think about what you are saying and where the character is coming from. If the character is seeing someone they love die, then try and put yourself in that position and think of how you'd react if the person you love was dying right in front of you and your hopeless. Or if not, just think of something sad. Take a moment to place yourself in the situation that you are suppossed to be acting.

Answer 4

this is going to sound terrible, but think of the most terrible thing ever, and then as soon as you get off stage remind yourself its not really happening, this was a tip i got from an amazing acting coach when i was in 5th grade x]

Answer 5

Think of the most painful event in your life. Let the pain drip from the open wound of your heart and the tears spill down your face.

Answer 6

Think of something sad or some people can just stare for a little while and just start tearing up

Answer 7

Think of something really sad. Remember it as if it is happening all over again. Fantasize about it, visualize it in your mind's eye. Get all worked up about it.

Answer 8

Try holding back yawns. Then your eyes will water up. But that can only get your eyes to water, you'll have to work your way from there.

Answer 9

just have a guy stand behind you to tell you when..kind of like a body guard except all he does is say..cry now