Any suggestions for crying on cue?

Question

I am an aspiring actress, and the more I get involved in the business, the more I realize that the time is coming when I am going to have to cry on cue.

Unfortunately, can't.

I can't even bring tears to my eyes. Attempting to conjure up emotions and memories does me no good. Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

In your case, make friends with glycerin, and fast!

It'll really help!

Here's MTA crying on cue tips:

"Fake Crying" - Producing Tears For The Stage
I have across many requests for advice regarding how to properly "fake cry" for a show. I have also seen some very strange responses about how one should go about producing the sought-after tears, including such body mutilation as ripping out nose hairs!
I've always found this obsession with the tears themselves (and the lengths people are willing to go to) a bit odd. Besides the fact that only the first few rows of an audience would be actually able to see the tears, what makes them so important? True pulling out a nose hair or sniffing onions might make your eyes water, but is that eye watering what will make your acting believable? I find it hard to believe that all you have to do is produce a few tears and you will be proclaimed as a brilliant actress.
Worrying about being able to produce tears is putting the proverbial cart before the horse. My theory is that if you are trying to fake cry, it will look fake. While things such as onions and eye drops might create tears, it won't actually be crying. Body language, spoken lines, and other factors are also part of the equation. I think it is important to remember what crying really is - an emotional response. When faced with a scene in which crying is required, you need to understand first why the character is crying - what emotions are they feeling that cause the crying? (Crying is a byproduct of the emotion - few of us cry on purpose!) Do a little people watching and you will see that there are many different ways to cry depending on the emotional trigger. An angry cry will be far different from a cry of heartbreak or a cry of grief.
Once you have completely explored the emotions required, rehearse the scene and live through each emotion as fully and honestly as you can. If you are truly in the moment and feeling the emotions of your character, the tears will often come on their own. You may also find that the tears themselves will become unimportant, as your performance is genuine and believable without it. If tears are still desired after your emotional homework has been completed, consult your director.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

I answer this question all the time. Forget the emotional memory junk. Have you ever cried at a sad movie? I am sure you have, we all have. What causes you to do that? You are immersed in the story and when something really sad happens, you react to it by crying. The same thing happens when an actor does what should be done when acting. If you are immersed in the play and reacting to the stimuli of the scene the way the character is reacting, if the character is supposed to cry, you will cry. It is as simple as that. What happens to prevent you from crying is that you stop thinking as the character and start thinking as yourself, then you get self conscious and stresssed so you don't cry. If you stay in character you will cry. I advise aspiring actors for free, click on my name read my profile and send me an email at my aol address, Doc

Answer 3

I always have to think of something sad to cry, I usually use my dad's death, but if your emotions aren't working that way why don't you try to get so into character that it's just natural to cry? I've been in situations before that I was so into character that I started crying before I even realized it. If that still doesn't work I guess you should just practice. Try and get such a feel for the character that you cry? I dunno, I hope that helps in some way.

Answer 4

think of something sad...like saying goodbye to someone you love. or a pet dying. or your favorite personality being dismissed from a reality tv show (= before the scene, if your offstage, listen to some good music. slow and sad.

in the worst case, discreetly pinch yourself or step on your foot or something.

also, I don't know about you, but when i yawn, tears come to my eyes. if you can work in covering your face, then yawn, and use the tear excess to yoru advantage (=

break a leg!

Answer 5

think of of a few thing unhappy like a kin member dieing or a puppy being run over ( the unhappy element is distinctive for each individual) Or save your eyes open for an fairly long term and don't blink and that they are going to at last get watery

Answer 6

crying on cue is kind of old school isn't it?

you kind of need to be able to create emotions to act though -- why don't you start with something basic like shiny happy and work your way around to eventually crying.

Answer 7

if you have to.......when you are supost to start crying...act like you are subbing away a tear but instead put like a little bit of vapor rub or something under your eyes that will make them water up or whaterever. but what ever you do don't leave it on too long. I honestly don't know what to tell you. Best of luck to you.