How Do Actors Try Not to Laugh?
Laughter is an essential part of life, and it often serves as a relief in moments of stress or tension. However, for actors, laughter in the middle of a scene can be a major challenge—especially when they need to maintain a serious or dramatic tone. Whether it’s a funny line, a quirky situation, or an offbeat moment with a fellow actor, the temptation to laugh during a scene can be overwhelming. So, how do actors manage to hold it together and avoid laughing when it’s not appropriate for the moment?
1. Focusing on the Scene’s Emotional Stakes
One of the most effective ways an actor avoids laughter is by staying focused on the emotional context of the scene. When actors immerse themselves in their character’s emotional journey, they can often block out distractions that might cause them to laugh. Instead of reacting to the humor in the moment, they shift their focus to the stakes of the scene: the relationship dynamics, the tension, or the objectives their character is trying to achieve.
For example, an actor playing a character in a tense confrontation might consciously remind themselves that their character is upset or fearful, even if something amusing is happening around them. By staying connected to their character’s emotional arc, they can more easily resist the urge to laugh.
2. Controlling Breathing and Body Language
Sometimes, laughter is a physical response that is difficult to control. Actors can prevent themselves from laughing by controlling their breathing and body language. Deep breathing can help an actor manage the physical urge to laugh, especially if they feel their body tensing up or their chest tightening.
Another trick is to focus on maintaining composure through body language. For example, an actor may hold their posture rigidly or distract themselves with a task (like keeping their hands busy or focusing on an object in the room) to avoid succumbing to laughter. The key is to maintain control of their physical presence, even if their internal reaction is a bit more lighthearted.
3. Using Distraction Techniques
Actors often employ distraction techniques to avoid laughing when things are unexpectedly funny. These can range from mental tricks to physical distractions. A common method is for actors to mentally distance themselves from the moment by imagining something completely unrelated to the scene. This could include thinking about a different situation or focusing on an object in the room that doesn’t have anything to do with the scene at hand.
Some actors may also distract themselves physically. For instance, they might stare intently at a spot just above the camera’s lens or look at a fellow actor’s nose or ear, avoiding eye contact with the other person to reduce the risk of triggering laughter.
4. Pushing Through the Moment (Staying in Character)
In some situations, actors must rely on sheer willpower to avoid breaking character. They remind themselves that it’s crucial to stay true to their role, especially if the moment is integral to the scene or the larger narrative. By focusing on staying in character, actors can suppress the urge to laugh by reminding themselves that they are part of something bigger than the immediate comedy.
This approach often involves the actor “playing through” the moment, pushing forward with their performance despite the desire to laugh. By maintaining the seriousness of their character’s intentions, they can hold onto the authenticity of the scene and avoid breaking out of character.
5. Embracing the ‘Moment of Laughter’
Sometimes, despite the best efforts, laughter becomes inevitable. In these cases, the actor may lean into the moment rather than trying to suppress it. If the situation allows for it, actors may embrace the laughter as part of the scene, allowing it to come naturally. This approach can be particularly effective in comedic scenes, where a bit of unexpected laughter can add to the humor and authenticity of the moment.
In some instances, directors may even encourage actors to break character and let the laughter happen, especially in improvisational settings. The spontaneous nature of laughter can create a genuine moment that enhances the scene’s overall energy. However, this is more likely to happen in lighter, comedic productions than in serious dramas.
6. Mental Conditioning and Experience
Many actors have spent years refining their skills to resist the urge to laugh. Through experience and mental conditioning, actors learn how to suppress laughter and maintain professionalism on set. This is especially true for comedic actors who often work with funny lines or improvisational situations.
An actor’s mental training helps them stay focused and calm, even when the scene takes an unexpected turn. Actors who have worked together for years, particularly in television series, often develop a camaraderie that makes it even harder to stay serious. But seasoned professionals know that the ability to hold a straight face under pressure is just as important as delivering lines with conviction.
7. The Role of the Director and Crew
Directors and crew members can also play a big part in helping actors resist the urge to laugh. A director may provide cues or guidance to help actors stay in character, especially in high-pressure comedic moments. They may also establish a more relaxed environment on set to make actors feel comfortable and focused, minimizing the likelihood of outbursts of laughter.
In some cases, the director may also use “take two” or “take three” strategies to allow actors to retry scenes where they broke character. The director may encourage the actor to try the scene from a different angle or prompt them with new instructions that shift their focus, giving the actor a chance to regain composure and approach the moment differently.
8. Humor in the Workplace
It’s important to acknowledge that laughter on set isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it’s part of the fun of filmmaking! Comedic actors often find themselves laughing with their co-stars and directors between takes. In fact, humor can be an essential bonding tool on set, helping actors relax and find creative inspiration.
However, when the cameras are rolling, maintaining composure is key. And while it’s essential to remain focused, having fun and sharing moments of laughter between takes can help actors stay connected to their roles and enjoy the process of making films.
9. The ‘Serious Actor’ Trick: Fake It Until You Make It
Sometimes, the best solution is simply to act as though you aren’t laughing. Even if an actor feels the urge to laugh, they may push through by continuing with their lines or reactions as though they aren’t affected. The “fake it until you make it” mentality can help them maintain the illusion of seriousness, and in many cases, the audience may never know the actor was struggling to hold it together.
Conclusion
Trying not to laugh as an actor is often as challenging as trying to make someone else laugh. Whether it’s the chemistry between co-stars, the perfect comedic timing of a scene, or the absurdity of a line, the urge to laugh can be overwhelming. However, through techniques such as staying in character, using distraction methods, and focusing on the emotional stakes of the scene, actors are able to keep their composure and deliver powerful performances without breaking character.
While laughter is sometimes inevitable, actors use their training, experience, and discipline to ensure that they only laugh when it serves the scene—and when the cameras aren’t rolling!
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