How Do Actors Make Themselves Cry So Easily?
(By Jim Webb)
(Photo: Liza Summer | Pexels)
Crying on cue is one of the most powerful and compelling aspects of acting. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching scene in a drama, a tragic breakup in a rom-com, or the emotional devastation of a character in a thriller, the ability to cry on command is a valuable skill for any actor. But how do actors make themselves cry so easily and authentically in these emotionally charged scenes? Is it as simple as turning on a faucet, or is there more to it? Let’s explore the methods, techniques, and secrets behind how actors can summon tears on cue and make their crying scenes appear genuine.
1. Emotional Recall
One of the most widely used techniques for crying on cue is emotional recall, a method rooted in Stanislavski’s system of acting. This method requires actors to tap into their personal memories and emotions to create authentic reactions. By recalling real-life moments of sorrow, grief, or heartbreak, actors can summon tears or an emotional state that feels real to them.
Emotional recall involves:
- Revisiting Personal Pain: Actors may think of a time in their own life when they felt deep sadness or loss. This could be the death of a loved one, a painful breakup, or another intensely emotional experience. By connecting with these memories, actors can trigger similar emotional responses in their performance.
- Empathy: Actors can also imagine themselves in a situation that mirrors their character’s pain, imagining how they would feel if they were going through the same experience. This helps create an emotional connection between the actor’s own feelings and those of the character they’re portraying.
Example: In the film Manchester by the Sea, Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Lee Chandler, a man dealing with profound grief, is emotionally charged. Affleck reportedly used emotional recall to connect with personal experiences of loss, which helped him deliver an incredibly authentic and gut-wrenching performance. The grief on his face, the tears in his eyes, and the quiet devastation all feel painfully real because of his use of emotional recall.
2. Sense Memory
Sense memory is another technique actors use to access emotions for crying scenes. This method, also part of Stanislavski’s system, involves focusing on sensory experiences rather than specific memories. By recreating the sensory details of an emotional moment, actors can tap into the physical sensations that accompany sadness, such as the tightness in the chest, the lump in the throat, or the sensation of tears welling up.
An actor might focus on:
- The Physical Sensations: Remembering how their body felt during a time of emotional distress can help them trigger real tears. For instance, actors may recall the feeling of an aching heart or the physical tension in their throat when they were sad or anxious.
- Environmental Stimuli: Actors may also use their imagination to recreate a specific environment that evokes an emotional response. This could include the sound of a loved one’s voice, the smell of a particular place, or the feeling of holding an object that brings back memories.
Example: In The Notebook, Rachel McAdams’ character, Allie, has an emotional breakdown over her lost love, Noah. McAdams has said that in order to evoke the raw emotion needed for the scene, she used sense memory to connect with feelings of deep longing and sadness. This technique helped her bring authenticity to her performance, and the result is an incredibly powerful crying scene that resonates with audiences.
3. The Power of Imagination
Photo by Jonathan Crews on Unsplash
Sometimes, an actor may not have a personal experience that aligns with the emotions required for a scene. In these cases, an actor can use the power of their imagination to create a situation that would make them feel the emotion needed for the scene. Imaginative substitution allows the actor to create a mental image of a scenario that triggers the appropriate response.
- Creating a New Story: The actor may imagine a tragic event that never actually happened but feels real to them. For example, an actor might imagine the loss of a child or a loved one, or the pain of being betrayed by someone they trust. This mental exercise can provoke a deep emotional reaction.
- Empathizing with the Character: The actor can imagine themselves living through the character’s backstory and struggles. By putting themselves in the character’s shoes, they can emotionally invest in the situation and trigger the tears needed for the scene.
Example: In Marley & Me, Jennifer Aniston’s character, Jennifer Grogan, experiences heartbreak when her dog, Marley, passes away. While the scene is emotionally intense, Aniston reportedly used her imagination to connect with the experience of losing a beloved pet. This mental exercise, combined with the physicality of the moment, helped her deliver a tearful and touching performance.
4. Using Physical Techniques to Trigger Tears
In addition to emotional and mental techniques, many actors employ physical methods to trigger tears. These techniques help create the physical conditions necessary for crying, especially when actors are unable to summon tears purely through emotional means. Some physical techniques include:
- Eye Drops: One of the most common tricks for getting tears is using eye drops. While this may not be the most emotionally authentic method, it’s often used in situations where the scene requires immediate tears but the actor may not be able to summon them naturally. Eye drops create the physical appearance of tears without requiring the actor to tap into emotional memories or use other techniques.
- Physical Manipulation of the Body: Some actors may use physical techniques to create the sensations that accompany crying. For instance, they may constrict their throat by holding their breath or create tension in their body to mimic the feelings associated with sadness.
- Staring Without Blinking: Another method to induce tears is to stare without blinking. This causes the eyes to dry out and can trigger real tears after a period of time. However, this method requires patience and is often combined with emotional recall to create a more genuine performance.
Example: In Atonement, Keira Knightley’s character, Cecilia, has a highly emotional scene where she cries after being separated from her lover, Robbie. Knightley has spoken about the physical work she did for the scene, including techniques to create the physical sensations of grief, which helped her bring out tears. The combination of emotional preparation and physical techniques made the crying scene both authentic and powerful.
5. Using the Triggering Power of Music
Sometimes, the right music can be an incredibly effective way to evoke an emotional response. Music has long been known to trigger emotional reactions, and actors often use music as a tool to help them get into the right emotional space. Listening to a piece of music that reminds the actor of a specific emotional moment can trigger feelings of sadness or grief.
- Creating an Emotional Atmosphere: In some cases, an actor may listen to a song that relates to the scene they’re filming. The music may mirror the emotional tone of the scene and help them connect to their character’s sorrow.
- Memory and Association: If the actor has a personal connection to a particular piece of music, it can evoke real emotions and help them cry authentically. Music has the power to bring back memories of loss, regret, or heartbreak.
Example: In Beaches, Bette Midler’s character, CC Bloom, has a deeply emotional scene in which she mourns the loss of her best friend, Hillary. Midler used the music of the film, including the song “Wind Beneath My Wings,” to help trigger the emotional reaction needed for the scene. The power of the music brought the emotion to the surface, helping her deliver a heart-wrenching performance.
6. Building Emotional Momentum
Sometimes, crying doesn’t come instantly. Actors often need to build emotional momentum in a scene to gradually intensify the emotions leading to tears. This can involve a slow buildup of emotional distress, where the actor allows the emotions to grow in intensity until they reach the point of tears.
- Physical and Emotional Buildup: As the scene progresses, the actor can slowly allow their character’s emotions to escalate. Small moments of sadness can compound, leading to an overwhelming emotional release.
- Connection with Other Actors: Often, the emotional chemistry between actors can help trigger tears. When an actor feels connected to their scene partner, the emotional exchange can feel more authentic, making it easier to cry.
Example: In Stepmom, Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts have an emotionally charged scene in which Sarandon’s character, Jackie, breaks down over her terminal illness. The buildup of emotions throughout the film, coupled with the shared emotional journey between Sarandon and Roberts, makes the scene incredibly moving and real.
Conclusion
The ability to cry on cue is a skill that requires a combination of emotional preparation, physical techniques, and mental strategies. Whether using emotional recall, imagination, physical manipulation, or the right environment, actors have many tools at their disposal to summon tears and create an authentic emotional experience. The most powerful performances come from an actor’s ability to tap into their own emotions and use them to fuel their portrayal of sorrow. While some actors may rely on physical tricks like eye drops or music, the most memorable crying scenes often come from those who have mastered the delicate art of emotional authenticity.
Related Links
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