How to Cry on Film

Crying on cue can be challenging for many actors. This article provides some ideas to help you cry at the exact moment the director calls for it.

In theatre, crying is often easier than in cinema. The buildup to the big scene allows actors to immerse themselves in the character, making it natural to cry when the character does. Theatre actors use emotional methods like being in the moment, channelling memories, and thinking of future crying moments to trigger tears.

However, crying in films can be much harder. Actors may have just returned from a good lunch break or finished shooting a funny scene when they’re suddenly asked to cry. How can they do that?

Different actors use different approaches. While some struggle to cry, others can cry easily. It’s important to try various ideas and find what works for you through practice.

Practical ideas

Here are some tips and tricks to cry on cue:

  1. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before the scene to produce tears.

  2. Know your crying face: Understand how your face looks when you cry. Physical cues like lowered eyebrows, closed eyes, thin lips, downturned mouth, and lowered head can help.

  3. Blinking – or not: Counterintuitively, blinking can help induce tears. Try blinking rapidly, then gently rub your closed eyes before opening them without blinking. Your eyes may sting slightly, and tears may follow.

  4. Artificial methods: Some actors use menthol sticks or lip balm under the eye (not in the eye) to irritate it slightly and promote tear production. Eye drops or chopped onions can also work. Makeup blowing gently in the eye or Vaseline under the eye can create a “just cried” look.

  5. Tongues down: Dropping your tongue to the bottom of your mouth and taking it back can trigger a suppressed yawn, which may lead to tears.

Not crying is powerful

Strange as it may sound, sometimes the most powerful way to cry is by not crying.

When receiving devastating news in public, most people try to hide their tears until they can be alone. In films, this restraint and the effort to keep emotions hidden can create a more impactful effect on the audience than if the character openly cried. The audience wants the character to cry, to scream, to show their emotions to the world. By keeping the emotions hidden, the actor can convey a greater sense of pain. This scene from “Four Weddings and a Funeral” exemplifies the power of not crying.

Remember, practicing crying on cue is crucial. You can’t expect to do it unless you’ve done it numerous times. So, practice and find the techniques that work best for you.

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