Actors secrets

[Simeon]

Could anyone explain how in a film an actor can act dead, and not show thier chest moving when they breathe?
Also, how do actors fake tears during crying scenes?
Thanks

[blink_babe13]

dont know about the breathing part but knoew there is such a thing as a "tear stick" (not sure if thats the technical name lol) that they use to put either water or some other liquid into the area where their tear ducts are, the liquid then runs down their cheeks and resembles real tears - some can make themselves cry on demand tho =s

[andy-hughes]

Each time the camera show any other view, this is called a 'cut away' - they can then edit the pieces of film with the actiro not breathing together, so that they appear 'dead'.

Most actors can cry at will - if tears are required, a chemical stimulant is squirted into the eyes just before the scene - painful, but effective.

[Simeon]

Thanks for the answers guys my daughter will now sleep tonight now that she has the answer.

[jno]

Margaret O'Brien - here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0639684/
- was said to be so good at crying on demand she would ask directors if they wanted the tears to stop halfway down her cheek or go all the way

[joko]

stuff like onions, vic vapur rub etc are used, also glycerine drops on the cheeks, some actors say they pinch themselves in sensitive areas or pull the hairs in those areas, some think of a dead pet etc

as has been described it is usually just cutaways, so the actor only has to hold for a short time.

sometimes a fake chest cavity is used, but generally this is not necessary

[Quizmonkey]

Andy's right in that a (good) actor should be able to cry - not exactly 'at will' but because he has successfully become the character and therefore experiences everything that character feels.

I was in a play earlier this year which ended very emotionally when the four lead characters' dreams are dashed. Although we 'cried' during rehearsals, on every night of performance I had genuine tears running down my face and my voice was totally broken when I tried to speak. Amazing how that can impress an audience!

[n00dles]

<>jno, Margaret O'Brien would bring tears to my eyes, just watching her! What a child actress she was......knock spots off some of the ones we see today, who are so 'wooden'.

Yes, many actors have said on interview, that they think of something upsetting (personal), in order to make the tears flow.....

[werewolfgirl]

i thought that the actors stop breathing when it was needed? or is tht just me lol