Thread
NAKED EMOTION
Tears for fears
Tears for fears
1. APOTHEOSIS
More often than not, films build to some kind of catharsis: a moment of personal revelation or deep emotion. For many actors, these depths are easily explored. For some, they are a dark, impenetrable forest that can only be entered at great cost.
More often than not, films build to some kind of catharsis: a moment of personal revelation or deep emotion. For many actors, these depths are easily explored. For some, they are a dark, impenetrable forest that can only be entered at great cost.
2. FROM SNIFFLES TO SNORTS
For better or worse, tears are easy signifiers of emotion. Some actors are ugly criers, their faces contorting into monster masks. Others discharge copious amounts of snot. Many become even more beautiful, their wet faces shining with dew.
For better or worse, tears are easy signifiers of emotion. Some actors are ugly criers, their faces contorting into monster masks. Others discharge copious amounts of snot. Many become even more beautiful, their wet faces shining with dew.
3. INVITATION TO A BEHEADING
Actors are alike in dreading such scenes. Even given time to prepare, say, by using sense-recall, or listening to music, to authentically reach such depths of feeling as the camera turns and the crew looks on is a kind of practical magic.
Actors are alike in dreading such scenes. Even given time to prepare, say, by using sense-recall, or listening to music, to authentically reach such depths of feeling as the camera turns and the crew looks on is a kind of practical magic.
4. CHEATING
There are shortcuts. The “tear blower” is a little tube filled with menthol crystals. Blown into an actors’ eyes, the tear ducts become irritated, and waterworks often follow. Most actors think it’s a cheap trick. Also, it reddens the eyes and doesn’t always work.
There are shortcuts. The “tear blower” is a little tube filled with menthol crystals. Blown into an actors’ eyes, the tear ducts become irritated, and waterworks often follow. Most actors think it’s a cheap trick. Also, it reddens the eyes and doesn’t always work.
5. THE PRO
Anne Hathaway is a gamer. Emotionally available, always willing and labile, she had already done brave, heart-breaking work on even more challenging scenes in the film. Yet as the finale approached, I could tell she was anxious.
Anne Hathaway is a gamer. Emotionally available, always willing and labile, she had already done brave, heart-breaking work on even more challenging scenes in the film. Yet as the finale approached, I could tell she was anxious.
6. SOPHIE’S CHOICE
With two great actors it’s hard to choose whose close-up to shoot first, unless you’re willing to compromise the lighting and shoot both at the same time -- which isn't fair to the DP, not to mention to two beautiful faces in the finale of a romantic comedy.
With two great actors it’s hard to choose whose close-up to shoot first, unless you’re willing to compromise the lighting and shoot both at the same time -- which isn't fair to the DP, not to mention to two beautiful faces in the finale of a romantic comedy.
7. TAKE ONE
I asked Jake Gyllenhaal to go first. He was every bit as anxious but agreed without hesitation. As we rolled, though, it just wasn’t happening and he knew it. Off-camera, Anne could see he was having trouble and realized he needed help.
I asked Jake Gyllenhaal to go first. He was every bit as anxious but agreed without hesitation. As we rolled, though, it just wasn’t happening and he knew it. Off-camera, Anne could see he was having trouble and realized he needed help.
8. GENEROSITY
It’s impossible to exaggerate how much one actor’s work influences another’s. But as Jake found the magic and his performance blossomed, I happened to glance off-camera and saw Anne’s face wet with tears. She was giving herself to him completely.
It’s impossible to exaggerate how much one actor’s work influences another’s. But as Jake found the magic and his performance blossomed, I happened to glance off-camera and saw Anne’s face wet with tears. She was giving herself to him completely.
9. THE PRICE
A reverse takes time. Anne stood alone, waiting, trying to stay inside herself. When at last we rolled, despite Jake’s equally generous work off-camera, she couldn’t get there. Take after take she kept trying. Finally, she took me aside and whispered, “I’m dry.”
A reverse takes time. Anne stood alone, waiting, trying to stay inside herself. When at last we rolled, despite Jake’s equally generous work off-camera, she couldn’t get there. Take after take she kept trying. Finally, she took me aside and whispered, “I’m dry.”
10. PRINT IT
She knew I wanted her to cry. And I had made it worse by acknowledging it. “Annie,” I said, putting my arm around her, “you are great in this movie. There is absolutely no need to cry in this scene.” At which point she burst into tears, and I called, “Roll...”
She knew I wanted her to cry. And I had made it worse by acknowledging it. “Annie,” I said, putting my arm around her, “you are great in this movie. There is absolutely no need to cry in this scene.” At which point she burst into tears, and I called, “Roll...”
