In my time on stage, I’ve had to conjure up tears, sometimes successfully and sometimes nothing happened at all. Whether you want to fake cry for fun, for a social media shot, or for an acting part, the following will give you good ideas to make it work for you. Fake cry away!
You can get away with fake crying by using a number of tried and true, professional and more rudimentary based techniques. From using eye drops to having onion vapour squirted in your eye. These hints and tricks are great for amateur or fun shoots.
Aquaphor to Fake Cry
This vaseline-based product in order for it to look like there’s been a lot of crying.
These substances are a clear and can be rubbed around your eye using a special stick. (This link takes you to Amazon). This stuff really works and can absolutely make you look as though you’ve been really crying. But actually the stuff does make you want to cry and actual tears do come down the face. (I’ve tried it)
Eye Drops
Another winner is the use of eye drops. They are easy to apply and drip down your face. This works best on camera, rather than stage because you might find it difficult to hide putting the substance in your eyes on stage.
You can cut the scene and apply the substance and then film. It’s a winner.
Menthol Air
Someone can blow menthol air into the fact of an actor. This makes the appearance of your face look like you’ve been rubbing it, red and blotchy. Be warned though, it can be irritating.
Use Onions to Fake Cry
If you’re a poor student you can always use an onion from your kitchen, but be warned it is rather difficult to act on cue when your face is full of a natural irritant. But no doubt this will work depending on how brave you are in the application.
I wouldn’t drop a piece in your eye, not unless you want to be out of action. But chop a piece and make sure you eyes are close, then do your filming (amateur of course).
Open Your Eye Lids
If you want to fake cry keep your eyes open until you can’t any longer. Youre eyes will automatically tear up and you’re good to go.
Stick Your Head In-front of a Fan Heater
This will hurt, but if you put your head next to a fan heater, you’ll get dust and hot air blown in your eyes. Perfect for tearing up and you’re ready to film your fun shot.
Facial Expression Fake Crying!
As the title suggests, make your face go sad and exaggerate it. Start whimpering and taking long deep breaths. Take your time and you should get a fake cry coming on. Bliss! Also physiologically apparently faking a cry using the correct facial expressions, such as sadness and despair, actually makes your brain think you’re a straight up cot case… but only a little cot case. Brilliant! Get your weird sad face on!
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Emotional Recall
As the great Russian Theatre and Acting expert implemented in his acting training, emotional recall means the actor has to recall a moment from their past, recall the emotional experience and recreate it on stage. But he did change this idea a little after many years of experimenting. Sense memory is similar technique used by him and his actors to create an authentic experience on stage.
The only problem is, that this is more likely to work on film and short productions than everynight, as there is likelihood you’d reach a catharsis and overcome the feeling.
But simple recall a horrible experience and try to re-imagine how you felt and then cry. Give it go and see what you can come up with.
Go For a Swim
Yep, if you go for a swim in a heavily chlorinated pool mixed with loads of wee, you’re going to get red and sore eyes as a reaction. Perfect! Get your bathing suites on and run for the pools. Make sure you don’t wear goggles and you need to go to the loo. (Don’t worry you can always rely on others to fulfil that role if you’re empty). Once you’re done, jump out and go and film that special shot.
Rub Your Eyes
Don’t do this too vigorously because you could do some damage. But rub your eyeballs to make it look as though you have been crying.
Throwing Water in Your Eyes
For some people the simple act of throwing water in your eyes will make them water up naturally, to try and get rid of the foreign substance which is the water (especially if the water has chlorine and fluoride in it).
There are numerous ways to fake cry some more legitimate than others. Some of course with tongue in cheek. But for the more professional and tried and true techniques, eye drops down the face or even use emotional recall re-experiencing an actual emotional event in your life.
Check these videos to give you ideas in how to fake cry and get a way with it.
This is a hilarious way to fake cry in this video with James Cordon and Anna Faris and Joshua Jackson. Yes people it can be done. Just practice and see if that lands you an Oscar nomination.
When you’ve tried some of these techniques remember to get some eye drops to make your eyes feel better afterwards. (Amazon link)