is it ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to be able to cry, if you want to become an actor??? Options

[wishonthestars]

I'm serious about acting, but there is something I'm really unsure of. I can't cry without yawning, squirting water directly at my eyes, etc.
Is it manditory to be able to cry?
I've been trying to get bad experinces as a background - but I have nothing horrible. Is there another way I could make myself cry?
I know I have what it takes to act, but crying isn't my expertise. Advise please!

EDIT - I CAN do all the emotions EXCEPT for crying! I have no horrible experinces that could lead me to making myself cry. It just isn't my expertise. Should I stop trying to act ONLY because I can't cry? Or should I keep going??

This isn't a spam topic! I'm asking for advice. Sheesh!

[angelrevelation]

umm... i don't think you will be able to get awards or anything if you don't show strong emotions, but maybe you can chose to do movies that have no crying... but sometimes you don't have a choice. acting gigs are probably hard to come by, especially leading roles
but to be a really good actor i think you might have to.

[silver-rain]

Eh, for me, I can usually cry on cue. Sometimes, I think of my boyfriend breaking up with me.

But yeah, like everyone said, you have to be able to express a wide range of emotions if you want to become an actress.

[technicolour]

An actor should do any range of emotions. They should be able to do whatever the part is wanting of them.

If you'd please post what you were getting at? I dont want this to turn into a spam topic. =X

[HybridCountdown5]

To be a truly great actor I think you'll have to learn to cry. To incurr strong emotions in your audience, you'll most likely have to be able to exhibit them
just think of something really sad!

[omgah_itsmaggiex]

i can cry on command. its pretty cool actually. but then again, my childhood was rough so ive got multiple things to help me. just try to think of anything thats cry-worthy.

[klumzy]

just think about your mom or dad (or someone that you really care about) dieing.. that should do the trick

[*anubis*]

i'm wanting to become an actor too and i'm known to be able to cry on command, but i think you're missing the point.

what makes acting, acting, is its genuinity, despite the fact that it's not real.

in acting, you don't "make yourself cry." if you're truly playing your character and feeling everything your character is feeling, it just happens.

if you're not able to, it could either be

1.) you're not in the mood. that happens to all of us one time or another.
2.) you're seeing yourself playing the character. never ever ever do that. you have to see yourself AS the character.
3.) you're not understanding your character. you're not feeling what your character is feeling.
4.) you're distracted.
5.) you're too focused. trying so hard to make yourself cry that it's almost unattainable.

what most people don't understand about acting is the EMOTION:

think of a script.

most people focus on acting out the black ink on the script. the words. saying the words and only that.

but most people forget everything in between. what makes acting. all that empty white space of emotion inside the script. and i'll admit, it's pretty damn hard to get into it.

but don't memorize your lines and just say them, hoping to make yourself cry.

you have to see yourself SAYING those lines, as if you were that character, improvising those words on the spot. feeling that sadness.

i think that's the key to crying in acting.

[steezahh]

i have no clue. buuttt. i can cry on cue. shooot. like Linda, i think of the worst.

[EddieV]

Absolutely necessary no, but having the ability to helps, alot!

[jEllyBeaNs]

hmm...maybe have some one plug like a needle or sumthin under your clothes, then on cue when its you scene to cry, tha director can push a lil button me have tha needle poke you, so then you will start crying. :)

[April__x]

i'm wanting to become an actor too and i'm known to be able to cry on command, but i think you're missing the point.

what makes acting, acting, is its genuinity, despite the fact that it's not real.

in acting, you don't "make yourself cry." if you're truly playing your character and feeling everything your character is feeling, it just happens.

if you're not able to, it could either be

1.) you're not in the mood. that happens to all of us one time or another.
2.) you're seeing yourself playing the character. never ever ever do that. you have to see yourself AS the character.
3.) you're not understanding your character. you're not feeling what your character is feeling.
4.) you're distracted.
5.) you're too focused. trying so hard to make yourself cry that it's almost unattainable.

what most people don't understand about acting is the EMOTION:

think of a script.

most people focus on acting out the black ink on the script. the words. saying the words and only that.

but most people forget everything in between. what makes acting. all that empty white space of emotion inside the script. and i'll admit, it's pretty damn hard to get into it.

but don't memorize your lines and just say them, hoping to make yourself cry.

you have to see yourself SAYING those lines, as if you were that character, improvising those words on the spot. feeling that sadness.

i think that's the key to crying in acting.

I just have to say that that is really nicely and beautifully put. As for hte answer, I thought most actors could just insert some glycerin in their eye during the crying scene? As long as you can keep a sad, genuinely sad face, that should be enough. It definitely shouldn't stop your career.

[Levy2k6]

if u want to be an actor, you have to break all your limits and keep going.

i'm not an actor or anything but what do i know.. im in the tech theatre....

it's like anubis said and stuff... you have to BE the character

[Rachel]

Absolutely necessary no, but having the ability to helps, alot!

Exactly. You need to channel your energy into that character and become them. This will help you to focus and hopefully feel all their emotions, including crying!

[HolyMoly]

Say cut and get some water in your eyes. Lol.

I think it's something that could be good to use, but I don't think it's mandatory.

[MrElsewhere]

ok let's try some reverse acting, if you will.

Make your face into what you think would be like if you were to cry. Rub your eyes a little. Do the physical part. It helps a little. Well for me.

Crying on command can get people in trouble. I've seen it happen. haha. Hope I helped some

[The_AZN_Godfathe...]

Having plenty of emotions in hand sure does help an actor. As for the crying thing, I heard the put something in your eye to make you cry.

[S3xyIrishLass13]

No it's not. but highly recomended. I can cry on cue. ;)

[Dreamers]

I sing along to You raise me up because they played it at my uncles funeral, i was bawling. thats the only time i cry in spot know i will though i cant really just turn on the waterworks though lol

[smoke]

I'm serious about acting also.

Have you tried using Emotional Recall? Think about a sad event in your life and try to remember how you felt. Also, a lot of times actors/actresses don't really cry. The make up crew puts fake tears in their eyes and when they blink, the tears run down.

[mylittleMiracle]

not absolutle,but quite=\ you need to have the ability of expressing a wide range of emotions if you want to become an actor.

[*My Cinderella.*]

No. You don't NEED to know how to cry. Sometimes they put something under your eyes that make you cry. But it's good to have some experience when it comes to expressing emotions.