Alcove Audio said: But crying on cue is a part of an actors job, it's not supposed to be the directors job to "get the actor to cry." The actor already knows from the script that s/he will have to cry in the scene (unless you changed the script on-set), and it's the actors job to get into the proper emotional mind-set.



Now, about amateur actors, I haven't got a clue....... Click to expand...

I agree to a certain extent... but as the Director, you do need to help. You can't have people on set laughing about when the actor needs to use their mental tools to cry/show upset.I tend to sit down with the actor and ask what they need to help with their performance. But every situation is different, so it's a hard thing to pin down. I guess overall, listen to your actors, and help facilitate the environment they need to perform best. If they ask you to kick them in the shins just before hand... then so be it.