Hi everyone,

I notice that my eyes keep blinking naturally during my tape or any kinda filming. I tried to hold them and make sure not to blink as long as possible, but it won't hold a long time just like many actors in the film. Or, it looks like I am trying hard to remember the lines. Is there any technique to work on the eye staring longer while speaking the lines at the same time? Or, is it because I am not deep in the character, yet with natural lines delivery?

Also, I got a film shoot a while ago and my scene partner kept looking away during our dialogue. She was facing me but not making eye contact or sometimes a quick glance. It was the same after the cut. I have never experienced this started to intimidate me. Is this a certain technique in acting?

Did we need to ask permission or discuss the physical touch during rehearsal with our scene partner? Or, can we spontaneously do it especially when we were in a deep character? What's the limit?

Thank you :)

You will find there is a lot of discussion round blinking when acting (bizarrely). From my experience, we don't tend to blink when we are in the throes of conviction. I fear training yourself into an unnatural state may spoil your natural essence. It might be worth working with a coach on this issue if you think it's a real problem.

I think any touching should only transpire in the presence of the director and/or intimacy coach.

And yes, I have experienced actors that don't like to look at you when they act. It is truly one of the strangest acting things I have encountered and have no answers for you. Does anyone else?

Hi Conny! Great questions!

For me, whether I look at the other actor a lot or look away a lot totally depends on the role I'm playing (people who aren't comfortable with themselves or shady may have trouble with prolonged eye contact), and what's going on in the scene (if there's a lot to process or I'm deep in thought listening, or assessing a physical situation (like a detective) my character might not be looking at all while she listens), and even something as simple as if there's a view.

Blinking while talking is something that definitely implies to me as a viewer that the actor doesn't believe what they're saying... and hence, isn't fully in character. I agree with what the admin (who is by far one of the best audition coaches I've ever worked with) said. The more deeply you connect with your characters, the less you will likely blink.

Unless, of course, you are also finding yourself blinking when talking in every day life, in which case you may need to see an eye doc.

Hope that helps!

x

Hey Connie,
I think it's great that you are aware of your eye blinking. I beleive it's really important to watch your scenes back and give yourself honest feedback. If this doesn't happen for you in real life, it is being caused by something in the process of you acting. This will likely be something that will happen less the more experience you get. It could be because you are a little nervous or don't know your lines well enough, or yes that you don't truly believe yourself as the character.

The reality is that someone blinking a lot can be a great character choice, but it needs to be a choice, so it's not present in all of your characters. I would steer clear of trying to open your eyes as long as you can in scenes. You should blink as much as you need to, though perhaps you won't need to the more you act.

Hi Andrew,

Got it! It's like get self, mojo and act together yeah :D. From all the feedback I think I know what to do for the next step. Thank you so much, Andrew :)

No worries at all. Glad it was helpful. All the best!