Difference between revisions of "Play Dead"
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#* Most plays or movies have this part of the story written out for you, so be sure to practice and rehearse your dying scene. | #* Most plays or movies have this part of the story written out for you, so be sure to practice and rehearse your dying scene. | ||
#* If you're playing a prank, be sure to practice you're dying scene before you do it in front of others. You'll want it to look as natural as possible. Get a friend involved to give you some feedback as you practice. | #* If you're playing a prank, be sure to practice you're dying scene before you do it in front of others. You'll want it to look as natural as possible. Get a friend involved to give you some feedback as you practice. | ||
| − | #* Some ways to fake a death would be a heart attack, getting shot, or being stabbed. Some of these methods will require another actor or friend.<ref>http://www.prleap.com/pr/20151/how-to-play-dead-in-the-movies</ref> | + | #* Some ways to fake a death would be a heart attack, getting shot, or being stabbed. Some of these methods will require another actor or friend.<ref name="rf1">http://www.prleap.com/pr/20151/how-to-play-dead-in-the-movies</ref> |
#Check your surroundings. Whether you're acting in a play or playing a prank, it's important to be aware of your surroundings when you play dead. Make sure you can safely fall or "be killed" without getting hurt or hurting others. | #Check your surroundings. Whether you're acting in a play or playing a prank, it's important to be aware of your surroundings when you play dead. Make sure you can safely fall or "be killed" without getting hurt or hurting others. | ||
#* If possible, fall onto a soft surface. For example, if you are outside, fall onto the grass instead of the sidewalk. This way, you're less likely to get injured. | #* If possible, fall onto a soft surface. For example, if you are outside, fall onto the grass instead of the sidewalk. This way, you're less likely to get injured. | ||
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#* Make sure to position your body in a way that looks dead instead of just asleep. Some ways to do this are to position your body in an unnatural way, bend your limbs so that they look broken, or twist your torso so that it looks like your back is broken. | #* Make sure to position your body in a way that looks dead instead of just asleep. Some ways to do this are to position your body in an unnatural way, bend your limbs so that they look broken, or twist your torso so that it looks like your back is broken. | ||
#* Practice lying different ways to see which death positions you are most comfortable for you. It's important that you find a comfortable position, as you'll have to hold it, possible for a long time, without moving. | #* Practice lying different ways to see which death positions you are most comfortable for you. It's important that you find a comfortable position, as you'll have to hold it, possible for a long time, without moving. | ||
| − | #* Lying completely still includes your face. Don't smile, or make any other facial movements. Try to keep a blank look on your face. Leave your mouth open so that you're able to breathe without opening and closing your mouth.<ref>https://www.quora.com/Acting/How-do-you-play-dead</ref> | + | #* Lying completely still includes your face. Don't smile, or make any other facial movements. Try to keep a blank look on your face. Leave your mouth open so that you're able to breathe without opening and closing your mouth.<ref name="rf2">https://www.quora.com/Acting/How-do-you-play-dead</ref> |
#Meditate. Meditation will help you get in the right mental state to play dead. Meditation is a key exercise to gain control over your body and mind, so put some time into practicing. Meditation is also a contributing factor to relaxation, and being relaxed will make you a much more convincing dead body. | #Meditate. Meditation will help you get in the right mental state to play dead. Meditation is a key exercise to gain control over your body and mind, so put some time into practicing. Meditation is also a contributing factor to relaxation, and being relaxed will make you a much more convincing dead body. | ||
| − | #* If your body is stiff or tense, it will be much harder for you to stay completely still. Instead of tensing your muscles, relax your body completely. Visualize a calm, serene place, and allow your body and mind to sink into deep relaxation.<ref>http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-10-26/news/9710260346_1_stage-actor-dead-film-and-show/2</ref> | + | #* If your body is stiff or tense, it will be much harder for you to stay completely still. Instead of tensing your muscles, relax your body completely. Visualize a calm, serene place, and allow your body and mind to sink into deep relaxation.<ref name="rf3">http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-10-26/news/9710260346_1_stage-actor-dead-film-and-show/2</ref> |
| − | #* Practice meditating by giving yourself a few minutes of meditation time a day. Sit alone, in silence, and clear your mind. You can stop your mind from wandering by counting your breaths as you inhale and exhale.<ref>http://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/</ref> | + | #* Practice meditating by giving yourself a few minutes of meditation time a day. Sit alone, in silence, and clear your mind. You can stop your mind from wandering by counting your breaths as you inhale and exhale.<ref name="rf4">http://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/</ref> |
#* If you have trouble lying still and not moving, try counting to meditate. If you focus your mind on something (like counting), you won't feel as anxious, and your body will appear to be more relaxed. | #* If you have trouble lying still and not moving, try counting to meditate. If you focus your mind on something (like counting), you won't feel as anxious, and your body will appear to be more relaxed. | ||
#Pick an inanimate object to focus on. It's much easier to play dead with your eyes closed, so always choose that route when possible. However, there are some scenarios where you (or a director, writer, etc.) wants you to act dead with your eyes open. If this is the case, pick an inanimate object to focus on, such as a sign, a chair, a mark on the wall, etc. This will give your eyes a steady gaze and will appear to others as if you are staring into nothingness, much like a dead body. | #Pick an inanimate object to focus on. It's much easier to play dead with your eyes closed, so always choose that route when possible. However, there are some scenarios where you (or a director, writer, etc.) wants you to act dead with your eyes open. If this is the case, pick an inanimate object to focus on, such as a sign, a chair, a mark on the wall, etc. This will give your eyes a steady gaze and will appear to others as if you are staring into nothingness, much like a dead body. | ||
| − | #* You cannot blink when you are dead. Practice holding your eyes open without blinking before you actually perform in front of an audience.<ref | + | #* You cannot blink when you are dead. Practice holding your eyes open without blinking before you actually perform in front of an audience.<ref name="rf3" /> |
=== Using Breathing Techniques === | === Using Breathing Techniques === | ||
#Hold your breath so that your body doesn't move. Mastering different breathing techniques is the most difficult part of playing dead. Typically when you breathe, your entire body moves. This, unfortunately, is a ''dead'' giveaway of a living body. Learn to hold your breath for as long as possible. | #Hold your breath so that your body doesn't move. Mastering different breathing techniques is the most difficult part of playing dead. Typically when you breathe, your entire body moves. This, unfortunately, is a ''dead'' giveaway of a living body. Learn to hold your breath for as long as possible. | ||
#* Holding your breath is a useful technique, because you will have no body movement at all. | #* Holding your breath is a useful technique, because you will have no body movement at all. | ||
| − | #* Most people can learn to hold their breath for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Practicing holding your breath for as long as possible, but do not hurt yourself. If you try holding your breath for too long, you may actually pass out. If you start to feel dizzy or light headed, stop holding your breath and resume breathing.<ref>http://www.laweekly.com/arts/justin-schenck-csi-corpse-on-what-its-like-to-play-dead-2372229</ref> | + | #* Most people can learn to hold their breath for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Practicing holding your breath for as long as possible, but do not hurt yourself. If you try holding your breath for too long, you may actually pass out. If you start to feel dizzy or light headed, stop holding your breath and resume breathing.<ref name="rf5">http://www.laweekly.com/arts/justin-schenck-csi-corpse-on-what-its-like-to-play-dead-2372229</ref> |
| − | #* Some of the best exercises to practice holding your breath are swimming underwater and singing (holding out long notes).<ref | + | #* Some of the best exercises to practice holding your breath are swimming underwater and singing (holding out long notes).<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Take low, shallow breaths. Deep breathing is when you'll see the most body movement in an individual. Keep your breaths low and shallow by slowly inhaling and exhaling small amounts of air at a time. If you run out of air and you must that a breath, try this approach. | #Take low, shallow breaths. Deep breathing is when you'll see the most body movement in an individual. Keep your breaths low and shallow by slowly inhaling and exhaling small amounts of air at a time. If you run out of air and you must that a breath, try this approach. | ||
#* Take in the smallest amount of air possible – just enough for you to get by. | #* Take in the smallest amount of air possible – just enough for you to get by. | ||
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#Visualize that you are breathing from your breathing in your neck and throat. Your lungs will still be working, but this visualization will minimize the movement of your chest cavity. Using visual tools is a great way to trick our body into behaving differently. | #Visualize that you are breathing from your breathing in your neck and throat. Your lungs will still be working, but this visualization will minimize the movement of your chest cavity. Using visual tools is a great way to trick our body into behaving differently. | ||
#* Focus only on your neck and throat. Pretend as if all of your air is coming from that area, and not from your chest or abdomen. | #* Focus only on your neck and throat. Pretend as if all of your air is coming from that area, and not from your chest or abdomen. | ||
| − | #* When you practice this technique, hold your hand on your throat area to direct your focus. Once you've directed your focus, you should be able to see and feel a difference in your body movements while breathing.<ref>http://decoy.tvpassport.com/q_a/q-when-actors-are-playing-dead-all-these-crime-shows-tv-how-world-do-they-stay-so-still-it-would</ref> | + | #* When you practice this technique, hold your hand on your throat area to direct your focus. Once you've directed your focus, you should be able to see and feel a difference in your body movements while breathing.<ref name="rf6">http://decoy.tvpassport.com/q_a/q-when-actors-are-playing-dead-all-these-crime-shows-tv-how-world-do-they-stay-so-still-it-would</ref> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
