MOCKINGBIRD: How to Cry On Cue

9/11 / MOCKINGBIRD : The "Jumpers" from Spike1138 on Vimeo.
He saw loads of people heave-ho themselves out of the WTC windows (which DO NOT OPEN), but didn't capture a single one on camera, despite filming the entire event. He just caught "people" falling and waving.

He also didn't film anyone LANDING; this area of the plaza was obscured from view.

Probably a good thing - he would have filmed them bouncing.

I see redness, and much rubbing of the eyes, but not one tear.

But he's really trying with that "Blue, blue coat" schtick.

Seriously...?

September 11th 2001 was a gloriously warm and sunny day in New York City, at least prior to the Dust Winter;

This woman is wearing a coat - whilst hurling herself out of a burning building.

How to Cry on Cue

1
Hold your eyelids open with your fingers. We blink to remoisturize our eyeballs. By simply holding your eyelids open and causing your eyes to dry, your tear ducts will moisten and form tears as they try to perform the natural process of moisturizing your eyes. Once the tears begin, blink a few times, and the tears should begin to fall effortlessly down your cheeks.

2
Squirt eye drops into your eyes. This is an old Hollywood trick. If tears aren't naturally flowing, then simply add some. Right before the director yells "Action!" have the makeup artist squirt a few "tears" into your eyes. Then as the scene unfolds, let them fall down your face.

3
Blow out of the corners of your mouth up toward your eyeballs. This will help you cry on cue because you are essentially drying the eyeball and causing the tear ducts to begin their natural process. Also, during this process do not blink.

4
Enact a bit of sense-memory. This is the most honest way to cry on cue. There are no tricks here, since you must genuinely feel the emotion that brings forward the tears. Think of an awful time or awful event in your life that will bring you to a sad emotional state. Then let the tears flow. Death, sickness, pain--any of these can help you bring on that emotional state to get the tears dropping.

Tips & Warnings
Save it for the close-up. Many actors get so worked up during the master or wide shots that they save nothing for the tight shots. They are "dry" on their close-ups. To avoid this, save the tears for when they count.

Try not to cry. It is always more compelling to watch a performance where a person is acting in spite of their tears, not because of them.