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How to Deal With Uncontrollable Laughter in a Film

Every now and then, in order to break up monotony, we start to laugh. Usually, the laughter ceases after a short bit, but on a film set, when the laughter starts and becomes uncontrollable, it can cost millions of dollars and ruin a plethora of takes. Here are some tips for how to control your laughter while filming.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand that laughter is good. If in a comedy, it means that the material is fresh and funny enough to cause an actor to break character.

    • 2

      Take deep breaths. Sometimes a few deep breaths will cause the laughter to gradually lessen in volume.

    • 3

      Focus on your lines in the scene and say them over and over in your head, with your eyes closed.

    • 4

      Turn away from the cause of the laughter and take another deep breath to regroup. Turn back around and repeat Step 3.

    • 5

      As morbid as it sounds, force yourself to remember something incredibly sad, like the death of a pet or family member. This sounds odd, but sadness eradicates laughter.

    • 6

      Bite your tongue. This is a trick many in the film world employ in order to stop laughing. For some reason, the nerves of the tongue are sensitive enough to stop laughter right away.

    • 7

      If none of these work, simply take some time off. Ask the director to CUT and then take a half hour to regroup. This is better than ruining multiple takes and wasting film.

Screen Acting

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