Thursday, January 6, 2011

I Wear Emotions on my Face

Like all little girls, I wanted to be a model when I grew up. Considering that I stopped growing in the eighth grade, (I'm just a smidge under five foot), I knew that wasn't going to happen.

So then I wanted to an actress.

The lights, the cameras, the fame and fortune... who doesn't want all that?

Well, there's just one slight problem.

I can't act.

Well, I haven't really tried. Never audition for a part or a role. I have sung in choirs and sung solos but that isn't the same thing.

Naw, the reason why I think I can't act is because of my face. I wear my emotions on my face.

If you say something that rubs me the wrong way, you'll see it.

If you embarrass me, I blush.

Any emotion - happy, sad, furious, annoyed - I can't hide them.

Hubby has asked me to put on a face before. I tried. And failed.

Son #1 is starting to learn this. I have perfected the stern glare that all moms have - the LOOK.

Can you act? Can you cover up your emotions?

19 comments:

Cherie Reich said...

I used to act in plays and musicals, but I never heard of having to cover up your emotions on your face. I'd think that would be a benefit to feel the seen and let it shine through to the audience.

Of course, if something wrong happens, and you blush, it might seem a bit out of character.

I had that happen to me once in a play. I accidentally knocked the guy's hat off when I was only supposed to hit it. I struggled for the rest of the scene to keep from laughing when I was supposed to be annoyed at him. It was fun, though, and still brings a smile to my face.

I don't think wearing your emotions on your face is a bad thing...unless you're playing poker.

Anonymous said...

Yep, I'm exactly the same. I wear my emotions on my face too, but my dad keeps telling me to maintain a neutral expression at all times. He's an expert at it. Me, I try my best.

Christine Fonseca said...

I have a good poker face related to my day job...but most of the time I wear my emotions on my sleeve.

LTM said...

not even a little bit. I can read lines, and if I rehearse enough, I can act. But nothing improv. But I think that makes us better writers, yes? :o) <3

Nicole said...

That's why we write - cause in our heads we are AMAZING actors ;p

The Arrival, on Amazon NOW!
www.damselinadirtydress.com

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Ha ha ha! I have performed in a few plays, but I'm not that great. I don't have much of a poker face, either. LOL. :-0

Colene Murphy said...

We seem to have shared the same little girl dreams in that same order. Also have the same problem. It's very hard to keep from showing everything I feel. And I turn red too easily...it's embarrassing!

Southpaw said...

When I was a kid I could, now everything shows on my face too.

Golden Eagle said...

I'm not particularly good at covering up what I'm thinking, although I can keep some things to myself. It depends on the circumstances, a lot of the time.

Angela said...

Nope, I'm just like you, transparent as glass.

Stephanie said...

LOL! The "look"! It took me a whole to perfect it. I remember when my daughter was 2-3 and I had to start using a "look". At first it felt so weird...but I got it down now!

I blush like crazy too...anything will make me blush.

E. Arroyo said...

LOL. I have a bad habit of rolling my eyes. Even at work! I have to learn how to control this. LOL

Nicki Elson said...

Hmmm, I don't think I've ever tried to hide my emotions. I'm sure my husbands wishes I'd give it a whirl once in a while.

So...why didn't you want to be a singer?

Nicole Zoltack said...

Oh, I have to refrain from rolling my eyes all the time, E. Arroyo! Sometimes I forget though.

Nicki, I did want to be a singer but now that I'm older and have a family, even if I could get a recording deal, I'm not sure that I would. The thought of going on tour doesn't appeal to me.

On the other hand, a book tour would be right up my alley! :D

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

I'm by no means an actor in any real sense, but I do put on a persona for my public life. Outside of that, I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve ... :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I think it depends who I'm around. Around my husband I can't cover up anything...he sees right through me. A few friends are that way too, but most of the time people think I have everything together....LOL!

N. R. Williams said...

I think actors take on a different personality when they are in the zone. I can do that if I need to. But I also wear my emotions on my face.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Carol Riggs said...

Naw, I can be "read like a book." Ha, I don't know if I had the "look." Would have to ask my kids. LOL

Janice Seagraves said...

My dad use to complain that my mom and my sister and me wore our hearts on our sleeves. So I ended up striving for no expression at all. I call it the blank face. My daughter does it too. I can tell when she getting upset her face gets blanker and blanker.

I doubt that would be good for an actress, you have to show the emotion of the scene.