Playing Dead

Original Source: http://jeszlene.blogspot.com

Original Post Date: 3rd December 2007

Most people will imagine playing dead to be the easiest thing, I was probably one of them, not that I really ever gave it much thought. Really who would visualise playing dead in their fantasies? I’ve imagined playing a mental patient, dreamt of being in a romantic movie with all that dramatic sizzle, toyed with the concept of playing a fugitive Chinese lost on a boat, but never a dead person. Go figure.

So I played a dead person this year, in a typical scene whereby a character has recently passed away.

Step one, realization: Oh my, why are you not moving?

Step two, confirmation: pokes her face Hello? shakes her hand You there? Tries to hear her breathing Oh my gosh, you’re dead!

Step three, acceptance: actors stones in shock

Step four, grieving: Oh no, you’re dead! cries & laments

All these would take forever in real life, but in reel time, it can be anytime from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, or if you’re on a Taiwanese soap opera, it might run for half, if not, an entire episode (30-60 minutes).

Imagine this. You are lying still, pretending to be dead. Never mind the poking and shaking really, because all you can focus on is your breathing. Small steady breaths, with as little chest movement as possible, while lying down. As your co-actor shifts you, and your body falls limp, you are required to stay in whichever position he places you in, without any resistance, however inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be. While your co-actor emotes you’re suddenly very cautious that the camera is shooting a close up, at this point, the urge to twitch your facial muscles is increasing, your nose starts to itch, your throat feels dry, and the temptation to clear it is overpowering. Suddenly your breathing gets a little choking and all you want to do is take a deep breath. All this tension is killing you (pun fully intended)... and…… cut

I had never felt more relieved to be alive.