How to not smile or laugh at yourself or other characters when acting?

Question

I'm in a play that is a comedy, and my character, along with two others, is supposed to be really dumb, so much so that it is funny. But I keep laughing at myself and my two partners when we say/do dumb stuff. Is there a trick I can use to prevent myself from smiling so that I can stay in character? Thanks.

Answer 1

IF YOUR CHARACTER IS SUPPOSED TO BE DUMB - THEN REALLY PUT YOURSELF IN THAT PLACE BY PRETENDING THAT THE OTHER CHARACTER IS ASKING YOU ( OR TELLING YOU) SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. FOR INSTANCE: SUPPOSE THE OTHER CHARACTER'S LINE TO YOU IS "DON'T YOU KNOW WHERE BABIES COME FROM?"

BUT INSTEAD JUST PRETEND HE/SHE IS SAYING ;

"DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THE NAME OF THE ROCK QUARRY IN ANTARTICA IS?"

YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT - SO YOU WILL BE CONCENTRATING ON TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT - AND MAKE SURE THE THING YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IN YOUR HEAD IS SOMETHING BORING - THAT WILL NOT MAKE YOU LAUGH.  JUST LIKE IF YOU WERE DOING A SCENE WITH A FRIEND OF YOURS AND YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HATE THE OTHER CHARACTER - YOU WOULD HAVE TO PRETEND THAT HE WAS SOMEONE YOU COULDN'T STAND.

JUST REALLY "SEE" SOMETHING IN YOUR HEAD LIKE A PILE OF ROCKS OR A PILE OF LEAVES OR A CONCRETE SLAB -  AND PRETEND THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE CHEMICAL BREAKDOWNS OF EVERYTHING IN SOMETHING PLAIN THAT WON'T DISTRACT YOU.

IT TAKES FOCUS - BUT IT WILL WORK . THIS WILL GET EASIER TO DO THE MORE YOU PRACTICE IT.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Get used to the jokes.

Or, start looking at it from a critical perspective. when you say a line, say it purposefully. dont think of it as a joke, but as a part of your character. focus on your character so much that you stop thinking of it as a joke, but as WORK, or as a math puzzle or something. begin to act dumb purposefully, if you know what i mean.

i dont think im expressing myself very well, but what im trying to say is that you should get into character so seriously, that it stops being fun and starts becoming a task. then you most certainly will stop laughing,

Answer 3

I had this problem once when doing a skit at school. All through rehearsels I was screaming with laughter, so much so that I ended up not being able to breathe. Half of it was improvisation anyway, so every time we rehearsed, it was slightly different...

I found that the best way is to really *force* yourself to have a straight face. You really need to feel like the whole thing is real, and that you really are kinda dumb. Put a blank look on your face, and remember the effect it will give.

Another thing I did, which sounds kinda silly, is talk to myself in my head. Like say 'Ohhh this is so funny.. but you really cant laugh, you know'. I know I sound like an insane woman for doing that, but it helped to stabalize me when I wanted to burst out laughing.

Answer 4

Think of something really disgusting like throw up

Answer 5

@dixie girl 450: http://www.jacobfoshee.com/wages/caps_lo...

To answer your question. I remember when I had your same problem. I was a giant, sacastic, talking gerbil. Yup. Pretty funny stuff. Anyway, what you have to do is BECOME that character. You can't be thinking about your real life. It's all about the character. I had to imagine myself as this said gerbil to get into character right. Odd as it may be, it works.

Answer 6

I do this all the time. I'm a happy-go-lucky sort of person who is always looking for something to laugh about. And that's all it is really. You're setting yourself up; You're expecting this material to be funny and that's what's making you laugh. You know the script, you know what's coming and you set yourself up for it.

I suggest things similar to those already stated. Memorize the script, analyze it until it's so redundant you no longer find it humorous, and practice searching the counter characters for minute details that are completely neutral and un-funny. Focus on their shirt designs, this will help portray your character as "lesser" (intelligence wise) by his slightly unfocused downcast eyes, as well as distract you from you're anticipated laughter.