‘The Fabelmans’ Co-star Keeley Karsten Shares Michelle Williams’ Incredible Acting Hack for Emotional Scenes
“Cries” is a daunting stage direction. The sight of it can elicit tears of fear in even the most seasoned actor.
While actors crave emotional moments like this, they can be challenging to pull off. Whether you’re trying to summon tears for a dramatic breakdown or tap into a well of rage, finding the right emotional pitch can be a struggle.
Cue acting titan Michelle Williams. The Oscar-nominee, who received an avalanche of acclaim for her work in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, has a game-changing hack for tackling more emotional scenes.
During an episode of The Art of Kindness podcast, Williams’ Fabelmans co-star Keeley Karsten shared an acting lesson she gleaned from her onscreen mom.
“I had a few heavy scenes where I had to do a lot of crying,” Karsten said. “Michelle was like, ‘You gotta hydrate, darling. It’s really gonna help you.’ I didn’t drink water that much and now I drink water all the time when I have heavier things because I didn’t know that it actually does help you so much with crying.”
It might sound like a trivial thing, but staying hydrated makes a big difference. Your body can’t produce tears as easily when you’re dehydrated, which can make it hard to create that intense emotional response needed.
By drinking enough water, you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to create tears. You’re also ensuring that your body is in a healthy state. When you, the actor, are hydrated, you’re less likely to spiral inside your head or feel icky on set.
That wasn’t the only nugget of self-care wisdom that Karsten received from Williams. “I loved working with Michelle Williams,” Karsten told The Art of Kindness. “She was able to be kind to everyone around, but also take her space to get ready for the next scene she was going to do and get focused in her own little bubble.”
Williams’ approach to acting is rooted in kindness and empathy, and it shows in the way she works with her co-stars and crew. By encouraging Karsten to both stay hydrated and take moments to herself, she modeled a compassionate approach to being on a major film set.
For actors looking to improve their craft and navigate the often turbulent terrain of emotional scenes, Williams’ advice is a valuable reminder of the power of kindness. By taking care of ourselves and those around us, we can create an environment that fosters empathy, creativity and ultimately, great performances.
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Robert Peterpaul is a writer, podcaster and performer, who can be seen in films like IFC's “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and TV shows like CBS' “BULL.” He currently hosts the hit podcast The Art of Kindness with the Broadway Podcast Network. Other writing and hosting highlights include: NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” “BUILD Series,” the Huffington Post and serving as the Weekend Editor for HOLA!/ HELLO! USA for six years. He also co-founded his family’s nonprofit the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert has studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College. Thank you for reading and keep following your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com
