Two people in close proximity, their faces inches apart. They stare longingly into each other’s eyes, lips slightly parted. Gently, they touch foreheads, then noses, then lips… A love scene.
We’ve all seen them countless times on TV and in movies. But how do actors make it look so real? How do they make us believe that they are actually in love?
It’s not easy, that’s for sure.
In order to make a love scene look convincing on camera, actors have to do more than just kiss. They have to be able to make the audience believe that they are actually in love. This is no easy feat, and it requires a lot of preparation and practice. The first step is to make sure that the two actors are actually attracted to each other. If they aren’t, it will be very difficult to make the scene look believable. Of course, this isn’t always possible, right? How can you just make yourself attractive to someone else, or make yourself be attracted, to someone? For help with this, check out the DirectSubmit / NYCastings article 5 Tips to Ignite On-Screen Chemistry.
The Psychology of a Love Scene
In a love scene, the actors must convey deep emotions while also maintaining control of their own physical and mental state. It’s no easy feat, but the best actors make it look effortless.
So what’s really going on behind the scenes? Let’s take a look at the psychology of a love scene…
When two people are in love, they tend to have an amazing connection that is unbreakable. A love scene is when two people share an intimate moment together, whether it be through physical touch or verbal communication. The psychology of a love scene is intriguing because it allows us to see how two people who are in love interact with each other on a deeper level.
Actors often have to film love scenes with people who they are not actually in a relationship with and this can be challenging. They have to trust each other and be able to feel comfortable with one another in order to make the scene look believable. It is interesting to see how different actors approach love scenes and what methods they use to connect with their co-star.
In order to make the scene look and feel real, the actors must be able to tap into their own psychological state of being in love.
To do this, they must first be able to understand the psychology of love. How does one fall in love? What are the different stages of love? What are the signs that someone is in love?
By understanding these things, actors can then begin to understand how to convincingly portray a love scene. They must be able to access their own emotions and feelings surrounding love in order to make the scene believable.
Often times, it is not just about the physical act of kissing or touching another person. It is about the mental and emotional connection that exists between two people who are in love.
Martin Hewitt and Brooke Shields in Endless Love
A great example to learn from is by watching Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt in the film Endless Love. You can watch the whole clip to get an idea of how their relationship builds, or skip to minute 7:00.
Five Methods Actors Can Use to Connect with Their Co-star and Create a Realistic Love Scene
1. Get to know each other off-screen. Spend time together outside of filming and get to know each other as people. This will help create a more natural connection on-screen.
2. Talk about the scene before filming. Discuss what you want to achieve with the love scene and what kind of energy you want to bring to it. This will help both actors be on the same page and make the scene more believable.
3. Be open with each other. In order to create a genuine connection, both actors need to be open with each other emotionally and physically.
4. Make sure you’re in the right mindset. If you’re not feeling romantic, it will be difficult to convincingly portray a character who is. Take some time to yourself before the scene to get into the right headspace.
5. Remember that less is more. In a love scene, it’s important to convey passion without being explicit. The best way to do this is often through body language and facial expressions rather than dialogue.
Making romance seem like an illusion is all about being genuine, setting the scene, and being thoughtful. Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest impact. So, if you want to create the illusion of romance, start by being romantic yourself.
