Horror Film Acting Tips - How to Safely Scream

I've always found it interesting that some of the seemingly easiest actions within acting turn out to be the most difficult to portray in a natural form. While the story line and characters of a horror film can greatly vary, more than likely, you will be required to scream at least once in the film. The horror movie scream is one that is iconic and expected to be truly convincing to audience members. Throughout my experience working in horror movies, I have gathered several tips to help you safely create a realistic, believable and truly horrific scream. Follow these tips, and you will soon be on your way to creating a bone-chilling scream without harming your vocal chords.

Warming Up

Warming up your vocal chords before screaming is vital to prevent accidental injury. Screaming places extreme pressure on your vocal chords, and if you're not careful you can damage your voice and become hoarse for several days, which is not good when you have other scenes to film after you scream. To warm up, follow these tips:

• · Find a quiet corner, away from people. You don't want to be disturbed, and you don't want to bother other people.
• · Place your hands on your abdomen, and breathe deeply through your nose. Make sure your shoulders do not rise as you're breathing in, but rather let your belly extend with your breath - this is known as diaphragm breathing.
• · Close your eyes and completely relax your jaw muscles. Allow your mouth to drop open.
• · Forcefully exhale the breath through your mouth. Without making a sound, pulsating your diaphragm so your breath comes out in a "Ha-Haaaa" fashion.
• · Repeat this action five more times to fully prepare your vocal chords and diaphragm.

Mastering the Scream

Now that you're completely warmed up, you must practice your scream. Make sure you only do this one or two times so you do not put excess strain on your vocal chords. You need to save some energy for the actual filming of the scene.

• · Place your hand on your abdomen, and breathe in as you did in the warm-up exercise. Make sure you extend your belly when you breathe in; your shoulders should not rise.
• · Relax your jaw muscles and let your mouth drop open.
• · As you take a deep breath in, exhale this breath through your mouth and while you're exhaling forcefully, begin to scream. Place the sound of the scream in your nose - this will take some time, but when done correctly you will feel your nose and nasal cavities vibrate. Scream until all your breath is free.
• · Repeat two more times until you have found the ideal pitch and duration of your scream.

Vocal Health Drink

Because screaming will place a lot of strain on your vocal chords, it is important to keep them hydrated and warm both before, during and after you scream. Bring 8 ounces of water to a soft boil, do not allow the water to become too hot. Pour 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into the water. Drink a cup of this liquid before warming up, during the scene and after you're done screaming. This will help protect your vocal chords and prevent you from becoming hoarse.