Felicity Jones puts herself in "a slightly suicidal, depressed state" by drinking loads of red wine to prepare for a crying scene.
The ‘Theory of Everything’ star – who has been nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her role in the movie – practices weeping on demand while standing in front of a mirror but joked drinking a fair bit of alcohol the night before she needs to break down in tears on camera can also help because she feels sad on the day of filming.
She said: "Weeks before you’re trying to practice and you’re looking in the mirror and you’re trying to stare because the ideal situation is to get that single tear that rolls down the face.
"I just resorted to the night before just drinking loads of red wine because then the next day you’re sort of in a slightly suicidal depressed state. For some reason red wine has this effect."
While the 31-year-old actress’ unusual tactics to help her cry on screen seem to work, she does not recommend young actors heed her advice.
She said: "It’s perfect for doing really emotional scenes which I wouldn’t recommend to young actors. It’s probably not the best method."
Despite mastering the art of weeping on camera, Felicity insists she much prefers a film script if the female role is not just made up of the woman crying and kissing throughout the whole movie.
When asked about learning how to cry on cue on talk show ‘Conan’ last night (14.01.15), she said: "It’s usually with women in female parts. It’s like, she cries, she kisses him, she cries, she kisses him. One of those movies.
"If it doesn’t just have those two moves then you know it’s got a great script and you want to do it."
UK readers can catch ‘Conan’ at 11pm Mon-Thurs, on truTV (freeview channel 68).
Felicity Jones drinks red wine for crying scenes
