Michael Caine’s Don’t Blink Trick

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[@ChipsForBreakfastCFB]

"If I keep blinking, it weakens me" Legit phenomenal acting tip

[@infiniteinspiration1628]

Yesss😮😮😮

[@jemborg]

Absolutely.

[@jomiran1000]

His other tip from Zulu, which changed how villains were portrayed, was to always speak slowly. Only weak people rush because they are trying to get their message in before they are interrupted. A strong person knows they will be heard, so no rush.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

Women blink at a rate nearly twice that of men.

[@oscarlundberg7462]

Instructions unclear, I've now circumcised my eyes.

[@bharat1366]

Thats why he's multiple Academy Awards winner.

[@jojojo3521]

Who cares about awards. They are mostly about business.

[@barrydlive4602]

Yep, the eye stuff, is all one ever, needs to win awards.,.not

[@CynicalLlort]

The academy awards are so meaningless.

[@drquack1217]

@@CynicalLlortaccording to who?

[@sineave6419]

Yes, I think he got the wooden as fuck award numerous times

[@HowardWimshurst]

His whole seminar is up online for free and it's absolutely phenomenal. I learned more about acting than anywhere else

[@MatheusSchubert]

Wow!!

[@queueeeee9000]

Where is it available?

[@tantalus_complex]

​@@queueeeee9000 I recently read a comment which said it was available "up online."

[@JebJebJebbers]

@@queueeeee9000 youtube Michael Caine - Acting in Film

[@Roddy556]

It's neat hearing how actors train. I always thought it was something that was just natural to them.

[@xXturbo86Xx]

The trick about not blinking is finding the right time to blink without getting teary eyed. Because that would make you look even weaker than just blinking.

[@user-ld9tf4td8s]

Depends on the scene. In some scenes tearing up is considered a strength. I've had to cry on cue a couple times and after each time I've gotten the crew cheering because they could feel the power of the scene from the performance

[@tokwae2877]

​@@user-ld9tf4td8s I did the same thing but also I found $50 as soon as the director yelled cut.

[@goatlps]

LOL

[@lgbfjb7160]

You could summarize my life with a metaphor like that.

[@tristannick9253]

10 seconds for me after 11 I weep like a baby

[@Aengus42]

It's like when Eastwood was told "Don't just say something, stand there."

[@davidperez5089]

Who told him that?

[@Aengus42]

@@davidperez5089 It was in his early career on TV. Was it called Rawhide? Can't remember the name of who it was but I'm sure a bit of slick googling will turn it up with the clues you have at your disposal.

[@manuellayburr382]

When you have the looks and presence of Eastwood, just standing there is all you need.

[@Aengus42]

@@manuellayburr382 When he was mayor of Carmel there was some fiasco or scandal happening & outside their town hall was the typical gaggle of press, TV, vans, dishes and reporters. Sadly, you yanks had stopped the hat with a "PRESS" ticket in it by then ☹️ But, Eastwood appeared at the main entrance of the town hall & he paused at the top of the steps, squinting in the sunlight, did the classic High Plains Drifter slow scan of the chaos in front of him. He waited for the hubbub to die down and said, slowly & quietly "It's a nice day for photography.". He ambled down the steps, slid into a waiting car & sped off. Absolutely classic Eastwood! That clip even made it over here in the UK.

[@daftdigital]

Eastwood didn't blink when firing guns either.

[@bune-kwai]

I just learned more about acting, dominance and communication in the last 60 seconds than I have in the last 40 years. Truly a knight, Sir Caine!

[@vyrnmn]

Sir Michael*

[@user-ph6tg6ol1v]

Google more betch, if you really appreciate the knowledge

[@maxonmendel5757]

a dark knight haha

[@HiNinqi]

This is a clip from a screen acting master class he did. It should still be on youtube

[@infiniteinspiration1628]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@timopper5488]

Michael Caine is such a treasure, and his presence in a movie can elevate the whole production.

[@jeremy4375]

The man is literally in everything. Watched an old video from my highschool prom, and holy shit there was Michael Cain. 😮

[@88kwthomas]

Does that really work for Goldmember though?

[@timopper5488]

@@jeremy4375 Serving fruit punch and working the coat check, no doubt.

[@timopper5488]

@@88kwthomas Maybe…?? 🤷‍♂️

[@TrekkerUK]

Michael Caine just out there casually battling Weeping Angels.

[@thehermitman822]

He's why they started weeping. 😂

[@minermike61]

If I had never watched the Doctor I wouldn't have gotten the joke.

[@thehermitman822]

@@minermike61 I only know them from the shorts I kept getting a few months ago.

[@minermike61]

@@thehermitman822 Whatever you do, don't blink.

[@its_kumar_babyyy]

Bars

[@ANGELOFDARKification]

The blinking is something Hugh Grant does very well whenever he's playing a nervous character

[@judichristopher4604]

This is NOT Hugh Grant this is Michael Caine

[@plumlogan]

​@@judichristopher4604OP stating that Hugh Grant uses blinking as a tool

[@goblinoide]

@@judichristopher4604He never said this is Hugh Grant lmao

[@judichristopher4604]

@@plumlogan Got it.

[@danieljohnson2662]

It's gotta be some evolutionary thing of predator vs pray thing.

[@LivegoodWilliam]

I remember watching this when I was studying. I don't act anymore, but I still use this technique when speaking to someone to this day. It's a life lesson

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

This full actor's workshop is phenomenal, and free on You Tube.

[@danielmethner6847]

Is it "Michael Caine teaches acting in film", the 53 minute video?

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

@@danielmethner6847 That's the one.

[@belloutdoors5217]

​@@danielmethner6847yes

[@johntim3491]

Thx

[@judichristopher4604]

This is the BEST Acting Teacher EVER

[@JosephDiveley]

It's great when you can learn something new.

[@stewartfenton7660]

So acting is about dominating someone?

[@judichristopher4604]

@@stewartfenton7660 Apparently you do not know anything about ACTING... WHERE in the world would you get the idea Acting=Dominating... Well... If you count an Actor playing a Dominatrix, I guess you could say the Actress was dominating... BAHAHAHA

[@stewartfenton7660]

@judichristopher4604 apparently I don't. I just got up, maybe I'll feel like saying more later.

[@jacquelinedavis6607]

I saw him say this very thing on the Graham. Norton show. I could be mistaken, but I think he was teaching his actor tip for Jack Whitehall. I think.😊

[@Avicenna10]

Talk about a Master Class moment. Wow!

[@dikbeats2720]

Bitter, Narcissist.

[@guitarwill]

He just taught so many things just in this one little clip, even outside of acting.

[@yesx5197]

This isn't a clip you should be taking real life notes from. Actors are just actors, real life people are people. They're two separate things.

[@htspencer9084]

​@@yesx5197wait, actors aren't people? I knew it!

[@yesx5197]

@@htspencer9084 Nobody wrote that, but cool.

[@Jake4211-]

A master class in acting by one of the all time greats delivered in less than 60 seconds

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

Kathy Griffin?

[@handleunavailable]

A true master of his craft.

[@deltablaze77]

This kind of thing is neat. Love hearing a passionate expert speaking about their craft.

[@rekcahx99]

I wish somebody would send this to the thousands of actors and actresses that switch between eyes quickly. Drives me crazy.

[@user-wz7rm8se8b]

You can tell good acting by the eyes...love Michael ..brilliant

[@JugglerLou]

Before Master Classes came to be, this class was THE CLASS ON FILM ACTING! And it’s still FREE to watch and learn.

[@craigguerin88]

Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter NEVER blinked! Made him very threatening and commanding.

[@definitelynosebreather]

He did blink a few times, including in one of the close up shots.

[@smmusicplus96]

He managed to make his eyes almost shark like. The eyes of an apex predator.

[@Connection-Lost]

@@definitelynosebreather if you blink slowly, like .5 of a second it seems deliberate and conveys emotion.

[@TheOriginalDogLP]

Its not that special, most actors don't blink, especially when they are coming from a more classical background. He is intimidating for different reasons (manner of speech for example)

[@pirobot668beta]

He would blink, but only when his eyes were moving from one subject to another. He looks at Starling, blink, he looks at the papers, blink, back to Starling. Almost like a sort of visual punctuation.

[@antoniskalakonas1876]

That man is, was and always will be a Class Act!

[@Mindfultranslations]

Fantastic just great actor .. can’t get enough words to describe the energy and perfect performance this legend has given the film audiences… magnificent 😊

[@ahmadalmaiman8600]

Two time Academy Award winner

[@skel3370r]

You see actors eyes darting back and forth in 1on1 convos all the time now and it drives me nuts

[@ReadIcculus93]

if you want the character to seem weak in a moment, wouldn't constant blinking and lack of eye contact help convey that?

[@unluckytourist]

I don't remember who it was, but some big actor said he did that to make it look like he was actually thinking in a scene and not just reciting lines.

[@PohjanKarhu]

​​​​@@unluckytourist So, instead of actually thinking, he's focused on just making it LOOK LIKE he's thinking, in some weird way? So, he's now reciting lines while PRETENDING to listen, and he thinks that's better? 😂 I'm a trained actor myself. If you actually think, it will show. You don't have to force it by ham acting it. It only makes it look fake. Blinking or not has nothing to do with thinking. If you don't blink, and you think at the same time, it will show that you're thinking. Just actually do your job as an actor instead of just reciting lines, and it'll show. It won't be just reciting lines if you're actually living in the moment and thinking. To me it seems like that big actor that said that just wanted to cover up his lack of work. Wanted to get away with just reciting by covering it up with blinking 😂

[@TranscendentLion]

@@ReadIcculus93 It would, but it seems to be in almost every interaction.

[@ReadIcculus93]

@@TranscendentLion if that is the case, then it would be a problem. I just dont see it in every film for it to be considered a problem. When I think back the films from the past 5 years or so that I have rated the highest, I dont notice darting eyes, lack of eye contact, in every interaction. For example: Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa in The Holdovers. "which eye do I look at?" I rated Ari Aster's Midsommar fairly high, even tho its on the back end of 5 years ago, Florence Pugh doesn't even blink for the last 10 minutes of the movie. Now an example of a highly rated movie where the protagonist does have darting eye movements and lack of eye contact is Brendan Frasier in The Whale. His character is reclusive, and his eye movements tell a lot about him, and his lack of social skills. He darts his eyes when he's stressed, and has deep long eye contact for when he is sincere. The great actors of our time do exactly what needs to be done in the scene. Comedy, Horror, Drama, it doesn't matter the genre.

[@harrisonwirstrom5712]

I have read each of michael caines autobiographies. They are a fascinating, fun, and educational read. Lots of stuff like this

[@jaronimo1976]

I thought that skit from Peter Serafinowic was completely original. But now I see this, and I'm in stitches! 🤣🤣🤣

[@aaronleverton4221]

Howard Stern did a piece on it in the late-'90s because he watched the video after being cast in his own autobiography. The point is that regardless of whether you can parody it, the truth of it remains. For film and tv acting, it is mechanically sound.

[@kennethmaclean9357]

Same 😄

[@pickmeasinner]

"But if ya keep the camera rolling...." 😂

[@PoppieLand]

same thought lol

[@B355Y]

"She fell funny"

[@QQQ_270]

😂😂😂😂

[@aaronleverton4221]

(Australian standup comedian in the late-'80s discussing meeting women) "There's a fine line between making eye-contact and the stare of a deranged madman!"

[@EverTM]

Huh... she died funny.

[@hoofarted4529]

Some of y’all have always been honest genuine and good people… and it shows

[@t.jefferson6365]

He is so damned good.

[@brianwood7237]

I was asked to be in a very low low budget independent film back in the 90s I went down to my local video store rented Michael Caine 'acting for film' this is what the footage is from Learned more from that than any other acting class

[@keithrayputman2828]

It’s been parodied, sure, but this is great technical craft he’s sharing here that many actors would do well to apply.

[@growdan9020]

One of the best to ever do it!! MC movie recommendation, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He does comedy just as good as drama.

[@zoyadulzura7490]

Absolutely. And he's great in Muppet Christmas Carol--he does drama inside of a comedic setting. He gives that movie such emotional weight despite the fact that his costars are pretend frogs, pigs, and rats.

[@robertcowan7610]

I agree so much with what so many others have said in that Michael Caine is a master of his craft. He has a presence that commands attention and exudes a quiet strength. Makes me want to see some of his work right now. I'm off to hunt up one of his brilliant performances. Have a good night, everyone.

[@JORDANJUNCTION1969]

Great actor.

[@DoctorDave5]

I remember watching this whole show when it was first broadcast. It was absolutely fascinating.

[@JW-mq4ng]

MichaelCaine is Str8 up SOLID!

[@peronkop]

He is making himself into a threat. Pretty cool.

[@wubalubadubdubxxx]

Michael Cain. What a consummate actor and master of his craft

[@zachcreech7411]

One of the best of all time...

[@ivi0nk3y36]

How do I act well? MC: Don't blink. Keep going.

[@stevieboy7873]

And this is how he’s a legend in the film industry and a great actor

[@keithbowman7650]

Acting is one of those things that i take for granted. The ability to not just act like a character but to tryly embody and become that character is an extraordinary talent. There are so many things that make us individuals that we may never notice, but it's the job of the actor to find those little things and bring them to the front without us noticing.

[@joejackson3668]

Mr Caine is is one of my favs.

[@ianmangham4570]

He learnt from some serious talent ,educating Rita is an AWESOME movie 🎬 The Eagle Has Landed, Italian Job , Get Carter, A bridge too far,The man who would be king, The 4th protocol and then some .😅 🇬🇧

[@sevensages5279]

One of the few actors who can virtually play any role believably!!!

[@hunterbelvis]

This is actually so good. I've seen so many movies where actors eyes are just racing all around during such a still shot

[@thomasecallaghan1111]

First time I've seen this. Makes Serafinowicz's sketch even funnier now! 😂

[@piganeiros]

Same here. I always thought it was a bit mean the way he did MC in those sketches, but I totally understand how much he nailed everything about this 👏

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Love the sausages as cigars skit haha!

[@moshpuppy13]

His book on acting is a classic

[@judichristopher4604]

Really... What is the name of his book?

[@kerry9125]

It's called "Blinking's for Fags"

[@moshpuppy13]

@@judichristopher4604 acting in film: an actor's take on movie making

[@judichristopher4604]

@@moshpuppy13 Thank you

[@moshpuppy13]

@@judichristopher4604 yw!

[@tynewlin]

What a legend Sir Caine is. Really in the mood to watch The Italian Job now.

[@danielash1704]

Projecting the point of attention is the key to the audiance you have entered into the process of creating a stronger attention

[@Alan-gx8gf]

Fantastic Michael , your the Best !

[@nanny287]

Great acting AND life advice from a great actor. I salute you for your extraordinary body of work Michael Caine. 🌸🌼🌺

[@mistergone5156]

It's the little tricks like that which show why he's one of the greatest actors we have.

[@TreyJ_mx]

This isnt just acting these are potent social skills

[@slyasleep]

Peter Serafinowicz sure paid attention.

[@expressnumber-5049]

Helps when it’s physically painful to blink

[@markmarkmark7131]

Who tf is that? 😂

[@laserpanda94]

​​@@markmarkmark7131 He's a comedian, actor, impressionist and voiceover artist who did a series of comedy sketches based on these acting classes. He played Michael Caine, Kevin Spacey and I think Al Pacino and filmed them exactly like you see here. He was inspired after watching this video in particular and has always stated that this is one of the best acting lessons he's ever seen. Some of his roles: Voice of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace The Tick Sean's flatmate in Sean of the Dead The 'Somelier' in John Wick 2 (the guy who sells John his guns and talks like he's ordering dinner) Various voices in the Dark Souls games and lots of other stuff. Edit: Not sure if KZbin likes links being posted but here's his Michael Caine sketch based on this video (hopefully!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJXEfZuFhKmiq6ssi=LgOephjbgRw6mm2U

[@kusuma.kusuma]

Love how the other dude keeps blinking 😂

[@Subpac_ww2]

He is without a doubt of the greatest actors of my lifetime.

[@buckjofiden4804]

Old school legend. I miss those days already …..

[@RRED2]

Michael is not only an excellent actor but as we can see from this clip a very good teacher. Now Not a Lot of People Know That.

[@pellganesh3681]

Anthony Hopkins had similar advice, "Don't move. Don't blink."

[@demef758]

Sir Michael is 91 and still with us, thankfully.

[@JONQPiD]

I still have this VHS and book set. Legendary!

Eye contact is so important in conversation.

[@wolf.eye._-]

👁 👁 yes it is

[@Skumtomten1]

Sadly im really bad at it. I find it uncomfortable to look someone in the eye. When I do, I put all my energy into making eye contact so I can't think clearly at what I should say.

[@user-qp8if6ml5d]

That’s not just for acting. That’s for communicating with anyone but especially an adversary.

[@joebonomono5078]

I first noticed the blinking thing with Clarence Williams in 52 Pickup, he's a bad dude, he doesn't blink.

[@fumoffu_l]

Greatest special effect of all time will always be an actor's face.

[@sharicross547]

Hugh Grant has made a fortune being a blinker

[@1ring2rule3pigs]

And would you consider the characters in those roles as being strong or weak?

[@PohjanKarhu]

​​​@@1ring2rule3pigs I mean, many could be either. It doesn't have to be that they're inherently weak characters, as if they're written as weak characters. But that he makes them weak through his acting choices (whether conscious or unconscious) like blinking. Blinking could very well just be a bad habit of his. But the audience then picks it up as his characters being weak. This is why it's very important as an actor to be very conscious about your choices. Sadly, many actors aren't.

[@jackpepperpwb]

As someone with Blepharitis I'm always gonna be weak.

[@danielngozika]

😂😂😂

[@andysedgley]

I saw this years ago, and has coloured my assessment of actors ever since.

[@archieadams4841]

One of my favorite actors of all time

[@stormthrush37]

Ah, Michael Caine studied acting with the Weeping Angels.

[@Dieuwertje12]

I have autism and this is so useful, I'll definitely try to use this technique in conversation

[@MacIntoshMann]

Maintaining eye contact can be very difficult when you’re autistic! But too much eye contact can intimidate people too.

[@danielwilcox2878]

​@MacIntoshMann i have autism and if I make eye contact with someone, it's for a very short time otherwise my brain starts overloading. I remember people never used to believe I was telling the truth in school because I couldn't look them in the eyes when talking to them, and when they forced me to I awkwardly smiled

[@MacIntoshMann]

@@danielwilcox2878 It was never as bad for me as it was for you but I’ve certainly felt uncomfortable in the past looking people in the eye. Unfortunately some people take that as a sign of untrustworthiness. It might be worth finding someone whom you trust and practicing the holding of eye contact for as long as you feel able to. When one neurotypical person speaks to another they usually hold the other’s gaze for about 5-10 seconds at a time, then look away briefly, then another 5-10 secs. More than that is usually seen as overly intimate, or even as threatening! But if it’s only 1-2 seconds at a time the other person may think that their interlocutor is skittish, rude or just plain doesn’t want to talk with them. So it’s a good idea to work on striking a balance.

[@modothegreat108]

I was taught to look at someone's nose, or forehead, close enough to their eyes to not look unnatural for the other party. Works better if maintaining social distancing!

[@danielwilcox2878]

@@MacIntoshMann thank you. I'll have to give this a try

[@donjackson4563]

And that's what made him one of the greatest actors of our lifetime ❤️.

[@stuartlawler2411]

Its so funny things about human perception that cant be denied, even when directly acknowledged...the way he keeps sayin dont blink adn it still works is hilarious🎉

[@joeroberts2156]

How about accents Michael, how many accents can you do?😂

[@Professor-id4jh]

You are weird

[@tonykumar9727]

One doesn't need to know many accents to be considered a good actor. He is one of the best

[@joeroberts2156]

@@tonykumar9727 It's one type of actor, but I find he just plays himself. I've never seen him play someone who isn't like his day to day persona.

[@joeroberts2156]

@@tonykumar9727 It's an important skill and is definitely part of many great actors repetoires, Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, and can ruin films such as Charlie Hunnams accent in Green Street. For me the best actor is a chameleon.

[@garycoates4603]

He plays an upper class officer in Zulu. A million miles away from his real speaking voice.

[@MeltonECartes]

The vast majority of contemporary actors don't know this and Ping-pong between eyes in hyper-emotional scenes weakening them dreadfully.

[@mowvu5380]

what a legend. just think how much more knowledge and nous he acquired in the 30+ years after this workshop

[@fabianheinrich2812]

my absolute favorite actor. may we have him a few more years longer !!! i just love him

[@KM-hk8tc]

I’m going to use this on my wife when we next argue. She’s very sassy and says I gaslight her. I’m just going to stare at her, not blink, and gaslight her

[@user-qe7bt9dz1l]

How did it go?

[@NocturnalNick]

lmao

[@ElizabethWilliamsBushey]

Michael Cain legit has such great life & incidentally, acting, advice.

[@greg1mcintosh844]

Good old fashioned classic acting techniques that made him my favourite actor of all time now I know why because he was so authentic is so authentic. Awesome, awesome person. Awesome actor! Great soul

[@rich.e]

I recall watching this, what, 25, 30 years ago? And this is the scene that impacted me most. Sterling stuff.

[@kenbranaugh8251]

Has always been one of my top five favorites, and I mean likes of brando, olivier, Hopkins, etc. But caine so intense nobody compares.. The best.

[@danison2819]

This golden advice from Micheal Cain!

[@FirstLast-Area52]

I love when actors look back n forth in another actor's eyes etc

[@epiphanygunworks9893]

Peter Serafinowics impression is so spot on.

[@r1pperduck]

Solid advice. Eye contact is a powerful skill to learn.

[@marty1234able]

Great guy with a great knowledge and sense of humour.

[@An_Arbitrary_Miscellany]

I have to say, this Peter Serafinowicz impression of Michael Caine is easily the best out there. Pretty much spot on.

[@thejanusproject32]

That is a free masterclass from a LEGEND. Holy crap

[@rdmck857]

This is an amazing actor who understands how to win over an audience

[@kareyreuben3869]

I love him in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, one of my all-time favorite comedies.

[@Jamison.u.s23]

thanks dad...best advice you ever gave me.

[@lake_cooper]

The first book on Acting I read was Sir Caine's. It's full of good stuff, like this 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@stephengolden6080]

Truly one of the greatest actors!👍

[@michaelstevens972]

Wow! Isnt that amazing to hear the process of the incredible actor Michael Cain is and has always been. From Jaws 3 to The Dark Knight. ♞

[@E.Pierro.Artist]

Alfred is so smart

[@SusanH4626]

Awesome Actor! Definitely knows his craft!

[@gr240z34]

I have noticed actors switching eyes before. Now I know why! Thank you.