Photoplayer Hater

Certain actors fall easily into caricature. Instead of analyzing what real people actually do, they just copy what they have seen on TV or a stereotype in their head. Actors that strive for realism need move beyond cliches and tired ideas. Actors that really want to bring a life-like quality to their work need to look deeper than surfaces and vague memories. It is easy for most actors to play awake and alert since that is how we are most of the time. The trouble is with those other states that we are so rarely in that we do not easily get a very good sense of what they are really like. We are not often kicked in the stomach, we only wake up once a day, and only have the flu once a year or so.

Of the states a human can be in none is more profound and lasting a change as being drunk. People are commonly drunk for hours not minutes and the change is rarely subtle. When drunk we have trouble observing ourselves if we do not give it strict attention, and even though it is better to watch other people be drunk while we are sober, it is not as much fun. Being around a drunk is a bore, getting drunk together is a party.

The key to playing drunk effectively is trying not to look drunk. Do what you would normally but consider your body an obstacle. The objective of drinking is to have a good time and your uncooperative body gets in the way.

Over-Enunciate

When inebriated your tongue seems bigger and is less responsive. You are not able to speak as free and easy as you can sober. You have to compensate for this lack of ability by slowing down and carefully uttering words, giving it your utmost attention and care.

Intermittent Pronunciation Problems

Though a drunk person tries their best to slow down and take care to speak clearly, they often flounder. They mispronounce certain sounds over and over but not each and every time. These problem sounds will be something the drunk will try to compensate for, but will not always be able to correct. The more they drink the more often they will flub those sounds.

Slow Blinking, Smiles

When drunk the body just does not move as fast or precisely as it usually does. So it is common to find drunk people holding their eyes closed longer than when normally blinking and coming to a smile much slower and holding it longer. This is one of the most pronounced instances of slow body reaction time since you are most often looking at others' faces.

Keep Balance While Standing

Not falling over is a drunk person's number one priority, because that is when people will refuse to serve them more alcohol. Falling over also knocks you down a peg or two in the social strata, even if temporarily. If you are trying to entertain someone or score with a chick, falling to the floor will not help. Drunk people are in a constant battle to not fall over. It will not be an obvious swaying back and forth with arms flailing, but rather a small and subtle series of corrections that sober people never even consider since they do them so effortlessly.

Almost Nodding Off

Being drunk is often being two steps from passing out. If not passing out from drinking too much, then just from plain wanting to go to sleep. You find drunk people's heads leaning too far forward or to one side. If they are in a seat many of them will lean back and snapping their head all the way back. Much of the stage business an actor playing drunk would perform will resemble a over-tired child.

Slow Reactions

The reason you should not drink and drive is because you do not react to sudden circumstances like you do sober. This goes for any number of things that can happen in contact with people. A quick unexpected question could leave you stunned for a long moment or when someone toss you something you reach to catch it after it already hit your chest and fell to the floor.

Every drunk stays there in their own unique way. These are generalizations that may not apply to each and every person you encounter. Some drunk people can walk fine but cannot speak at all. Others have no ability to walk, but can stand perfectly still. With these building blocks and observations of real people and yourself, you will have a good start at creating your own inebriated character that your parents will cringe at.

What odd drunk person behavior have you observed?