Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: How to strangle an actor?

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jenkins
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Joined: 1/31/11
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Topic: How to strangle an actor?
Posted: 2/09/11 at 12:23pm

It's been years since I've done this, can anyone refresh me on the physics? I need actor A to pick up actor B by the throat and strangle - I know the work comes from actor B, but I can't remember the precise arm/hand placement, and I'd rather not kill any actors today. Thanks!

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Majicwrench
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Posted: 2/09/11 at 12:26pm

I do not know the "proper" way, so am looking forward to more experienced replies. I do know the way I did it, but like I said, will hope more exp people chime in.

Keith

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Amos Hart
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Posted: 2/09/11 at 2:43pm

Make sure the hands are firmly placed on the collarbone, not the neck. If feasible with the script, have the victim try to fight the murderer off by seizing onto his/her forearms. That gives control to the victim.

I watched a James Cagney movie the other day. My mother-in-law was horrified to see him pick up Mae Clarke by the hair, drag her across TWO rooms and boot her ass out the door. I pointed out that as soon as he grabbed her hair, she grabbed his wrist and held tight. He was dragging her by the arms, not the hair. She had the control over whether her hair was pulled or not.

Edited by Amos Hart - 2/09/11 at 2:45pm

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Spectrum
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Posted: 2/09/11 at 3:05pm

HA! At first, I thought you were having problems with an actor. It's good to see that is NOT the case.

I am no expert on this, and hopefully someone who is will jump in here, but I would think if Actor A puts his hands low, on both sides of Actor B's neck, reaching far enough to the back of the neck to firmly 'hang on' with the fingertips, while overlaping the thumbs to either side of Actor B's throat (only slight pressure there), and then have Actor B do all the 'picking up' and moving with his legs and/or arms (with Actor A's hands holding on by the fingertips), it would be a fairly non-lethal way to strangle someone on stage. Obviously, Actor B also has to seem to be struggling and fighting this attack (with Actor A 'reacting'), but he can't really pull very hard on Actor A's hands, or they will come free. There has to be SOME pressure applied by Actor A, or it will look faked, but Actor B's breathing and blood suppy to the brain won't be restricted. It might help this effect to have Actor B actually hold his breath while this is going on so he will start turning red.

Good luck, and if there is an 'accident,' I don't want to know anything about it! LOL!

Edited by Spectrum - 2/09/11 at 7:11pm

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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NDTENOR
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Posted: 2/11/11 at 5:23pm

Don't know about your theater budget but ANYTIME you have physical stunts done in a show it pays great dividends in terms of safety to employ a trained Fight Choreographer. It's not like you have to employ them for the run of the show but to have them out a few time to explain things clearly and demonstrate. These people are out there and that's their job. It might cost you a few dollars but it's totally worth it.

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MusicManD
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Joined: 3/21/11
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Posted: 3/21/11 at 11:39am

If you need to actually pick up Actor B by the throat (to be held up against a wall or something), Actor A puts hands on the collar bone and Actor B grabs the forearms of Actor A. Actor A lifts, but Actor B is actually suspending himself using his own arms. If Actor B was to relax, he would just drop back to the floor, as Actor A is doing nothing but hand placement and lifting with his arms.

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
jenkins Player Joined: 1/31/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Topic: How to strangle an actor? Posted: 2/09/11 at 12:23pm
	It's been years since I've done this, can anyone refresh me on the physics? I need actor A to pick up actor B by the throat and strangle - I know the work comes from actor B, but I can't remember the precise arm/hand placement, and I'd rather not kill any actors today. Thanks!

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Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 2/09/11 at 12:26pm
	I do not know the "proper" way, so am looking forward to more experienced replies. I do know the way I did it, but like I said, will hope more exp people chime in. Keith
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Amos Hart Lead Joined: 12/15/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 2/09/11 at 2:43pm
	Make sure the hands are firmly placed on the collarbone, not the neck. If feasible with the script, have the victim try to fight the murderer off by seizing onto his/her forearms. That gives control to the victim. I watched a James Cagney movie the other day. My mother-in-law was horrified to see him pick up Mae Clarke by the hair, drag her across TWO rooms and boot her ass out the door. I pointed out that as soon as he grabbed her hair, she grabbed his wrist and held tight. He was dragging her by the arms, not the hair. She had the control over whether her hair was pulled or not. Edited by Amos Hart - 2/09/11 at 2:45pm
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Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 2/09/11 at 3:05pm
	HA! At first, I thought you were having problems with an actor. It's good to see that is NOT the case. I am no expert on this, and hopefully someone who is will jump in here, but I would think if Actor A puts his hands low, on both sides of Actor B's neck, reaching far enough to the back of the neck to firmly 'hang on' with the fingertips, while overlaping the thumbs to either side of Actor B's throat (only slight pressure there), and then have Actor B do all the 'picking up' and moving with his legs and/or arms (with Actor A's hands holding on by the fingertips), it would be a fairly non-lethal way to strangle someone on stage. Obviously, Actor B also has to seem to be struggling and fighting this attack (with Actor A 'reacting'), but he can't really pull very hard on Actor A's hands, or they will come free. There has to be SOME pressure applied by Actor A, or it will look faked, but Actor B's breathing and blood suppy to the brain won't be restricted. It might help this effect to have Actor B actually hold his breath while this is going on so he will start turning red. Good luck, and if there is an 'accident,' I don't want to know anything about it! LOL! Edited by Spectrum - 2/09/11 at 7:11pm
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
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NDTENOR Star Joined: 1/18/11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 49	Posted: 2/11/11 at 5:23pm
	Don't know about your theater budget but ANYTIME you have physical stunts done in a show it pays great dividends in terms of safety to employ a trained Fight Choreographer. It's not like you have to employ them for the run of the show but to have them out a few time to explain things clearly and demonstrate. These people are out there and that's their job. It might cost you a few dollars but it's totally worth it.
	IP Logged

MusicManD Star Joined: 3/21/11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 91	Posted: 3/21/11 at 11:39am
	If you need to actually pick up Actor B by the throat (to be held up against a wall or something), Actor A puts hands on the collar bone and Actor B grabs the forearms of Actor A. Actor A lifts, but Actor B is actually suspending himself using his own arms. If Actor B was to relax, he would just drop back to the floor, as Actor A is doing nothing but hand placement and lifting with his arms.
	IP Logged