Genuine emotions can’t simply be “acted” – but they can be deliberately summoned. The most effective method for this comes from acting and works with memories and inner images. Instead of thinking about the emotion itself, you think about a specific situation in which you experienced it.

If you need joy, for example, remember a moment when you laughed heartily: Where were you, who was there, what did it smell like, what did you hear?! The more sensory impressions you recall, the more genuine your expression becomes – especially in your eyes, which can’t be faked.

It’s best to put together a small personal “emotion archive” for this: one or two memories each for joy, longing, strength, thoughtfulness, or playfulness that you can draw on when you’re on set. Music is also a powerful trigger and can often put you in the desired mood within seconds.

Your body helps too: posture and breathing influence how we feel. If you stand up straight and breathe deeply, you feel stronger; if you lower your gaze and breathe more slowly, you become calmer. With a little practice, switching between emotions gets faster and faster.