Some of the most notable scenes in film and television involving alcohol are performed so convincingly, you can’t help but wonder if the actor is genuinely drinking while on set. This level of authenticity is accomplished by a well-trained collective of crew members and actors, and the magic that occurs is a result of experimentation, communication, and dedication to producing a legitimate on-screen alcohol consumption experience.
Since alcohol can be a sensitive topic for many actors, and the portrayal of drunkenness is a rather empathetic practice, handling alcohol on set properly is crucial for the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the film or show. We’ll review some of the best ways to assist crew members and actors with handling alcohol on set.
Choosing the Right “Alcohol”
First, it is important to decide whether you are working with actual alcoholic beverages or substitutes. Beverage substitutes must have the same color and movement as real shots and cocktails. Water tends to be the best substitute for clear liquors, like vodka and gin. Other liquors, such as whiskey or rum, can be faked with weak black tea. Diluted apple juice can pose as wine and non-alcoholic champagne or ginger ale are ideal for mimicking real bubbly.
Sometimes, actors will choose to drink real alcohol to get the most intense, genuine performance. Generally, performing under the influence is not advised. If an actor insists this is the best way to enhance their performance, and all parties on set are okay with this arrangement, it is always better to dilute the alcohol for safety purposes.
This can be done with water – adding the appropriate mixture of food coloring will allow you to maintain the real color of the liquor. Be sure to obtain appropriate consent for on-set alcohol consumption and check with the applicable laws in the city or state you are working in to ensure total legal compliance.
Creating a Safe Environment
As mentioned above, creating a safe environment is absolutely essential on set. Individual actors will have different feelings about alcohol and alcohol consumption. These feelings can require crew members to have contingency plans in place, or it may prompt them to think on their feet to find a fitting solution.
Crew members should undergo thorough training about alcohol safety, which should include workshops that cover establishing a comfortable set where actors’ preferences will be taken into consideration and needs around alcohol handling will be met. Before filming, develop alcohol safety training modules for all crew members.
Though this training would take place in person preferably, it is always a good idea to have remote training options available for crew members to review. Be sure to assign a set safety officer who will oversee set practices surrounding alcohol. This is a great way to enhance overall comfort on set and lower the risk of mishandling alcohol and scenes that require it. Leave plenty of opportunity for feedback as well, with the understanding that any reviews will be taken seriously and the right changes to safety protocols or training will be implemented accordingly.
One useful step before working on any scenes surrounding alcohol is to ask the actors how they feel about being around alcohol or having to perform a scene where their character is drunk. This can be triggering for some actors who have a negative relationship with substance abuse. Provide support to actors who struggle with alcohol or substance issues by keeping a counselor readily available. Offer stress relief methods or other options that will allow actors who are dealing with addiction struggles to maintain a healthy lifestyle before, during, and after filming.
A big part of proper safety training is teaching crew members what to do if actors previously consented to a scene involving alcohol or drunken behavior and, upon filming, realize they are no longer okay with being associated with the scene or practice. Teach crew members to respect these choices and to find the right fix for the moment. For example, if a scene involving alcohol requires an actor to repeatedly sip on a juice substitute, but they do not want to consume a vast amount of sugar, keep a sugar-free option readily available to swiftly change out the drink.
Maintaining Authenticity
Authentically portraying alcohol use takes real effort. The effects of alcohol on the body can be visible and quite difficult to mimic without the right training. Your motor skills become affected – balance becomes difficult, speech becomes slurred, and movement can be slowed or disjointed. When withdrawal occurs, behavior changes alongside it, leading to increased aggressiveness, despair, or physical sickness like vomiting. Alcohol depletes your body of serotonin, a hangover causing an onset of sadness, guilt, or depression.
To get the physical reaction to drinking right, provide actors with the proper coaching. Many filming professionals advise actors to consider what happens to the senses while being drunk and act as if they are fighting against these effects. This has proven to be a more useful tactic than merely trying to have these sensory impairments, as the result can appear too forced and false.
It is also useful to study the behavior of drunk individuals as well. Actors are encouraged to observe their own reactions to alcohol consumption and note the changes in how they usually act. When observing friends or other people around them who are drunk, actors should examine how these people interact with others and how drinking enhances their emotional responses to external stimuli.
Handling alcohol on set isn’t always a simple process, but it can be done effectively and meaningfully with the right precautions and actions. Keep open lines of communication with everyone on set and be sure to establish an environment that encourages honesty, authenticity, and trust. With these things in mind, the final result will only prosper.
Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.
