Acting and body language: Lying

The task of the coordinator is to show the public how the character feels. As animators, is essential to have good knowledge of how the mind works and human behavior. Lying is probably one of the most common behaviors that we find in a movie and as animators, need to know how to be the performance of the character to display a liar credible. Here is a description of body language, gestures and signs that someone is being fake.

Body Language

• The movements are limited and rigid, with few movements of arms and hands. Hands, arms and legs are directed towards the body itself because the liar wants to occupy less space.
• They behave so restless. It is a sure sign that someone is lying to be restless, either with their own bodies or things around. The concern is the result of nervous energy produced by the fear of discovery. In order to release excess energy, liars often do not stop moving on the chair, playing with a handkerchief, or any part of your body.
• A person who is lying avoids eye contact.
• Hands touching face, throat and mouth. They tend to touching or scratching the nose or behind the ear.
• A liar is uncomfortable facing his interlocutor / accuser and often turning the head or alienate his body cast him backwards.
• A liar may unconsciously place objects (books, Coffee, etc.) between him and his interlocutor.
• Liars tend to avoid hand gestures we consider as a normal part of a discussion or conversation. With some exceptions, Most liars tend to avoid finger pointing, use the open palm gestures or join the fingertips. (The tips of the fingers touching each other in a triangle is often associated with thinking aloud).
• Grooming behaviors are common in liars, like playing with hair, adjusted his tie , or fiddling with the cuff.

Emotional gestures

• When is faking emotions expressions are limited to mouth movements when instead of the whole face. For example; when someone smiles naturally their whole face is involved: jaw, the movement of the cheek, eyes and forehead, etc.
• The time and duration of emotional gestures and emotions are off a normal pace. The display of emotion is delayed.
• Breathe so obvious and audible.
• The nostrils are opened to allow more air inlet.
• The gestures and expressions do not match the verbal statement, as frowning when saying “I love you”.

The following video is from Fargo, an American black comedy, written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. In the next scene William H. Macy acts as a liar authentic.