I was emailed a few months ago by an actor who wanted advice on
how to convincingly act like he had Tourette syndrome. I never actually
emailed him back...sorry!
But it got me thinking: I've attempted to
explain what it feels like to have TS, but I'm not
sure that would help in imitating Tourette Syndrome.
After months of thought, I'm still not sure how to answer this question. The bizarre thing about TS is
any attempt at imitating it will look fake, simply because the condition looks
fake. That's a hard thing for me to admit, but it's true.
Tourette Syndrome looks faked.
I know it isn't. Believe me I know that. But even watching myself on video makes me think "why am I doing that?"
The problem seems to be that
these movements and vocalisations seem so natural to us that often we don't feel
like we're doing anything abnormal unless its pointed out to us. I can go
for weeks forgetting I have tics until I run across someone who stares at me
like I'm singing out loud (which incidentally I am).
So as for acting like you have TS, a few pointers (but if you have any suggestions, please
email me)
- Do not, unless absolutely
necessary, have Coprolalia. It always looks faked.
- Try and imagine one very
itchy spot near, but not quite on your body. Scratch it with various
body parts until you find something that looks awkward but spontaneous.
- Have no more than 1 vocal
and 2 motor tics. Anymore will just look like you are restless.
Repetition is the key.
- If another character
notices your tics, or reacts badly to them, be embarrassed. Most of us
are.
- Be vaguely aware that you are doing the movement, but still surprised if you are "caught". Think of a
child being caught picking his nose.
- Try to be tasteful.
We do put up with a lot of bad press on the old Tourette Syndrome front,
some positive role models would be nice.