I Need Advice on Facial Expressions

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Hi.

I'm making it a goal to learn more expressions and make them look as natural as possible. All of my life I've struggled with how to move my eyes, mouth, and face during different situations and circumstances. The two most difficult expressions I struggle with are excitement (when someone buys me something or does something nice), and empathic expression (the look you are supposed to give when someone has lost someone they love or has had a bad day at work).

On the inside, I DO feel these emotions, but my face doesn't know how to express them. It's a bit bizarre, but I've always struggled with it (as well as controlling the volume and tempo of my voice).

I spend hours in front of my camera, repeating myself over and over again and playing it back- trying to copy expressions I've seen other people make. My eyes can never seem to move like theirs, I look so rigid and goofy no matter how many times I try it.

Does anyone have any advice? I could really use it. It sounds kind of crazy, but I need a tutorial on how to make facial expressions...so if anything like this exists, please share!

-Thanks!

I have the same problem. I even try making faces in the mirror but my face does not really change. even when it feels like im making a big smile, my face barely changes. I stopped caring again.

you're doing it wrong

I found this quite difficult too. I used to try and copy someone on the TV. It needs to be a long running show so you can see all the expressions of your chosen character, and then just practice them. I used to do it in front of the mirror (there was no such thing as digital cameras in my day!). I think with a lot of practice I am certainly much better than I was, but it is a conscious effort and if I forget to concentrate I go blank again.

For empathy, I sometimes copy dogs by cocking my head to one side. A slight extension of the lower lip and sad eyes complete the effect.

A human with perma-blank face? That would be a scientific phenomena! Fabulous! First page in local newspaper!
But unfortunately....
There is no human being that makes no facial expressions. Everyone does. Except they all do it unconsciously. That's right. You all probably make a wide range of delicious facial expression when you "let your guard down"-and you don't even realize it.

a good way for a first practice is studying romantic comedies and sitcoms for facial expressions, and practice them in front of a mirror.
for actual feedback, however, you will need to ask a (good) friend to pay attention an comment on the expressions you make.
also, when you got this friend to do this, he can also help in more ways; like watching the sitcoms with you and help pointing out subtilities in expressions, and showing you some himself as practice in recognizing the expression in others