The simple answer is that actors do blink, but they try to control their blinking for specific reasons relating to performance and character. The belief that they never blink is a misconception.
While actors blink naturally, they are trained to be aware of their blinking habits and to minimize unnecessary blinking. This is for several reasons:
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Maintaining Character: Blinking can be a sign of nervousness, weakness, or distraction. An actor might choose to suppress blinking to convey a different emotional state or personality trait. Like the provided source states, no action is taken without a reason in animation, and this also applies to acting. The character's emotional state is important.
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Focus and Concentration: Actors need to maintain intense focus on their scene partners and the objectives of the scene. Excessive blinking can be a distraction and break the audience's connection with the character.
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Technical Considerations: In film and television, blinking can sometimes cause continuity errors or interfere with lighting and camera angles. While editing can fix some blink issues, minimizing them during the performance is always helpful.
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Director's Instructions: The director may specifically instruct an actor to blink more or less frequently based on the desired effect for a particular scene.
It is crucial to understand that actors are not robots. Suppressing natural urges like blinking requires significant effort and is not sustainable for extended periods. They prioritize controlling their blinks during key moments and intense scenes. Ultimately, their goal is to create a compelling and believable performance.
