While some actors have the amazing ability to cry on command many others need a little help.
A menthol blower is a specialty device sold at film-centric makeup stores. It’s basically a hollow tube that is loaded with menthol crystals and stuffed on each end with cotton ball material. Blowing in one end by mouth sends a jet of menthol-filled air out the other.
To produce instant tears on camera the blower is positioned just out of frame in a close-up shot, very near to the actor’s face. care must be taken with the lighting setup to avoid shadowing the actor.
At just the right moment the off-camera assistant blows the menthol air toward the actors eyes, producing tears on command.
And the Academy Award goes to…