Every actor wishes he could cry or laugh on cue, but that is not something you can turn on and off like a switch. There are ways, however, that you can perform emotions convincingly in acting using the following skills.
Instructions
1. Get in tune with your instrument. Acting requires that you understand your entire body, voice, mind and intentions on stage and in front of the camera. To help achieve this goal, take voice lessons, exercise and meditate regularly.
2. Make your character's desires your desires. With the proper intent behind your lines and actions, you can get the emotions across convincingly when acting with the proper focus of your lines.
3. Understand what your character wishes to project onto the other characters. By having a full grasp of where your character is going, and what he is looking for from those he interacts with, you will be able to do emotions convincingly when acting.
4. Ask yourself questions like what is your character doing, why is your character doing these things and how is your character doing things. These help any actor connect with the character and his emotions.
5. Be completely familiar with your lines and blocking in every scene. The only way you are ever going to connect with your character, and do emotions convincingly when acting, is by having a firm grasp of your lines and the technical part of your craft.
6. Study those around you in emotional situations. By studying the facial expressions of other actors and the people in your daily life, you can learn the natural progression and expression of emotions.
