The Science of the “Soap Stare”

As we’ve previously discussed, soap operas have been more than a staple for the entertainment world: They’ve also been trailblazers for many of the mechanics used in primetime television and even movies. Take the fabled “soap opera stare,” for instance.

It has been the subject of parody and satire for almost as long as it has been around… but as they say, we often mock the things we most rely on.

Believe it or not, there’s an exact science behind those dramatic moments, which serve as a way to bring viewers deeper into both the story and the characters’ emotions.

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Similar tactics have been used in many different forms of media, and have been effectively employed by such giants as Humphrey Bogart or – if you want a more modern example – Matthew McConaughey.

Really, when you know the skill that it takes to offer a good stare, it should come as no surprise that many particularly influential actors got their starts as soap stars!