Dear researchers,

I'm interested in ways a person can learn to produce
a big, warm, smile upon command.  It seems like there
are various types of smiles.  Some look fake, others
look warm and real.  I suppose others look silly.
Some look sincere, some look like one has been caught
in a prank.

It seems like actors must have techniques for this.
Beauty pagent contestents, too, seem to have a need
to produce a smile upon command.  Personally, I'd 
like to be able to be able to produce a range of
smiles upon command in my daily life, and I m willing 
to put in the time and effort that "smile professionals" 
do.

I would like an answer that is well-informed, and
not just pointers to web sites about facial exericises,
cosmetic dentistry, and the like.  In fact, nothing
related to dentistry is likely to be relevant to my
my questions.  A pointer to a web site on facial
exercises is ok as part of the answer IF evidence 
is also included that these exercises have proven 
to be useful to "smile professionals", and information 
is provided on how to apply them to each different 
type of smile.

I'm aware that a good way to practice is to practice
in front of a mirror.  I'm hoping there are more
effective and sophisticated methods.

Responses may be sophisticated as you like.  For
instance, I'm happy to locate and read articles 
from medical journals and psychology journals, or
obscure hard-to-find books on acting.

Yes!

I suppose great teeth are always a help.

Chorus girls are famous for their lovely smiles.

I know a former Bluebell Girl. The Bluebell Girls were a famous UK
troupe that used to perform in Paris many, many years ago. The next
time I see her, I'll ask.

Incidentally, the gorgeous dancers of yesteryear evidentally turn into
older folk just like everyone else.

You might find this of interest ...

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=135250

i remember watching a telly programme on the human mind

they said that to create a convinsing smile you need to show your
teeth, sort of squint your eyes so the corners wrinkle and bring your
cheeks up, there was other parts but i cant remember!

Heck, Bryan, one Bluebell turned into the Speaker of the H of C

Betty Boothroyd

To the OP 
- smiling is not just baring teeth, the eyes come into it

If you really want to be a 'faker' then collect yourself a set of
'internal annecdotes' - bring up the appropriate memory and ...

I think it is called 'method acting'

Hi, Jerry

Was Betty a Bluebell or a Tiller?

Must check!

Bryan

Achh ... my memory is deteriorating

Thanks for the correction

I saw the former Bluebell today and asked.

She said 'No, we were not taught how to smile ... we just smiled'.

'No secrets then?'

'We just kept thinking of payday'.

For Jerry: 

The Tiller Girls did high kicks whereas the Bluebells posed while
carrying a fan or something. No high kicks for them. I guess this made
them 'Showgirls' rather than 'Dancers'.

I'm sorry box217,

If you are looking for a correct answer, you have to understand a few
things.  One is you really cant be taught how to smile.

A little about myself,

I have been doing theatre now for over 10 years.  I have had amazing
training and I am STILL learning.  A great smile or a great anything
(character, movement, personaltiy, etc...) comes from within.  One
thing that I have learned, as an actor, is to stand in front of the
mirror.  The mirror is your best friend.  This is personal experience
I am offering you.

Just look in the mirror and watch the way you smile.  That is what I
do, well not smiling, but making faces that can capture the perfect
image of what I am trying to play with.

Words of advice I have recived is when you act you have to PLAY.  Why
else do they call it a play?????

Only one answer I can give you is the mirror is your friend.  There
are books out there like, to the actor by micheal chekhov,
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0415258766/qid=1103866288/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/002-4761733-9009625?v=glance&s=books
that tells you about a method called a practical method.  This is
using the body to tell a story, or you can do something like method
acting which is thinking from the past to draw up emotions to a
character.

As I reread your question, I would like to inform you I had a fake
smile my whole life and doing theatre and being comfortable with
myself is my natural fix to a real smile.

Good luck and I hope this may help you.

Smiker
www.freewebs.com/ericsalvi/

Thanks smiker, I appreciate the detailed response.  Also thanks to the
others that helped by checking with the Bluebell dancer, etc.

How is it going?