Hey there,

One shot that many beginning filmmakers tend to forget is the reaction shot. A reaction shot, like its name suggests, shows the reaction a character has to what is being done or said on screen. Whether it is drama or comedy, this is a vital concept that all genres of film must abide by. To do this, you should film the scene like you normally would, capturing the appropriate action and dialogue. For the best results, go back and shoot the scene again, this time focusing on one character’s reaction.

            The reaction should always tell the audience something so only use them when the situation calls for it. You don’t need a reaction shot for every line of dialogue. If you have a scene of a man ordering coffee in a café, chances are you don’t need a reaction shot of the waiter.

            If you’ve learned anything from the past posts I’ve done, it should be that everything in film relates back to the audience. This is why reaction shots are so crucial because it not only lets the viewers in on the mindset of your characters, but it can also tell the audience about the story as a whole.

            Here’s a pretty funny video I stumbled upon that is filled with that show the cause and effect nature of reaction shots from some of the best movies of all time. 

     See you all next Friday at 7 p.m. If you can think of any of your own favorite reaction shots let me know!