Dialogue is awesome.
I love dialogue.
"- So we gonna do this thing or whatever. Is this happening?
- Yeah."
Except when characters say: "You just don't get it, do you?"
"You just don't get it, do you?"
But dialogue isn't the only thing you need to capture when shooting your actor.
Never underestimate the power and value of the reaction shot.
The most powerful reaction shots focus on
how what a character says
affects another character.
Way more so than what it is that's actually being said.
" Jamar it`s going to be your first day.
If you'd like to work here as a broker.
Welcome."
And they're often mined for humor.
"Mmm-mmm-mmm."
They can be essential for pacing to let a scene breathe.
"- What exactly is it that they do?
- Kick names, take ass."
Reaction shots allow the audience to go deeper
into the minds and hearts of your characters,
generating maximum emotional impact.
"They`re clear.
Yes, yes."
The importance of reaction shots is often overlooked when scheduling.
I'll show you how to use StudioBinder
to plan and execute more impactful reaction shots in your scenes.
But first, be sure to click the bell below to subscribe
because we've got so much great stuff coming your way.
Let's take a look at the Giant`s milk scene,
from the final season of "Game of Thrones."
It's the calm before the storm
and the culmination of years of character development
and audience anticipation.
There are so much that has led up to this scene.
Seven seasons of betrayals.
"The Lannisters send their regards."
Wars.
And softcore porn.
"Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?"
We've got conflicting agendas regarding the one true ruler of Westeros.
Unrequited love between Torment and Brienne
and between Brienne and Jaime.
Tyrion murdered his brother Jamie's beloved father.
The epic series is ramping up to its conclusion
and it's the night before the Battle of Winterfell
when our heroes have to face the Night King
and his army of the dead.
They're all well aware that they are totally gonna die.
These disparate and desperate friends and foes,
have finally come together in one place
and they're sharing one goal for the first time.
And in the middle of it,
the North's resident ginger drops this nugget.
"I killed the giant when I was 10.
Then I climbed right into bed with his wife.
You know what she did?
Suckle me at her tit for three months.
That's how I got so strong.
Giant`s milk."
The tension and hilarity of the moment is finally broken by Sir Davos.
"Maybe I will have that drink."
These reactions give us so much more than just much-needed comic relief.
We are given an emotional payoff and catharsis,
we never would have experienced
if the shots just stayed on Tormund the whole time.
Plus, a few really well-place sound effects.
Let's break this scene down in StudioBinder,
so you can see how it's done.
I imported the script in the StudioBinder
so we can check out the breakdown.
A breakdown is basically identifying all of the scene requirements
or the elements of a scene.
This is everything from cast to props,
sound design, anything, really.
We know beyond just getting coverage
that we want to prioritize
how Tormund's words are landing on our characters.
If I were the director,
I'd add a note here
to make sure we don't lose track of these key reaction shots on the day.
Next, when building the shot list,
I'd make sure to add these shots to my list.
Maybe, color code them,
red, so they really pop.
Then you invite your A.D. your DP, scripting,
anyone who needs to know that these shots are important.
Remember, when breaking it down,
you may determine that a scene isn't about the person who's doing the talking at all.
It's often about the people doing the listening.
Know who the moment is really about
and make sure your blocking, shot selection and edit
highlight the right characters.
Let's recap.
The most powerful reaction shots focus on how what a character says
affects another character.
Pay attention to more than just the actor who is talking.
See where your actor's instincts take them
in terms of their reactions and their connections.
Also, track your character's relationships.
Great reaction shots, go way beyond film and TV.
You're going to have to master reaction shots,
if you want to work in the commercial world.
Some ads rely so heavily on reaction shots.
"- She's right Michael Buble.
- It's pronounced Buble, I know, thanks.
Davey."
"Sarah, Sarah.
Clean enough?"
"- Jeffery get off the roof.
- Okay."
So when pitching yourself for commercial,
showing you have an eye for these reaction shots
could make the difference between earning the clients trust
or looking a little green.
What are some of your favorite reaction shots?
"I'll suck your cock $3,000."
Can you think of any scenes that might have benefited from having more of them?
Tell us about it in the comments below
and I'll, you know, I'll react.
"- Thanks a lot,bye.
- Bye-bye."
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"That's how I got so strong.
Giant`s milk."
Valar Morgulis.
"Maybe, I will have that drink."