Character Reactions: How To Create Emotion in a Story (Writing Advice)
Рет қаралды 21,524
29 күн бұрынLearn how to write believable and effective character reactions--with examples from Fallout, Harry Potter, Seinfeld, John Wick, and more!
Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel The Half Murders:
- AMAZON (USA - Ad Link): amzn.to/4amlFKG
- BARNES & NOBLE (USA): shorturl.at/acwLX
- AUDIBLE (USA): shorturl.at/goFG9
- AMAZON (UK): www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CVBNH87N
- AMAZON (CAN): www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CVBNH87N
- AMAZON (INDIA): www.amazon.in/dp/B0CVBNH87N
- AMAZON (AUS) www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CVBNH87N
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/TheHalfMurders
Get Brandon's horror/thriller novel BAD PARTS:
- AMAZON (USA - Ad Link): amzn.to/3esTFYC
- AMAZON (UK): www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QLMWKW
- AMAZON (CAN): www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QLMWKW
- AMAZON (INDIA): www.amazon.in/dp/B088QLMWKW
- AMAZON (AUS): www.amazon.com.au/dp/B088QLMWKW
- BARNES & NOBLE: tinyurl.com/BadPartsBN
- AUDIBLE: www.audible.com/pd/Bad-Parts-...
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/badparts
Get Brandon's supernatural thriller novel ENTRY WOUNDS:
- AMAZON (USA - Ad Link): amzn.to/2XL737v
- AMAZON (UK): www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B097YGX2DH
- AMAZON (CAN): www.amazon.ca/dp/B097YGX2DH
- AMAZON (INDIA): www.amazon.in/dp/B097YGX2DH
- AMAZON (AUS): www.amazon.com.au/dp/B097YGX2DH
- BARNES & NOBLE: tinyurl.com/EntryWoundsBN
- AUDIBLE: tinyurl.com/EWAudible
- OTHER RETAILERS: books2read.com/EntryWounds
NOTE: Some of my links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos. This does not affect my review of products. All opinions are my own. Thanks for the support!
Follow Brandon McNulty:
WEBSITE (Join my mailing list!) - brandonmcnulty.com/
TWITTER - / mcnultyfiction
FACEBOOK - / mcnultyfiction
SUBSCRIBE to Writer Brandon McNulty here: / @writerbrandonmcnulty
#WritingAdvice #WritingTips #Writing #author #betterstories #authortube #booktube #authortuber #howtowrite #BrandonMcNulty #WriterBrandonMcNulty #BadParts #WritingCommunity
=======================================
CHECK OUT MY OTHER VIDEOS:
Mastering Scene Structure:
• Mastering Scene Struct...
Writing Scenes that Flow:
• Writing Scenes That Fl...
5 Fatal Mistakes that New Writers Make
• 5 Fatal Mistakes that ...
5 Time-Saving Tips for Writers (And Readers!)
• 5 Time-Saving Tips for...
5 Scientific Inaccuracies in Movies, TV, & Books
• 5 Scientific Inaccurac...
The BEST Writing Exercise Out There
• The BEST Writing Exerc...
How to Write a Book Pitch
• How to Write a Book Pitch
Writing Villains #1 - Start with Your Hero
• Writing Villains #1 - ...
Writing Villains #2 - Goals
• Writing Villains #2 - ...
Writing Villains #3 - Motivation
• Writing Villains #3 - ...
Writing Villains #4 - When to Introduce Your Villain
• Writing Villains #4 - ...
Writing Villains #5 - Plot Points for Villains
• Writing Villains #5 - ...
Writing Villains #6 - Impacting the Hero
• Writing Villains #6 - ...
The Anatomy of Story REVIEW:
• The Anatomy of Story R...
Save the Cat Writes a Novel REVIEW:
• Save the Cat Writes a ...
=======================================
@AllenUry 27 күн бұрын
Ghostbusters (1984). Bill Murray: "Okay...She's a dog." Great under-reaction to a mind-blowing event that illustrates the character's unflappability.
@EH23831 27 күн бұрын
Pretty much all Bill Murray’s reactions in that movie are gold…
@deckardcanine 26 күн бұрын
Murray built a career on not emoting.
@gloriafernandes276 27 күн бұрын
Roy Scheider after seeing the shark for the first time in Jaws, stunned, and saying his iconic line, "You're gonna need a bigger boat!" Classic
@ShinGallon 26 күн бұрын
It might be urban legend but I remember reading somewhere that he ad-libbed that line. If so, it's utter brilliance on his part.
@reptiliannoizezz.413 18 күн бұрын
He actually covered this one in his latest video!
@KutWrite 27 күн бұрын
One of my favorite reactions is Goldfinger's, when Bond is facing being sliced in half by a laser: Bond (to Goldfinger): Do you expect me to talk? Goldfinger (matter-of-factly): No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!
@ludovico6890 27 күн бұрын
That's such a great scene. Showing that you can bring tension and suspense without heavy action. Bond gets away with it not using gadgets, but his wits and by subtly manipulating a villain who is not easy to manipulate.
@valutaatoaofunknownelement197 25 күн бұрын
@@ludovico6890 Also a subversion of the villain monologue. Why reveal your plan to the hero when you can just get over with it?
@jaypenn5117 27 күн бұрын
Indiana Jones reacting to the man showing up with the sword in Raiders.
@rabbitpygg 27 күн бұрын
This was one of the greatest reactions in cinema history because it ignored established tropes and shattered expectations. *Everyone* expected Indy to grab his "signature" weapon, the whip, and have a "whip vs sword" duel. And Indy appears to consider that, for a moment. Then he gets the perfect look of "I don't have time for this s***" on his face, pulls his gun and BANG...fights over. Not a single word of dialog, but Harrison's facial expressions "tell" us exactly what he's thinking.
@blshouse 27 күн бұрын
Allegedly one of the great moments of improvisation as well. The story goes that Ford was recovering from the flu and still felt poorly. The actor with the sword played along, and we got movie gold.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Kicking myself for not including that in the video
@y_fam_goeglyd 26 күн бұрын
@@blshouseI'm pretty sure that he, and many others, had dysentery. They were also running out of film and money. Ford - after they'd rehearsed the scene - realised the scene didn't work from Indy's perspective, suggested the gun, Lucas agreed and so was born one of the greatest short scenes in film history. His "I know" as a reaction to Leia's "I love you!" was also one of Ford's, but he did discuss it beforehand, despite the urban legend.
@BigMcLargeHuge125 26 күн бұрын
@@WriterBrandonMcNultyyou mean whipping yourself?
@richardgurney1844 26 күн бұрын
My favorite character reaction is from Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back In that cloud city, upon unexpectedly meeting Darth Vader, Han Solo shoots him immediately - it doesn't work, but that moment just speaks volumes for Han Solo's character. No dialogue, just a brilliant "actions-speak-louder-than-words" moment!
@ShinGallon 26 күн бұрын
Han always shoots first, just ask Greedo.
@susanam.826 26 күн бұрын
Han Solo has one of my favorite reactions. When Leia says "I love you." and he replies "I know." (which was not in the script)
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Awesome moment. Doesn't even hesitate. It's so Han.
@NDB-Semper 13 күн бұрын
@ShinGallon amen. Though for some absurd reason George Lucas went back and changed it to Greedo shooting first in the re-releases, the original has Han shooting first, and that's exactly what Han Solo would do.
@ShinGallon 13 күн бұрын
@@NDB-Semper Oh I know, I grew up with the original versions, and haven't watched the changed versions since they first came out. I see no reason to when fans have given me good high-quality versions to watch.
@samhutchison9582 26 күн бұрын
I love how Bruce Willis interacts with Chris Tucker in The Fifth Element. The perfect summation of his "I'm too old for this shit" attitude throughout the first half of the movie and it shifts as he begins to really get invested.
@BeeWhistler 26 күн бұрын
Also Chris Tucker's reaction after the climax scene, where he just starts yelling and storms out.
@oswaldkite2106 27 күн бұрын
My favourite reaction is Marge Gunderson in Fargo during the Mike Yanagita scene. When he switches sides of the booth to sit next to her. She's assertive enough to tell him she prefers him to sit over there. Then smiles and breaks what is a very awkward situation "just so I can see ya". You see that she is both assertive and calming within 10 seconds.
@everwake2689 26 күн бұрын
Yes! And the way she stares straight ahead until he moves, showing that she's unyielding on this.
@babylonian.captivity 26 күн бұрын
Ha! Another Fargo! (For me it's Steve Buscemi's "Whoa, Daddy!")
@MichaelJPartyka 27 күн бұрын
Just about every reaction by Bill Paxton in "Aliens".
@everwake2689 26 күн бұрын
The reaction of the kids in "The Goonies" when they turn around and see the pirate ship. It was an honest reaction, as they hadn't seen the set up until that point!
@premium_chicken_nuggy 26 күн бұрын
My favorite reaction is from Shikishima in Godzilla Minus One. I love the way he reacts right after Godzilla uses his atomic breath to destroy the city and “kill off” his lover, Noriko. The parallel with Godzilla letting out a roar of triumph after destroying an entire city juxtaposed with Shikishima falling on his knees and screaming at Godzilla in anguish is beautiful storytelling.
@dancl8674 18 күн бұрын
I totally agree. His deeply emotional reaction made it totally believable that he would definitely sacrifice his life to kill Godzilla and get revenge for Noriko’s death. When the plane exploded in Godzilla’s mouth, I had not doubt that he was in the plane when it exploded and was shocked when I saw him in his parachute. Great movie!
@ProudPapaJD 26 күн бұрын
Every reaction of the Dude but especially after Jesus yells at him and he just goes “yeah, well, that’s just like, your opinion, man”
@mrtruman4339 20 күн бұрын
I hadn't heard of this, and reading it out of context is hilarious.
@R.W.D.-vs8xl 16 күн бұрын
@@mrtruman4339 It's from The Big Lebowski. Legendary film
@tkn9931 22 күн бұрын
Eomers reaction to finding Eowyn on the battlefield. The cry, throwing away his sword and helmet, but most of all the look for someone to help or explain. It breaks my heart every time.
@specialhiza 26 күн бұрын
Meeting scenes in The Office(US) are really fun because all these characters are packed in a small room reacting in different ways
@TheZetaKai 26 күн бұрын
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the crew from Alien reacting to Kane's death in the chestburster scene. An iconic, authentic response to a horrific moment, and a great example of enforced method acting, as the cast was unaware of how gross and visceral the special effects would be. The audience feels the horror with the crew due to the relatability of their reactions.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Great call. Really wish I had included the chestburster scene in this video
@janiefallout8 25 күн бұрын
I'm really happy you didn't. It's a nice scene and illustrates the point but it's very gross and some people like me can't even look at it. (If you want to know how I know it's good when I can't look at it, well, I saw it once and then had nightmares). Please think about the sensitive viewers and avoid scenes that are too gross.
@racheltheradiant4675 27 күн бұрын
One of my favorite reactions is in the Lord of the Rings, is after Gandalf's death with the Balrog. Especially Aragorn's you can see his pain, you can feel it but he has to soldier on. He has to lead the fellowship to safety, he wants to break down, but he can't. Truly a potently written scene.
@tiituvirtuaali6379 26 күн бұрын
There's one thing I'd like to add, tho it's more technical. Basically, what I think it's really important is how alive and vivid the description of emotions is. Show don't tell works well, but sometimes you want the reader to be able to sense the emotions (couldn't find better word). It's also worth pointing out that we usually feel many emotions at the same time. Fear, anxiety, and weird excitement can all be there. We're full of conflicted emotions. While editing my book I did one round especially about reactions and making the emotions feel more alive. Basically it was descirbing emotions more and with more poetic way (metaphoras etc). It was realism tho so the emotions were even bigger part of the story, but even action-packed genres emotions can really separate good and great writer from apart. And while I'm saying "describe better", it's just how I do it. We all have different styles and not everyone wants to use metaphoras and allegories while describing emotions. And what I'm not saying is drag the scene as long as you can with a lot of description. Sometimes "Her heart beated like she was running a marathon." works without any additional information. Especially in the middle of dialogue. If it's just a character alone in their room having a panic attack, then I'd describe it more.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Great point with conflicting emotions. That's the best recipe for tension in a story. Also, emotions can be obvious or understated, which is where it gets interesting.
@wadegolden3589 26 күн бұрын
My favorite is Dorothy's reaction to Jerry Maguire's entrance in the penultimate scene of the movie. Her stunned silence for his epic "You complete me" speech feels perfect for her character as she's trying to process what is happening before reacting, and then telling him to "shut up" makes you briefly think she's going to reject him again. It's beautiful writing and acting. One of my other favorites is Mr. Stevens's discrete attempt to hide the burnt toast in the final scene of The Remains of the Day. It's almost as heartbreaking as the previous scene because it shows it's back to business as usual for him when he could have changed his life forever moments ago.
@R.senals_Arsenal 26 күн бұрын
My favorite reaction is from Doctor WHO, the episode Vincent and the Doctor. Spoiler alert, at the end of their adventure with Vincent Van Gogh the Doctor takes Vincent to the present to a gallery showing all of his paintings, and while he stands speachless, the Doctor asks the curator to describe what he thinks of Vincent Van Gogh. What follows is a man reduced to tears as he hears and sees that his life and work wasn't as meaningless or worthless as he had thought. It is beautifully written, acted, directed, that scene is a masterpiece and jerks my tears every time.
@jennymunday7913 26 күн бұрын
Yes! And the fact that it ended up changing nothing in the long run. He still lost his battle to his internal demons. So bittersweet.
@ellennewth6305 19 күн бұрын
One of my favorite episodes!!!
@siegfriedmordrake3229 27 күн бұрын
The emotional response of Arthur just before the climax of Joker is pure gold
@CorpusChristman 26 күн бұрын
Val’s reaction in Tremors when the grabboid kills itself in the irrigation ditch. Nothing profound at all, just a perfectly timed and portrayed character moment. “Out cold, my ass. We killed it. We killed it! Fuuuuuuuuuuu*k YOU!”
@nathancrossen2224 26 күн бұрын
00:30 Tommy Wisseau popping up with that "if they're NOT, the story becomes laughable..." made me spit out my coffee. 🤣 Thank you, Brandon.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Hahaha what a story, Nathan!
@mikitz 26 күн бұрын
You're tearing me apart with your analysis!
@jahredcr916 27 күн бұрын
My favorite character reaction is from Berserk during the eclipse, such a painfully strong scene
@bryanreed742 26 күн бұрын
Wrath of Khan. "Our shields are dropping." "Raise them!" "I can't!"
@ludovico6890 27 күн бұрын
My favourite character reaction is probably Doctor Loomis' at the very end of Halloween. Michael Myers disappears after being killed, and he barely flinches, as he'd expected it all along.
@neiketa525 26 күн бұрын
I second that. I remember a documentary about Halloween where Donald Pleasance mentioned how he made two scenes: one where he was surprised, and one where he wasn't. John Carpenter and Debra Hill thought the latter was haunting.
@YophiSmith 26 күн бұрын
At the end of The Proposal where Sandra Bullock’s character, known for being a dominating boss but she fell in love with Ryan Reynolds’ character during a trip. He comes back to her office and she tries to ignore him and he yells saying “Margaret, STOP TALKING.” She was so surprised, and then looked at all her workers, who just began to act like they didn’t hear anything and went back to working 😂. It was a moment of her being vulnerable in front of her workers for the first time
@ShinGallon 26 күн бұрын
One of my absolute favorite movies is The Fifth Element, due in large part to Gary Oldman's performance as Zorg. And one of my favorite moments is when Father Cornelius says "You're a monster, Zorg." and his reaction is just a little nod and "I know." It's such a matter-of-fact acknowledgement of Cornelius' assessment of his character, but it's almost slightly regretful. As if he knows he's a monster and doesn't exactly *want* to be one, but he feels helpless to fight against his nature. It's such a little moment but it has always stuck out to me.
@ProudPapaJD 26 күн бұрын
Love that movie! Great choice!
@YophiSmith 26 күн бұрын
A case with four stones in it! Not one or two or three but four! Four stones! What the hell am I supposed to do with an EMPTY case!?
@ShinGallon 26 күн бұрын
@@YophiSmith Yeah, his every other reaction being very intense made the one I mentioned that much more interesting to me. God I love that movie.
@YophiSmith 26 күн бұрын
Or when his servant explains how he’s not on the plane, he responds with a calm “Are you making fun of me?” 😂
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
What's your favorite character reaction? Let us know!
@ellennewth6305 19 күн бұрын
In "While You Were Sleeping," Lucy (Sandra Bullock) thinks her romance with Jack Callaghan is over. But Jack (Bill Pullman) enters the train station where Lucy works and places an engagement ring in the token tray of her booth. Lucy's expression of surprise is priceless! Similar to Paula's (Debra Winger) reaction when Zack (Richard Gere) whisks her away from her boring factory job at the end of "An Officer and a Gentleman."
@OlgaKuznetsova 15 күн бұрын
The entirety of The Princess Bride has such unique original reactions, but they are so well grounded in the characters that they are absolutely authentic.
@BooksForever 27 күн бұрын
I liked when Dave Chappelle looked into the coffee shop and told Tom Hanks that his awaiting blind date was very pretty (Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail) and Tom grabs some nearby architectural element for support and enthusiastically says “She had to be! She had to be!”
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Best part of the movie. Just watched YGM a few months ago and loved the whole coffee shop sequence. Definitely watch Shop Around the Corner if you haven't already (it was the inspiration for YGM)
@PWNINSWAGMASTER 19 күн бұрын
You know what’s a REALLY good scene to show the diversity in character reactions. King’s addressment letter to thr continental congress in the HBO mini-series John Adams. They all had very different facial reactions suited to the news.
@neiketa525 26 күн бұрын
Oogway reacting to the news that Tai Lung broke out of prison. "That IS bad news" was a line that subverted what we expected him to say.
@brianm7287 27 күн бұрын
My favorite set of reactions that comes to mind is the aurora borealis and steamed hams dialogue between Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers on The Simpsons.
@drErakidos 27 күн бұрын
Love to see your channel growing, outstanding content. That's a subscription I'll always keep, lot of laughs and a ton more of useful advice.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Thanks for the kind words! Thrilled to hear the videos are helping
@Skids0800 26 күн бұрын
Could you make one on how to write a believable investigation?
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Ooo, that's a good one. Adding this to my list.
@johannvonbabylon 27 күн бұрын
My fav reaction is Nice Guy Eddie in Reservoir Dogs, when Mr. Orange is trying to justify shooting Mr. Blond and Eddie goes "this cop?" and just shoots the cop dead. It's a shock and it establishes that Mr. Orange is in deep shit.
@berry186 26 күн бұрын
Forrest Gump has some of the best and hilarious reactions. "Mama always said..." 😂
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Plenty of surprises for sure
@PurpleSun8933 26 күн бұрын
At the end of Saw, during famous "Hello Zepp" scene, when Adam discovers truth about John Kramer was the "dead" guy the whole time.
@IAmTheEagleHTM 19 күн бұрын
In The Boys, when Hughie tells A-Train he never apologized for his girlfriend's death, then A-Train sincerely accepts and apologizes to Hughie, but Hughie still punches A-Train. That scene was perfect. There's more to that than we give it credit for. From what I understood, Hughie knew A-Train was being honest, but subconsciously, he wasn't satisfied, he wanted conflict, he wanted to discuss and say much more, it came out as an impulsive/instinctive reaction. This from a parody show.
@seanneff 26 күн бұрын
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has a lot of great reactions, culminating when Freddie and Lawrence find out that they've been the dupes all along. While Freddie is raging about it, you see Lawrence's admiration building as he realizes how perfect the con was. The contrast between their reactions makes the scene so much stronger than what it would have been to see each character's reaction separately. And then, just before the ending, when Freddie promises to replace the butler's VCR that he broke, and the butler just says, "Oh, shut up."
@mattt9278 26 күн бұрын
Thank you for this! Just getting to a part in my writing where emotional information is revealed, so I'm stumbling on reactions. Thank you again!
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Thrilled to hear it helped! Best of luck with your story
@River-fz6xu 26 күн бұрын
Love your videos. Thanks for making them. Really helpful and informative.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Glad you like them! Thanks!
@babylonian.captivity 26 күн бұрын
I have no idea why (or even if it's my favorite) but the first reaction that pops into my head when you ask what my favorite is is Griffin Dunne in After Hours: "Ohhh woww!" I don't know why, just his delivery, I guess. It's so perfect for the moment. And so distinctive. It says so so so much about who he is, his current mental state, the accumulation of craziness over the night... It's both comic and tragic at the same time. I can't even remember exactly what he's reacting to but it's just so perfect. The second one that pops into my head is Steve Buscemi's "Whoa Daddy!" in Fargo.
@CourtneyIsGoblin 26 күн бұрын
I'm glad you made a video on this subject. Character emotions and reactions are my favorite. Something I'd like to add is that writers shouldn't get too eager to show reactions that reveal hidden characteristics. Basic example: If the character was raised as an assassin and that's all they know but there is a part of them that values human life, there should be a lot of moments proving the assassin quality, especially in the beginning. And the moment when their reactions changes to show the growth of their inner characteristics should have a trigger (something to make it different from the rest) and be a big deal. Some writers get so into the character arc, or they are uncomfortable making characters act a certian way, that they start writing reactions that are out of character early in the story or disproportionately common compared to the reactions we'd expect based on the backstory. Hope that makes sense. lol
@jennymunday7913 26 күн бұрын
My favorite scene isn't any one in particular, but when enough stuff has happened to someone, they break mentally for a little bit and just start laughing at how ludicrous their life has gotten.
@zacharymorris1694 26 күн бұрын
I love reactions that show how a character finally broke/changed. In the last episode of Fallout, when the big reveal happens, Lucy reacts perfectly to what she learns. It wasn't her happy-go-lucky response, but that the wastelands finally got to her.
@daltonadger6489 11 күн бұрын
My favorite comedic character reaction is from Sam Rockwell’s character in Galaxy Quest. When they land on an unknown planet and someone opens the hatch to the ship, he freaks out and says, “Is there air?!? You don’t know!!!” Great line and he delivers it perfectly.
@jcspoon573 26 күн бұрын
Darth Vader in RotJ: unspeaking, facial expressions impossible, manages with lighting and positioning to express shock, resolve, and anger in only a few moments. We'd feared Vader, been impressed by him, but in the end we could understand him.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Great point on the lighting/lightning
@seanhembree6154 23 күн бұрын
Reactions I makes me think of 2 scenes: 1. Jurassic Park. A lot of food ones but especially when the main characters first see the Brontosaurus. 2. The Incredibles when Bob gets mad at his car so he picks it up in a rage and the faces of the kid on the tricycle plus Bob's face when he sees the kid.
@MSheen-ef3ly 26 күн бұрын
Some of the best were improv. Heath ledger in Dark Knight when the bomb doesn't go off; indiana jones in raiders shooting the swordsman; lots of stuff from seinfeld; robin williams in character; eddie murphy in bev hills cop when he is trying to get into the restaurant; etc
@fatalroses8116 27 күн бұрын
My favorite character reaction is Amy Adams in Arrival. I love watching the emotional side of her character as a mother and the logical side of her character as a scientist war with each other as the story progresses and she slowly pieces together what’s actually happening and the final payoff is just so satisfying and emotionally devastating and I love the moral questions and quandaries that it poses And it fit her character so well. everything built up to that moment with the final reveal and her reaction to that revelation in real time is so good
@Robertsmith-un5cu 27 күн бұрын
That is one of the most overrated stupid films ever
@Achieme 27 күн бұрын
The type of reactions i like is intimidation/fear scenes. It intrigues me when a character is at the presence of another character like a villain, badass character or some kind of creature that causes other character(s) to be at the mercy instilling fear and dread to insinuate this character/creature is not one to be messed with even when the villain has a theme to go with it to announce their presence. I especially like it when the villain would intentionally harm or threaten someone while making a stone cold face or devious smile.
@KingCarrot500 22 күн бұрын
Iwan Rheon (Ramsay's actor) is an amazing actor and I refuse to believe that that reaction was anything to do with him and the fault of direction/writing. Maybe I'm biased towards my country of Wales but it seems real out of pocket for him to have been ok with that moment 😂
@c1975stark 25 күн бұрын
My favourite reaction is from Breaking Bad: Walt's reaction to Hank's death.
@varckk 26 күн бұрын
Will you make a video on writing better prose? I find it very hard to write descriptively and my chapters usually end up looking more like movie script then something from a book
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
It's been a while since I did something prose-focused, but I'll add this to my list. Highly recommend trying this technique to boost your prose style: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qJ6ho8yVztmXe6M.html
@davidbeveridgejr7089 26 күн бұрын
When George squeezes the mustard!
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Hahaha I was trying to find that clip!
@--Sama- 25 күн бұрын
KZfaq and their algorithm... I haven't been notified of any of your videos in the last two months, and I have the bell activated. I'm just going to add your channel to my bookmarks and take a look every week.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 25 күн бұрын
That’s weird. Thanks for subscribing though. Glad you enjoy my stuff
@danawinslett7505 26 күн бұрын
In the Chinese drama, Ruyi's Royal. Love in the Palace, the Emperor visits her at the end to try to make amends between them. She is kind to him and he first believes she is willing to reconcile. She then reminds him of a poem she had read in her youth that compares the love between a man and woman to a bloom that blossoms beautifully in the beginning but dies in the end. With no confrontation whatsoever, she has let him know that her love for him is over. It is so in character to her.
@ORCANORCA881 27 күн бұрын
What a perfectly timed video. Thanks, Brandon!
@wikusklinkert 25 күн бұрын
Ons of my favourites is in Unforgiven, when William Munny (Eastwood) is told that Little Bill (Hackman) tortured and killed Ned (Freeman) after Ned left them, and was heading home He takes the bottle of whiskey, and starts drinking slowly. Something he gave up when he met his deceased wife, and strived to be a better man You can see the anger bubbling beneath the surface, you can tell he's becoming his old self again - the merciless killer, who he tried so hard to leave behind him. And there's no doubt that he's going to make Little Bill and his cohorts pay in blood
@Redskirt 25 күн бұрын
You make me want to watch it again :)
@wikusklinkert 25 күн бұрын
@@Redskirt thanks :)
@richardglady3009 26 күн бұрын
Thank you. As a follow up video…possibly how to write different character reactions, please.
@Catratio 26 күн бұрын
I could use this too. I struggle to capture in words how subtle facial expressions work.
@ilyas_elouchihi 26 күн бұрын
You mastered making writing advice videos
@andeeharry 24 күн бұрын
I seen it a few times where something bad happens and people's reactions are quite wrong.....either it doesn't sound real, or the sound they make doesn't match. You can tell if someone is really crying on screen, or doing it on put on....like an overpowered thing.
@feelswriter 26 күн бұрын
Great video! Important tips to remember both in plotting and editing. Got it saved to review later.
@WilliamReginaldLucas 26 күн бұрын
The chemistry between the main cast of Red Dwarf makes for some hilarious reaction scenes
@axelwulf6220 18 күн бұрын
Lucy seeing a guy getting a new foot attached while a gun battle rages in outside: "I wasn't ready for today..."
@brianedwards7142 27 күн бұрын
This video appears in the recommendations beside it's own comment thread. Is that some sort of grandfather paradox?
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
It's just THAT recommendable, apparently
@SecretLevel 27 күн бұрын
Norman Stansfield in movie Leon, when they ask him how many police they should bring. Or when he sees that his suit is damaged.
@ajdndbdjbdj 27 күн бұрын
My favorite reaction is from need for speed most wanted, during the end of the game we escape with our car after officer mia let us escape, officer cross tells his other police that he want everyone to chase after us, the other cop says "everyone?" And he make an absolute classic line saying "EEVRYONEE!!!!" screaming it with the top of his lungs, it was both funny and engaging
@markkodryk829 27 күн бұрын
“Leon” 1994. Same reaction.
@AudioStoryWick 26 күн бұрын
Can u teach us or any ideas on how to get the audience to be captive by storytelling in the first 30 seconds, so to get them to listen from start to finish? I'm still learning. Thanks.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
This video might help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a5anZ7R4yanMeX0.html
@user-ji8ho3ob4l 27 күн бұрын
I was waiting for this
@Herewithpopcorn 26 күн бұрын
Under rated. Green goblin going, “oh”. And being smashed by his glider. Could have gone overly theatric.
@arabigo 15 күн бұрын
When you said we should give a variety of reactions to our characters, you made me remember the Matrix 2 and 3: almost everyone was speaking like the Oracle. Everyone was wise, mystical and spoke like they know a truth they think they don't shouldn't share yet. Don't get me wrong. I loved the Oracle in the first The Matrix, but finding everyone speaking like her in the next two movies was boring
@notsureinthemiddle 26 күн бұрын
I liked Mel Gibson's reaction in Braveheart when he realizes Robert the Bruce has betrayed and undermined everything William has been doing.
@bokimitsu 25 күн бұрын
In the trailer for Italian Spiderman, the reaction to the murdered woman in the school; happens at around the 35 second mark. Nothing will ever beat that
@VividVisionary 26 күн бұрын
Alan Wake 2. Alan Wake’s reaction to the end of the musical scene. “Didn’t see that coming.” My wife and I loved it.
@Unsujetoquecomenta 26 күн бұрын
In sev7en in the final scene, watching detective mills go through all the stages of grief in a couple of minutes is devastating.
@richierichrich9949 26 күн бұрын
Do you create your own videos, edit etc? They're getting better and better. Very helpful insight as always. Thanks Brandon!
@Maerahn 27 күн бұрын
Poor old Iwan will forever be known as 'Ramsey' for the rest of his career...!
@jennymunday7913 26 күн бұрын
He'll always be Simon to me... or Barry. Same thing. (Misfits from e4 was glorious)
@eugenetswong 26 күн бұрын
This is great. Thank you so much for the rules, tips, and guildelines. Would you make a followup, and give tips on how brainstorm up good reactions, please?
@thankyoujodi 2 күн бұрын
Watching this at 6 am, i thought the shot of bruce Wayne and Alfred watching TV footage was of Jerry Seinfeld in his pirate outfit.
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 2 күн бұрын
Hahahah get some sleep
@to819 27 күн бұрын
In the TV series Hannibal, when Will Graham realizes that Hannibal risked getting caught by authorities on the off chance that Will would want to flee the country with him. He just stares at Hannibal and accepts his fate. Absolutely heartbreaking.
@johntabler349 26 күн бұрын
Two old school theatrical ones both from my favorite actress, I think Fay Wray's reaction to Kong in his introduction scene sells the whole movie she convinced the audience that she believed Kong was real so the audience in another 30's horror movie with Lionel Atwill (mystery of the wax museum) her character has to react to the reveal of the real fiend and the reaction was completely out of character for her timid naive character she pointed that out to the director but he refused to change the scene. It becomes a weak moment in an otherwise strong film
@jeebay5188 26 күн бұрын
My favorite movie reaction was from John Wick 1 when Viggo found out why his son was struck. That single word “Oh” before hanging up spoke volumes about how much of a bad mofo John was before we even see him picking up a gun.
@GattacaKain 6 күн бұрын
Back to the Future established that surprises make Doc say, "Great Scott!" and Marty say, "This is heavy". Then, Part 3 surprised the audience when Marty said, "Great Scott" and Doc said, "I know, this is heavy".
@YophiSmith 26 күн бұрын
Haven’t even watched it yet…already clicked like based on the title alone.
@user-ng6rk4ry4w 19 күн бұрын
Undercover Brother, when Conspiracy Brother goes off on Undercover Brother again, and he very calmly ask, "Concspiracy Brother, can I get a list of the words that trigger these fits?"
@DarinMcGrew 26 күн бұрын
"Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?" - Marty McFly (Back to the Future) That whole scene features wonderful reactions from both Marty and Doc. The fact that they're reacting so differently tells the viewer so much about the characters and the situation.
@Milton2k 27 күн бұрын
Favorite character reaction: Recently, Okey dokey! From Lucy (Fallout). She says it several times across the story, in different tones, showing her arc clearly. First so cheerful, in the end somewhat somber.
@ExpertContrarian 26 күн бұрын
That’s nothing deserving of praise. She severs a head and has zero reaction to it. She shows zero emotion to watching Raiders raid the vault
@Crazygreg757 26 күн бұрын
When Agent Kujan looks over the bulletin board in Sgt. Rabin's office and he drops the coffee cup as his expression goes from amused self-satisfaction to shocked disbelief when he realizes who Keyser Soze really is.
@silas1414 26 күн бұрын
Great video
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@wheelgordes8253 14 күн бұрын
In Robin Hood, starring Kevin Costner, when Scarlett tells him he is his half brother and he is gonna kill him because his father abandoned him. He is just so happy to learn he has a brother and he holds him in his arms instead of running away.
@d3nnybo7 27 күн бұрын
Rollo tomasi dialogue between Exley and Captain Smith - L.A. Confidential
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Great movie. Rewatched it a couple years ago as part of an Organized Crime list
@ascorvinus 25 күн бұрын
Randall “Tex” Cobb. Raising Arizona. When he’s picking through the debris of the trailer, looks up, and sees “fart” written on the wall. Or Philip J. Fry’s classic “I’m shocked. Shocked! Well, not that shocked.”
@kansaimonmusic 8 күн бұрын
Two spring to mind. 1. Catherine Hepburn in "Guess who's coming to dinner" listening slilently to her daughter as she explains how she fell in love with African American fiance. The daughter is played by Hepburn's own niece, this is her movie debut and her performance is a bit rough, but Hepburn's reactions -- so subtle but so intense -- make this key scene absolutely compelling. (Hepburn won an Oscar for this by the way.) 2. There is a scene in Community where they are all sitting around the table, and someone says something like, "At sometime or other, you must have all thought about what it would be like to sleep with each other." The shot cuts around the table showing each character looking at each character and, using only facial expressions and entirely in character, reacting to the thought of sleeping with them. The skills in this scene are highly underrated.
@kansaimonmusic 8 күн бұрын
This one: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hcWAnLmhuci-nGg.htmlsi=6SjCPx-6KO_3Ks1E
@kansaimonmusic 8 күн бұрын
And maybe this isn't the part I was thinking of specifically, but a good example anyway: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bqh5aM133qfIimw.htmlsi=nqR6zJskhWLsotLv
@susanam.826 26 күн бұрын
The Truman Show, last scene. When Christof says "Say something goddamn it, you're on television, you're live to the whole world!" And Truman replies: "In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night." And walks away.
@berry186 26 күн бұрын
"Yep." 😂
@grizzly_manbanimation8436 27 күн бұрын
Two things. First is I want to add on to that Harry Potter scene and expand on your fifth point. You said unique reactions can create memorable characters. Well the wand store clerk, Olivander I think was his name, is given a lot of character in this one scene and that’s partially because of his reactions. In contrast to Harry’s surprise flinching, Olivander is more so tame and equivalent to a scientist testing a hypothesis or something. You can tell he’s used to things like what Harry unintentionally did in the shop as it must happen on a regular basis. His reactions get that across without spelling it out. As for my favorite character reaction, we’ll one of them is Buzz’s reaction to finding out he’s a toy and not a space ranger in “Toy Story” the whole film he thought of himself as a protector of the galaxy, like he’s this big hero meant to save lives. So when he finds out that all he is is just a toy, you can see his disappointment that he wasn’t at all who he thought. It’s not an over the top tirade, at least not off the bat, Buzz just walks away feeling dejected while processing this discovery. He experiences denial hence why he attempted to fly, went into a depression which is symbolized by him acting like a drunk, and finally we see him broken which was when woody tried to comfort him by telling him how much he means to Andy while trapped in a milk crate. Then we see Buzz experience acceptance, he came to terms with his role as toy that makes a kid happy. It’s one of the greatest character arcs I’ve scene and is just one of the reasons that “Toy Story” is a favorite of mine.
@gtube6913 26 күн бұрын
I like T1 for this. Kyle explains to Sarah why shes so important in the stolen car. It also carries on with kyle being questioned by the police "I don't know, I didn't build the f***king thing!" T1 n T2 hit differently than the others because of this.
@zionleach3001 27 күн бұрын
Can you do a video on how to write dialogue as a beginner writer?
@WriterBrandonMcNulty 26 күн бұрын
Good idea. I'm planning to do another Bad vs Good Dialogue video soon, so I'll add a companion "how to" video to my list.
@DadCanInJapan 27 күн бұрын
Since it was mentioned in the video, Schindler's List, when Schindler, after receiving the ring says he could have gotten more out.
@DadCanInJapan 27 күн бұрын
Another favourite scene is from Amadeus when Mozart first meets Salieri and the Emperor. The reactions from everyone in the scene is spot on. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b9CchMx5rbPQm3U.html
Writer Brandon McNulty
Рет қаралды 36 М.
Dharni
Рет қаралды 114 МЛН
StudioBinder
Рет қаралды 91 М.
StudioBinder
Рет қаралды 296 М.
Abbie Emmons
Рет қаралды 180 М.