Watch the reaction

Watch the handbook example

A look, a pause, then a sudden reaction. This is the finished example from the handbook’s reaction project.

The direct link is useful if your browser cannot play the embedded film.

What to look for

• The look: a small movement tells us what the character has noticed.
• The pause: keeping the model still gives the audience time to understand.
• The reaction: a bigger change makes the surprise readable.

The character looks towards something, pauses and reacts. Watch it again to compare the quiet moments with the faster movement.

Try the timing in your own film

1. Choose a simple surprise for your character: a sound, a new object or another character entering.
2. Animate the character noticing it, then pause before the bigger reaction.
3. At 12 frames per second, hold the character still for six frames to make a half-second pause. On a keyboard, press 6 to capture six frames without moving the model.
4. Alternatively select a captured frame, open Current frame → Hold frame, enter the frame count and choose OK.
5. Play the shot back. Try a shorter or longer pause and choose the version that tells the story best.

Use handbook pages 16–17 alongside this example.