I'm sure many out there thought they had a revelation, moment of clarity when either writing or observing other writers. I've been studying the new show on NBC called Marry Me and I had what I call a revelation or perhaps what I just think is a revelation realizing and understanding a technique in writing especially for Sitcom, but perhaps can be used in other genre's too. This so called revelation of mine was realizing in screenplays or sitcoms specifically, the lack of reaction by a character can really cause reaction by reader or audience. This show uses a lack of reaction of opposing characters when a hilarious statement is made, almost a disregard for the other characters hilarious statement and the flow continues. Now I'm going to have to research how it is written and if intentionally disregard and non-chalantness is conveyed in action or if this is more of a actors, directors doing in delivery. I imagine it's a combination of both but so unsure. I guess what I call this element rather it be actor, director or writer driven is nonchalant disregard, in sitcoms it is hilarious, in drama's I guess it would be frustrating or cause anger, in sci-fi it would cause perplexion. Anyway maybe I'm just realizing something most astute and good writers already know. Those writers searching for the non-cliche', the new show Marry Me is a good study of such.
Screenwriting : Interesting Observation (Non-cliche') by Michael L. Burris
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What you're describing is an age-old comedy technique. If you laugh at your own jokes, that's not funny for audiences. And the same is usually true if other characters laugh at a joke. This doesn't hold for character-centered films where something resembling real emotional reactions between characters is the goal.
Ah, like ancient writers secret. Makes sense.
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Not just laughing, crying and other emotions. Often if the character does it, the audience doesn't feel the need to. A screenwriter creates the situation where they audience responds.
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An apparent lack of reaction by a character works for any genre. A simple scene: Raoul tells Mandy that her husband died. She can show anger, grief, denial all on the surface. If she doesn't react -- seemingly ignores the information she's just been given -- that's simply another reaction. As an audience, we expect an eventual reaction, and it generates tension as we wait for the eventual emotional response.