How are 'reaction shots' used in reality TV editing?

How are 'reaction shots' used in reality TV editing?

Richard Hall (Reality TV Producer) gives expert video advice on: How are 'reaction shots' used in reality TV editing?; What is a 'story arc'? and more...

Reaction shots can be very influential in coloring the way a particular moment plays. I've heard this said many times, even by people on reality shows. They say, "I actually came in there, and I made a joke, but the producers cut to a bunch of stone-faces, so I looked like a jerk. When I said that joke, people were laughing out loud, and if they had cut to that, I would have looked like a funny, popular, happy guy." I'm sure reality show producers do that, but generally, you don't have to. Reactions are reactions; you just want to get the coverage. I could play that game with you. I could film you telling a joke, and I could cut to people, stone-faced, show that to a test group of audience, and say, "Did she tell a good joke?" Most people would say, "No, it was a bomb."