misc How do I show frustration?

[PaulW]

So I want to show frustration in max 5 - 10 seconds. Not 'tell' but 'show.' I was thinking of two people fighting in a dojo, one of them throwing the other and then being strangled. However, I'd love to know more ideas. What would you do?

 

[mlesemann]

I'm a simple person so I'd have the character do something that I would do:
Throw a glass or mug against a wall (hard!) and have it shatter.

 

[PaulW]

I'm a simple person so I'd have the character do something that I would do:
Throw a glass or mug against a wall (hard!) and have it shatter.

That's good. What about one person showing frustration with another?

 

[sfoster]

have the character do something that I would do:
Throw a glass or mug against a wall (hard!) and have it shatter.

Ooh exciting new side of mara, i never knew you get frustrated and start breaking shit

 

[PaulW]

Ooh exciting new side of mara, i never knew you get frustrated and start breaking shit

I'm scared of her, now...

Back to business. One person showing frustration with another quickly and easily.

 

[sfoster]

I'm scared of her, now...

Back to business. One person showing frustration with another quickly and easily.

Lack of patience, condescending tone, belittling language.

 

[PaulW]

Lack of patience, condescending tone, belittling language.

That works (and also reminds me of my ex-wife). What would you do if there was no sound?

 

[sfoster]

That works. What would you do if there was no sound?

Show someone failing to complete a task, like trying to type some word in with their tv remote at a cumbersome pace and then snatch it out of their hand, then give them a angry but reserved push

 

[CelticRambler]

Body language of the frustrated person, out of the line of sight of the one causing it - rolling of eyes, facepalm, hair-pulling, anything that suggests impending psycopathic behaviour!

Example from 1m35s to 1m43s

 

[indietalk]

Honestly we need context to help here. In the dojo are they already fighting? Are they parents? Are they kids? Are they spectators? Is this an event? Argument? Etc.

 

[James Rogers]

I was thinking of two people fighting in a dojo, one of them throwing the other and then being strangled. However, I'd love to know more ideas. What would you do?

I guess I don't get it. What does fighting in a dojo have to do with showing frustration?

 

[ExpatTraveler2]

Banging his/her head on the wall is the ultimate show of frustration, IMO.
Also staring with incredulous disbelief at the source of the frustration.

 

[PaulW]

Honestly we need context to help here. In the dojo are they already fighting? Are they parents? Are they kids? Are they spectators? Is this an event? Argument? Etc.

So the two people aren't real. Instead, they represent two, different departments within a business. One of those departments regularly complains about the other.

 

[indietalk]

 

[James Rogers]

I think you're pulling our leg (figuratively). How did we go from fighting in a dojo to 'the people aren't real'?

 

[Feutus Lapdance]

 

[indietalk]

So I want to show frustration in max 5 - 10 seconds

Standing at the window in your office that looks into the cubicle area, letting out a grunt, and closing the blinds.

 

[PaulW]

I guess I don't get it. What does fighting in a dojo have to do with showing frustration?

Ever had someone choke you out? I guarantee it's frustrating.

 

[PaulW]

I think you're pulling our leg (figuratively). How did we go from fighting in a dojo to 'the people aren't real'?

They're not real. It's the physical manifestation of the frustrations that occur in real life between two, different departments. My choice is to manifest this as two, different people experiencing frustration over the other's actions. Or simply a display of frustration.

 

[indietalk]

I don't know if frustration is the right word. I mean, I would just have said, show the character furrow their brow or kick a garbage can over lol.