Why Do Characters in Movies and TV Shows Not Say Goodbye After Phone Calls?

Have you ever wondered why characters in movies and TV shows don't say goodbye after a phone call? It's a common phenomenon that has puzzled many viewers, including myself, who are American. In reality, we don't just end calls abruptly mid-conversation – it would be considered quite rude. However, this is a frequent practice in films and TV shows, so why is that?

It turns out that the reason for this might not be intentional. It often relates to the intensity and emotions involved in the conversation. In a real conversation, your focus might shift, and you might forget to say goodbye. For instance:

Your friend "Omg I can't believe we are going to go to that concert tomorrow night!"You "I know right, I'm trying to figure out what to wear."Your friend "Yeah me too. Well I'll talk to you in the morning."You "Okay sounds good." [Hang up phone]

Your thoughts are distracted, and you're focused on the concert. You're in that moment, and you might forget to end the call with a goodbye. Your friend, however, might have forgotten it as well. There is no big deal about it, but it can make for better storytelling in the context of a movie or TV show.

The Principles of Storytelling

Robert McKee, in his book Story, offers insights into why such scenes are often cut in favor of more engaging content. He discusses the importance of pacing and the potential pitfalls of unnecessary scenes:

"If you write a beat in which a character steps up to a door, knocks, and waits, and in reaction the door is politely opened to invite him in, and the director is foolish enough to shoot this, any editor worthy of the title would instantly scrap it, explaining to the director: 'Jack, these are eight dead seconds. He knocks on the door, and it's actually opened for him. No, we'll cut to the sofa. That's the first real beat. Sorry, you squandered fifty thousand dollars walking your star through a door, but it's a pace killer and pointless.'"

A “pointless pace killer” refers to any scene where reactions lack insight and imagination, forcing expectation to equal result. Such scenes tell us nothing about the characters unless they are used strategically. For example, if a character’s greeting is unique or indicative of their personality, it serves a narrative purpose. Simply saying hello and goodbye does not contribute significantly to the story unless it heightens the atmosphere or reveals something about the character's environment or the world they inhabit.

The Importance of Realism in Fiction

While realism is important in creating believable characters and situations, it's not always the primary focus in storytelling. The goal is often to make the story engaging and immersive. By omitting minor, everyday activities like saying goodbye, filmmakers and writers can maintain a more focused and intense narrative flow. This allows the audience to stay invested in the characters and the plot rather than being distracted by realistic but less significant details.

Conclusion

So, why do characters in movies and TV shows not always say goodbye after a phone call? It's a combination of real-life elusions, the demands of deliberate storytelling, and the need to maintain a compelling narrative. While it might seem unusual in real life, it serves a purpose in the crafted world of cinema and television, enhancing engagement and emphasizing the emotional stakes of the story.