secondary action

This is an action that directly results from another action. It can be used to increase the complexity and interest in a scene. It should always be subordinate to and not compete with the primary action in the scene. A secondary actions is always kept subordinate to the primary action. If it conflicts, becomes more interesting, or dominates in any way, it is either the wrong choice or is staged improperly.

An example might be the facial expression on a character. When the main idea of an action is being told in the movement of the body, the facial expression become subordinate to the main idea. If this expression is going to animate or change, the danger is not that the expression will dominate the scene, but that it will never be seen. The change must come before, or after, the move. A change in the middle of a major move will go unnoticed, and value intended will be lost. It must also be staged to be obvious, though secondary.