Stock Kisses

Kisses hard, kisses deep, a kiss to wake up from our sleep...

—Deborah Harry, "French Kissing In The USA"

Sorrow, joy, and passion--
All this a kiss may bring.
But out of ev'ry hundred kisses,
Ninety-nine don't mean a thing.

—Rose-Marie, "Only A Kiss"

Factors such as the placement of the hands in a television or movie kiss is a form of visual short-hand for the intended manner of the kiss. This helps audiences to understand the intended emotions within moments.

Typical arrangements include:

One hand on partner's face; signifies tenderness, intimacy, fairly typical with a First Kiss.
Two hands on the partner's face; often at times of emotional intensity, and/or in such situations as a "Shut Up" Kiss. Referenced in Friends, in the season seven episode "The One With Joey's New Brain".
- An alternative to this is to have the kisser grab the kissee's shirt to keep them from moving.
Hands on the partner's waist/back; signifies love, intimacy and/or romantic intensity without blatant sexual undertones. Can be combined with a 'dip' to add intensity, a 'swept-away' quality, or occasionally, a bit of silliness. See Ross and Rachel's first kiss in season two of Friends, or Hawkeye and Margaret's goodbye kiss in the finale of M*A*S*H. May involve Foot Popping.
The immediate buttgrab. Typically symbolises passion and/or lust without romantic engagement. Note the position of Tycho's hand in this Penny Arcade strip.
The air grab. This kissee does not wish to be kissed, or was really taken by surprise. See the 'Smooch' command from The Sims 2.
Multiple kisses all over the exposed flesh of the partner's body. Sex is imminent or has just occurred.