6.1 The King's Speech by David Seidler

Screenplay Genre Conventions

Generic conventions directly impact on the use of language. Screenplay uses meta-language beyond the actors’ script to communicate things like lighting cues, shot types, etc. These are for the crew. (Not featured in this.)
- Use of dialogue and monologue.
- Use of stage directions
- Characters’ names in capital letters and placed centrally in the script to denote actors’ cues, to indicate start of dialogue.
(also meets radio drama genre conventions)

• Language appropriate to audience, e.g. post-watershed or daytime viewers.

• Language choices to create and sustain drama, tension, excitement…

• Narrative framing devices, e.g. direct speech or reported speech (e.g. he said that he would go) in flashbacks.

• Layout conventions: graphology of text and multiple audiences, stage directions, sound effects, actor cues, etc.

• Use of voice: actor’s delivery, e.g. accent, intonation, cadence, other phonological devices.

• Use of music: indicates mood, change of scenery, to open and close individual scenes

• Sound effects and aural signposting e.g. F/X (typing): sometimes for setting opening of scene or transition points, can fade in and out.

• Use of titles and credits.

• Written to be performed. No prose.

Graphology and Typography

- Stage directions tabbed to the left-hand side of the page, graphologically distinguished.
- Characters’ names in capital letters and placed centrally in the script to denote actors’ cues, to indicate start of dialogue.
- Script font, like a typewriter

Context

The King’s Speech - about Elizabeth II’s father, future George VI, aka ‘Bertie’.
He has to overcome a severe stammer and sees Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, to do so.
After his brother abdicates the throne, Bertie works with Lionel to make his first wartime radio broadcast, announcing Britain’s declaration of war on Germany in 1939.

2010 historical drama, major box office and critical success.
Was David Seidler’s (British playwright, film and television writer) first hit. He initially became interested in the story after learning to manage a stuttering condition from his youth.

Lionel: “Know any jokes?”

Minor sentence, question, elliptical phrase (where words are deliberately removed because the context is otherwise understood.)
Strange way to speak to a member of the Royal Family; shows he is a more casual character, brave.

Bertie: “Timing isn’t my strong suit.”

Idiom, alliteration. Comedically referring to his stutter; the reason for this particular scene, and the basis of the programme.

“Silence. They stare at each other.”

Stage direction, distinguished on the page.
Shows tension between characters through both auditory and visual means.

Lionel: “Cuppa tea?”

Elision, British slang, minor sentence.
Lionel is deliberately casual, and unimpressed by the man who is going to be King. Showing his power as a character.

Bertie: “I prefer Doctor.”
Lionel: “I prefer Lionel. What’ll I call you?”

Deliberate repetition creates a battle between the characters, furthering the tension already in the scene. There is an emphasis that Lionel is in control; role reversal from what might be expected, characterisation.