dialogue

dialogue as we have encountered

  • it is an important part of a screenplay’s format

    • often the first thing we read

    • parker: should be one of the last things which is finalized

  • one of the 9 style tools (from topic 4)


what function does dialogue fill

  • dialogue is a tool to help a scene achieve its aims

  • parker: there are many aims a scene can have, but one objective in particular important to Parker: scenes should reveals characters’ objectives

    • what the art of screenwriting is all about: what do the characters want?

    • how can this be achieved?

      • can be revealed via sub-text


subtext

  • subtext arises when a character’s actions or words are seen to be about something other than their content

  • crucial to all of this

    • but cannot be achieved through dialogue alone

    • dialogue is dependent on all other aspects of the creative matrix (eg structure, character, location, etc)


direct subtext

  • “i’m sorry”

    • characters action: character is on their knees, crying uncontrollably

    • meaning: character’s motivation is that they seek forgiveness

      • we may know from other scenes why this is

      • we may not know why — this could become an active question


indirect subtext

  • “i’m sorry”

    • character action: character crosses their fingers behind their back as they say these words

    • meaning from the context: character is not sorry


4 uses of dialogue

  • providing information

  • defining character

  • establishing active questions

  • establishing ambience

  • BUT knowing the above is not enough to write ‘good’ dialogue


how to write dialogue well

  • it has a clear dramatic function

  • it relates to the visual aspect of the moment

  • it is character specific

  • it is economical

  • it reflects the style of the narrative

  • it delivers only what the action and visuals cannot

  • it is speech, not prose


things to avoid

  • characters who volunteer information for no obvious reason

  • stating the obvious in a dramatic situation

  • reverse building (start with the climax of the scene)

  • using the names of characters in every sentence

  • underscoring words or sentences to empasize them (too much)

  • parenthetical direction (should rarely be needed)


worsen dialogue DO NOT WRITE LIKE THIS!!!!!

KITTY

Adelaide, I remember you said you really enjoyed dancing. you danced everywhere and you did a lot of stuff. You did several genres right? you ever wish you kept dancing, adelaide?


ADELAIDE

i think about it. sometimes i do, sometimes i don’t. it’s really a fifty-fifty you know? I just wish I did it more recreationally.


KITTY

i get that, adelaide. but like, weren’t you like, really good or something? like, the top of your class in several genres?


ADELAIDE

i mean i guess. if you say so, kitty. like most dancers, i peaked at fourteen. i just feel like my body slowly gave out, do you know what i mean kitty?


KITTY

didn’t we all peak at fourteen? its when our bodies start changing, sometimes for the worse