DIALOG

WHAT IS DIALOG?

It’s edited speech between two characters

It’s everyday speech but with the boring parts taken out. (hey, whatsup, hows it going, )

Each line must advance the plot, encompass conflict or give us insight into character.

Movie Talk vs. Real Talk

Don’t use: um, err, hey, look, listen

People sometimes talk to pass the time. But in movies the way people talk must be pointed and purposeful. Each line must advance the plot, encompass conflict or give us insight into character.

Anything else is just chit-chat

Less is More! Say a lot with a little. Film is a visual medium. This is not a novel.

“Show don’t tell”

When you have to tell, that is called “EXPOSITION”

Exposition

Exposition is simply the facts of the story. It is the information an audience needs to understand your story. Think of it as background information.

Good exposition seems natural, bad exposition looks forced and reminds you that you are watching a movie.

Exposition is like a vegetable on a kid's plate. If you want it eaten, you must disguise it.

In the first example there is no drama and no action, and there is a lot more dialog. We do get insight into character and some poor exposition though.

In the second example there is drama, conflict and action, and there is less dialog. #showmedonttellme

DIALOG

Each line must advance the plot, encompass conflict or give us insight into character.

Advances the Plot

Encompasses Conflict

Reveals Character

Advance the PlotYes, we need the audience to know whats going on in the movie, but don’t have your characters say what happens if you can have your characters show it.

Luke, does not say, “I’m turning off my navigator! I’m going to use the force instead!” he just does it

Reveal CharacterOne way to make dialogue interesting is to use it to reveal the personality of different characters.

“It just isn’t fair!”

Encompass Conflict

In STAR WARS beginning of act 3, Luke argues with another pilot about the probability of pulling off the plan.

The dialog reveals luke’s optimism, lets the audience know how hard this is going to be, and is encompassing conflict, (the disagreement between luke and the pilot)

Text + Subtext = Dialogue

Text = the words on the page, what the character actually says.

Subtext: Is the emotional content of the words; the characters’ true feelings and intentions, which for various reasons, they are choosing not to reveal directly.

Say no to “on the nose”

Subtext that is too easy to follow or described to directly makes scripts dull

This is called too “on the nose.”

Look at the following Example…

No subtext

Subtext

Subtext

No subtext

Highly Regarded Movies Known for Great Dialog

Glengarry Glen Ross

Pulp Fiction

True Romance

Sling Blade

Good Will Hunting

The Usual Suspects

Dialog ActivityIn a scene cut short in the movie, Luke and C-3PO are out looking for R2-D2 in his speeder. As they travel across the dessert they begin to wonder if they passed him, Luke shares his concern that Uncle Owen is gonna be pissed, they plan for C-3PO to take the blame. They then squabble about whose fault it is for loosing R2. and then they stop once they pick R2 up on the scanner. Write the dialog for this scene being sure to write in the characters voice.

You may type and print, or write by hand. Turn it into the cubby by the tardy bell next class.

Do not worry about proper format, I am only concerned about what you write at this point