what is dialogue
A conservation between 2 or more people.
functions of dialogue
express feeling
giving a message
shows character
information
dialogue communicates facts and information to the audience
it conveys essential exposition
characters will talk about what happened, establishing the storyline
” He should have known better. She’s nice but not blind.Sooner or later, she’s going to dig out those roving eyes of his.”
dialogue reveals character
A character will talk about himself and other people will talk about him.
E.g.
” I’ll be embarrassed to interrupt one once the event has begun”
“Jon would be appalled if we don’t show up on time”
Dialogue establishes relationship between character
friendly
talking in code
personal
informal/casual
once your main characters POV is established, use his dialogue with other
characters to show their differing attitudes on the same subject matter.
this dialogue exchanges creates varied and alternative POVs.
DIffering POVS in turn, sustain the element of CONFLICT between characters
DIalogue comments on the action on screen
Dialogue is used to tie various elements in the script e.g. characters, action,intention, etc.
It is one of the devices that YOU as a writer can use to expand and enlarge your characters.
Dialogue should be used sparingly.
never tell the audience what they can see for themselves
” If you can see it or hear it, don t write it”
MOST IMPORTANT
<<Dialogue is no substitute for action>>
Eavesdropping
Pay attention to the expressions that people use in daily conversations.It’s helpful to get a sense of ‘authentic’ dialogue.
Unintrusive
GENUINELY FAKE
In writing dialogue, remove words that may seem realistic that don’t contribute to the plot in some way.
Reveal information sparingly
Don’t tell the audience everything up front. Trust them to remember details from the earlier points in the story
Punctuated Dialogue with Action
For ease of comprehension, long periods of dialogue should be broken with action and vice versa
Avoid stereotypes, profanity and slangs.
Cliche stereotyping( widely fixed but oversimplified view)
Profanities( vulgarities/obscene language)
These elements may distract or alienate your viewers.
Read scripts widely
Think about at which point you taken out of the story’s action? Or when did you stop believing in a character? Does the character seem larger than life and how did dialogue help accomplish that?
Punctuate Dialogue Correctly
Take time to learn the basics. Viewers/Readers should feel the impact of your words– not feel lost trying to follow your dialogue.
You’ve got to know how to edit what people say without losing any of the spirit.
” A good story was “life, with the dull parts taken out.”-Alfred Hitchcock.
Common mistake: students tend to create radio shows with images
<< Film is a visual medium>>
A screenplay is a story told in pictures.
A lady returns home late from work and finds that her husband who is supposed to look after their kids has not done what she expected
they are still watching TV, their homework undone, the messy takeaway leftovers have been left on the dining table dishes are unwashed and their pet dog has soiled the carpet
use the scenario given and script the dialogue between the couple
You can imagine 2 real life couple your parents , sister
Get 2 people to verbally read the dialogue
Record the reading
POst it to your bog.( using YOutube
Post all notes Week 1 -8 on blog
Dialogue Exercise ( Include your Youtube Link etc on your blog page)
