EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
The Screenwriter sits on the curb. Head in their hands. A look of anguish upon their face. Their cactus is -
A smashed spiky wreck beside them.
THE SCREENWRITER
Why do the good ones have to die young?
Cars halt. The light changes. People walk. The cactus is further pummeled into the ground.
A beaten corpse.
Offscreen, the San Francisco Trolley DINGS. Too cheery for the dreary occasion.
The Screenwriter sighs, slumping over their knees. They're about to take a sip of their coffee when -
Some do-gooder drops a quarter into their half-finished cup.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
(screaming at the do-gooder)
I'm not a charity organization you a-
(realizes they're on camera, becomes poised again)
Almost... lost my cool there. Welcome back to dialogue, readers! You've completed the six-word story which means we can now tackle real dialogue that you would be writing in your script!
They dump their coffee out onto the street. The Screenwriter retrieves the quarter from the brown sea.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
Dialogue, good dialogue, is hard to teach. The best way to learn is to watch A LOT of movies. Listen close to the dialogue. Maybe look away from the movie and just... listen. You'll notice that dialogue is a big part of developing a believable character. Which means it's important to do your research if you write a character in a time period, job, or lifestyle different than your own. Characters also tend to repeat each other. It's called parroting, and it's a common technique in writing dialogue. Listen to two characters conversing, and notice how the first will say a line, and the second will reply, and use some of the exact words that the first character said! It'll ruin movie dialogue for you forever!
The Screenwriter puts the quarter in their pant pocket for safekeeping.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
So this chapter's assignment is to watch movies. Notice dialogue, don't zone out and watch like you usually do with Netflix or Amazon or whatever you watch. That's honestly the best way to learn. When you're up for the challenge, try writing some dialogue. Again, LESS IS MORE. Don't tell a life story monologue. It's boring and overdone. Also, get crafty with it!! Use subtext!!!! 🌟🌟🌟
The Screenwriter blinks in astonishment.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
What is subtext? Why, only the greatest thing about screenwriting of all time! Subtext is a great way to write two scenes at once. What?!? Two scenes at once?!? Yes. Take this scenario:
An unhappily married couple argue about who's going to make dinner. On the surface, the dialogue is about them arguing over dinner, BUT beneath the surface, everything wrong with their marriage is coming to a boil! How would the dialogue go? Probably something like:
WIFE
Just do it.
HUSBAND
Just do it? How many times have I asked you to "do it?!"
WIFE
Fine, I'll do it! Just sit there like you always d-
HUSBAND
I will!
WIFE
And watch your stupid-
HUSBAND
I will!
WIFE
(muttering)
Don't expect dessert tonight.
On the surface, they're talking about making dinner. But beneath the surface, all the problems with their marriage are being exposed if you read into it. Tell me what you think their marriage problems are in the comments!! Then, make your own dialogue on anything you want! I'll read it! Post it here or send me the link or the title!
ČTEŠ
Screenwriting Contest 2018 | CLOSED
Nezařaditelné🎥You could be the lucky winner who gets their idea turned into a film! Read this book, learn how to write a script, and submit it!🎥 🎬I'll teach you as much as I can about writing scripts. Know that any extra time you spend learning more about thi...
