✍️Screenwriting I Unit 5 – Crafting Authentic Dialogue

What's the Big Deal?

• Authentic dialogue engages readers and viewers, making characters feel real and relatable
• Well-crafted dialogue advances the plot, reveals character motivations, and heightens emotional impact
• Dialogue helps establish the tone and atmosphere of a scene or entire screenplay
• Authentic dialogue distinguishes amateur scripts from professional ones, showcasing the writer's skill
• Poorly written or unrealistic dialogue can distract from the story and break the audience's immersion
  • Includes clichéd phrases, unnatural speech patterns, or overly expository lines
• Mastering the art of writing authentic dialogue is essential for success as a screenwriter in today's competitive industry

Key Elements of Authentic Dialogue

• Believability: Dialogue should sound like something the character would actually say based on their background, personality, and circumstances
• Conciseness: Effective dialogue is often brief and to the point, avoiding unnecessary words or phrases
• Subtext: Authentic dialogue often conveys underlying meanings or emotions without explicitly stating them
• Consistency: Each character's dialogue should maintain a distinct voice and style throughout the script
• Purpose: Every line of dialogue should serve a specific function, such as revealing character, advancing the plot, or setting the tone
• Rhythm and flow: Well-crafted dialogue has a natural cadence and rhythm that mimics real-life conversations
  • Varies sentence lengths, uses pauses and interruptions, and includes filler words (um, uh) when appropriate
• Conflict: Authentic dialogue often involves characters with opposing goals or viewpoints, creating tension and drama

Character Voice and Personality

• Each character should have a unique voice that reflects their personality, background, and role in the story
• Consider factors such as age, education level, occupation, regional dialect, and individual quirks when crafting a character's dialogue
• Consistency is key; a character's speech patterns and vocabulary should remain relatively constant throughout the script
• Avoid having characters speak in a way that feels unnatural or contrived for the sake of exposition or plot advancement
• Use dialogue to reveal character traits, motivations, and relationships without relying on explicit statements
  • Show, don't tell: Instead of having a character say "I'm angry," have them use short, sharp sentences or biting sarcasm
• Develop a deep understanding of each character's psychology and backstory to inform their unique voice and manner of speaking
• Pay attention to how different characters interact with and respond to one another, adjusting their dialogue accordingly

Subtext and Subtlety

• Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or emotion beneath the surface of a character's words
• Authentic dialogue often conveys subtext through implication, body language, or what is left unsaid
• Subtlety is key; trust the audience to pick up on subtext without spelling it out explicitly
• Use subtext to create tension, reveal character relationships, or foreshadow future events
• Avoid on-the-nose dialogue that directly states a character's feelings or intentions
  • Instead of having a character say "I love you," show their affection through their actions and words
• Pay attention to the context and setting of a scene, as these can influence the subtext of a character's dialogue
• Remember that sometimes silence or a character's refusal to engage in dialogue can be just as powerful as the words they speak

Dialogue Dos and Don'ts

• Do keep dialogue concise and purposeful, avoiding unnecessary exposition or small talk
• Do use contractions and sentence fragments when appropriate to mimic natural speech patterns
• Do vary the length and structure of each character's lines to create a natural rhythm and flow
• Do use subtext and implication to convey underlying emotions or meanings
• Do read dialogue aloud to ensure it sounds natural and believable when spoken
• Don't rely on dialogue alone to convey important information; use visual cues and action as well
• Don't have characters speak in overly formal or stilted language unless it suits their specific personality or background
• Don't use dialogue as a crutch to explain plot points or character motivations that should be shown through action or visuals
• Don't have characters speak in uninterrupted monologues or overly long sentences unless it serves a specific purpose
• Don't forget to consider the physical setting and circumstances of a scene when crafting dialogue
  • Characters may speak differently in a crowded restaurant than in a private conversation at home

Formatting and Presentation

• Follow standard screenplay formatting guidelines when presenting dialogue on the page
  • Use a 12-point Courier font, capitalize character names, and indent dialogue beneath the character name
• Keep dialogue blocks short and easy to read, breaking up long speeches into multiple paragraphs if necessary
• Use parentheticals sparingly to indicate specific line readings or actions that accompany the dialogue
  • (whispering), (sarcastically), or (beat) for a pause
• Avoid using excessive punctuation or emphatic formatting (bold, italics, underline) unless absolutely necessary for clarity
• Consider the visual impact of the dialogue on the page; use white space and line breaks to create a sense of rhythm and pacing
• Remember that the goal is to create a blueprint for the actor and director to interpret, not to micromanage every aspect of the performance

Practice Makes Perfect

• Developing a skill for writing authentic dialogue takes time, practice, and a willingness to revise and refine your work
• Read screenplays from a variety of genres and writers to study how they approach dialogue and character voice
• Observe real-life conversations and interactions to develop an ear for natural speech patterns and rhythms
• Practice writing dialogue-heavy scenes or short scripts focused on character interaction and development
• Share your work with others and seek feedback on the believability and effectiveness of your dialogue
• Revise and refine your dialogue through multiple drafts, paying attention to subtext, purpose, and character voice
• Consider taking a class or workshop specifically focused on writing dialogue to hone your skills and receive guidance from experienced writers

Real-World Examples

• "Pulp Fiction" (1994) by Quentin Tarantino: Known for its sharp, witty dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot through seemingly mundane conversations
• "The Social Network" (2010) by Aaron Sorkin: Showcases rapid-fire, intelligent dialogue that reflects the characters' personalities and relationships
• "Moonlight" (2016) by Barry Jenkins: Uses subtle, understated dialogue to convey deep emotions and complex character dynamics
• "The Big Lebowski" (1998) by the Coen Brothers: Features distinct, memorable character voices and uses dialogue to create humor and absurdity
• "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004) by Charlie Kaufman: Employs naturalistic, often fragmented dialogue to explore the characters' inner lives and relationships
• "Fences" (2016) by August Wilson: Adapts Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, showcasing powerful, poetic dialogue that reveals the characters' struggles and desires