https://studentfilmmakers.com/digital-magazine-back-issues/Hey Everyone! Let's discuss these writing techniques and writing mechanisms used to move stories forward, distinguish characters, and drive plot with dialogue. These tips were published in the March 2009 Edition of StudentFilmmakers Magazine.
How have you seen some of these dialogue writing techniques used?
...Let's get the conversations rolling!
(1.) Vocabulary. Each character should have a different set of words they use.
(2.) Grammar. How does the character put words together in a unique way?
(3.) Mindset. No two characters view the world in the same way. Football players talk like they are always in a huddle.
(4.) Use questions to answer questions. Character A asks, “How was the party?” Character B replies, “Have you ever fallen through a skylight?”
(5.) Character avoids questions. The character responds with silence, changes the topic, tentatively speaks or indefinitely responds.
(6.) Character responds with action instead of speech. Character A asks, “How do you feel?” Character B punches a hole in the wall.
(7.) Character is in own world.
(8.) Character goes off on tangents.
(9.) Character doesn’t say what he/she really means. Avoid using “on the nose” dialogue, meaning characters say what they really mean.
(10.) Characters interrupt each other.
(11.) Character speaks differently around different people.
(12.) Character dialogue is interrupted by outside interruptions. Another character walks into the room, a bell goes off, the phone rings, or the door slams.
(13.) Characters who know each other really well use chaotic dialogue.
(14.) Character uses short dialogue bites. Keep dialogue under two screenplay formatting lines for each character to avoid talking heads. Beginners tend to write their dialogue too long.
(15.) Characters say things difficult or embarrassing to discuss.
(16.) Read dialogue out loud as you write. If the lines are hard to say or sound awkward, keep rewriting.
(17.) Make sure the first and last lines of dialogue in your script are powerful and original.
(Reference: Article, "17 Fast Tips for Creating Realistic Dialogue: Get Your Conversations Rolling" by Sherri Sheridan, StudentFilmmakers Magazine, March 2009 Edition, Page 16.)
This article may not be reprinted in print or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
***
How have you seen some of these dialogue writing techniques used?
...Let's get the conversations rolling!
(1.) Vocabulary. Each character should have a different set of words they use.
(2.) Grammar. How does the character put words together in a unique way?
(3.) Mindset. No two characters view the world in the same way. Football players talk like they are always in a huddle.
(4.) Use questions to answer questions. Character A asks, “How was the party?” Character B replies, “Have you ever fallen through a skylight?”
(5.) Character avoids questions. The character responds with silence, changes the topic, tentatively speaks or indefinitely responds.
(6.) Character responds with action instead of speech. Character A asks, “How do you feel?” Character B punches a hole in the wall.
(7.) Character is in own world.
(8.) Character goes off on tangents.
(9.) Character doesn’t say what he/she really means. Avoid using “on the nose” dialogue, meaning characters say what they really mean.
(10.) Characters interrupt each other.
(11.) Character speaks differently around different people.
(12.) Character dialogue is interrupted by outside interruptions. Another character walks into the room, a bell goes off, the phone rings, or the door slams.
(13.) Characters who know each other really well use chaotic dialogue.
(14.) Character uses short dialogue bites. Keep dialogue under two screenplay formatting lines for each character to avoid talking heads. Beginners tend to write their dialogue too long.
(15.) Characters say things difficult or embarrassing to discuss.
(16.) Read dialogue out loud as you write. If the lines are hard to say or sound awkward, keep rewriting.
(17.) Make sure the first and last lines of dialogue in your script are powerful and original.
(Reference: Article, "17 Fast Tips for Creating Realistic Dialogue: Get Your Conversations Rolling" by Sherri Sheridan, StudentFilmmakers Magazine, March 2009 Edition, Page 16.)
This article may not be reprinted in print or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
***
