Dialogue Do's and Don'ts

K

Kess

Well-known member
Check out this brief article on writing dialogue. Hope this helps with some of the basics of writing good dialogue. Feel free to add more tips and I'll update it. Let me know if this link does not work...I'll copy the whole article in here.

http://filmschoolnow.com/dialogue.html
 
Some possible additions:

You should also never start a piece of dialogue with "...hi" Sentences, even if a continuation, start with a word, never a ....

"Ah's" and "Um's" belong with the "Well's" etc.

No. 1. Rule to go with your dialogue should push the story forward: Writers must be ruthless with their own writing, if in doubt - throw it out.
 
I posted this recently on another topic, but it is relevant here. Anybody, rent There Will Be Blood and it amazes me how the first 15 minutes of the film has no dialog whatsoever, showing the power of visuals and action without dialog. I would not think a film could go so long without dialog, it really feels almost odd as you watch the film, you keep thinking they just have to talk in the next few minutes, but they don't! Anyhow, it is a good example of using dialog as a last resort. I would be interested in other film examples.
 
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