When it comes to writing screenplays, dialogue is what brings a film to life. Story, character… suspense, creating meaning through dialogue can take your script to the next level. Mastering the art of writing a good dialogue can be the difference between making your movie jump off the page and elevating it from good to great.
In this spirit, here are a few classic notes on how to improve your dialogue.
Show, Don’t Tell applies to a number of things when it comes to screenwriting but is just as relevant when it comes to the revelation of a character’s feelings or thoughts. Use language to excavate emotion rather than stating it.
“Go Organic” may sound like something you’d hear in a grocery store’s fruit and vegetable section but it’s useful to screenwriters too. Obviously how we speak to each other isn’t exactly how it sounds on screen but you want your characters to have a natural sound to the way they speak.
Subtext is all about reading between the lines. What are you characters really saying. Try to add depth and complexity to your dialogue by getting your characters to be at odds with the way they express themselves. Using specific verbal responses or body language that is contradictory to what’s being said can create a wealth of subtextual information.
When it comes to the art of Exposition, less is more. You need to confer information about your characters to the audience but you’ve got to do this in a subtle way. Try to integrate it into natural conversations instead of having a glut of unnatural sounding character backstory.
While some screenwriters don’t prioritise this element, creating a Unique Voice for your characters can help convey their background, education and personality. Crafting this detail through their choice of words, syntax and even accent can help sculpt memorable or even relatable characters.
If you want your dialogue to be engaging and your characters to be memorable, you should aim to write in way that’s natural and authentic.