Comments on: How to write dialogue http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue A ton of useful information about screenwriting. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:00:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Akhtar Muhammad http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-123342 Akhtar Muhammad Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:11:42 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-123342 <p>Hi Dear All </p> <p>I am a student to English</p> <p>I need to write Dialogues Please email me somebodey two dialogues. I will be thankfull to you.</p> <p>On the following Topics.</p> <p>(1) A Dialogue about the "Life in a City and Life in a Country"</p> <p>(2) Money and Education</p> <p>And Attache it to the following Address:</p> <p>Akhtar_azimi@yahoo.com</p> <p>Thank you,</p> Hi Dear All

I am a student to English

I need to write Dialogues Please email me somebodey two dialogues. I will be thankfull to you.

On the following Topics.

(1) A Dialogue about the “Life in a City and Life in a Country”

(2) Money and Education

And Attache it to the following Address:

Akhtar_azimi@yahoo.com

Thank you,

]]> By: Anonymous http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-109049 Anonymous Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:14:22 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-109049 <p>i dont love it. it doesnt say anything about the puncutation of how to write dialogue. When do you take a new line?</p> i dont love it. it doesnt say anything about the puncutation of how to write dialogue. When do you take a new line?

]]> By: SolShine7 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-100797 SolShine7 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:29:05 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-100797 <p>Very helpful. Thanks.</p> Very helpful. Thanks.

]]> By: John R. http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-62269 John R. Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:35:14 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-62269 <p>In McKee, he states that Alfred Hitchcock was asked how to write great dialogue. To which Hitchcock responded, "Don't."</p> <p>The blog here was helpful to me in that it made sense. But, applying the data to my work leaves me back at square one. Dialogue is HARD to write. I know what I want them to say, but making them say it in an interesting or entertaining way is the trick.</p> In McKee, he states that Alfred Hitchcock was asked how to write great dialogue. To which Hitchcock responded, “Don’t.”

The blog here was helpful to me in that it made sense. But, applying the data to my work leaves me back at square one. Dialogue is HARD to write. I know what I want them to say, but making them say it in an interesting or entertaining way is the trick.

]]> By: Allison Erkelens http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-51448 Allison Erkelens Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:42:29 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-51448 <p>Writing dialogue. As screenwriters, it's probably the most difficult thing we do. The best advice I have ever received on this subject:</p> <p>Watch movies or shows you admire with the sound turned OFF and the subtitles turned ON.</p> <p>READ the dialogue. You'll be surprised at how spare it is, how mundane it seems, and how important subtext can be.</p> Writing dialogue. As screenwriters, it’s probably the most difficult thing we do. The best advice I have ever received on this subject:

Watch movies or shows you admire with the sound turned OFF and the subtitles turned ON.

READ the dialogue. You’ll be surprised at how spare it is, how mundane it seems, and how important subtext can be.

]]> By: Crystal Vales http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-51177 Crystal Vales Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:55:33 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-51177 <p>Wow, how acerbic of you. What USE are you referring to? This is for fun. Is there such a thing as fun for fun's sake? Not even going to try? The exercise didn't call for such a flamboyant value judgement. Obviously, the point is to see ambiguity in language and how that lends itself to all types of writing. Especially, dialogue. So, please indulge me with your reasoning, it's almost an insult not to. ; )</p> Wow, how acerbic of you. What USE are you referring to? This is for fun. Is there such a thing as fun for fun’s sake? Not even going to try? The exercise didn’t call for such a flamboyant value judgement. Obviously, the point is to see ambiguity in language and how that lends itself to all types of writing. Especially, dialogue. So, please indulge me with your reasoning, it’s almost an insult not to. ; )

]]> By: John http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-51089 John Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:41:31 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-51089 <p>Absolute shit. I found this no use what-so-ever.</p> Absolute shit. I found this no use what-so-ever.

]]> By: Crystal Vales http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-50937 Crystal Vales Tue, 20 Feb 2007 07:43:57 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-50937 <p>Erik, critique this piece of dialogue for me will you? I am going to blog this on John August's website. I challenge you to fit in the missing dialogue, beginning at the end of this sentence. You get first crack though..</p> <p>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Umm, with a concerted effort you may find that this test will take you less than 5 min. to figure out, I imagine you've done more important things than this in less time than that XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ... Compromise? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX That's cute that you would say something like that. I love the P_A jab.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Oh, honey…you should have seen it. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Apparently, a large part of our experience is only in our relations to others and their projections on us. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The pedantic fool that I am, having said been doing 4 1/2 years of academically critiqued philosophical work .. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I was stilted in confusion at this projection!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX It's uncanny that I find ambiguity and certitude to be in no relation with one another. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Perhaps, as Socrates pointed out -the truest piece of knowledge you could know, is that you knew nothing at all. And in this progression wisdom is the final result. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Can't wait to see how you jive with Intro at Metro. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Oh yeah.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Wednesday- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX School again, how about we hang out soon at l'endroit d'emploi? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I don't like to stay at school that late it messes with my psyche- the temperature change is patronizing enough.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Although, I did stay late tonight XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX And had a fantastic time shocking a few of my fools with the connection between S&M and holy.... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Christendom; which has sadly lasted us to into the 21st century. I used the archetype of an orgy to dessimin... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Wow~~ sorry that was reaching wasn't it? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Well, I attempted to leave behind an example in the guise of a warning. I'm sorry if I am unable to apologize for what some people consider to be bizarre "behavior.'' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Laugh XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Yeah, I guess I do love you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Under no certain terms, though I love the idea -I can't relegate myself to permanence. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I can't help but change. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX end </p> <p>Send me your interpretations. I’ll play Derrida. Tell me what is happening in the space between. How does X respond to determined dialogue? What is their relationship? Description- people, not definition. What dialogue is written in response? Who the hell are these people? I will garner my share of amusement from your responses when you reblog. So, the question remains X=?</p> <p>I agreed with Mr. August when he said, I’m kind of disappointed this has gone off on a jazz tangent, because I really hate jazz.</p> <p>I can’t talk about jazz either, It cannot be defined; scenes are much like jazz, written as spontaneous improvisation. How do you write about something that alludes this distinction?</p> <p>Hi Concept/ Low Concept</p> <p>Thanks ;) For the space~~</p> Erik, critique this piece of dialogue for me will you? I am going to blog this on John August’s website. I challenge you to fit in the missing dialogue, beginning at the end of this sentence. You get first crack though..

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Umm, with a concerted effort you may find that this test will take you less than 5 min. to figure out, I imagine you’ve done more important things than this in less time than that XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX … Compromise? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX That’s cute that you would say something like that. I love the P_A jab.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Oh, honey…you should have seen it. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Apparently, a large part of our experience is only in our relations to others and their projections on us. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The pedantic fool that I am, having said been doing 4 1/2 years of academically critiqued philosophical work .. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I was stilted in confusion at this projection!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX It’s uncanny that I find ambiguity and certitude to be in no relation with one another. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Perhaps, as Socrates pointed out -the truest piece of knowledge you could know, is that you knew nothing at all. And in this progression wisdom is the final result. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Can’t wait to see how you jive with Intro at Metro. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Oh yeah.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Wednesday- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX School again, how about we hang out soon at l’endroit d’emploi? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I don’t like to stay at school that late it messes with my psyche- the temperature change is patronizing enough.. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Although, I did stay late tonight XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX And had a fantastic time shocking a few of my fools with the connection between S&M and holy…. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Christendom; which has sadly lasted us to into the 21st century. I used the archetype of an orgy to dessimin… XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Wow~~ sorry that was reaching wasn’t it? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Well, I attempted to leave behind an example in the guise of a warning. I’m sorry if I am unable to apologize for what some people consider to be bizarre “behavior.” XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Laugh XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Yeah, I guess I do love you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Under no certain terms, though I love the idea -I can’t relegate myself to permanence. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I can’t help but change. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX end

Send me your interpretations. I’ll play Derrida. Tell me what is happening in the space between. How does X respond to determined dialogue? What is their relationship? Description- people, not definition. What dialogue is written in response? Who the hell are these people? I will garner my share of amusement from your responses when you reblog. So, the question remains X=?

I agreed with Mr. August when he said, I’m kind of disappointed this has gone off on a jazz tangent, because I really hate jazz.

I can’t talk about jazz either, It cannot be defined; scenes are much like jazz, written as spontaneous improvisation. How do you write about something that alludes this distinction?

Hi Concept/ Low Concept

Thanks ;) For the space~~

]]> By: Curtis Reed http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-49268 Curtis Reed Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:13:58 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-49268 <p>when your character has an accent and you want to ensure that it is done right, do you write it as pronounced (a la Mark Twain) or just write it straight and give the accent suggestion in parentheticals?</p> <p>If your character speaks a specific dialect of a language (Venezuelan Spanish), and this is CRUCIAL for the character, and if I speak Venezuelan Spanish, would you recommend I go ahead and write the phrases correctly in the text and put English subtitles in the script?</p> when your character has an accent and you want to ensure that it is done right, do you write it as pronounced (a la Mark Twain) or just write it straight and give the accent suggestion in parentheticals?

If your character speaks a specific dialect of a language (Venezuelan Spanish), and this is CRUCIAL for the character, and if I speak Venezuelan Spanish, would you recommend I go ahead and write the phrases correctly in the text and put English subtitles in the script?

]]> By: Mark V http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-48296 Mark V Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:19:35 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-48296 <p>Frequently the information in a too long, wordy scene can be put into the mouths of other characters in other scenes.</p> Frequently the information in a too long, wordy scene can be put into the mouths of other characters in other scenes.

]]> By: James Rowe http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue/comment-page-1#comment-47856 James Rowe Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:29:41 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/how-to-write-dialogue#comment-47856 <p>(Minor Annie Hall spoiler ahead.)</p> <p>I agree with every point John offered up on writing dialogue, and will add one: Good dialogue normally works <i>toward</i> something--a reveal, a joke, a new question raised. In John's example, it's the realization that they've got a serial killer on their hands.</p> <p>The writer has this critical moment in mind before beginning the scene, and attempts to reach it in the most entertaining and believable way. Check out the spider scene in Annie Hall and notice how, through the use of conflict and humor, it moves deftly in the direction of reconciliation.</p> (Minor Annie Hall spoiler ahead.)

I agree with every point John offered up on writing dialogue, and will add one: Good dialogue normally works toward something–a reveal, a joke, a new question raised. In John’s example, it’s the realization that they’ve got a serial killer on their hands.

The writer has this critical moment in mind before beginning the scene, and attempts to reach it in the most entertaining and believable way. Check out the spider scene in Annie Hall and notice how, through the use of conflict and humor, it moves deftly in the direction of reconciliation.

]]>