How to format dialogue in a screenplay: top 8 dialogue format "errors." Peppering a spec script with dialogue format errors may not completely derail the reader’s experience, but they definitely don’t help. This is because they tell the reader one of two things: 1. You’re not a very experienced writer and are unaware of how […]
Show don't tell: how to turn a talky script into a visual masterpiece. When it comes to advice on script dialogue, the old chestnut "show don’t tell" is one of the most oft-repeated out there. However, it can be deceptively hard to put it into practice. In this post, you’ll learn how to finally master the […]
Script dialogue: if your characters are just talking you're doing it wrong. When it comes to how to write great dialogue in a script, most advice tends to be quite vague. For example, you'll often hear how “script dialogue should…” • “Propel the story forward” • “Reveal character and theme” • “Build conflict and drama” […]
How to write dialogue between two characters by comparing it to tennis. [The following post on how to write dialogue between two characters is an excerpt from our screenwriting book: Master Screenplay Dialogue: The Ultimate Practical Guide on How to Write Dialogue Like the Pros.] Learning how to write dialogue between two characters is one […]
Film dialogue: how to harness the power of your characters' opinions. Film dialogue is like paint on a car. It's the last thing that's put on but it's the first thing everyone notices. And most of the time, people know good film dialogue from bad film dialogue... but if you ask them why one line […]
How to write comedy scripts with laugh out loud dialogue. Learning how to write comedy scripts that make readers laugh out loud is no easy task. But if you're writing a comedy, your dialogue had better be damn funny. Not jokey. Not just a comment. Not just blue throwaway humor, but I'm-dying-from-laughter funny. When wondering […]
On the nose dialogue examples and how to stop it killing your script. What's the quickest way of letting someone reading your script know they're in the hands of a novice? Answer: Write on the nose dialogue. On the nose dialogue is like Kryptonite to the reader and should be eliminated wherever it's found. In this […]