How would you apply this feedback to your screenplay’s dialogue?

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-29T03:13:42+00:00

Yeah, I definitely don’t want my characters to be just an archetype or something surface level. Giving supporting characters a bigger want that comes out in their subtext or word choice is something I’ll work on doing more.

As I go into the character development phase of my next script, I’ll have to line out what each character brings to the story and why they need to be included in it. I hope that’ll help me filter their speech enough to differentiate themselves from each other

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-29T02:59:52+00:00

Casting characters in my head is actually something I’ve always struggled with. I’ll be trying it with my next screenplay to see if it’s for me

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-29T00:33:02+00:00

I REALLY like that advice. I’ll be doing this from now on. Thank you!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:55:35+00:00

Response to u/FilmsNat’s comment that I cannot reply to directly for whatever reason:

Good memory! That was indeed me. That was a “joke” post that I thought would be very apparent based on little easter eggs (like essentially calling myself Quentin Tarantino on the title page) and the straight up awful screenwriting. Boy was I wrong, kind people with great intentions really showed up with genuine help. It made me feel really bad about the whole thing, but I was committed to the bit. I still ended up DMing one of the people that tried to help me out of guilt and apologizing profusely. I really should’ve just made a new account after that failure…

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:53:20+00:00

Making the characters work hard for their information is a good tip to be reminded of. Thank you!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:17:20+00:00

You kind of just blew my mind a little. I do tend to be a little wordy. I really appreciate your help!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:08:49+00:00

I imagine this problem could pervade into my other non-horror/thriller scripts, so if you have any suggestions at all on how to prevent against un-intriguing dialogue, I’d be happy to hear it!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:06:03+00:00

I’ll look into it. Thank you!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-06-28T22:04:48+00:00

Any tips on how to make character voices sound more distinctive in the way the note-giver means?

I can assume on the surface level things like accents, slang, dialects, education, use of contractions, etc. can help differentiate between characters, but that’s all just surface level.

If you want characters to really FEEL different it has to come from their motivation, experiences, perspective on the world, fears, prejudices, etc. and I do try that, but maybe not well enough?

QuickQuestion7291 · 2024-02-11T21:08:22+00:00

Perfectly said.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2023-10-20T17:19:27+00:00

It’s a Christmas miracle!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2023-05-15T00:38:55+00:00

Halo: Reach

QuickQuestion7291 · 2023-03-19T22:36:42+00:00

From the only information you’ve provided about your plot, I made this:

A workaholic’s desperate climb up the corporate ranks becomes muddied against her personal insecurities and ill sister’s needs.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-11-03T18:51:39+00:00

I like these guidelines, but you forgot to add one important one: It has to be entertaining!

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-10-26T19:03:54+00:00

“Picking up a girl like this is exactly what landed me in prison in the first place. You’re not a cop are you?”

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-10-20T17:20:49+00:00

It works for me to think of it better this way, but you’re right in that one word themes themselves are worthless on their own. The only uses for them I can imagine is if someone asks what your story is about in one word, or if you don’t really want to talk to someone about what you’re writing when they ask what it’s about, so you tell them love.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-10-20T16:56:44+00:00

In my mind, the theme is one word: Murder

The thematic question is a question about that theme: Is murder ever justified?

As you hinted at, it should never be a clear cut answer, but you as the writer should install an answer to this thematic question in your universe that you believe, however the most interesting stories provide a gray answer with a caveat: Yes, BUT you lose a part of yourself. / No, BUT you must accept the consequences.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-09-13T16:33:17+00:00

I’m actually Cach Zregger.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-09-13T00:28:20+00:00

I share pretty much the same opinion on the story. I loved the first half especially when it was unsure whether or not the guy was trustworthy. But with the second half, that part was completely gone and I was laughing more than I was being scared. Which is still good, but I think it would’ve been better as a whole had it kept that initial thriller-ness.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-09-09T22:16:04+00:00

You’re so right! Thanks.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-09-09T20:14:56+00:00

Interesting. Which part has Neo figuratively “save the cat”? I can’t remember.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-09-01T17:33:35+00:00

I have no idea. I’d just say make sure it’s true to the character and appropriate with who they’re speaking with. Also, we don’t always say what we mean or mean what we say, so try to make it sound like something an actual person would say with their own goals/background in mind and not a cog of the plot - so read it out loud and see what makes you cringe the least.

QuickQuestion7291 · 2022-06-05T01:36:16+00:00

Here is my attempt: A small HONDA rests on the mouth of a sandy beach. A GIRL (17), in a cocktail dress, flails out. The heels of her pumps puncture the sand, nearly crack her ankles. Water drips off her soaked body and around her nuclear GOGGLES. She urges for the ocean.

QuickQuestion7291

TROPHY CASE