EXERCISE: Pick Out The Dialogue?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 13:31:16 -0500

We were watching a short silent movie on the arts channel this evening.  I noticed that lacking the dialogue, I seemed to pay more attention to the props, the background, the hand motions and other parts.

So, here's the trick.  You might use it as an editing aid.

Take a scene (your writing, or someone else's).  Easiest on the computer, but you could also do it using a photocopy (I almost said a X?????, but remembered that word is a trademark, so we'll use photocopy instead).

Delete (or mark over) all the dialogue!  Yes, no one said anything.

Now read through it again.  Is there a viable background?  Do the characters do something while their talking heads ramble (now silently)?

Dialogue is a very strong part of your toolbox.  Be careful to include the other tools in every scene (a dash of description, a healthy splash of action, and a bit of pixie dust, mystery, and whatnot to thicken the soup).

Okay, you can put your dialogue back now.

And imagine how those silent film directors felt when they finally got talkies!