News
Dialogue Workshop
09 May 2008
Filed under: Media Releases
“Speech is either superfluous or indispensable. In principle, it cannot be
added without need or taken away without harm.”
Eric Rohmer
Dialogue writing in film is a decision about everything that is and is not said on
screen. The stream of consciousness opening of Charlie Kaufman’s ADAPTATION
and the silent opening of Antonioni’s THE PASSENGER are both dialogue
decisions, as is our inability to hear what Bill Murray says to Scarlett Johanssen in
LOST IN TRANSLATION, or the silent homecoming at the end of THE HISTORY
OF VIOLENCE. Whether a film’s dialogue is spare or constant, every word is a
choice, every word is important, and every word should impact and support the
piece as a whole.
LA-based writer, lecturer and script consultant, Wendall Thomas, has developed a
programme which looks at the role of dialogue in the film making process and the
different technical uses of speech in film. She considers dialogue a cinematic
element which can be mastered, and offers a programme based on practical
examples and work to assist writers to enhance their dialogue writing skills.
“YOU TALKIN' TO ME?”: Writing better movie dialogue
This workshop is based on the premise that any writer can improve his or her
dialogue by becoming more conscious of how dialogue relates organically to all the
other aspects of screenwriting: character, structure, dramatic conflict, tone, genre,
etc.
Through the use of clips ranging from ‘indie’ film to mainstream commercial genres,
and examples from gifted dialogue writers including Billy Wilder, Harold Pinter,
David Mamet, Francis Ford Coppola, James L. Brooks, Hal Hartley, Christopher
Nolan, Paul Thomas Anderson, the Coen Brothers and many others, the workshop
offers a specific set of questions and exercises writers can use to create more
unique and memorable voices. It will provide practical advice on how to create
conflict and energy through the use of subtext, and ideas on how to use or subvert
genre dialogue conventions in order to strengthen the entire script.
The first day focuses on the development of distinctive voices for each character,
and moves onto a discussion of developing the subtext beneath the characters’
literal conversation.
The second day looks at different ways of presenting dialogue including voice over,
speeches and monologues, and a discussion of how these techniques are used
and can be affected by the genre of the film.
On the third day the workshop will conclude with further discussion of dialogue in
genre, with particular attention paid to expectation of obligatory speeches in some
genres.
Throughout the three days of the workshop there will also be practical exercises
and a final Q&A session to discuss issues raised during the workshop.
“You Talkin’ to Me?”
Dialogue Workshop
Wendall Thomas
For the past twenty-two years, Wendall Thomas has worked in Los Angeles as a
casting director, director's assistant, script reader, story editor, development
executive, entertainment reporter, script consultant and screenwriter, writing and
developing projects for companies including Disney, Paramount,
Universal, Showtime, PBS, RKO, A&E, NBC and Scottish Screen.
In addition to writing and consulting, she has lectured throughout Europe for the
Arista Screenwriting Workshops and in the UK for the Lighthouse Media
Centre, the Welsh and Northern Irish Film Commissions, Northern Film and Media,
the Folkstone Literary Festival, and Screen South. She also served as Writer's
Mentor for Screen South's Good Foundations Plus Program 2005-2007 and is
heading the LA FEATURES program for writers at Northern Film and Media for
2007-2008.
She currently consults for the Atelier Cinema European Producing Program in
Paris, is a Star Speaker for the annual Los Angeles Screenwriting Expo, runs the
Living Room Lecture series, and is in her twelfth year as Adjunct Professor of
Screenwriting in the Graduate School of Film and Television at UCLA.
Workshop Details
There will be two workshops: the first will take place in Wellington from 11–13 June
and the second will be in Auckland from 17–19 June. The venues will be advised
on acceptance.
Applicants are most likely to be screenwriters, producers or script consultants.
Applications
Applications should be received at the New Zealand Film Commission by 5pm on
Friday 24 May.
Applicants should include a list of their credits and a brief letter outlining their goals
for the workshop.
Please indicate the location you wish to attend and, if applicable, indicate whether
you would also be prepared to attend at the alternate venue.
For any further information please contact Timothy O’Brien at the NZ film
Commission (tim@nzfilm.co.nz)
Applications may be made by email to jeremy@nzfilm.co.nz
Or by mail to:
Dialogue Workshop
Attn: Jeremy Macey
NZ Film Commission
PO Box 11 546
Wellington