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Dialogue Study 1: The Importance of Dialogue - Lesson Now Playing


Dialogue Study 1: The Importance of Dialogue

Feb 06, 2010

Dialogue: Intro thru Part Four

  • The Importance of Dialogue
  • Story Talent vs. Literary Talent
  • Faults Found in Dialogue: Parts 1-4
    1. Repetitiousness
    2. Triteness
    3. Character-Neutral Language
    4. Ostentation

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Dialogue Study 1: The Importance of Dialogue - Lesson Lesson Discussion


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Bass: Repetitiousness and Comedy
at Feb 27, 2010 - 10:02 PM
Commenting on the second lesson, I was reminded of a scene from the first season of THE WIRE in which detectives McNulty and Bunk solve a murder case, and in the five minute scene, proceed to only use the word "Fuck" (and variations on it) throughout. And it's funny.

It occurs to me that a lot of the 'bad dialogue' traits seem to work well in comedy, particularly repetitousness. In the case of the wonderful episode of FRAISER, "An Affair to Forget", in which, due to a language barrier, Niles' accusations of adultery towards his wife's fencing instructor has to go through his brother, to the Spanish maid, to the German instructor, and back again. The scene is filled with the same dialogue being repeated back and forth, yet is consistently funny.

On the other hand, perhaps one exchange between the four characters is a single beat, as the scene does progress with each exchange turning the scene.

I wonder, is the principles of faulty dialogue more palatable in comedy, or am I misidentifying these traits?
Miles: General Observation
at Feb 26, 2010 - 2:15 AM
Joined in January of this year (after attending your London seminar in November of '09) and have been watching the website come together. Excellent job! This program you've embarked upon is one that's been long needed.  I enjoy logging in from the Middle East every chance I get.  Thanks!
Also, your adding the lesson numbers as recently suggested is indeed helpful.

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