Dialogue scenes

Pubicface · Post by **Pubicface** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 4:31 am

I have lots of scenes in my movie were not much happens besides the conversation. Any ideas on somethings I can do to make my conversations appear more interesting to watch?

Gyro · Post by **Gyro** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 4:34 am

First, follow the rules.

Some good stuff I got from my old filmmaking book.

joe · Post by **joe** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:54 pm

First, follow the rules.

Not necessarily. You shouldn't follow "the rules" just to be following the rules. If it fits your project, fine. But if everyone stuck to the rulebook, everyones film would be the same style. You have to invent your own style. Add actions, look for interesting angles. This is your job as a filmmaker, so it can't be dictated by anyone else. Just put some thought into it.

xramzflmrx · Post by **xramzflmrx** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:13 pm

Maybe try to spice up your conversations with humor if you haven't already done that.

Gyro · Post by **Gyro** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:23 pm

joe wrote:
First, follow the rules.
Not necessarily. You shouldn't follow "the rules" just to be following the rules. If it fits your project, fine. But if everyone stuck to the rulebook, everyones film would be the same style. You have to invent your own style. Add actions, look for interesting angles. This is your job as a filmmaker, so it can't be dictated by anyone else. Just put some thought into it.

True, but often enough when amatuer filmmakers try to invent their "own style" it's nothing but confusing and often ends up not very original.

SgtPadrino · Post by **SgtPadrino** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 4:33 am

Even so, finding your style is all about trial and error. Basically, do what you think looks good, and if it doesn't follow the rules, then f*** the rules.

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:55 pm

its not required that you follow the rules but you should know the rules because it will look better for your first few films if you can show that you can follow the simple rules of film making and once you know how to make a film following the rules you can make a style all your own that will not be totaly unwatchable because you understand the rules.

joe · Post by **joe** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:07 pm

touche foxwood. good point. im saying after you can make something watchable, then develop style, and chuck the rulebook if need be.

Ornsack · Post by **Ornsack** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:46 pm

One thing I found really interesting was from the commentary of Liar Liar surprisingly. They were wondering how to make a conversation a bit less boring, and they found that by simply giving Jim Carey a drink cup to hold that it made it seem more like he was in the middle of something, and therefore made the scene more interesting

It's the simple touches

ALove · Post by **ALove** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:37 am

To break the rules you must learn the rules first.