One page challenge

[Constantin]

Was on DISCORD today checking out some fun activities for screenwriters and thought it would be cool to have
similar activities here. They don't have to be the same activities but anything that inspires creativity might be cool!

For example, One page challenge!

The idea is the poster presents some elements that must be present within a screenplay page and
the members vote on the best page.

For example, this weeks entry at DISCORD was the following:

I think it's a great way to sharpen one's creativity and have some fun!

Here was my entry for the above challenge although I went passed the 1 page limit lol:

 

[Unknown Screenwriter]

the thing i question about this is .. i've never been out at a diner and hear people talking like they're in a tarintino movie ya know?
I don't think people in movies talk like people in real life. its way more concise and poignant and much less, like, you know, rambly, like, with crap, like, stuff like, like, that would annoy the hell out of audiences to listen to for hours straight.

And that's the TRICK. Nobody talks like Tarantino characters but they DO talk a lot like the rest of us do SOMETIMES. Writing a screenplay -- storytelling -- is HYPER REALISM for lack of a better word. The dialogue is not that normal. It's out of the ordinary... Or should be. But much of it is said in the same way we would have a conversation. Just NIX the BORING out of it -- keep it on track with your story -- use subtext -- and have it accomplish a goal.

 

[mlesemann]

The dialogue is not that normal. It's out of the ordinary... Or should be. But much of it is said in the same way we would have a conversation.

THIS 100%

 

[Alcove Audio]

Yeah... I can't see myself taking acting classes

I took some acting classes quite a few years ago. I had/have no interest in acting whatsoever. But it definitely helped me with my dialog editing.

I'm a big believer in eavesdropping in order to become better at writing dialogue.

I would go to the train station, coffee shops, diners, etc., have a mic peeking out of the top of my backpack, put on my headphones, and listen to people converse. At the time I had no interest in writing, but I most definitely got a much better feel for the flow of real conversations.

And that's the TRICK. Nobody talks like Tarantino characters but they DO talk a lot like the rest of us do SOMETIMES. Writing a screenplay -- storytelling -- is HYPER REALISM for lack of a better word. The dialogue is not that normal. It's out of the ordinary... Or should be. But much of it is said in the same way we would have a conversation. Just NIX the BORING out of it -- keep it on track with your story -- use subtext -- and have it accomplish a goal.

From my above lessons I found out that although the written dialog itself may not be "realistic," it needs to flow realistically.

 

[Lucky Hardwood]

And that's the TRICK. Nobody talks like Tarantino characters but they DO talk a lot like the rest of us do SOMETIMES. Writing a screenplay -- storytelling -- is HYPER REALISM for lack of a better word. The dialogue is not that normal. It's out of the ordinary... Or should be. But much of it is said in the same way we would have a conversation. Just NIX the BORING out of it -- keep it on track with your story -- use subtext -- and have it accomplish a goal.

"Drama is life with the boring bits cut out." ~ Alfred Hitchcock
I have that quote on a marquee on the wall of the bathroom in my office.