10 Rules of Writing Film Dialogue

Writing film dialogue represents some of the most important elements of the script or screenplay. Character dialogues should come naturally, and they should be as realistic as they can be, while remaining consistent with the underlying tones and style of the story. As a script writer, you might find that writing film dialogue is one of the most challenging parts of the entire process of producing a great script.

These rules for writing film dialogue will help you to succeed.

1. Write It, and Then Say it Out Loud

The first tip for writing film dialogue is that you should say anything that you write, out loud. First, write out your dialogue and then, say it out loud. Have a friend read the dialogue to you so that you can listen, and find any unnatural wording or issues with the dialogue. 

2. Skip the Introductions

Every character will not walk into the room and introduce himself. Every scene does not have to begin with the “hellos” and end with the “goodbyes” between characters.

Skip all of the introductions, unless they are vital to the underlying dialogue and let the audience in on the most important dialogue of the story. You don’t need the audience to see every character say hello every time they enter a room.

3. Skip the Small Talk

Sure, natural dialogue will include a lot of small talk, but if it’s not conducive to advancement of the story, you can skip the small talk between characters when writing film dialogue.

You don’t want your story to be slowed down because you spend too much time talking about the weather or what your characters had for dinner last week. 

4. Create Unique Characters

Writing film dialogue that applies to your character is one of several ways that you can develop your characters. Every character will have unique qualities, and they should have unique dialogue too. Just as you may have a friend that uses certain terms a lot, but may avoid others, so too should your characters.

Make sure you stay consistent, and consider the following for each character:

• Does the character speak in full, detailed sentences? Or short, choppy sentences?
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• Is the character usually short with words?
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• Is the character one to use long words of a scientific approach? Or do they have the vocabulary of a ten year old?
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• Does the character use a specific term a lot, like “Like” or “but” or “And” after every few words?

5. Consider Who the Dialogue is To

When writing film dialogue, make sure you closely consider who your character is speaking to at the time. Just as in real life we talk differently to our mothers than we would to our spouses, this dialogue should carry forth similarly in your story. 

The voice, style, and tone may all change with whomever we are speaking to, and this should also take place within the film between characters.

6. Use Slang that is Appropriate

As you develop your dialogue, it’s important to incorporate any slang that is appropriate to the story and the “world” that has been created in the narrative. If your film is set in modern times, you’re not going to use terms like “Groovy,” but you may use things like “fire” or some other term to mean “cool” or “awesome.|

Recall how terms and slang have evolved over time, and how they are different between different groups and in different parts of the world and make sure that any slang you use in your dialogue matches the setting, tone, and underlying theme of the film.

7. Keep Individual Dialogue Short

Characters will rarely speak for an extended period of time, and this should be similar in your script. You don’t want to have a full page of dialogue for a character – without interruptions.

This long-winded, speech approach is not how things typically play out and just won’t appear natural. Instead, you should create the dialogue so that each character speaks in a natural conversational tone such that there is a back and forth. Interruptions are natural.

8. Use Dialogue to Develop Your Character

Allow your film dialogue to develop who your character is in the story. Writing film dialogue that allows your audience to carefully examine who your character is and how they are growing in relation to the story is a great way to keep the audience engaged.

This is also one of your greatest opportunities to develop your character into who you want him or her to be in the story.

Is the character shy? Moody? Blunt” Overbearing? Kind? Use the dialogue to build upon these values.

9. Keep it Consistent

Consistent dialogue between your characters and within your script as a whole is important. You should focus on consistency as you build your characters and your dialogue.

If you have a character that is always short, and moody, the dialogue should consistently be such for that character. If your film is R-rated, the dialogue should stay consistent and not take a turn toward X-rated. Keep it consistent, don’t cross the lines.

10. Make Every Word Count

Finally, in writing film dialogue it’s important to make sure that every word your characters say to each other is important. You can use images to tell the majority of the story, so make sure to avoid redundancy and don’t over complicate the dialogue.

Too many words, not enough action can make a story boring. Think about each word your characters say, and how it will impact your story – and make it count.