Class

Let's Talk: Writing Dynamic Dialogue–Winter Edition

Dialogue is so much more than characters talking. Dialogue can communicate a story’s tone, dictate the energy of a scene, move the plot forward, express important information, provide background context, and make the world come to life—all while sounding like the authentic voice of a character. No wonder it can be hard to write!

In this no-pressure, single-session class, we’ll learn what goes into compelling dialogue—and what should probably stay out of it. We’ll watch clips and read scenes from TV shows and films to see examples of dialogue in action, and we’ll use the lessons we learn to improve our own dialogue writing. We’ll explore the many roles dialogue can play in a script, and experiment with how dialogue interacts with the visual elements of a scene.

Through writing exercises, we’ll learn about the best places to start and end conversations, how to create distinct voices for our characters, and how to be sure the words we write feel authentic to the characters who speak them. While this class will focus on dialogue in screenplays—both on the page and on-screen—writers of all genres will learn practical tips to boost their dialogue, no matter the medium!

This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book; we encourage participants to be fully vaccinated and masked in the interest of everyone’s safety. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.