Breaking Dialog

[Michaelylel]

Greetings Creators,

My question is this: Is spacing in the midst of lengthy dialog an acceptable use of screenplay formatting?

An example of what I’m referring to might look similar to the following:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Actor1
Blah . . .
Blah . . .
Blah . . .

Blah . . .
Blah . . .

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Actor2
AD LIB more of the same

Any comments or suggestions with regards to this topic will be most helpful.

Sincerely,
The Screenwriter

[pantalone]

If I understand what you say, I break dialog, (or when I read it) I like for something to happen, i.e. be written that shows the break. A simple short action line, like <<He SLAMS the door. >> Otherwise, write a long soliloquy and let the actor place the breaks. Look at different actors versions of Hamlet's "To be or not to be."

[jimjimgrande]

don't do that. If you want to break up a long speech you can either use parentheticals or add some kind of action.

for example

HANNIBAL
You look to me like a
well scrubbed rube.
(looks her up and down)
Some good nutrition has
given you some length
of bone but....


OR

STARLING
You see a lot doctor. but
are you able to point that high
powered perception at yourself.

Starling steps forward, breath fogging the glass.

STARLING
Why don't you take a look
at yourself and write down what
you see.


Don't leave blank lines in the middle of dialogue. it looks like an error.

[nickj]

Jimjim is correct. I like the action break myself. IMO, parentheticals should only be used to avoid confusion about a line.

[Writer1]

yeah, break up dialogue with actions...just don't do too much of it...it'll seem like you're "directing" instead of telling a story.

[Deus Ex Machine]

Ditto above.

But first before you break it up -- edit and compress your dialogue so it doesn't need to be broken up, or remove it completely and say it with a single gesture.

[wcmartell]

Another thing to consider is the length of the dialogue itself - are you "speechifying" or writing actual dialogue? Dialogue tends to be short, because there's another living, breathing human in the room you are talking to. TWO people are talking.

Dialogue is a verbal battle between two (or more) people.

Keep the dialogue "bouncing" between the people talking - in real life nobody just stands there and listens while someone else talks - they jump in and engange in conversation.

- Bill

[Michaelylel]

:D Thank you,

I have taken into consideration the comments left on this posted question and have determined that your comments were both wise and informative. I appreciate that each of you took the time to help me on my screenwriting journey. Maybe someday the script I am working on will win an award . . . If so, I will be sure to remember your advice and give further credit to this forum for providing me this opportunity.

Sincerely,

The Screenwriter

[Scriptman]

Keep the dialogue "bouncing" between the people talking - in real life nobody just stands there and listens while someone else talks - they jump in and engange in conversation.

Unless, like, in one of my scripts you have an android who doesn't talk because it hasn't yet been programmed to.

[wcmartell]

Then there's no use talking to it. It's not capable of conversation. That's probably going to be mostly actions.

- Bill