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Dialogue
What is dialogue?
A conversation between two or more people.
Is it necessary in the first two minutes of a feature film?
I don’t think it is necessary because the filming itself can
establish a lot of information on its own, so dialogue isn’t needed. For
instance, breaking the fourth wall, narration and the Mise-en-scene can tell an
audience the genre, era, topic and even introduce characters (and so on),
without dialogue.
Examples of film openings with dialogue and the positives
and negatives of their choice:
Comedy-
The Hangover:
Positives-
It clearly introduces the scenario and begins to introduce
two of the characters. This creates a good starting point for the audience.
Negatives-
On the other hand, it is unclear that it is a comedy as it doesn’t
introduce the genre very well.
Horror-
The Village:
Positives-
The use of dialogue is quite restrained and
there are long periods where there isn’t any. This implies that what is being
said is of great importance. It establishes some character relationships and
Ivy and Lucius’ characters begin to be shown.
Negatives-
Despite this, it isn’t necessarily essential to the plot.
Action-
Skyfall:
Positives-
The use of short sentences instils panic in the audience and
sets up the tone and genre of the film well.
Negatives-
However, use of dialogue between Bond and the man he was
fighting with may have introduced the plot better.
Drama-
The Truman Show-
Positives-
The use of dialogue in contrast with Truman earlier breaking
the fourth wall demonstrates to the audience the two side of personality Truman
seems to have: when he’s alone, and when he’s talking to others.
Negatives-
However, the way they convey the scenario is quite unclear.
Romance-
The Silver Linings Playbook:
Positives-
The dialogue clearly establishes the situation the protagonist
is in and some of the characters as well.
Negatives-
It doesn’t go into much depth in explaining why what has happened
has happened.
Examples of film openings without dialogue and the positives
and negatives of their choice:
Comedy-
Ghostbusters:
Positives-
It creates tension and allows what’s happening to introduce
the supernatural element of the film.
Negatives-
It doesn’t portray the genre very well, as it appears to be
a horror (or possibly fantasy) from the opening.
Horror-
Misery:
Positives-
The lack of dialogue allows the protagonist’s character to
be developed.
Negatives-
Not much is explained to the audience.
Action-
Blade Runner:
Positives-
The genre, era, and situation are all well explained through
the use of text and an establishing shot, making dialogue unnecessary.
Negatives-
Dialogue may have helped introduce some characters.
Drama-
Donnie Darko:
Positives-
The ambiguity draws in the audience and whilst not much is
overtly conveyed, a lot is foreshadowed through both what is happening, and the
music.
Negatives-
Not much is clear at this point.
Romance-
Romeo and Juliet:
Positives-
Everything is explained, but is developed further later on.
Negatives-
As they were following a Shakespeare I don’t consider there
to be any negatives.
What issues would I face using dialogue in my coursework?
Using dialogue in my coursework would be very challenging as
writing an effective script that fits the genre and gives the right amount of
information for the opening two minutes would be very difficult.
What issues would I face not using dialogue in my
coursework?
However, not using dialogue would mean we would have to
convey everything through our filming (as we decided against narration and
breaking the fourth wall), meaning our Mise-en-scene and choice of shots and
camera angles would have a massive impact on the audience’s reaction and what
we give away about the plot.
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