tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post4805844265929822542..comments2023-05-04T03:37:04.200-07:00Comments on The Rouge Wave: Action Lines: Opportunities Waiting to HappenJulie Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14690487940378619749noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-83104911751672857762009-04-14T08:53:00.000-07:002009-04-14T08:53:00.000-07:00@Luzid - I agree. I have instinctively set a limi...@Luzid - I agree. I have instinctively set a limit already. I never go over 4 lines of action in a row and rarely for dialogue.<br /><br />Your comment of action lines that go against dialogue reminds me of the trailers I've been seeing for the "Twilight" DVD. The vampire asks Bella if she's afraid of him and she says "No," but her facial expression completely betrays her true feelings. I love that.Trina0623https://www.blogger.com/profile/05595720400137644628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-64303161419984975042009-04-13T22:41:00.000-07:002009-04-13T22:41:00.000-07:00A very interesting article, Julie. And that cigar-...A very interesting article, Julie. And that cigar-scene was spot on what my writing used to be up to recently. I was very concerned about that the it should be a moving image so I added actionlines between almost every piece of dialog. Thank you for reminding me why I shouldn't write like that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05764909473718896182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-90165869427569506442009-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:002009-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:00@Luzid:
I agree with you, and it's a technique I ...@Luzid:<br /><br />I agree with you, and it's a technique I frequently use, putting dialogue against action. However, I think beginning writers (and a lot of pros) use dialogue to completely replace action.<br /><br />As in:<br /><br />"I HATE YOU!"<br /><br />versus<br /><br />She slaps him.Dave Alehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03474450946075032613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-39929333887673589322009-04-13T16:24:00.000-07:002009-04-13T16:24:00.000-07:00@ Dave: Dialogue can reveal just as much as action...@ Dave: Dialogue can reveal just as much as action, especially when it counterpoints it -- e.g., a person claiming to be unafraid in dialogue but shrinking back at the same time reveals character by playing both elements against each other.<br /><br />@ Trina: it may help to have a personal rule of thumb on action-line length. It forces one to be both evocative and pithy at the same time.Luzidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15862297674415830596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-47839465198065766182009-04-13T11:40:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:40:00.000-07:00Do you think this skill is one of the hardest to m...Do you think this skill is one of the hardest to master? It seems like it's a very fine line between writing sparkling poetic action lines and "novelistic overwriting." We know that can lead to dense action lines - the kiss of death.Trina0623https://www.blogger.com/profile/05595720400137644628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-9858952448503422402009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:002009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00Action lines vs. Dialogue, Round 2, FIGHT!I agreed...Action lines vs. Dialogue, Round 2, FIGHT!<BR/><BR/>I agreed with most of what you wrote. Action lines are supposed to describe the shot AND give the reader the same experience they'll have if they sit through the movie.<BR/><BR/>There's one major issue I have with what you wrote though:<BR/><BR/>"Secondly, the dialogue is where the story moves forward."<BR/><BR/>I have to think I'm misinterpreting your intention behind that line, because there's no way anyone who has as much knowledge about screenwriting as you do could make that kind of oversight.<BR/><BR/>Movies are about characters dealing with situations -- characters in action. They're not about people talking. They're about people doing things.<BR/><BR/>Even the more "talkie" movies -- Juno, Some Like It Hot -- they're still about characters taking action. Sure, they talk a lot while doing it, which is fine, but they're still DOING something.<BR/><BR/>Dialogue is there to support the character's action, not the other way around. Show, don't tell.<BR/><BR/>(And yes, as we all know, I seem to be in the minority because I think action is more important than dialogue).Dave Alehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03474450946075032613noreply@blogger.com