profile

Neil Chase

Why DIALOGUE is key in your story!

Published 12 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

Hope you're having a wonderful day! With a little over a week to go before we start filming my upcoming feature film, CONTAMINATION, I find myself going over the script and really honing in on the dialogue.

Yes, action is important, but nothing gets to the heart of your characters like dialogue!

And one big misconception people have of dialogue is that it's only what characters say.

In reality, great dialogue is as much about what characters DON'T say as it is about what they DO say.

So the question becomes, "How can I write great dialogue in my script or story?"

  • Forward the story and character development.
  • Drive conflict and raise stakes.
  • Be loaded with subtext, rather than being on-the-nose.

For more insights and my guide to great dialogue, check out the article here!

And if you want to dive deeper with a current film where the dialogue isn't as good as it could be, check out my latest video reviewing Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, where I discuss this very topic.

Let me know if you agree with my take on great dialogue, and please share any tips I might have left out!

Thank you, Reader, for reading. Here's wishing you an amazing week full of creativity and success! Stay creative!

Neil

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for some help with your script, story or film? Check out my story consulting services.

Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.

**My emails may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure and privacy policy here.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Neil Chase

Filmmaker, Writer and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is a story and writing coach, award-winning screenwriter, actor, and author of the horror-western novel, Iron Dogs. Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, join the email list for writing tips and inspiration!

Read more from Neil Chase

Hi Reader, Hope you're having a great day! So I came across a trailer for Hellboy: The Crooked Man, and as a fan of both the comics and the previous films, I had some thoughts. It's interesting that a film based on a well-known IP is being released without much fanfare, and seemingly on a much lower budget. The thinking in Hollywood seems to be, "We'll take a try it and see approach." I've seen comments online criticizing the trailer for its "fan film" look and the lack of a big name star in...

9 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader, Hope you're having a productive week! Watching the Venom The Last Dance trailer the other day, I had some thoughts about sequels. Most films these days are based on existing intellectual property (IP), which means they tend to be sequels, remakes or reboots of existing films or stories. The way the studio execs see it is, "If it worked once, it can work again!" But is that true? From a storytelling perspective, it might be, IF: It tells a complete stand-alone story. It takes...

10 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader, Hope you're enjoying the weekend! I watched the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice trailer the other day, and had a few thoughts from a storytelling perspective. 1988's Beetlejuice is a horror-comedy classic that fires on all cylinders from a storytelling standpoint! And the upcoming sequel - made 36 years later! - might have you asking, "Will it be any good?" The way I see it, it stands a good chance if it gives us: Real character development for the main characters - new and returning. A...

10 months ago • 1 min read