Project Unicorn

You can argue that in movies, regardless of genre, it is the action, rather than the dialog that moves the plot along. While this is true in some respects, the importance of dialog can’t be overlooked, and it is also one of the most difficult things for screenwriters and filmmakers to add to their scripts. Here is some basic dialog advice to keep in mind when you are scripting your next Academy Award winner:

Dialog should show, not tell. You’ve heard this old adage before, I’m sure. Show-don’t tell when writing. Don’t say “the room was a mess,” describe the piles of paper, overflowing trash can, and half-eaten birthday cake on the kitchen table that makes the room messy. The same is true with dialog Here is an example.

JOHN: What’s the matter?

MARSHA: I’m angry, John

JOHN: What’s the matter?

MARSHA: How can you even ask that question after what just happened? I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation!”

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t ever have Marsha simply tell John that she is angry, but you should try to convey this emotion in your dialog without actually naming it whenever possible. In a movie, this can also be accomplished by non verbal cues like crossed arms and glaring.

Dialog should be true to the character. Your characters can’t all sound the same—each one of them should have their own way of speaking, their own vocabulary, and their own syntax—just like real people. If your main character is a cattle rancher, for example, he or she probably won’t speak like a Valley Girl. (unless this is part of your plot) Your characters should not sound like you; above all else, at least not all of them should sound like you.

(In this example, John is a 43 year-old English professor and Marsha is an eighteen year-old student in his class)

MARSHA: I really need this extension, Professor Smith.

JOHN: I understand that, Marsha, but the policy in the syllabus is very clear

MARSHA: Yeah, for people who aren’t coping with a totally tragic loss like I am. I’m going through a loss, Professor Smith, a traumatic event.

JOHN: I’m sorry to hear that. Is it someone in your family?

MARSHA: No, my parents didn’t die or anything. It’s my. . . my fish

JOHN: Your fish?

MARSHA: Yeah, see my roommate Marissa and me got this fish from the carnival, and we took him home and all of his scales started falling off and Marissa thinks that maybe he’s lonely, so we have to go get another fish from a pet store and. . .

JOHN: What exactly does this have to do with needing an extension on your final report?

MARSHA: Well, I can’t concentrate on my work when my poor little fish is suffering, can I?

Even without the names to help you, you probably wouldn’t have any trouble figuring out which one of the characters was talking, would you? That’s the power of dialog, and as it is with most things, practice makes perfect, so if you feel like dialog is your weakest point, practice writing the same scenes with different characters, concentrating on conveying their emotions and unique personalities through the vocabulary, grammar and syntax that you choose.

Until next week, good luck and happy scripting!

Meredith Treinen Video scriptwriting dialog tips, scriptwriting dialogue tips, scriptwriting tips

Now that you’re a blatant self-promoter and an active part of Unicorn Media.com, (and if you aren’t, what are you waiting for?) you are well on your way to making your music-related dreams come true.   You also know how important it is to practice consistently, both on your own and with the other members of your band. 

 

What you might not be aware of is that how and where you practice is just as important as the actual practicing effort itself. Making the most out of your practice sessions requires organization and planning.  Hey, we never said this was gong to be easy, but the rewards, as you are no doubt already aware, make all of this effort worth it.

So, first of all, think about where you practice. While the garage band practice session may be classic, it isn’t necessarily the best.  When you are serious about your music, you will want to practice in a place that is as distraction free as possible. If you can afford to rent time in a sound proof studio, that’s great, and that’s what you should do.  If not, consider all of your options and pick the most soundproof, disruption proof practice spot possible.

Never go into your practice sessions blindly. Discuss any problems that the band as a whole, or individual members may be having with anything from chord progression to personal conflicts, and if you are a solo artist, take some time to analyze the issues that may be holding you back.  Coming up with a cohesive plan to tackle these head on will keep them from impeding you and your band in the future.

Refining and polishing your sound is the most important thing to focus on, and practice sessions are the time to work on this.  This doesn’t mean that you should only focus on the negative, though. Don’t forget to work on that great new song that you and your band are really excited about, and don’t make your practice session schedules so rigid that you don’t have any room for a little improvisation.

So end my pearls of musical wisdom for this week.  Stop reading, and start practicing, and don’t forget to upload your latest videos to Unicorn, and update your websites and MySpace pages too.

Meredith Treinen Musings tips for band practice sessions, unsigned bands

If you are a musician or part of an unsigned band, this may sound like a trick question. The truth is, while a lot of people want to get signed, very few are really committed to putting in the work necessary to making their dream a reality.  

Sites like Unicorn Media are great launching points for musical talent under the radar. You can upload your videos and music and create an online fan base.  Anyone who is serious about getting a recording deal should be prepared to do a lot of self promotion.

What does that mean? Well, in addition to utilizing the resources of Unicorn Media, you should also make CD’s of your music and plan on selling them and/or giving them away in order to get your sound “out there.”  You can also create your own website and MySpace page and link them to and from your Unicorn Media posts. 

What else can you do? You should refine and perfect your music as much as possible, and think about things like your genre and the demographic(s) that your sound would appeal to the most. In other words, think like a marketing director, like a recording exec, like someone in the business who has the daunting task of selecting an unknown artist or band from the pile of candidates. 

I’ll have some more pearls of wisdom for you in upcoming posts, but these tips should be enough to get you started.

Remember:

 

1. Develop your online presence
2. Be your own self-promoter
3. Refine your sound

 

    Good Luck!

Meredith Treinen Music get signed tips, unsigned band, unsigned bands