Common Dialogue Mistakes And How To Fix Them - Paul Joseph Gulino

In this Film Courage video interview, Chapman University Dodge College Professor Paul Joseph Gulino on common dialogue mistakes in writing and how to fix them.
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[@homer_thompson5090]

"Hi, can I help you? Can I have a dozen red roses, please. Oh hey, Johnny, I didn't know it was you! Here you go. That's me! How much is it? That'll be $18. Here you go, keep the change, hi doggie! You're my favorite customer. Thanks a lot, bye. Bye-bye!"

[@tmage23]

Anyway, how's your sex life?

[@ryannixon4138]

Oh hi mark

[@eliben4066]

Everyone betray me; I fed up with this world!

[@thepepitochannel6987]

I did not!

[@nanisarkar8246]

But the doggie was cute though.

[@KingKhan-fc3dj]

Wow. Irony and metaphor makes good dialogues. That's really so insightful and unlike most of videos here, Gulino actually taught with examples, instead of referring to "My book". Thanks for posting this video .

[@camronchlarson3767]

This could not have come at a better time! I just received coverage on a script and the weakest point was my dialogue LOL thanks again Film Courage 👌😅 PS please keep interviewing him till the end of time 🙏

[@ligayabarlow5077]

Bs

[@camronchlarson3767]

@@ligayabarlow5077 no u

[@theguyyoudontfuckingknow294]

Coverage from who? And what was your dialogue like?

[@faibabernard]

😂she says tiLL the end of time...😂😂

[@faibabernard]

😂she says tiLL the end of time...😂😂

[@j.r.schaefers]

This man's explanation of emotionally neutral dialogue / Q&A dialogue / action dialogue has hit me like religion.

[@emanuelvasilesabou9487]

I just started to read “Science of Screenwriting” and I find it so well done combining psychology studies with dramatic writing! A must read after “Story”!

[@thereccher8746]

Whenever I tried to write sub-text, I always ran into the problem of characters beating around the bush and not getting to the point. I finally get it. Thank you.

[@hankhippopopalous5826]

Rule if thumb:Instead of giving the audience 2, give them 1+1.

[@Maazzzo]

This was SO helpful. I'm great at writing *conversations*, but not so good at dialogue. So helpful. Thank you!

[@Karim_Kazemi]

this page is making my dream to make easier thanks for the tips

[@filmcourage]

Cheers!

[@leroykincaide]

Fantastic... Great video guys. I find that the Draft where I focus on dialogue is at the point where the direction no longer does the talking. This could be the 3rd or even 5th draft depending on what is needed for the story. First the structure, then focus on direction/action and finally the sweet spot.... THE DIALOGUE :)

[@alexispapageorgiou72]

Great explanation. But some times while outlining, I tend to come up with this instantly for turning points. You still got an hour and 20 mins to go through, but that's a start

[@edgarallanchode3414]

Thanks for creating such amazing videos! I have just begun the journey to becoming a real screenwriter and I just completed my first full feature film! Your videos have helped me so much in the discovery of new ways to think about things and I greatly enjoy watching the interviews. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@formulajuan6038]

Wow! Maybe my dialogues are not as shitty as I thought they were. Thanks! I'm so hooked on your stuff! ❤

[@howardkoor2796]

Yes, dialogue is action using words

[@mjolninja9358]

Howard Koor wrong! Dialogue is words without action

[@kimatlastlooks2915]

So timely! I love Professor Gulino! I'm editing my first feature draft and my dialogue needs massaging. Thank you for this!

[@filmcourage]

Perfect, we really like the practical tips Paul shares in this clip. We hope it helps improve your script!

[@Tardis216]

The pundits talk about subtext, but no one says it is culturally determined, which is the case. Subtext requires a certain finesse that many people miss or misinterpret. For instance, the people in my country (The Netherlands) use subtext differently than in the USA or UK. We are more straight forward, we don't beat around the bush, which is not to say that we don't use subtext. The subtext is just different. That applies for any country and any (sub)culture in the world.

[@faibabernard]

and so this is an invaLiabLe resource to broaden it scope et knowLedge on how ur art can be receptive across the worLd coz I beLieve you shouLdn't be producin' ur art for ur country aLone but for the worLd... so use what u obtain here in the way that organicaLLy subLimes with ur styLe😉

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@faibabernard I wish would learn English.

[@benjaminnewton8859]

@@faibabernard I'm very concerned about all of these upper case Ls. What is going on here?

[@pjolex5896]

Writing Currently on a Story (IDK if it´s a book or Something) and i feel like the weakest part of it is the Dialogue, although this is ment for screen writing it helps me a lot

[@comegetfrankfrankshitoshow248]

Splendid! Absolutely great!

[@ahmedkamal7095]

wow he described subtext the best way possible and his tips for dialouge was brilliant

[@DavidJReidOFFICIAL]

This is fantastic. He articulates subtext so well :)

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

This has to be one of the best videos you’ve made for us. Thank you.

[@penhdog2207]

That was fantastic. Gave me some confidence to take my next hit at my script.

[@filmcourage]

Love to hear it Joe, hope it helps.

[@Kabeyavictoria]

Amazing interview by an amazing man thank you

[@rajeevpaul662]

Thanks for this fantastic video. it will lift my confidence. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@brrryan2908]

Great information! Thanks for the tips. :)

[@kamuelalee]

Very helpful video for changing back and forth talk to more actionable, ironic, indirect dialogue.

[@inheritedkingdomenterprise7581]

I'm learning a lot watching the people you interview. Thank you!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for sharing. We're doing our best to put as much value out to our viewers as we can. Appreciate your feedback.

[@penhdog2207]

That was sooo good!

[@jimmydroid7838]

This is brilliant.

[@anne-laureguyodo4163]

thank you so much !

[@faibabernard]

very usefuL materiaL there... raw and fLeshy - Love this meat! 💪💜

[@glock4121]

Great video. Two things I got from this specific video. First, write the first draft poring out what comes to mind then fix it in drafts 2,10,37, 88. Second, there was examples used between 2 people who were in love or on a first date. If I had to write scene about a couple on a first date it would be difficulty for me. (I am married 21 years, hadn't had a first date in 23 years) . However, with that said, I just finished watching "The Old Man" staring Jeff Bridges. Excellent series. Great story, lots of action, suspense and gripping drama. The best scene from the entire series has no action, no suspense just 2 people talking at a restaurant table. Jeff Bridges and Amy Brenneman characters are on first date at some swanky resteraunt. The scene is memorizing, they suck you in. I don't recall ever watching a first date scene so amazingly written. From the 8 action packed episodes. That first date scene is the one thing I remember the most. That is how I want to write.

[@babymaker7425]

This is off the charts good.

[@BillieJolene1]

This was AWESOME!!! I'm going to see if I can save up to use your promotion service as well in like 6 months from now. I just finished my studio production class, next I'm doing my editing class in two weeks. Then I'll be producing my own show!!! I'm stoked. And you guys ROCK!!!!!!! You're way awesome!!

[@ricardomiranda7737]

Wow these examples are really helpful. Gulino should write a book on dialogue.

[@SalamiNugget]

This is gold

[@KCComics]

I think Gulino makes a great point here that dialogue is action with words

[@TheJPinder]

outstanding

[@RioBroski]

I think when I write dialogue, I write based on what I'm thinking as if I'm the character in the story, male or female based on the situation or current scene. If that make sense...

[@enzorocha2977]

"I hate sand..." ;) On another note, I watched "Double Indemnity" after this episode and the mentioned dialogue by the professor was in the first act. However, what Prof. Gulino criticized as on the nose dialogue ("I love you." "I love you, too") was also in the film. I get that he was emphasizing subtext is almost always preferred over plain dialogue to avoid dullness, but ironically the movie cited's dialogue was almost a lesser example of his point (except for the first act) because of the inconsistency. Edward G. Robinson was phenomenal though.

[@Brindlebrother]

It's coarse, rough, and irritating. And always gets in the breeches. Not like you Padme, not like you.

[@jag5798]

Its fun listening to Sorkin written scripts, but after listening to this - I realize that Sorkin writes witty fast talk more than dialog, but it works with beats.

[@moetarded7757]

Reading it out loud helps a lot.

[@JohnMoseley]

C.C. Baxter: You hear what I said, Miss Kubelik? I absolutely adore you. Fran Kubelik: Shut up and deal...

[@lilmsgs]

Gulino often means sarcasm when he says irony... which is a use of irony, of course.

[@nandoflorestan]

No he doesn't, no it isn't. Irony is saying the opposite of what you mean - he did that each time he named it as irony. Otherwise give me the precise timing

[@lilmsgs]

@@nandoflorestan You should look up the definition of sarcasm. It goes like this: sar·casm /ˈsärˌkazəm/ noun the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

[@nandoflorestan]

@@lilmsgs you fell victim to a Google search that simply gave you false information. I googled sarcasm as you told me to, and I confirm that's what Google says at the top. It's extremely inaccurate. Wikipedia is more correct and affirms right on the second sentence: "Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although sarcasm is not necessarily ironic."

[@lilmsgs]

@@nandoflorestan That was from the Oxford Dictionary, the universally recognized authority of word usage. You're citing Eric Partridge, not Wikipedia, although you found it in Wikipedia. Sarcasm typically means exactly the opposite of what people say, whereas Eric Partridge says that sarcasm means precisely what it says. That's obviously not correct. For example: Q "Aren't you happy?" A "Oh sure, I'm sooooo happy"

[@nandoflorestan]

@@lilmsgs you gave an example of irony and the meaning of "sarcasm" and "irony" in Latin derived languages such as Portuguese follows this.

[@mmoan2]

line of dialogue = verb. brilliant

[@heathkitchen4315]

Characters don’t speak unless they want something.

[@filmcourage]

On which draft will you focus on dialogue and make it better?

[@atallguynh]

First. I still don't know how to just let it be and come back to polish later. A bad habit, or so I'm told. Haven't really accepted it as definitely true yet.

[@meg-k-waldren]

@@atallguynh watch Aaron Sorkin movies. Will really help.

[@meg-k-waldren]

Every draft. Because Q& A dialogue doesnt reveal character... and I love getting to know my characters over telling them who to be.

[@atallguynh]

@@meg-k-waldren that's the problem though... I'm trying to sound like that in the first draft. Maybe if I saw Sorkin's first draft it would help, i.e. by seeing that great dialog can come from pedestrian beginnings... or maybe he's fantastic right out of the gate. I don't know. Seeing Steven King's first draft examples (in "On Writing") made me feel better. Even he has to polish.

[@atallguynh]

Oh, btw "First" was my answer to the question, not the "I was the first person to reply silliness"!!!

[@shongage]

I swear most of his examples of irony are actually sarcasm, not irony.

[@danwroy]

I was thinking "ugh, you mean like 'You look like shit'" then he actually said that!

[@bleacherz7503]

Me:”Well that was a waste of 20 minutes” GF: “So you are going to listen to it again before bed aren’t you?”

[@howardkoor2796]

Dialogue must reveal more of each character in every scene ..

[@evanward3964]

Without actually saying it, but revealing it!

[@dariuszlabuzekart269]

When you say ironic do you really mean sarcastic?

[@reimereason]

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[@kamuelalee]

Maybe more unexpected or paradoxical than sarcatic...though I like sarcasm too.

[@ForOrAgainstUs]

"The use of words expressing something other than their literal intention. Now that. Is. Irony!" -Bender, Futurama Sarcasm uses irony to mock or convey contempt, per the online dictionary.

[@therealjchiavetta]

They're really the same thing. Meaning one thing but doing/saying the opposite is irony.

[@MrWilson-zx9ix]

All sarcasm is irony. But not all irony is sarcasm. There is also dramatic and situational irony.

[@PeterKaitlyn]

You can also think of it as what Act does the actor do at any moment. An Actor... Acts, does actions... Actors don't chat aimlessly... about the weather.

[@ligayabarlow5077]

Clear as mud

[@thepepitochannel6987]

How bad the dialogues in John Carpenter's Escape from NY, where people spend their time ending their sentences by repeating their interlocutor's name. "Come here, Bobby! - Where are you, Johnny? - Behind the car, Bobby!"

[@decker1875]

I still find people, even professional writers confusing irony with sarcasm. For goodness sake, all writers in all fields need to familiarize themselves with irony, sarcasm, and even metaphor.

[@kenknight5983]

Where does the dialogue of Tommy Wiseau fit into this?

[@filmcourage]

Where would you rank it?

[@tubbalcain]

Top of the list, it's breathtaking and beautiful

[@putnamizer]

Disney classics do this very well

[@Melimeverinde]

3:44

[@heathkitchen4315]

Reveal character or move the plot forward.

[@faibabernard]

weLL, my pieces are diaLogue driven so it's safe to say pretty every draft - my diaLogue carves my story...

[@stefanomaggio5109]

Ok sold

[@elsebass6498]

dialogue from the big sleep!

[@kamuelalee]

Dialogue from Chinatown

[@elsebass6498]

@@kamuelalee yuup

[@pinkclogs]

my notes: 3:30

[@cjpapasito]

Classic speech act theory

[@vivvpprof]

I like how the subtitles are "toned down" so instead of "bullshitting them" you have "fooling them", instead of "murder" there is "hurt". "Asking questions without asking them" is a good candidate for a reworking, since it might violate logic just a tad too much for the delicate listener of Film Courage videos.

[@catcactus1234]

I’m pretty sure it’s because of KZbin’s strict policing of “demontizable” words such as any curse words or disturbing words. Using these words removes the ability to monetize your videos. No one knows exactly how/why the algorithm works the way it does, but it usually targets written words like subtitles or images with words, not speech (at least not as much.)

[@ConsciousConversations]

Underlying verb. Simple.

[@JonasJudah]

So subtext on every line if you can..

[@samueleli3569]

Who heard the buzzsaw?

[@infinityryvus]

It's strange that he doesn't know what irony is. He keeps confusing it with sarcasm. It's nice that he's looked them up in the dictionary, but they're not interchangeable.

[@coolaidman1260]

In other words, be sarcastic.

[@ricardodelzealandia6290]

Interesting that a writer can get irony and sarcasm confused.

[@69mviewsnt]

irony is mocking?

[@Brindlebrother]

He was definitely mixing up irony and sarcasm

[@baldvinornolason1701]

You are confusing irony with sarcasm :)

[@RSEFX]

Too much worry about being "on the nose". Avoiding that is often putting degrees of "qualifying" over direct honesty. The reality of life is at its most intense when very direct. Not sure "boring" results, especially if it is encased within powerfully-delivered interactions.

[@AnnWott]

Would anyone like to work on a script with me?

[@anthonycosentino463]

It's sarcasm.

[@stephenryder1995]

Bad Day At Black Rock was adapted from a book by Howard Breslin, a brilliant, highly educated and erudite veteran writer of radio dialogue. The movie was directed by John Sturges - not exactly a neophyte. I have to get a kick out of the stumbling, stuttering, offhand offerings of Mr. Gulino saying "It's not that hard." I am inclined to the view presented by Mr. Dalmeijer regarding subtext. It is ENTIRELY predicated upon culture. Some of the suggestions casually dropped by Mr. Gulino would never fly with certain American audiences, and are effete and arrogant. Mr. Gulino has written a few short movies that never earned any money at the box office, is no longer an actor, but has some highly individual ideas about writing dialogue, practicing instructive speaking and sporting men's haircuts. But then, he's merely trying to sell a book.

[@Arabic4Beautiful]

You think he's arrogant? The irony of it all.

[@MohanKumar-oj8nh]

Without practicals videos always dislike

[@David-mg1yj]

With all due respect I really do not think you understand irony. Certainly not in the way the British understand it. Most of the examples you gave were merely sarcasm, not irony. Without wishing to appear rude, I strongly advise Mr Gulino to take a quick look at this comedy clip which clearly explains the difference. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIWUhYmJidB0jsk

[@cmagnusnorthfleet981]

What in the hell is he talking about? I'm lost.

[@faibabernard]

very usefuL materiaL there... raw and fLeshy - Love this meat! 💪💜