Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

DZ-63: Tools for Better Dialogue 2 - Hook and Eye


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Listen when you're rewriting dialogue and want to create connection between characters.

A full three years after the first instalment (and one of our most popular), Stu and Chas have kidnapped Stephen Cleary to once again develop some craft tools around dialogue. It would be fair to say that - in that time - all three have learnt a lot more about dialogue than they knew in 2016. It would be also fair to say that Stephen perhaps learnt a little more through his research into “genderlect”.

In Part II, we analyse key scenes from films and TV shows famous for their dialogue, namely FLEABAG (Season 2, Episode 5), JUNO and DEADWOOD (The Pilot). The biggest tools we explore are: the hook and eye; how dialogue can reveal status and empathy; rhythm; contrast and affinity; and pacing.

And just to help us all out, Stephen rounds out the episode with some quick fire examples - FIVE EASY PIECES, JERRY MAGUIRE, GROSSE POINTE BLANK, and NOTTING HILL (again) - and further dialogue tips.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode during the holiday season.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

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  • Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily.

    ———

    CHAPTERS

    • 00:00:06 – Intro: Dialogue (Part 2) - Hook and Eye
    • 00:05:52 – Status and Gender
    • 00:15:26 – Fleabag (S2E05)
    • 00:47:41 – Juno
    • 01:20:20 – Deadwood (Pilot)
    • 01:40:55 – More Dialogue Tips & Technique
    • FILMS

      • JUNO (2007) — (w) Diablo Cody (d) Jason Reitman
      • SHOWS

        • DEADWOOD 1x1 "Deadwood" — Walter Hill (d), David Milch (w)
        • FLEABAG 2x5 — Harry Bradbeer (d), Phoebe Waller Bridge (w)
        • SCRIPTS

          • Study the script: JUNO (2007) — Diablo Cody
          • LINKS

            • Read: Genderlect / Language and Gender
            • Read: Time - The Truth About How Much Women Talk -- and Whether Men Listen
            • YouTube: FLEABAG: Hair is Everything
            • YouTube: You can never go home again
            • YouTube: NOTTING HILL: Kitchen scene
            • EPISODES IN THE BETTER DIALOGUE SERIES

              • DZ-63: Tools for Better Dialogue 2 - Hook and Eye
              • ———

                More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons.

                If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser.

                We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

                Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2019/dz-63/

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                Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastBy Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis

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