Learn How to Write Dialogue for Film and TV

How to Write Movie Dialogue

Movie dialogue needs to do two things: espouse information and give context to what the characters are feeling inside...without being over the top or having them blurt it out.

That’s why some of the most famous movie dialogues may seem like they’re about nothing on the page, but when you examine the subtext, they’re about so much more.

If that sounds complicated, that’s because it is complicated.

But it’s what makes great writing and movies with great dialogue so beautiful.

How many times have you been watching a movie and grown disillusioned or been taken out of it simply because of the way people speak? That’s not the way famous movie dialogues work.

And it’s not just the way the characters speak; sometimes it’s what they say.

We always nail movies for putting their exposition on front street. We have an informative post about how you can fix your movie’s exposition problem.

Humphrey Bogart once said this about exposition:

“If you’re going to give me something expository to say, you better have two camels fucking in the background.”

That’s pretty to the point, and it’s also pretty important to remember when you’re learning how to write dialogue. You MUST be entertaining while being talky.

Tips For Writing the Best Dialogue in Film and TV

Writing compelling dialogue is a crucial skill for screenwriters, enabling them to bring characters to life and advance the plot in engaging ways. Here are some tips for crafting dialogue that resonates with audiences and enriches your film or TV project:

1. Understand Your Characters Deeply

• Character Backstories: Know your characters' histories, motivations, fears, and desires. This understanding will inform how they speak and react in different situations.
• Distinct Voices: Ensure each character has a unique voice, influenced by their background, personality, and current circumstances. This helps in creating a diverse and believable world.

2. Use Subtext to Your Advantage

• Say More with Less: Real people often don't say exactly what they mean. Use subtext to convey deeper emotions or intentions beneath the surface of the dialogue.
• Create Tension: Subtext can add layers of tension and intrigue, compelling the audience to read between the lines and engage more deeply with the story.

3. Listen to Real Conversations

• Observe Patterns: Pay attention to how people speak in real life, including their rhythms, pauses, interruptions, and colloquialisms. Incorporating these elements can add realism to your dialogue.
• Mimic Natural Speech: But avoid copying it verbatim. Real conversations often include a lot of filler and can meander, so it's about capturing the essence rather than replicating exactly.

4. Read Your Dialogue Aloud

• Test for Authenticity: Reading dialogue out loud helps identify awkward or unnatural sounding lines. If something doesn't sound right to your ear, it likely won't work on screen.
• Engage Others: Having others read your dialogue can provide fresh perspectives and help catch issues you might have missed.

5. Keep It Concise and Purposeful

• Economy of Words: Screen time is precious, so make every word of dialogue count towards developing characters, advancing the plot, or enhancing the theme.
• Avoid Exposition Dumps: Find creative ways to reveal necessary information without resorting to lengthy monologues or 'on the nose' explanations.

6. Let Characters Speak for Themselves

• Character-Driven Dialogue: Allow characters' actions and decisions to influence their dialogue, rather than imposing lines on them that don't fit their established personalities or development arcs.

7. Understand the Rhythm and Pace

• Varying Pace: Different scenes call for different pacing in dialogue. High-tension scenes may have rapid-fire exchanges, while more reflective moments might feature slower, more deliberate speech.
• Use Pauses and Silence: Sometimes, what's left unsaid can be as powerful as the spoken word. Use pauses and silence strategically to convey tension, emotion, or contemplation.

8. Feedback and Revision

• Seek Constructive Criticism: Getting feedback from peers, mentors, or script consultants can provide invaluable insights into how your dialogue is perceived by others.
• Iterative Process: Be prepared to revise your dialogue multiple times. Writing great dialogue is a process of refinement and iteration.

9. Study Great Works

• Analyze Acclaimed Scripts: Read and watch films or TV shows known for their excellent dialogue. Study how the writers convey character and advance the plot through what the characters say and don't say.

10. Practice Regularly

• Write Daily: Practice writing dialogue regularly, experimenting with different styles, genres, and characters. Like any skill, writing dialogue improves with practice.

By incorporating these tips into your writing process, you can create dialogue that not only sounds authentic and engaging but also deepens your story and connects with your audience on a meaningful level.

6 Tips For Writing Dialogue Checklist

Now that we’ve gone over how the masters do it… I’ll give you a checklist I use when it comes time to write dialogue.

We’re going to go in-depth on all this later. But you came here to learn how to write dialogue, so let’s start at the basics and then get to some fun dialogue examples.

How To Format Dialogue On The Page

Before you learn how to write some of the most famous movie dialogues, you have to learn how it should look on the page. Mastering how to format dialogue is key to making your script professional.

Now, I think writing a screenplay in Microsoft Word is an absolute trash idea, but I am also aware that screenwriting software is expensive. So if you are using "word" to learn how to write dialogue, here’s a tutorial video on how to format dialogue.

If you want to pick up some screenwriting software to learn how to write dialogue, then check out our article on the eight best screenwriting software solutions.

The dialogue goes in the center of the page, under a character’s name. That’s the beauty of screenwriting; it’s all so simple.

The page should be full of white pace and designed so we can hear these character’s voices in our heads.

How To Write A Conversation In Your Screenplay

When you’re learning how to write dialogue, the first thing you want to ask yourself is “What’s this scene about?” Seems obvious, but the tricky and important part comes next.

Because once you know what the scene is about, then you have to figure out where that scene sits in the greater scope of the screenplay, and how to make it dynamic.

Every scene, no matter what genre, should either brew tension or pay off the results of prior tension. Otherwise, it risks losing the audience.

The stakes for every scene are high, so the stakes IN every scene have to be high!

Comedic tension. Romantic tension. Violent tension.

The words characters say in these movie dialogues should convey that tension too.

Learning how to write dialogue isn’t just about putting words in peoples’ mouths, it’s about finding the objective of the scene, and learning how to obscure that while still conveying it. Because people in real life RARELY SAY WHAT THE MEAN!

But they show you, right? Maybe in tone. Maybe in word choice. And this is where the real artistry of knowing how to write comes in.

Can you have a character say something but mean the exact opposite? Before you say that’s the actor's job, you want to consider how the actor can only use the motivation on the page.

Not to get too Zen about it, but a lot of the best dialogue is about the things the characters aren’t saying. It’s about the unspoken truths.

It’s about the words you never type on the page.

But if you’re learning how to write dialogue between two characters what is the first basic step to all of this?

They are extracting what those characters want. It all flows from there.

Let’s peruse some dialogue examples.

What are the Movies and TV Show With the Best Dialogue?

Movies and TV shows renowned for their exceptional dialogue often stand out due to their memorable characters, compelling storylines, and the ability to evoke strong emotions or provoke thought.

While what constitutes "the best" dialogue can vary based on personal preference and genre, certain films and series are frequently lauded for their outstanding writing.

Here’s a list of some notable examples across different genres:

Movies

1. Pulp Fiction (1994) - Directed by Quentin Tarantino, known for its sharp, witty dialogue and non-linear storytelling.
2. The Social Network (2010) - Aaron Sorkin's screenplay is celebrated for its rapid-fire dialogue and insightful portrayal of the creation of Facebook.
3. The Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight) - Directed by Richard Linklater, these films are acclaimed for their naturalistic and engaging conversations between the two leads.
4. Casablanca (1942) - A classic film known for its iconic lines and the romantic tension conveyed through its dialogue.
5. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) - Famous for its intense, profanity-laced dialogue that captures the cutthroat world of sales.
6. The Godfather (1972) - Offers a masterclass in dialogue that builds character depth and advances the plot subtly and powerfully.

TV Shows

1. The West Wing (1999-2006) - Another Aaron Sorkin creation, this series is praised for its intelligent, fast-paced dialogue that delves into the complexities of politics.
2. Mad Men (2007-2015) - Known for its nuanced dialogue that captures the essence of the 1960s and the advertising industry's machinations.
3. The Wire (2002-2008) - Offers a gritty, realistic portrayal of life in Baltimore, with dialogue that adds authenticity and depth to its complex narrative.
4. Fleabag (2016-2019) - Phoebe Waller-Bridge's sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant dialogue has been widely acclaimed for its originality and depth.
5. Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - Celebrated for its compelling character development and dialogue that masterfully blends drama, suspense, and dark humor.
6. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - Known for its fast-paced, witty dialogue filled with pop culture references, showcasing the unique bond between the mother-daughter duo.

Each of these examples demonstrates excellence in dialogue through unique styles and approaches, whether it be through witty banter, emotional depth, cultural commentary, or a combination of these elements.

They have set standards in their respective genres and offer valuable lessons for writers on how effective dialogue can significantly enhance storytelling.

Great Movie Dialogue Examples

Think about your favorite movie. Does it have memorable lines? Some great conversation scenes? How do the words that come out of the character’s mouths affect the other people in the scene?

Here’s a series of scenes in The Godfather, where the dialogue is so crisp, so to the point, that they pay off a few minutes in one line.

We know there’s going to be retaliation by the Corleone family for the attacks on Vito. But we also know this movie is as much about blood family as it is about a mafia family. So when Clemenza’s wife asks him to get cannolis on the way back, he has to get them.

No matter what.

This dialogue in the car is considered exposition. We learn that Sonny wants to “Go to the mattresses” which is a phrase meaning hiding mafia thugs in a room together, so they can avoid/or plan violence.

In this scene, Pauly drives two of Sonny’s men into New York City to BUY the mattresses these guys are going to sleep on.

Now we have the stakes - there’s a mafia war going on - and the tension of Clemenza being there. We also have the lingering tension in Clemenza’s life. He has to return home with these cannoli. Otherwise, there’ll be hell to pay with his wife.

You’re on the edge of your seat as Pauly drives. We know there’s a hitman positioned directly behind him in the car, and next to him. But the conversation is light, friendly; we get our information in a way that lulls the audience out of the tension…and lulls Pauly too.

...until the car pulls over. But Clemenza gets out...so maybe Pauly IS safe. Nope.

What’s crazy is that at the end of the hit, Clemenza still needs to honor the boss in his life, his wife, while teaching his protege how to handle this situation. Which is a bit of a payoff, it explains WHY Clemenza didn’t carry out the hit himself.

Plus, we get one of the most cold-blooded lines of all time.

“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

What makes the line powerful? It’s sort of like what Quentin Tarantino did much later about quarter-pounders with cheese. Death is being dealt out, but the men dealing it casually discuss food.

Remember when we said dialogue isn’t about what’s being said?

What we learn about these men is that carrying out a cold-blooded murder is no different than bringing home dessert — just part of the routine.

Comedic Dialogue in Movies

Okay, we just covered how to write dialogue in two dramas, but I love to leave room for a comedy dialogue example.

So let’s take a look at the excellent “Family Health” scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

The tension is this dialogue example obvious. It’s parents and kids talking about sex and reproduction. Boom. That's all kinds of tension.

But there is even more here.

It’s about a bunch of kids pretending their sexual experiences make them mature and ready for the world. Plus, a 40-year-old Steve Carell worrying that his lack of sexual experiences have stunted who he is as a person, which he has to hide from his girlfriend’s newly sexually active daughter.

The word “tension” doesn’t cut it here. This is a sheer clusterf*ck of amazingly wince-inducing comedic moments. That’s comedic tension executed through dialogue at it’s best.

The dialogue here is amazing. There are a ton of funny lines, but all of them build on the themes stated above. Steve Carell is inexperienced and wants to learn; the kids want to fake how much experience they have.

And yet again, characters aren’t speaking their truths. They are obscuring them from one another, and the tension is that WE know the truths they attempt to hide.

The great way it rounds out is in an emotional payoff. Carell’s character has to admit he’s a virgin to make his girlfriend’s daughter feel better. For her, it’s the first sign that he’s a good guy, and for him, it’s the first sign that he’s willing to let his guard down and let other people in.

Again, the dialogue, “I’m a virgin” isn’t a hard line to write, but it’s the sentiment behind it that makes this scene a masterclass on how to write dialogue. The build-up works, and the reveal of what he is is powerful.

You’ve heard the screenwriting maxim “show don’t tell” when it comes to dialogue just think of it in terms of a character. They also need to “show” instead of “tell.”

The Best Movie Dialogue Examples: When Harry Met Sally

Okay, we’ve already gone over a few great dialogue examples, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite movies with great dialogue.

These are scenes where I think the writing is so wondrous that they’ll be an excellent tutorial on how to write dialogue.

Let’s start with one of my favorite movies of all time When Harry Met Sally. There are so many excellent dialogue examples in this movie, but I decided that we should go with the most famous scene to dissect what’s happening between these two characters.

When Harry Met Sally asks us a very simple question. “Can men and women just be friends?”

This movie is a ninety-minute class on how to write a conversation between two people and keep it engaging.

Its dialogue is witty, staccato, and pulls each character close enough to feel romantic tension, but keeps them at bay long enough to make us wonder if it’ll ever work out.Spoiler alert, but if you’ve seen this movie you know that When Harry Met Sally, both their lives changed forever. In this conversation scene, the movie dialogue is doing two things.

It’s establishing both of their viewpoints on dating. Sally is annoyed about who Harry is when he dates, Harry is annoyed about who Sally is when she judges him.

The scene is about whether or not someone fakes an orgasm, but on the subliminal level, it’s about knowing if someone has feelings and enjoys being with you.

Harry learns that women may fake their orgasms, but he truly enjoys being with Sally. Sally learns that even though she can fake enjoyment, she may truly enjoy being with Harry.

The movie dialogue here is great because it lets us in on both their points of view.

And the kicker of “I’ll have what she’s having” confirms that Sally’s fake orgasm was real enough for that women. Who, coincidentally, is played by director Rob Reiner’s mother. But the moment is also classic because of something else it does.

It grounds the movie. If two people are in a restaurant in real life, and one of them starts faking an orgasm that way, other people notice. Suddenly we’re not locked into the Harry and Sally story; they exist in a world, where people are watching them and reacting honesty (and hysterically).

The Best Movie Dialogue Examples: Jaws 

Ok first off, If you haven’t seen Jaws, please leave this article and turn it on. You haven’t lived yet.

Jaws has lots of great dialogue examples, but there’s nothing like the tension-filled “show me your scar” scene on the Orca, late in the third act.

This scene is about storytelling. Hooper and Quint have never seen eye to eye. One is a rich boy, the other guy a seasoned fisherman.

So when they square off, they need to compare and contrast which man is tougher.

The tension in this scene comes from respect, but the brilliance of this screenplay is that it lets the tension boil over and change the objective of the scene.

In the beginning, it’s about these men seeing eye to eye. In the end, it’s about the audience understanding the tragedy that made Quint who he is, and the true nightmare of the monster these men rush to square off with.

This reveal is done just through the dialogue. It’s a simple question and answer.

But the way we get there?

It’s a competition. One Quint knows he holds the trump card for. If you put this beside The Godfather scene we watched, it’s eerily similar. Tension, diffuse tension, let the tension boil over.

All along the truth is left carefully unsaid but indicated:

A man-eating shark is hunting them. Or are they hunting the man-eating shark? It sounds like you should read our internal and external conflict post to figure that out!

How to Write A Conversation (with a Twist)

Most of the movie dialogue examples we’ve gone over would help a writer learn how to write a conversation between two or more characters. But what if you want to have a one-sided conversation?

This movie is about confronting how weird life can be, how it sends you everything you don’t need towards you all at once, and how impossible that kind of situation is to sort out.

When Mark Duplass emotionally dumps here, we get a speech that doesn’t feel boring. It’s like we hear the character work out all his internal anguish in real time.

It’s awkward, and it’s beautiful.

We just looked at one dialogue example of a speech, but for my money, the best one-sided speech in movie history comes from Bull Durham.

Rules were meant to be broken. Conventions were meant to be challenged. And sometimes, people DO say what they mean.

If learning how to write dialogue is really about learning how to express a character’s emotions, then every once in a while it works

Not to belabor the point, but the tension in this dialogue example is… two men trying to figure out which one of them will take up with the minor league baseball groupie this summer.

When things don’t go well for the veteran, he finally shows his colors.

Instead of Crash telling Annie that he’s too old for this, or just saying he likes her, we get this incredible moment where he gives her an intimate look into what makes him the better man.

But he doesn’t do it to curry favor; he does it to show her what she missed out on.

That doubles down on the tension and creates a new wrinkle. Instead of Annie being in power, she cedes all control to Crash. Who leaves with it.

These are just a few writing tips, but I think they all matter when you’re trying to learn how to write dialogue. If you can think of other tips for writing dialogue, post them in the comments!