How to Write Realistic Movie Dialogues in Latin American Cinema
In the first episode of Voz en Off, a podcast dedicated to how to craft dialogue writing for cinema, Paola Villa delves deep into the nuances of crafting compelling conversations for the screen. Through personal anecdotes, practical exercises, and comparisons between Latin American and American filmmaking, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights for aspiring screenwriters.
Below, we explore some of the key takeaways from this enlightening discussion.
Cover Art of the Podcast Voz en Off, hosted by Paola Villa
Dialogue: The Illusion of Natural Conversation When Writing Realistic Movie Dialogues
As the host explains, “Dialogue in cinema is not a natural conversation—it only has the appearance of one.” This subtle but crucial distinction underscores the intentionality behind every line of dialogue in a screenplay.
Unlike real-life conversations, which are often erratic, filled with interruptions, and lack a clear direction, cinematic dialogue serves a purpose. It advances the plot, reveals character motivations, or creates dramatic tension. To illustrate this, the episode suggests an exercise:
1. Record a natural conversation in a public setting (ensuring privacy and ethical use of the recording).
2. Transcribe it verbatim.
The result? Real-life dialogue appears chaotic and fragmented on paper, highlighting the importance of design and purpose in cinematic conversations.
How Latin American Film Dialogue Stands Out
Latin American films often employ dialogue that feels rich in subtext and emotion. Paola Villa notes,
“In Latin American cinema, characters speak with layers of meaning. What’s left unsaid is often as important as what is spoken.”
This contrasts with many American films, where dialogue tends to be more direct and goal-oriented, serving as a tool to quickly advance the narrative.
For instance, in films by Latin American directors like Lucrecia Martel or Guillermo del Toro, dialogue reflects cultural nuances and interpersonal dynamics. Characters might avoid confrontation or communicate through metaphor and implication. This style invites the audience to engage actively, interpreting meaning beyond the surface.
Guillermo del Toro - Mexican Film Director
Dialogue as Action
One of the episode’s central ideas is that dialogue is action. Paola Villa emphasizes,
“Characters aren’t just talking; they’re doing something through their words—manipulating, seducing, convincing, or deceiving.”
This approach reframes dialogue as an active element of storytelling. For example, in a scene where a character tries to get a colleague fired, their words carry the weight of action. Whether they’re spreading rumors or subtly planting doubts, their dialogue drives the narrative forward, even without physical movement.
A piece of advice to screenwriters is to identify the verb behind each line of dialogue. Is the character persuading? Threatening? Revealing? This exercise helps ensure that dialogue remains purposeful and dynamic.
Practical Tips for Writing Better Dialogue
The fist episode of the Voz en Off podcast offers actionable strategies for improving dialogue writing:
• Study Theatre: Classic plays, particularly Shakespearean tragedies, provide excellent examples of dialogue as structured action. As Paola Villa points out,
“Shakespeare’s works are perfect in their structure, showing how dialogue can serve the story while maintaining emotional depth.”
• Strip Away the Excess: Avoid using dialogue as filler. Every line should serve the story or reveal something critical about the character.
• Blend Visuals and Words: Not all information needs to be spoken. Consider what can be conveyed through actions or visuals to complement the dialogue.
Movie clip from the movie Amores Perros by Director Alejandro González Iñarritú.
Listen to Voz en Off on your favorite podcast platform for more insights on writing impactful dialogues for films. A Sonidorama production. Episodes are in Spanish, but the lessons are universal—start your journey to mastering dialogue today!
