Dear all, I am currently in the process of writing a script and want it to be a true grit realist from my neck of the woods, therefore I am inclined to use very broad Lancashire slang. My question is, do you think this is necessary or would you recommend using plain English.
Screenwriting : Dear all, I am currently in the process… by Greg Smalley
Dear all, I am currently in the process…
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in my humble opinion in the end it's about what the character would realistically say. But if your concerned about the audience not understanding then you may have to adjust some of it.
Thanks Karen, This would be my opinion also, but as this is my first script in the form of a full length feature, I want to be sure that I am getting it right. I know critics who would say that the script will develop it's own feel when it has left my hands, 'so I should keep it to plain english'. But then there is the flip side to this, for it is I who is writing it, and I have a constant doubting niggle that keeps appearing, suggesting 'I would not do justice to the character' if I did not write how I see him. Regards Greg. P.S, what makes it even worse is that I am more than half way through the script.
well, hopefully you will find the right balance. good luck!
Thank you and I am sure it will come good in the end.
It's important to be true to the character and the script. I would suggest writing it the way it'll be spoken. If it'll be spoken in Lancashire slang, I suggest writing it that way. Is this a first draft? Or has it gone through rewrites already? If it's still the first draft, write it in slang. When you're done, read it again and see if it'll make sense for the reader.
Hi Jaclyn, thanks for the advice, yes the script is still in the fist draft stage, I find it much easier to imagine the character when writing as they would speak rather than writing in correct English grammar, nevertheless if and when I send the draft off to be scrutinised I was pondering over whether it would be judged on the merit of Slang. I have had a few people look at the script and none of them have suggested the language being an issue, in fact I get comments such as when will it be ready because they want to see what happens to the characters. etc. Again thanks for the advice it is greatly appreciated. Kind Regards Greg.
Hi Jason, Thanks for the advice, good point about writing a note at the beginning to clarify the content, and the rest of the advice is greatly received. Kind Regards Greg