Hey guys, thanks for your response to my last posts. So in line with that discussion, what do you guys think about using accents and dialects in scripts? For instance, using words like "y'all", "ain't", etc.
Also, is there such a thing as using too much of them?
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I had to do this with one of my scripts. Being from Boston, everyone cusses a lot and doesn't pronounce "r's" effectively. So I just wrote "They speak in a strong Boston accent". Also, I don't like using the F word too frequently because it lacks creative dialogue (of course). I have a friend from Boston who is a successful writer/director but the word was heavily used in his dialogue and to be honest, it got uncomfortable. So, I only used it when the characters were angry or yelling but in a casual conversation I pretty much limited the use of the word. Anyway, hope this helps. But I love different accents and I think it's cool to use them in a script but don't overdue it because reading it can be kind of annoying. Maybe use one word in the dialogue so we get an idea of where they're from, for instance. "y'all goin' to the rodeo tonite". Or "You ain't go nothin' on me". We know the person is from the south and the other person is not highly educated : ) Hope this helps.
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Just to give you an example. If I were to write someone speaking in a strong Boston accent, this is how it would read: "Don't pahk the f'n cah in the pahking lot." That's annoying. Instead I would write: Don't park the car in the f'n parkin' lot." And make mention that it's in a Boston accent : )
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Love "youses guys" haha! Well put Kay. That's def. more succinct in describing it. I took the long way around.
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You can write a little slang in the dialog as a way to further identify your character but don't go overboard. Avoid writing accents and dialect but do work with the Casting Director to find the right Actor who can speak the part.
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Dan I was referring to using the word too much in one sentence. FOR EXAMPLE: I went to the f'n store and the f'woman was like F...what the F just f'n happened. That is really how Bostonians talk but I don't think it's necessary to use it that much because honestly, I don't want to F'n hear it that much!
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Haha! Dan. Yes I would in a script but I’m just trying to be respectful on this site. Some people get offended. I don’t want the cuss police after me. : )
It's all good, Christine Capone. Dan MaxXx told the Cuss Police to fuck off and they did. They didn't want none of Dan. They thought he was Michael Jordan.
who loves ya, Dan MaxXx ! Me that's who. Hope all is well, bro
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By all means, Chinelo, I love putting dialects and accents in scripts...can't get enough of them!
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It it makes the dialogue realistic to the character in the script, then I'd say that's grounds for them to be used.