Screenwriting : Writers: Upping Your Game with Acting Classes by Leonardo Ramirez

Thanks for sharing the videos, Leonardo Ramirez. Thanks, Sebastian. I've thought about taking acting classes. I act out some of my scenes when I write them. I learned that silence in a script can be impactful, like a character not responding.

You're absolutely right Maurice Vaughan. Silence can be impactful. I absolutely love the use of subtext as well.

I think it's a great idea Leonardo Ramirez It would help you write more authentic and realistic dialogue. I have had to find a way to same some silly lines like they were serious. There are so many shows I watch that are so cheesy and sometimes I don't think it's intentional. I think "how did the actors get through that? No one would say that." As writers, do you ever critique a show or movie's dialogue? Do think, "I would have written that so much better? It's just cringe? Or great writing?"

It's funny you mention that Suzanne Bronson because this week we watched a sit-com that I can't bare to watch because the dialogue and acting are too far from realism. Yet...it's on TV. In all fairness, it may be our experience as well. A while back, I had a reader doing coverage on "Agents of C.O.W." who said that "nobody talks like that". The problem there was that I had lifted their mannerisms and quotes directly from real people who did talk like that when they were alive. Go figure. Even so, I still can't stomach the aforementioned TV show.

I’m working on my new feature and part of one scene is a sword fight. having been a Viking reenactor, I act out the fight moves to make sure it makes sense and is doable.

How fun is that Nicola Gaughan! What a great way to see if the moves work! Do you share these on video?

Thanks for sharing these videos, Leonardo Ramirez !

You are more than welcome Elle Bolan - hope you're doing well!

I'm... Reeling, honestly. I found out yesterday that I have a 7th grandchild on the way. I swear on everything, I taught my kids what causes pregnancy! I promise I did haha!

Congratulations, Elle Bolan!

Wow...congratulations Elle Bolan - that's awesome! I hear that having grandchildren is the only thing that tops having children. Mine isn't married yet but I'm looking forward to the day I find out for myself.

Oh boy, @Leonardo yes it does! There is nothing like my babies. They are pure joy. I'm very blessed. And I'm still relatively young for a grandmother so I get to run and play and have fun with them.

My oldest two kids have provided all these babies. My youngest son hasn't started yet, and I'm in no hurry for him to! I'm already outnumbered. Ha! 6 of the 7 will be under age 5. I need more arms.

And thanks to you both! @Maurice and Leonardo

So cool Elle Bolan. Now I'm REALLY looking forward to that!

May you be well blessed when the time comes Leo.

Now, I think I might actually look into an acting class or two. Just to understand another side of things. I dunno if I'd have thought of it on my own.

You're welcome, Elle Bolan.

Thanks so much Elle Bolan ! That means a lot. Would also highly recommend an acting class - they're fun.

Leonardo Ramirez This topic's always been fascinating to me. Back in school our professors had several conversations about students' scripts where dialogue or character choices pushed the boundaries of believability but each writer insisted these things were directly based on people they knew. There seems to be this interesting disconnect between what's true and what's credible. Truth really is stranger than fiction and I always love getting to flirt with that fine line.

I agree with you Andrés Yang. Like I mentioned above, I've watched shows and felt there's no way someone in real life would speak that way. But I had a reader say the same thing about two of my characters when they were based on real people. I still think that there are some reasonable examples where it can't possibly be true. I don't want to mention the show I was watching because I have a personal rule about disparaging the works of others on a public forum but as I watch it, I think there's no way. This person would have no friends at all.

Thanks for the links!

I certainly learned about how to communicate with actors by acting in a few shorts. I learned even more when called upon to teach an acting class for animators!

You're very welcome Mike Boas. Always found it neat that we tend to learn even more when we're in a teaching position than student. It actually goes to show that we never stop being a student.

Thank you for this thread Leonardo. For me, I started in acting and first studied Stanislavsky and Uta Hagen. My training came from various local guilds and known theatres. I was able to secure the lead in any stage audition I went to. I had a passim for character creation that never left. Exploring the characters units in a scene and understanding the story as well as the Director always stayed with me. Having some ideas for screenplays I jumped to that and was extraordinarily excited in learning I got to create all of the story and characters

passion* sorry.

Thanks for sharing your journey Kevin La-Rose. It sounds like you went from acting to screenwriting and having that character study foundation to hit the ground running. I don't think that we as screenwriters know what would benefit us so much without that. Love it!

I love this Leonardo Ramirez and it is a great idea.

Mark Films Thanks friend! It's a fun one as well! I've really enjoyed the classes I've taken thus far and highly recommend them.

Leonardo Ramirez awesome idea to share those links my friend :) and loving the thread - and I was intrigued about your 'do they really talk like that' anecdote. but it kinda makes sense since, as many writers/filmmakers will echo, dialogue is not really conversation. it's 'crafted' conversation.

Thanks for being the inspiration Sebastian Tudores behind the thread. I've enjoyed Meisner's class - loved it. And you're right, it is "crafted conversation" - the illusion of real conversation which is messy.

That is the actor's job Leonardo Ramirez Living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Which if fully invested, then the crafted conversation could be made to seem natural, because it is natural for the characters. Though I will say, actors love great writing! Makes our job easier.

Perfectly said Suzanne Bronson! Given that changes naturally happen on set, this makes me wonder where or how the line is drawn between what's on the written page and what the actor may be wanting different.

Totally agree Langley Coleman. Good to hear from you!