Some times, I like to try it, but it takes confidence.
In a couple of my superhero sketches I gave the characters much longer speaches and really liked the result. Especially Batman's heart felt confession to addiction to sado masochism.
It takes confidence, but I guess when you're in the zone and you want to hear what the character has to say.
I just generally feel safer with the ol' hit and run.
My rule is that so long as I'm prepared to perform it myself I can make speeches as long as I like.
That said, my memory won't cope with lines much longer than "I said to him, you'll never fit that up there but he bloody well did!"
Quote: David Bussell @ September 4 2008, 2:04 PM BSTMy rule is that so long as I'm prepared to perform it myself I can make speeches as long as I like.
That said, my memory won't cope with lines much longer than "I said to him, you'll never fit that up there but he bloody well did!"
You have trouble with 'Hello?'
I sometimes cut down log speeches it's kind of programmed into me not to do them.
Damn it I will fight my urges!
Quote: Matthew Stott @ September 4 2008, 2:06 PM BSTYou have trouble with 'Hello?'
I didn't say I'd remember when to say the line, did I?
I guess the speech above is entirely in character. Each line tries to be funnier by ramming home the point a little bit more, so they're allowed to be there.
I suppose if one of your character's traits is to talk a lot, that's okay. (You probably don't want to but think of Ellen and how much her scripts must have gone on)
Dan
I've always seen it like this:
All the Monty Python team were established comedy writers and were therefore allowed freedom to do what they want.
Unestablished writers won't be given much freedom by producers due to the risk of the unknown.
Although, if you've got something that's undeniably hilarious, you may as well go for it. The producer could always just ask you to cut the dialogue down.
Quote: Paul W @ September 4 2008, 2:11 PM BSTI sometimes cut down log speeches it's kind of programmed into me not to do them.
Damn it I will fight my urges!
Chainsaws are handy sometimes.
it's also interesting that it doesn't have a punchline. I don't think many writers could get away with that.
Quote: Winterlight @ September 4 2008, 2:33 PM BSTI've always seen it like this:
All the Monty Python team were established comedy writers and were therefore allowed freedom to do what they want.
Unestablished writers won't be given much freedom by producers due to the risk of the unknown.
Snap! (from Afinkawan's Pythonesue 'Shop Sketch Sketch' thread)
Quote: Morrace @ September 4 2008, 4:48 PM BSTThese combined actor/writer/stand-up groups often write (let's face it) self-indulgent stuff which works 'cos they're very close, practically family and a lot of the time 'write' via improvisation. Therefore (with respect!), I doubt that this type of sketch, written by a non-commissioned, not 'family' writer would get past the postal room!
I've been told to cut down speeches in scripts. If it's too long, generally you probably need to take it out sadly.
I do like nothing more than give someone a big bit dialogue. It's fun to write.
Quote: Morrace @ September 4 2008, 6:23 PM BSTSnap! (from Afinkawan's Pythonesue 'Shop Sketch Sketch' thread)
You're not going to get past the post room any way, why not have some fun?
Quote: sootyj @ September 4 2008, 6:28 PM BSTYou're not going to get past the post room any way, why not have some fun?
Absolutely.
I'm sure Afinkawan enjoyed writing it - I enjoyed reading it.
And when your moments comes round, when your actually being asked for stuff.
Then it's great to know you've got an ace on ice.
If you stop writing what's fun, you may never write what's good.
Like one man's meat is another man's sootyj.