Quote: random @ April 8 2009, 2:39 PM BSTSo why is it said never to use? ok, maybe not never, but...
Basically too much aimless chat and banter can stop a show dead. A few lines here and there, ok; huge slabs and entire scenes, not so much.
Exposition!.. Exposition!.. Exposition!.. Page 3
Nice Syd Barrett pic, Ben.
People who say it don't know what they are talking about is all Random. All stories reveal a created world as a lens to the real one. It's how you do it that counts. Break a story into bits and the dna should be in every strand. Everything reveals something or it isn't a part of story.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 8 2009, 2:40 PM BSTBasically too much aimless chat and banter can stop a show dead. A few lines here and there, ok; huge slabs and entire scenes, not so much.
'huge slabs and entire scenes' = coppers in Early Doors, is it not?
Sighs.
Quote: random @ April 8 2009, 2:42 PM BST'huge slabs and entire scenes' = coppers in Early Doors, is it not?
Basically ignore others advice if you don't agree. If something works for you, then it works.
I'm assuming the coppers talking is still driving the action forward in an interesting manner? As opposed to holding it up or, as Matt says, stopping the show dead.
Quote: Marc P @ April 8 2009, 2:42 PM BSTEverything reveals something
Exposition.
...so long as it reveals something (for example) about the character.
Quote: john lucas 101 @ April 8 2009, 2:41 PM BSTNice Syd Barrett pic, Ben.
Nice Auton.
Maybe you and I should be best friends.
Quote: random @ April 8 2009, 2:45 PM BSTExposition.
...so long as it reveals something (for example) about the character.
Character or plot and McKee would say they are both sides of the same coin and I think he might be right.
Quote: john lucas 101 @ April 8 2009, 2:44 PM BSTI'm assuming the coppers talking is still driving the action forward
Rarely.
I think exposition has become closely associated with clunky storytelling. For example, it's like having a scene where something happens. Then following it with a scene where people talk about what just happened.
And if you've got a scene with two people just talking, great, especially if it's the quality of writing of Early Doors.
Chip,
will you be changing your avatar soon?
Exposiition can be funny if it's ironic. I would leave it out though, because it's just another thing a reader can moan about.
Quote: Ben @ April 8 2009, 2:46 PM BSTMaybe you and I should be best friends.
That's all we need! A Best Friend Button!
Clumsy exposition doesn't feel like natural dialogue and just feels akward and forced.
e.g
DAUGHTER
"Mum, I know you haven't got long to live but I wanted to tell you I'm pregnant. Darren and I will be parents next spring."
MOTHER
"That's great. You are 29 now darling. I'm so happy you settled down with a solicitor like Darren."
Why would a mother tell her child how old she was and what her husband does - it's clearly to explain things to the audience. All these facts could be explained in a better way. (We see the daughter taking a pregnancy test)
Sometimes a visual approach to explain something can work better.
Also don't under-estimate the intelligence of an audience to work things out themselves.