Is it okay to sum up unimportant dialogue in the description? Let me explain
Like many, I’m a huge fan of the HBO series True Detective. I was reading the script for the second episode and I noticed this:
INT. STATE CID - NIGHT Hart and Cohle enter the squad room, acknowledged by the RECEPTIONIST. They walk through the division toward the BIG BOARD.
In my script, I have the lead character walk past a receptionist desk of the police station as well.
My question is: Is it “okay” to sum up a semi-unimportant dialogue in the action? Like acknowledging a receptionist? I realize I could just skip this part entirely, but I feel like it does add a layer of realism in routine.
Or I could write it all out.
What should I do?
Thanks.
Marc
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1 answer
If a character speaks, you must have it as dialogue. The normal course of action in scripts is to omit "nicety" dialogue and leave that up to the director. We typically eliminate greetings and "how are yous" and any pointless politeness or greeting, unless it is specifically character building (a glad hander knowing everybody he passes in the hall) but even then responses are not included. Any actual dialogue becomes expensive, you need overhead microphones, sound editing, foleys, etc. Just skip it! The director will just make the receptionist busy. Or make your characters in mid-sentence give a familiar half wave to the receptionist she acknowledges with a glance up as they pass.
Or have a receptionist or guard there for plausibility but just ignore them and walk past; hold up a badge or ID for them to see as if you do it ten times a day. You don't have to talk to them or interrupt the flow of other dialogue.
In your example, "acknowledged by the receptionist" can be changed to "acknowledge by a glance of recognition from the receptionist."
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