ABSTRACT
Character Dialogue patterns begin with Action patterns for observing, participating, and connecting. The reciprocal shot pairs that are the hallmark of dialogue are mutual Look/See patterns. The social and psychological complexity of dialogue scenes requires a fairly complex structure to keep it from getting beyond our ability to sensibly contextualize through cinematic means. The structural elements are found in five basic staging patterns and the creation of an associated 180° Line of Continuity for each. Each staging pattern has its own qualities and strengths to contribute to the storytelling. These staging patterns can be roughly determined when going from script to screen, but the main factor is deciding how and when the major dramatic beats of a scene need support and articulation. Then staging specifics can be left to a process of discovery on set. Characters in dialogue possess individual or combined agency. Bundling all story agency outside of theirs into “the situation they face” allows for consideration of staging options in relation to the storytelling. Changes in staging and the resulting coverage provide the means to support ongoing story progress, felt by the audience.
