Creating unique and memorable character voices is one of the best ways to get a script noticed and one powerful way to approach dialogue writing is to consider it in terms of genre. If you know what each genre requires in terms of tone, type of characters, crucial structural moments, etc. it's much easier to create characters and voices that both serve the genre and can transcend it.

This seminar looks at the function of dialogue in a variety of genres, asking the questions "What kind of line does the audience expect at the climax of an action film?" "Is a declaration of love a necessity in a romantic comedy?" "Why is there always a villain 'rationalization speech' in a thriller?"

The session looks at writing fights in a drama vs. a comedy, how one can create a black comic tone with one uncomfortable line, how to separate voices in an ensemble piece, and which genres are most conducive to the use of voice over and subtext.