Dispatch from The Quest: Rob Pilkington
Last week as we did here on GITS, the Quest writers focused on the subject of Dialogue. Today’s dispatch: Rob Pilkington takes on exposition:
Too much exposition just doesn’t suck in movies and television. It also sucks in real life.
Quick refresher: I’m the Quester (do we have a new word for this yet?) who is in the midst of a move to LA. These last weeks I’ve referred to myself as “moving,” but it’s actually, physically happening this week. And it desperately needs a montage.
Yes. We can skip me finding stray DVDs after I already packed that box. The discovery I could probably pitch a Hoarders spinoff just based on the inside my ’06 Corolla. The anxiety attack I have holding shoe polish in one hand and a (decorative) Batman action figure in the other and realizing THERE IS NO BOX CATEGORY FOR THESE THINGS. I don’t care if it renders the story illogical. Cut it all. Just, for the love of God, get me there.
But this “exposition” I’ve been living these last weeks aren’t just in physical activity, but in conversation — which is fortunate because it was dialogue week last week during the Quest. Little did Scott and my compatriots know that this moving experience has made me quite the expert in the many sides of dialogue. After revealing my moving plans to countless people, I can now follow up with the all the essential details in seven to eight syllables of exposition. Boom.
Unfortunately, a lot of those syllables are “no” or “not yet,” which can be awkward when they’re followed by inquires like “Oh, so you have a job out there?” and “But you at least have a place lined up, right?” I’m thankful for everyone keeping a straight face, even though my cranked up paranoia tells me that the second time they stammer that it’s all “exciting,” they really mean “terrifyingly ill-advised.” Oooo! Subtext!
And character voices! Everyone brave enough to offer advice has been wonderfully indicative of who they are with their words of wisdom. Budget for parking tickets. Make sure you try this bar. See this neighborhood. Frequent this theater. Work hard. Believe in yourself! Never give up! Also stuff like: Don’t do heroin. And please don’t live near where that OJ Simpson thing happened. Note: age may also be indicative here.
Of course, these are the people I’m also trying to savor every moment with, so maybe that montage idea isn’t so hot. I’m trying not to make a big deal out of goodbyes, because they’re not really. I’m not dying. And Skype exists. But there is a pang of :( just knowing you’ll be geographically removed from your usual gang. Still, “goodbye” has a finality. It’s subtext is “we’re done here.” And that wouldn’t be true. So, yeah, there’s going to be a lot of “Catch ya later”s, “I’ll text you”s, and “See you at Christmas!” But no “Goodbye”s.
Because, where dialogue is concerned, sometimes what you don’t say is just as important as what you do.
“What you don’t say is just as important as what you do.” Amen, brother.
Tomorrow: Another dispatch from The Quest.
About Rob: Boston writer headed for LA. Lover of Kubrick, Nolan, McDonagh, and the Coens. Okay, good talk. Back to writing. Twitter: @HeroesAreBoring.
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