Dialogue Polish

Question

Any of the pros here ever been asked to do a dialogue polish?

It looks like I may be getting such a gig for the first time and I'd appreciate any observations and advice you may have.

I'm particularly interested in what you might term the protocol.

For example, is it frowned upon to stray into the area of plot and structure if all you've been hired to do is punch up the lines?

I could see that happening through the back door, so to speak:

If a line you propose inevitably alters some later action should you not propose the line? Or offer it up as an alternative with the changes it would necessitate?
I believe this has already been cast and is in pre-production so there may be some reasons to consider not just the characters but the actors who are playing them anything arising from that?

Any other pitfalls?

"Don't try to lay no boogie-woogie on the king of
Rock 'n' Roll!"
Long John Baldry

Usenet · Accepted Answer

Do you have a contractual agreement yet?
What are they actually paying you for?
How was "punch up the lines" defined?
Genre?
Post more details and I'm sure someone will shed some light on your apparent plight.
F.L.A.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Do you have a contractual agreement yet?[/nq]
In negotiaton.
[nq:1]What are they actually paying you for?[/nq]
TBD
[nq:1]How was "punch up the lines" defined?[/nq]
My definition as a casual description.
[nq:1]Genre?[/nq]
TV Miniseries
[nq:1]Post more details and I'm sure someone will shed some light on your apparent plight.[/nq]
A very minor, minimal plighyt just looking for general feedback from those who have done this before.

"Don't try to lay no boogie-woogie on the king of
Rock 'n' Roll!"
Long John Baldry

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Any of the pros here ever been asked to do a dialogue polish? It looks like I may be getting ... consider not just the characters but the actors who are playing them anything arising from that? Any other pitfalls?[/nq]
I haven't actually been hired for one of these jobs, but I've been up for a number of them, and my understanding is that straying into the area of plot and structure generally isn't welcomed. Certainly anything that is going to change anything like a location or significant story action would not be welcomed. Pretty much take the "tree" as given. You're rearranging the leaves to make it look nicer.

Can you pitch changes to plot and structure? Sure. I've done that all the time when people have approached me for "dialogue and character" polishes cogently pointing out that changing characters inevitably will change the story that character is different from personality, that it is defined by action, by what characters do and the decisions they make, and that if you are having a problem with a character, you can't fix it simply by adjusting the dialogue, you have to look at the decisions that you've given the character to make and maybe adjust those.
That's why they never hire me.
NMS

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Any of the pros here ever been asked to do ... playing them anything arising from that? Any other pitfalls?[/nq]
[nq:1]I haven't actually been hired for one of these jobs, but I've been up for a number of them, and ... the decisions that you've given the character to make and maybe adjust those. That's why they never hire me. NMS[/nq]
Thanks Neal. Very useful perspective. I got the job, by the way. Gonna be interesting to see how it goes. There are people who make a living at this... and people who never get asked to do it again!

"Don't try to lay no boogie-woogie on the king of
Rock 'n' Roll!"
Long John Baldry

Usenet · Answer

@reader2.panix.com:

Whatever you do, ask first whether the person you're negotiating with wrote the script. Nothing worse than going on and on about the weaknesses of the script and noticing the person's expression getting more somber.
Hey, guess where I'm typing from! An internet cafe! And I'm using Xnews!
jaybee

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Whatever you do, ask first whether the person you're negotiating with wrote the script. Nothing worse than going on and ... noticing the person's expression getting more somber. Hey, guess where I'm typing from! An internet cafe! And I'm using Xnews![/nq]
I don't plan to offer any unsolicited opinions on the weaknesses of the script I'll let them* do that. I'll concentrate on their problems as *they perceive them and direct my energies to trying to find a solution...

"Don't try to lay no boogie-woogie on the king of
Rock 'n' Roll!"
Long John Baldry

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I don't plan to offer any unsolicited opinions on the weaknesses of the script I'll let them* do that. I'll concentrate on their problems as *they perceive them and direct my energies to trying to find a solution...[/nq]
In the best of worlds. But you might end up with someone who has little if any knowledge of structure, and as Neal mentioned, the real problem might lie with the script, not the dialogue.
We all know what happens when you give producers exactly what they ask for. ;-)
Hey, guess where I'm typing from! An internet cafe! And I'm using Xnews!
jaybee

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I don't plan to offer any unsolicited opinions on the ... and direct my energies to trying to find a solution...[/nq]
[nq:1]In the best of worlds. But you might end up with someone who has little if any knowledge of structure, ... the script, not the dialogue. We all know what happens when you give producers exactly what they ask for. ;-)[/nq]
I know!
In any case, it will be what it is...

"Don't try to lay no boogie-woogie on the king of
Rock 'n' Roll!"
Long John Baldry

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]We all know what happens when you give producers exactly what they ask for. ;-)[/nq]
[nq:1]I know! In any case, it will be what it is...[/nq]
And congrats on the gig! I'm the biggest fan of anyone who writes a valid cheque.
BTW, the adaptation project I was telling you about yesterday might yield consulting work. I spoke to the director just now, and he's sending me the synopsis to get my feedback.
It's based on a 1970's Middle-East drug trafficking/assassination intrigue that was investigated by the FBI and the RCMP.
jaybee

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hey, guess where I'm typing from! An internet cafe! And I'm using Xnews![/nq]
I'm typing from a motel room in LickSpittle... err... Lickdale, Pennsylvania. And I'm also using Xnews. What are the chances of that?

(Yes, there really is a town named Lickdale.)

RonB
"There's a story there...somewhere"

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