Dialogue is wooden... no flow, no style, no voice... it's bad. Hopefully you're here to learn and not to showcase. I know this may sound like I'm being an arsehole... but you have a way to go before you're at a pro standard. OK... just in case you do think I'm being harsh, here is some help:
Code EXT. A MENTAL HOSPITAL DAY
INT. THE WAITING ROOM |
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Two slugs right after another with no action in the first. If you're filming it yourself then fine.. if not then this doesn't look good. Use the action lines to set the mood. What is the weather like? Does the building look imposing? Get us in the mood.
Code A DOCTOR talks to a COUPLE
DOCTOR
Here at the Behavioural Health Center, we provide the
best care for our patients. If not, I’d say we’re in
the top five. Come this way please. |
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What does he mean... 'if not'? That is a weird thing for a doctor to say.
Code The doctor leads the couple down a hallway.
INT. THE HALLWAY |
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Why not just cut straight to the hallway and have them walking along it. The previous action line is superfluous.
Code LAURA is being pushed in a wheel chair. |
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How old is Laura? Does she have any distinguishing features that you can reveal? She could be anything from a child to a pensioner.
Code LAURA (V.O)
Some say I asked for it... that I ended up here in this
cesspool of a place on purpose. They say everyone has
a sort of madness in them, a demon. [b]Mine burst out and
flew high into the air where insanity lies.[/b] And now I
lie here in a mental hospital with its yellow walls,
which they tell me are meant to calm you down... it
doesn’t, not for me. |
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If insanity lies in the air, then how could any human be deemed insane? Also she sounds pretty calm to me so maybe the yellow walls are working.
Code EXT. THE GARDEN
LAURA and TED sit on a bench while nurses attended to other
patients. Laura and Ted stare at PREACHER MAN, who’s on his
knees while a nurse watches over him. |
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Why was she in a wheelchair and then sitting on a bench? Wouldn't she still be in the chair? Unless it's some little quirk of hers... and if so, then you could write that in better.
Needs a lot of work. Good luck on your journey.