I'm currently working on a short silent script. I am soliciting input as to your views on the pros and cons of silent film. I would be interested to hear whether you think silent film is more likely or less likely to evoke a strong emotional response from the viewer.

Hard to say. A silent film aobut the holocaust would probably evoke a stronger emotional response than a non-silent film about a man who vomits all over his house. Depends on what your story is about, I think. What is your stroy about?

I personally like silent films. It allows you to focus on the visual aspect of it, and you have to accomplish everything through the visual aspect of the film. So, it is a good challenge. My last 3 films were silent films with only background music for 2 of them and only sound effects for the other. They contained no dialogue, and I enjoyed not having to worry about the actor's lines. But, yeah i really think that silent films can have an emotional impact. For me the visual and musical parts of a film evoke more emotion than the actual dialogue. So, go for it.

The Company: The plot isn't fully developed yet but it's a story about assisted suicide with a bizarre religious twist. It only has two characters. One being a young middle class-suburbian girl on the verge of suicide, and the other being a sort of religious servant sent by God to end her life before she ends it her self. I do plan on having a music score and also live sound, but I don't want dialogue to clutter it up. There is a scene which will show her writing in her diary.

Oh, and I like your quote.

C Michael Williams: Thanks for the reply and supportive views. I am also emotionally impacted more significantly by the visual and musical aspects of many films. Particularly the musical aspect.

I also would be very receptive to any info as to how to go about writing a script in proper fomat. I really haven't a clue as of yet. I mostly write short stories and this is my first attempt at writing a script. Right now it is so many scribbles and scratches on 3"x5" spiral notebook.

by "silent" do you mean "no dialogue" or "absolutely no sounds made whatsoever, including music, sound effects, and dialogue"

braininabox: By silent I mean no dialogue. I plan on there being music and sound effects.

Keep in mind this is my first attempt at screenwriting. I can see it in my head but I'm not quite sure on how to put it in screenplay format.

What genre is your film?

When a film does not have any dialogue, it puts a lot more importance on good performances from the actors (facial expressions and mannerisms etc. become crucial)

braininabox: I have absolutely no idea what genre. I have ideas. I write them down. That's about as involved as I am right now. Truthfully I couldn't pretend to have a clue. I have much to learn. But hey, film is art; so maybe being ignorant will work somewhat to my advantage.

Don't get me wrong. I wan't to learn new things. I'm just not sure I wish to classify my self or my work. Who knows? Maybe I'll see things differently somewhere along the line depending upon the amount of info I'm able to soak up.

I understand the importance of the pefromance of the actors. Also I realise there must be some kind of visual substance to the plot to identify the characters as there will be no dialogue.

The questions are much appreciated as they tend to make me think of ways to improve upon the existing idea.

i think it would be really hard to express the plot of your movie without having dialogue. it would have to be some really good directing for people to understand what the scenes are trying to present.

It's easier to express a story without dialogue. Dialogue is just one more thing that gets in the way of true cinematic expression - which is image, not words.

I couldn't agree more, Evan, you crazy sonofagun. Words are something human beings invented. Visuals are divinity.

I also try to avoid dialogue because my actors kind of suck. No dialogue, no bad acting.

ALLright! Thank you guys for your views. A lot of my initial impressions of the idea have been confirmed. This is muy bueno.

Now I need help on how to format the story to resemble a script. Any helpul reading I could do, Links to informative articles or tutorials, etc, etc...

Did I mention you guys rock?

No?

Well, you do. Thanks again.