MovieChat Forums > Mr. Turner (2014) Discussion > Will the dialogue be improvised?

Will the dialogue be improvised?

posted 10 years ago by roulin
4 replies | jump to latest

Mike Leigh generally doesn't use scripts, but has his actors improvise their scenes. An amazing approach to filmmaking. I wonder if he'll use the method here or go with scripted dialogue.

[–] acefilm1 10 years ago

I assume he'll use his usual approach. Although my understanding is that he does write a script, but the script is written from improvisations with the actors. So he'll workshop with the actors for several months, and from that he'll write the script.

[–] roulin 10 years ago

There might be a script, but I'm not sure. I read all this in the book "Mike Leigh on Mike Leigh." In Vera Drake, for example, remember the scene where the police come in and there's a look of shock on Imelda Staunton's face? None of the actors, including Staunton, had any idea that the police were coming. In fact, none of the actors, aside from Staunton, knew that Vera Drake was performing abortions. An amazing way of film making. I love Mike Leigh.

[–] jskinner1396 10 years ago

My understanding has always been that he writes the screenplays after filming has taken place, but only so that he can submit the script for Oscar consideration (or it may have been the Writers Guild, I forget which).

[–] CKYRico 10 years ago

Actually, Mike Leigh does use scripts.

He begins a project with a central idea and perhaps some characters in mind, then works with actors to improvise scenes and create them in a rehearsal environment. During all of this, he's building the story structure and writing the script using the dialogue that he and the actors have created in the rehearsal process.

Then he finishes the screenplay, and begins the pre-production process. On set, there is almost no improvisation (give or take a few exceptions) - he's very much from the theater, where the script is king.