Conventions Quote by Wallace Shawn
“I think I'm trying to write truthfully about life, and naturalism, or the way people normally talk in movies, is a convention. It's not the way people talk in life at all.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
He suggests that cinematic dialogue is a stylized convention, not a reflection of everyday speech.
In simple terms: Movie talk is scripted, not real life.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between art and reality.
Themes
art
authenticity
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- screenwriting
- acting
- daily conversation
- media analysis
Key Concepts
cinema
naturalism
dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect audience expectations?
- Can we create more authentic scripts?
A Different Perspective
Real life speech is messy and unscripted, limiting direct translation.