Creative writing - Mike Sanders 2014

Creating nonverbal communication
The play and screenplay people want to watch
Long-form genres

Nonverbal communication involves those nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source (the speaker) and his or her use of the environment, and have potential message value. Basically, it’s sending and receiving messages in a variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words).

Nonverbal sound can be both intentional and unintentional. It includes but is not limited to touch, gaze, volume, vocal nuance, proximity, gestures, facial expressions, intonation, dress, posture, smell, and word choice. Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of nonverbal language: nonverbal messages produced by the body and those produced by the broad setting (time, space, silence).

Nonverbal sound is important because of its multiple functions, which include the following:

·  Repeating a verbal message (pointing in a direction while speaking, for example)

·  Accenting a verbal message (a verbal tone indicates the actual meaning of the specific words)

·  Regulating interactions (nonverbal cues convey when the other person should speak or not speak)

·  Substituting for the verbal message, especially if it’s blocked by noise, interruption, etc. (gestures—finger to the lips to indicate need for quiet, or facial expressions—a nod instead of a yes)

IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

Note the implications of the cliché “actions speak louder than words.” In essence, this underscores the importance of nonverbal communication and why you must not overlook it when writing your play or screenplay.

Plays and films are going to have their set coordinators and costume people, but you can still suggest these elements in what you write to help fuel nonverbal communication. For example, you should note ways dress is used as a sign of status. Body movements between characters can speak volumes as well. One’s posture can define a character’s mood or even their worldview. Do they slouch or stride erectly? Are they prone to keep their hands in their pockets? Do they sit with their legs crossed?

Gestures and facial expressions affect you every day. Just think of those gestures employed by aggressive drivers on your commute to work. And let’s not forget eye contact that indicates one’s degree of attention or interest, influences attitude change or persuasion, regulates interaction, communicates emotion, defines power and status, and has a central role in managing impressions of others.

Then there’s the all-important and sometimes-controversial matter of touching. Why do you touch, where do you touch, and what meanings do you assign when someone else touches you? Handshakes are common (even for strangers), but hugs and kisses for those of opposite sex occur on an increasingly more intimate basis.

Finally—and not unrelated—is paralanguage, which sounds complex but really just refers to vocal characterizers (laugh, cry, yell, moan, whine, belch, yawn, etc.) and vocal qualifiers (volume, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and tone). Obviously, the circumstances and characters involved will dictate how these actions are perceived by your audience.