Every screenplay has it, which means every screenwriter has to know how to do it. Yet few do it well. We're talking about Exposition--revealing necessary plot information to the audience through images and dialogue.
The rule of thumb is to show, not tell, but films were synced with sound in the early twentieth century for a reason. So, you're going to have to rely on dialogue to get information across to your audience.
Now there are more theories on how to do this than one can shake the proverbial stick at. Whichever theory you adhere to, remember this--Drama is conflict. That means if at all possible deliver your exposition through some sort of conflict.
Let's see some examples of exposition being dealt with expertly...
The first is from Young Frankenstein written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. Prior to this scene, Inspector Kemp (Kenneth Mars) has promised the town council to pay Dr. Frankenstein (prounounced Fronk-en-steen and played by Gene Wilder) a visit to ascertain his intents, i.e. is he going to try and reanimate a corpse?
The conflict here is a competition, a game of skill. Through it we learn a lot: Kemp is willing to play dirty to win, he is suspicious of Frankenstein, and not only has Frankenstein already continued his grandfather's work, but he's already succeeded where his grandfather has failed.
Our second example is from the great William Goldman's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Sundance (Robert Redford) is supposed to be the fastest gun in the West and everyone knows it. So how do we relay this to the audience? Through conflict.
In this scene, we don't know anything about Redford's character, but he's just been accused of cheating at cards by a cocksure gunslinger...
The conflict here is a dispute over cards that quickly escalates to the point of violence.
What Goldman does with this scene is genius, though. We don't even know we're being subjected to exposition because we're being thoroughly entertained (not to mention being riveted to the screen by Redford's smoldering stare). But we find out everything we need to know about Sundance to understand the story.
Remember, good exposition is a delicate balance of showing and telling through conflict. Why conflict? Because it is the essence of Drama.
~Danniel Dean
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