Subtext: key to a better script
Category: Scripts and Tips
Posted by Melvin Johnson
Created 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Views: 56
Replies: 32
Replies: 32
A discussion with a friend of mine the other day led me to post this information. New writers are familiar with action lines, dialogue and scene headings, but seldom do they use subtext in their writing. It's easy to write a line of dialogue or action, but harder to translate subtext onto the page for a lot of writers.
What in the world is subtext? Glad you asked! Subtext is the between the lines, emotional content of words rather than the actual words themselves. The direct opposite of on-the-nose dialogue. According to the Screenwriter's Bible, dialogue is like an iceberg. The text is the visible part, subtext is what lies beneath the surface of the water.
When an actor wants to know his/her motivation in a scene (besides a paycheck), they want to know the emotions going on within the character. The subtext.
Example from Spiderman 2. Peter says "Sometimes we have to give up the thing we want most-even our dreams. The subtext: "I'm going to have to give up the thing I want the most to be Spiderman, my dream of being with Mary Jane". In the movie The Princess Bride, Westley always responded to Buttercup with "As you wish", when he really meant "I love you". You can tell this by his actions, not his words. That is subtext, a skill all writers must master. No matter HOW frustrating it is to try.
What in the world is subtext? Glad you asked! Subtext is the between the lines, emotional content of words rather than the actual words themselves. The direct opposite of on-the-nose dialogue. According to the Screenwriter's Bible, dialogue is like an iceberg. The text is the visible part, subtext is what lies beneath the surface of the water.
When an actor wants to know his/her motivation in a scene (besides a paycheck), they want to know the emotions going on within the character. The subtext.
Example from Spiderman 2. Peter says "Sometimes we have to give up the thing we want most-even our dreams. The subtext: "I'm going to have to give up the thing I want the most to be Spiderman, my dream of being with Mary Jane". In the movie The Princess Bride, Westley always responded to Buttercup with "As you wish", when he really meant "I love you". You can tell this by his actions, not his words. That is subtext, a skill all writers must master. No matter HOW frustrating it is to try.
i think i see... so the subtext of your post is that we're all a bunch of assclowns?
seriously though, this is good stuff and you should copy it onto the most useful post too
anyone know any books that are dedicated to this or at least have a good chapter on the topic?
it's funny, stuff like this can seem like common sense and my initial instinct is often "I don't do that" but I can already picture a bunch of spots in my scripts that could use an edit with this in mind
seriously though, this is good stuff and you should copy it onto the most useful post too
anyone know any books that are dedicated to this or at least have a good chapter on the topic?
it's funny, stuff like this can seem like common sense and my initial instinct is often "I don't do that" but I can already picture a bunch of spots in my scripts that could use an edit with this in mind
Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger
Art of Dramatic Writing BY Lajos Egri
The Psychology of Subtext: The Meaning Behind The Words, Karl Igelias
Art of Dramatic Writing BY Lajos Egri
The Psychology of Subtext: The Meaning Behind The Words, Karl Igelias
Exactly Doug. We all fail to use subtext properly sometimes because in our minds we know the subtext, but fail to write it for the reader. We want our point to be clear. Funny thing is, we often know when someone is saying one thing and meaning another. "Honey are you mad?". Her response in an ice cold tone. "no".
I had the hardest time understanding subtext till I stopped trying so hard. Funny how that works.
The screenwriter's bible has plenty of information on subtext in the parts on creating better dialogue. Ask Aaron, he has the book memorized and can probably tell you the pages! LOL
I had the hardest time understanding subtext till I stopped trying so hard. Funny how that works.
The screenwriter's bible has plenty of information on subtext in the parts on creating better dialogue. Ask Aaron, he has the book memorized and can probably tell you the pages! LOL
Is the subtext in how the dialog's written? Or is it in a description of the dialog before/during/after? Because I write dialog the way it sounds in my head, pauses and all.
Melvin, that's so freaky true...the more I let go trying to analize stuff like this, the clearer it suddenly gets.
Sarah, to help understand subtext, I tend to think of OTN dialog being at one end of a curve and subtext at the far opposite. To expand on Melvin's example...
Instead of an angry wife turning to her husband and saying, "I'm very angry with you right now." Back turned, she continues doing the dishes, forcefully dunking glasses in dirty water and putting still wet plates back in the cupboard.
Wiki: "Subtext is content underneath the spoken dialogue. Under dialogue, there can be conflict, anger, competition, pride, showing off, or other implicit ideas and emotions. Subtext is the unspoken thoughts and motives of characters -- what they really think and believe. Subtext just beneath the surface of dialogue makes life interesting, but it can also cause people to be misunderstood."
Wiki: "A scene in Woody Allen's movie Annie Hall, in which subtitles explain the characters' inner thoughts during an apparently innocent conversation, is an example of the subtext of a scene being made explicit."
I know the scene and I'm going to try to find a youtube link for it tomorrow unless someone beats me to it. I'll post it here in an edit.
Sarah, to help understand subtext, I tend to think of OTN dialog being at one end of a curve and subtext at the far opposite. To expand on Melvin's example...
Instead of an angry wife turning to her husband and saying, "I'm very angry with you right now." Back turned, she continues doing the dishes, forcefully dunking glasses in dirty water and putting still wet plates back in the cupboard.
Wiki: "Subtext is content underneath the spoken dialogue. Under dialogue, there can be conflict, anger, competition, pride, showing off, or other implicit ideas and emotions. Subtext is the unspoken thoughts and motives of characters -- what they really think and believe. Subtext just beneath the surface of dialogue makes life interesting, but it can also cause people to be misunderstood."
Wiki: "A scene in Woody Allen's movie Annie Hall, in which subtitles explain the characters' inner thoughts during an apparently innocent conversation, is an example of the subtext of a scene being made explicit."
I know the scene and I'm going to try to find a youtube link for it tomorrow unless someone beats me to it. I'll post it here in an edit.
This is GREAT stuff. Thanks guys!
I looked for the Annie Hall scene you talked about Doug, but there isn't a good one there. Mab I'll be able to find a scene from another movie to post.
Yeah, I checked too. Youtube doesn't seem to have a good clip of it. If I remember, it was the scene where they had drinks on the balcony.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnMg41DB4Lg
Assclowns.
Assclowns.
ROFL, did you watch it???
btw, best line is "The living will envy the dead."
btw, best line is "The living will envy the dead."
LOL.
I watched the movie last year, I love Woody Allen.
I watched the movie last year, I love Woody Allen.
But did actually watch the clip you posted? It's not really the original subtitles...
oh, I didn't watch it.
I saw the subs and posted it.
LOL.
I saw the subs and posted it.
LOL.
verily
nice find with the script pages there as well, thank you!
nice find with the script pages there as well, thank you!
The first vid's subs are really what women think though...
They are from Venus after all.
They are from Venus after all.
I have to dig deeper into this subtext issue. Really good news shared here. Real important. Thanks for this discussion.
I always write parentheticals in my scripts, but recently people have been telling me not to do that. The actor has to put something of themselves into the script. How much direction is too much?
Tough call. I'd be interested at what others will answer but my take? I'd say that having none at all in a script wouldn't be a crime, if you catch my meaning.
I tend to use them more for innate actions taking place in the middle of dialog or to specify focus when more than two characters are together.
John, Steve, and Tim lounge at the table, shots lined up in front of them.
John
So it’s decided.
(downs a shot)
We’ll go in at midnight.
John punctuates the decision by slamming the empty shot glass on the table.
Steve
Sounds good.
Tim
Hear. Hear.
Steve and Tim follow suit with their glasses.
Tim
(to John)
What about the alarm? I’m still --
John
I’ve got it covered this time. Relax.
Steve
Yeah, relax.
Tim
Alright, I just don't want another...
(eyes Steve hard)
... incident.
Stuff like that...
Like I said though, I'm curious as to what others think.
I tend to use them more for innate actions taking place in the middle of dialog or to specify focus when more than two characters are together.
John, Steve, and Tim lounge at the table, shots lined up in front of them.
John
So it’s decided.
(downs a shot)
We’ll go in at midnight.
John punctuates the decision by slamming the empty shot glass on the table.
Steve
Sounds good.
Tim
Hear. Hear.
Steve and Tim follow suit with their glasses.
Tim
(to John)
What about the alarm? I’m still --
John
I’ve got it covered this time. Relax.
Steve
Yeah, relax.
Tim
Alright, I just don't want another...
(eyes Steve hard)
... incident.
Stuff like that...
Like I said though, I'm curious as to what others think.
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