Writing Subtext. Linda Seger
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it might take five or ten or more rewrites), you might put the text on one side of the page and the subtext on the other side of the page. Or, you might write the subtext underneath or above the lines, as I’ve done with the scenes above.
You might brainstorm what subtext you want to get across. Is the man desperate, and looking for a girlfriend or wife. Is he looking everyone over? Is he totally smitten, but realizes he’s not good enough for her, perhaps because of his class, or financial situation, or race? Or maybe it’s a woman attracted to a woman or a man attracted to a man, who has to find out, through subtext, innuendo, and suggestion, whether the other person is gay or not. Whatever technique is used by the writer, the job includes shading in subtext. Drama and life are more than just good text.
WHERE ELSE DO WE FIND SUBTEXT?
Although it is usually thought of as beneath the words, subtext can be expressed in other ways. In film especially, subtext can become clear to the audience through words, gestures, attitudes, actions, and reactions. The writer creates the gestures, actions, and emotions of the character, which get further expressed by the director and actor. The writer creates images that will be further expressed by the art director and cinematographer. The writer’s ability to use the language of cinema to express hidden layers often marks the difference between a great writer and the merely competent. If the subtext is well-crafted, the audience understands these hidden layers – and stories, themes, and characters – become richer as a result. When the writer does subtext the script is terrific and the film is great.
EXERCISES AND QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
(1) Make a list of times in your life when you have encountered subtext in conversations with others. What did the person say? What did the person mean? How did you respond to the feeling that you weren’t hearing the total truth? How long did it take you to figure out the subtext?
(2) Have you encountered subtext in other cultures, whether through cultures of a different ethnic, national, or social background, or a different class or economic background? How did you figure out the subtext? Did someone ever discuss it with you?
(3) Has your intuition ever told you that something going on was “bad” or “evil,” but your logic wanted to deny this feeling? Did you feel there was subtext in the situation? Did you later find out you were correct?
(4) Look at a film that deals with hidden psychological problems, such as The Soloist (2009), The Three Faces of Eve (1957), or Sybil (1976). How does the film convey the problems that are beneath the surface?
(5) Do you have favorite examples of subtext from films that either amuse you, or that you find especially powerful?
expressing subtext through words: character information and backstory
Words imply. Words suggest. Words point to meaning. Some words work better than others. To reveal the subtext, words aren’t arbitrary, but are often written and rewritten and rewritten some more to make sure the subtext comes through in spite of the text. Great writers know their job – to find the right word, the best word, and to let the subtext shine beneath the words.
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