THREE PART SERIES

THE PART ONE: FRIDAY 3:30 PM – 5PMVISUAL STORY TELLING (90 MIN LECTURE)

PART TWO: SATURDAY 3:30 PM – 5PMTHEME, STORY AND DIALOGUE (90 MIN LECTURE)

PART THREE: SUNDAY 3:30 PM – 5PMPUTTING IT INTO WORDS (60 MIN WORKSHOP)

CONTAINED – PROJECT WITH BAD HAT WITH 20TH CENTURY FOX

 

WHAT IS SUBTEXT ?WEBSTERS DICTIONARY

SUBTEXT: The implicit meaning or theme of a literary text, speech or performance.

The concept deals with the content hidden within the meaning of a word, image or action... In storytelling, subtext deals primarily with the interests surrounding the expressions of symbols, metaphors, themes and motifs.

 

WHAT IS SUBTEXT ?Taking an analogy from psychology/psychiatry – it can be

said that the text represents the - visible symptom – while the subtext is the underlying concealed - cause of illness.

A good writer chooses symptoms that hint at the cause (subtext) without directly expressing it. In psychoanalysis it’s referred to as manifest expression (visible) and latent meaning (not visible). This exactly expresses the relationship between what we call text and subtext.

Part One: Terms and Concepts

SUBTEXT AND THE LOADED QUESTION

Subtext : “Do you still find me attractive and you better say - YES!”

• In dialogue – subtext is the unspoken thoughts and motives of characters - what they really think and believe.

 • In stories - subtext is a frequently used method of subtly inserting social or

political commentary into fiction. Subtext is often also inserted in narratives where explicit themes are unable to be shown or expressed due to censorship or simply interested in appealing to a general audience.

• Frequently, these subtexts may be of, but not limited to, a sexual nature or possible references to sexual orientation. Their inclusion is such so that they are easily overlooked by younger viewers but may be caught by more mature viewers. Subtext also serves to add a complexity to a premise that may superficially appeal to younger viewers but may also attract older fans, as is often the case with cartoons, sci-fi and fantasy.

• Subtext delivers exposition by inferring or suggesting - the needs, interest or issues - of a character, or a story, in a very economical way, manifest in code, symbols and metaphor.

How subtext is thought of and used

Instinct vs

CraftTools not Rules:

Knowing where you’re going.

A subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition. A unifying or dominant idea – THEME: SEASONS.

THEME

MOTIF: a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, subject, theme, idea, etc., esp. in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

concepts

Plane of EventsLink to Narrative and Plot

Plane of DiscourseLink to Theme and Story

concepts

DRAMATICIdentity and Motivation

Plane of Events

THEMATICPerception and Meaning

Level of Discourse

concepts

Note on Plane of Discourse: Setting up METAPHORSGIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

metaphor

Metaphors: Transfer and Transcend

The word stems from the Greek meaning “to borrow or transport” thus metaphor borrows meaning from one place and carries it to another. Example: Life is a river. The long arm of the law.

Metaphors manifest in our stories consciously and unconsciously based on the needs of the characters and the issues they must contend with. Most of which are buried in the subtext of their actions, comments, choices and behaviors. Example: A limp can reflect a wound in the soul of the character. Blindness as a need for inner sight.

CONTEXT

SUBTEXT

CONTENT

IN MEDIAS RESin the

middle of

things

CONTEXT

meaning

conceptsFRAME OF REFERENCE

EXTERNAL: Sci-Fi and Horror

INTERNAL: Comedy and DramaTITANIC – historical (foregone conclusion)

TOOLS

SYNECDOCHE (si-nek-duh-kee): a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special, as in ten sail for ten ships.

SYNECDOCHE: in literary terms, combines aspects of characters, scene and setting to imply a short narrative that suggests background exposition as well as future consequences – frame within its own context.

Metonymy: In literary terms, allows for bias, comments, opinions and slights to be made about or over the subject matter depicted. This can add color to metaphorical speech and subtext. In film terms, metonymy allows for ordinary objects and words to become symbols and metaphors, taking on new meaning and purpose.

Metonymy: a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “scepter” for “sovereignty,” or “the bottle” for “strong drink.”

NEEDS and ISSUES A.) Defines motive (motivation) for characters to act – and the reason you are writing it.

B.) Create an emotional context for the story as a whole – to help express the theme.

Need: by definition speaks to the notion that something is lacking.

Issue: deals with a point in question or a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties.

EXERCISEA helpful tool to find out what the need or issue the story deals with often comes in the

form of a one-word answer.

My story is about? LOVEMy character is? ANGRY

Example:

My story is about: Acceptance. Hope. Revenge. Balance. Enlightenment. Redemption. …Etc.

Analogy: compare two things with something in common

Simile and MetaphorExpressed and Implied

Analogy, metaphor and dialog:

Paralleling physical action with analogous or metaphorical dialogue is the realm of well written subtext.

Example: TODD (30s) in janitor over-alls, horsing teeth and a winning smile stands in the middle a grey patch of coastal land over looking the sea. At his side is SHERYL (30’s) the sleepy, pie faced princess in a waitress uniform is preoccupied, anxious. Todd walks the land, describing his dream house to his Sheryl.

TODDSun room out back, and here… French doors,

with a stairway leading down to the beach. Be a great place for kids?

SHERYLSun room? Really…Keep dreaming.Cause that’s all it’s ever going to be.

Subtext in dialog:

DREAMS Example: “I had this dream, I was downtown and it was raining - everyone had an umbrella accept for me. Then this cute girl walked up and offered to share hers - but I didn’t take it. And I ran away.”

Lying, complaints and accusations also help off-load tons

of subtext.

“I don’t like how much time you spend in the office? Is there

something? Someone I need to know about?

Sometimes accusations are dealing with true insecurities. But they are also vehicles of

SUBTEXT to accuse someone of something your characters are actually participating in.

IRONY AND OVERCOMPENSATING FACTORSIrony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

Examples:You tell someone you have to work a double shift after no sleep the night before and they respond with - “Lucky you!” or “How nice” Awesome, sounds like fun” is an ironic response.

Examples:Men in sports cars, monster trucks, on loud motorcycles, big guns = lack of confidence. (Generally related to finance or body image – balding, small “certain body part” and lack of muscles.) Any - Arnold Schwarzenegger – or Fast and Furious film.

Overcompensation: The exertion of effort in excess of that needed to compensate for a physical or psychological characteristic or defect. Or, an attempt to make up for a character trait by over-exaggerating its opposite.

Overcompensation: The exertion of effort in excess of that needed to compensate for a physical or psychological characteristic or defect. Or, an attempt to make up for a character trait by over-exaggerating its opposite.