7.5 Subtext in dialogue and actions

Subtext in dialogue and actions adds depth to television scripts, revealing characters' hidden emotions and motivations. It's a powerful tool for creating nuanced storytelling, allowing writers to convey complex themes and relationships without explicitly stating them.

Mastering subtext techniques enhances character development, reinforces central themes, and engages audiences on multiple levels. By balancing subtlety with clarity, writers can craft compelling narratives that resonate with viewers and encourage deeper interpretation of the story.

Types of subtext

• Subtext is the underlying meaning or message conveyed in a scene or dialogue that goes beyond the surface-level words and actions
• Understanding and effectively utilizing different types of subtext is crucial for creating nuanced, layered, and engaging television scripts

Emotional subtext

Top images from around the web for Emotional subtext

• 

  Text and Subtext – Writeskaya from Samarskaya & Partners – Medium View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Exploring Emotion Recognition and the Understanding of Others’ Unspoken Thoughts and Feelings ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Getting the subtext without the text: Scalable multimodal sentiment classification from visual ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Text and Subtext – Writeskaya from Samarskaya & Partners – Medium View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Exploring Emotion Recognition and the Understanding of Others’ Unspoken Thoughts and Feelings ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Emotional subtext

• 

  Text and Subtext – Writeskaya from Samarskaya & Partners – Medium View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Exploring Emotion Recognition and the Understanding of Others’ Unspoken Thoughts and Feelings ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Getting the subtext without the text: Scalable multimodal sentiment classification from visual ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Text and Subtext – Writeskaya from Samarskaya & Partners – Medium View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Exploring Emotion Recognition and the Understanding of Others’ Unspoken Thoughts and Feelings ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Conveys the unspoken feelings, desires, and inner conflicts of characters
• Allows the audience to connect with characters on a deeper level by revealing their true emotions beneath the surface
• Examples:
  • A character saying "I'm fine" while their body language and tone suggest they are upset or angry
  • A couple having a seemingly mundane conversation about household chores, but the subtext reveals their growing resentment and dissatisfaction with their relationship

Thematic subtext

• Reinforces the central themes and messages of the story through subtle hints and implications
• Encourages the audience to engage with the deeper meaning and significance of the narrative
• Examples:
  • A dystopian science fiction series using subtext to critique current sociopolitical issues and warn about potential future consequences
  • A coming-of-age story employing subtext to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of growing up

Character revealing subtext

• Provides insight into a character's background, motivations, and true nature
• Helps to develop complex, multi-dimensional characters that feel authentic and relatable
• Examples:
  • A character's dismissive attitude towards authority figures subtly hinting at a troubled past or unresolved trauma
  • A seemingly confident and successful character's self-deprecating jokes revealing underlying insecurities and self-doubt

Techniques for conveying subtext

• Mastering various techniques for conveying subtext allows writers to create rich, layered scenes that engage the audience on multiple levels
• Effective use of subtext techniques can elevate a script from good to great, making it more memorable and impactful

Contradictions between words and actions

• Characters saying one thing but doing another can reveal their true feelings, intentions, or inner conflicts
• Contradictions create tension and intrigue, encouraging the audience to question the characters' motives and reliability
• Examples:
  • A character professing their love for someone while simultaneously flirting with others
  • A politician making promises to their constituents while secretly working against their interests behind closed doors

Facial expressions and body language

• Nonverbal cues can convey a character's unspoken thoughts, feelings, and reactions
• Facial expressions and body language add depth and nuance to a scene, allowing actors to communicate subtext through their performance
• Examples:
  • A character's eyes darting away or fidgeting nervously when asked a sensitive question, indicating dishonesty or discomfort
  • A couple sitting far apart on a couch, their body language revealing a growing emotional distance despite their cordial conversation

Metaphors and symbolism in dialogue

• Carefully crafted dialogue can use metaphors, analogies, and symbolic language to convey deeper meaning and subtext
• Metaphors and symbolism engage the audience's imagination and encourage them to interpret the underlying themes and messages
• Examples:
  • A character comparing their life to a "ticking time bomb," hinting at a sense of impending doom or a looming personal crisis
  • A recurring motif of a caged bird in a character's dialogue, symbolizing their feelings of entrapment and yearning for freedom

Unspoken thoughts and feelings

• Leaving certain thoughts and feelings unspoken can create a sense of mystery, tension, and emotional depth
• Unspoken subtext allows the audience to fill in the gaps and engage more actively with the story and characters
• Examples:
  • A character pausing mid-sentence or trailing off, leaving their true thoughts or feelings unspoken but implied
  • Two characters sharing a meaningful look or moment of silence, conveying a wealth of unspoken emotion and understanding

Subtext in character relationships

• Subtext plays a crucial role in depicting the complexities and nuances of character relationships
• By exploring the unspoken dynamics and tensions between characters, writers can create more engaging and realistic relationships that resonate with audiences

Power dynamics and status

• Subtext can reveal the underlying power structures and hierarchies in character relationships
• Subtle cues in dialogue and behavior can indicate who holds the upper hand or how characters navigate and challenge power imbalances
• Examples:
  • A subordinate character's hesitation or deference when speaking to their boss, conveying the unspoken power dynamic between them
  • A seemingly equal relationship between two characters slowly revealing one character's increasing dominance or control over the other

Hidden agendas and motivations

• Characters may have secret goals, desires, or intentions that they conceal from others
• Subtext can hint at these hidden agendas, creating suspense and encouraging the audience to question characters' true motives
• Examples:
  • A character's overly helpful or friendly behavior towards another, masking their ulterior motive of manipulation or betrayal
  • A character's sudden interest in a particular topic or person, subtly indicating a hidden agenda or personal stake in the matter

Romantic and sexual tension

• Subtext is essential for portraying the unspoken attraction, desire, and complications in romantic relationships
• Subtle flirtations, lingering glances, and charged moments can convey the underlying romantic or sexual tension between characters
• Examples:
  • Two characters engaging in playful banter with an undercurrent of flirtation and chemistry
  • A character's jealous reaction to their love interest's interaction with another, revealing the depth of their unspoken feelings

Familial and platonic bonds

• Subtext can showcase the complex dynamics and emotional undercurrents in familial and platonic relationships
• Unspoken resentments, rivalries, loyalties, and affections can add depth and realism to these relationships
• Examples:
  • Siblings exchanging loaded comments or inside jokes, hinting at a shared history and unresolved tensions
  • Best friends communicating volumes through a single look or gesture, demonstrating the strength and intimacy of their bond

Crafting subtle and nuanced subtext

• Creating effective subtext requires a delicate balance of subtlety, nuance, and clarity
• Writers must trust the audience's intelligence and ability to interpret subtext while ensuring the underlying meaning is not lost or obscured

Avoiding on-the-nose dialogue

• On-the-nose dialogue explicitly states characters' thoughts, feelings, or motivations, leaving little room for subtext or interpretation
• Crafting dialogue that implies rather than directly states can make scenes more engaging and rewarding for the audience
• Examples:
  • Instead of a character saying, "I'm angry with you," they might say, "Do whatever you want. It's not like my opinion matters anyway."
  • Rather than explicitly stating, "I'm in love with you," a character could say, "I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Trusting the audience's intelligence

• Audiences are capable of picking up on subtle cues and interpreting subtext when given the opportunity
• Trusting the audience's intelligence allows writers to create more nuanced and sophisticated storytelling
• Examples:
  • Leaving certain plot points or character motivations open to interpretation, encouraging active engagement and discussion among viewers
  • Using visual storytelling and subtext to convey important information, rather than relying on expository dialogue or narration

Balancing subtext with clarity

• While subtext adds depth and complexity, it's essential to ensure the underlying meaning is not lost or confused
• Balancing subtext with clarity ensures the audience can follow the story and understand the characters' intentions and emotions
• Examples:
  • Providing enough context and setup for subtext to be effectively conveyed and interpreted
  • Using a mix of subtle and more overt cues to guide the audience's understanding of the subtext without being heavy-handed

Subtext in comedy vs drama

• Subtext can be employed effectively in both comedic and dramatic contexts, serving different purposes and eliciting different audience responses
• In comedy, subtext can be used to create irony, sarcasm, or humorous misunderstandings, while in drama, it often explores deeper emotional truths and conflicts
• Examples:
  • A character in a sitcom making a seemingly innocent comment that, through subtext, reveals their obliviousness or lack of self-awareness, creating a humorous moment
  • In a drama, a character's unspoken grief or trauma coloring their interactions and decisions, adding emotional weight and complexity to the story

Subtext and theme

• Subtext is a powerful tool for exploring and reinforcing the central themes of a television series
• By weaving thematic elements into character interactions, dialogue, and subtext, writers can create a more cohesive and meaningful narrative

Reinforcing central themes through subtext

• Subtext can be used to highlight and underscore the key themes and messages of a story
• By embedding thematic elements in character interactions and subtext, writers can create a more impactful and resonant narrative
• Examples:
  • In a series exploring the theme of identity, characters' unspoken struggles with self-acceptance and belonging can reinforce the central theme
  • A show tackling issues of power and corruption can use subtext in character relationships and dialogue to illustrate the insidious nature of these forces

Subtext as a tool for social commentary

• Subtext allows writers to address and critique social issues, norms, and injustices in a more nuanced and thought-provoking manner
• By embedding social commentary in subtext, writers can encourage audiences to reflect on and engage with complex real-world issues
• Examples:
  • A science fiction series using subtext to explore contemporary issues of discrimination, inequality, or environmental degradation
  • A period drama employing subtext to critique historical social norms and highlight parallels to modern-day struggles

Subtext and character development

• Subtext can be a powerful tool for revealing characters' inner lives, motivations, and growth over the course of a series
• By tracking changes in characters' subtext and unspoken dynamics, writers can create compelling character arcs and development
• Examples:
  • A character's gradual shift from defensive or guarded subtext to more open and vulnerable communication, indicating personal growth and healing
  • The evolution of subtext in a relationship between two characters, reflecting their changing feelings, trust, or power dynamics over time

Subtext in world-building and setting

• Subtext can be used to enrich the world-building and establish the unique atmosphere and tone of a series' setting
• By infusing subtext into character interactions, dialogue, and even production design, writers can create a more immersive and believable fictional world
• Examples:
  • In a dystopian setting, characters' unspoken fear, paranoia, or resignation conveyed through subtext can underscore the oppressive nature of the world
  • Subtext in character interactions and dialogue can highlight the cultural norms, hierarchies, and tensions within a specific fictional society or community

Common pitfalls and mistakes

• While subtext is a valuable tool for creating nuanced and engaging television, there are several common pitfalls and mistakes writers should be aware of and avoid
• Recognizing and addressing these issues can help ensure that subtext is used effectively and enhances, rather than detracts from, the overall narrative

Overreliance on subtext

• While subtext adds depth and complexity, overusing it can make a story feel convoluted, unclear, or frustrating for the audience
• It's important to balance subtext with clear, direct communication and storytelling to ensure the narrative remains accessible and engaging
• Example:
  • A script where characters constantly speak in vague, cryptic statements, making it difficult for the audience to grasp the plot or character motivations

Inconsistent or contradictory subtext

• Subtext should be consistent with characters' established traits, motivations, and relationships
• Inconsistent or contradictory subtext can undermine character development and create confusion or disbelief for the audience
• Example:
  • A character's subtext suggesting a hidden romantic interest in another character, despite previous interactions establishing a strong, platonic friendship

Subtext that undermines character or plot

• Poorly executed subtext can unintentionally undermine characters' likability, relatability, or the credibility of the plot
• It's crucial to ensure that subtext aligns with and supports the overall narrative goals and character arcs
• Example:
  • Subtext that unintentionally portrays a sympathetic character as manipulative or insincere, undermining the audience's connection with them

Clichéd or heavy-handed subtext

• Overused or heavy-handed subtext can feel predictable, inauthentic, or patronizing to the audience
• Striving for originality and subtlety in subtext can help create a more engaging and rewarding viewing experience
• Examples:
  • Relying on well-worn tropes or stereotypes in subtext, such as the "evil stepmother" or the "dumb jock"
  • Using overly obvious or on-the-nose subtext that spells out the underlying meaning, rather than trusting the audience to interpret it