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What is it? A simple definition might be "that which is underneath what is said." OK. All right. That sounds pretty acceptable. But what does that mean? Maybe the simplest example is that concerning romance. A guy likes a girl. But he's shy. She likes him. But she's shy. So they have an accidental encounter where they have to talk to each other.
Even though he likes her and she likes him it's not in their respective natures to be open and honest. So they talk around a subject. They beat around the bush. They don't really say what they mean.
That's a pretty good example of subtext.
But an even better one is to assume that no one really tells the truth in most situations. If you don't like your boss (or if you really hate your boss's guts) you're not going to act as if you do. And you're certainly not going to tell him. If you see him in an elevator or encounter him somewhere you're going to make small talk with him or flatter him or say something nice about the department or company.
Simply, you're going to say whatever is easy and pleasant so you can get through the time you have to have to be with the guy. Even if you have to lie.
That's subtext. Not saying which you really mean, think or feel.
When I am totally at ease with someone I don't have to make happy talk. I can be honest. I can be relaxed. I can be myself. Being one's self is a true blessing.
How many people can you be yourself with?
Your girl friend? Wife? Boy friend? Husband? Mother? Father? Best friend? Brother? Sister?
Whoever the person is it's a relief not to pretend or have to walk on eggshells around them.
So when you're creating characters and relationships and histories and back stories in your screenplays ask yourself who your protagonist can be totally honest with. That is the person with whom he or she will have the truest exchanges.
As for everyone else he or she deals with it's all about saying what has to be said to get through the scene.
Look at it this way: when someone asks you "How are you? Do you ever really stop and tell them? Or do you say "Fine" or "Great" or some other easy response?
The people you're comfortable with you can tell the truth to. With everyone else it's all about not telling the truth. It doesn't mean that you lie. It just means that you don't tell the truth.
And that's subtext.
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