Episode 12: How to Use Subtext in Screenplay Scenes 

Andy you have the best channel on RU-vid thank you for your wisdom.

Loved this series. Glad to know it’s not over.

I’ve watched everything on you tube. I’ve read all the screenwriting books ( like AG says none of them are really useful) and I’m a professional in the Industry (not in writing) and this channel stands alone. Brilliant brilliant insights. I could listen to Andy all day long with the way he thinks and talks about storytelling. I actually feel like I’ve been doing a film course with this series. I wish there was more! I’ll now go back and watch them all again. Gold. Just gold.

Thank You. That was very educational and opened my eyes in other ways for screenwriting.

Thank you for these videos, Andy! Really enjoying your work. Appreciate you reminding me about Allen's "Crimes & Misdemeanors". Had a different thought about the issue of Landau character's "guilt" and "confession": what if the question he's trying to answer is about the very nature of sin and guilt? What if he's trying to figure out why he doesn't feel guilty about such a heinous crime? If he feels no guilt, and there have only been positive outcomes for him... perhaps he's telling a total stranger about it to get an "everyman ethic" perspective. Allen's character expresses "but he has to carry it around/ how could he live with himself" issues - and is Landau DOESN'T have those issues! His sin has NO consequences for him. Crime has actually, literally PAID in his case. Like a King smiting a troublesome adversary, expanding his empire , and being lauded. It goes beyond feelings of guilt. It strikes at the very question of justice and morality in the world. Very Woody Allen. Cheers, amigo! Salutations from a fellow traveler in the Valley of Saint Fernand!

I'm revising my novel and you've shown me that DAMN I have a long way to go. And I thank you, Andy, for handing me the mirror.

as someone just starting out in screenwriting, this lesson is hugely helpful with such great insight. I have what i need to go back and rewrite my subtext between my two characters. I’ll be watching your other episodes too ! Thank you Andy !!

Great epidose, as usual. Im eager for the next one!

Another day of film school! Thank you. I can't wait for the comedy/drama distinctions and dialogue.

Best video on subtext I've ever watched and I've watched so many. Thank you. Can't wait for more videos.

I love this series and I really like the film examples you include. Would you ever do an episode where you look at the actual scripts rather than what made it on film?

Mahalo for sharing your insight of your personal story with us. Subtext is key in writing and as an actor, I'm unearthing and mining the pathology of the characters to feed my character's behavior. love your series.

Thank you. I've found your videos enormously helpful.

Thank you for another wonderful video.

Incredible episode.😊

Valuable insights as always

Can't wait for the next one!!!

Thank you! 44:40 Ricky Jarveis is a very interesting actor. And after his performance at the Golden Globes, everyone knows him now. I saw his show "After Life." It has high ratings on imdb, but I'm pretty sure the reason for the high ratings is respect for him as a person and the sincerity of the show itself, not the quality of the work done. I was very sad to give it a low rating. Anyway... Maybe you'd be interested in not only analyzing examples of how to write a good script, but also analyzing failed attempts. Sometimes I realize that scenes don't work, but I don't immediately understand why. I'm a beginner. I think failed examples can teach people a lot too.

Thank you so much sir. You have made it available for India too. You have answered our call sir. Thank you so much.

fabulous baker boys! one of my favs

Your work is inspiring! Cheers Andy!!

This has to be the best youtube channel, what a gem! Have you considered doing a live Q&A?

I'd love to see your take on Joseph Campbell's heros journey. The 17 steps not the condensed 12 or 8. I FEEL like i have firm grasp on it, but I'm sure you'd shed more light on the subject.

Thank You Andy!

Could you talk about breaking a story, and what that might look like? Not as an analyst, but as a writer?

My problem is my conversation escalates too fast and there’s no way to come down, so afterward I’m like why do they still talk to each other?

Thank you!

THANKYOU.

Gold as always. I can't tell you how helpful your content is. Maybe a silly question, but shoukd characters say what they mean, or should it really be all subtext. Does that generally equate to a better script, when done well of course. Thank you

Thank you, again Professor Guerdat. Subtext seems essential in drama, i.e. John and Mary sitting at the kitchen table talking overtly about everything except their child that has tragically died in an accident, and the changes it has made to their lives, and if they, and their marriage can ever survive. And the audience can vicariously examine this tragedy and wonder how they themselves would react, and they (audience) are riveted to every word and gesture of the actors in this story. Question: For an action / adventure drama, must the author be concerned about dialogue subtext, or should he be more concerned about the clues and reveals as the drama speeds towards the showdown and denouement?

Robert Duvall said that Wilford Brimley said that the worst thing for an old man is an old woman. But Wilford also liked animal fights and so obviously had a cruel streak in his wiring.

Hi. Thank you for the episode. Just a thought after the episode. What if I want to use the subtext to be funny in a comedy but also meaningful, is there anything I need to pay attention to?

Should a writer finish their draft then go back to add in subtext or is it something you think about from the start and put into your draft as you write?

Great video. Also to the point of it being fun for a dramatist for expose a character's hidden agenda -- would you say alternatively it can be fun to have an agenda and find a way to aptly hide it in a character??

49:26

Brother, what do you consider a success in the industry today? 1. Budget: $10M; Revenue: $10M+ 2. Budget: $10M; Revenue: $20M 3. Budget: $10M; Revenue: $100M+

Drama sounds like a democrat arguing with a republican.