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Lesson 3
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Pam Ewing’s Subtext Characters
My Vision: Professional. Produced. Prolific. Popular.
What I learned: Subtext is more than dialogue
Example: The Proposal
· Character: Margaret
· Subtext Identity: Orphan
· Subtext Trait: Isolated so is Independent, demanding, controlling
· Subtext Logline: She has to be strong for herself
· Possible Areas of Subtext: How she deals with people – she’s in control; meeting his family – she tries to keep distance; being hit on by the stripper – she’s nicer than you would expect because this is creepy and new; being accepted with kindness by the guys ex – she can’t hide her curiosity because who would choose being alone.
For Staking Claim
Natalie
Subtext Identity: Constant Panic
Subtext Trait: Overwhelmed and confused by life but tries to pretend that she’s on top of it
Subtext Logline: What’s going to bite me next?
Possible Areas of Subtext: With husband – Rather than considering trusting him just move him along; with Vlad – she’s recognized something about him that he doesn’t think she sees which is giving her confidence to investigate more; with her attorney – tries to deny that she needs to take action; with her mother – sacrificing because she somehow the relationship has always been cold/withholding
Jeff
Subtext Identity: I used to be a nerd/misunderstood
Subtext Trait: Studied how popular people did it and patterned self to be popular
Subtext Logline: It’s amazing how much people will like you if you just pretend to like them
Possible Areas of Subtext: With Natalie – she has no clue that he might have insecurities; with the people he schmoozes – his life is a house of cards; with Vlad – is this a competition, a business deal, or a signoff on the new beau
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My Vision: Win the Nicholl Fellowship and get a 10 rating on the Blacklist.
Subject: Marc’s Subtext Characters
Movie Title: The Corporation versus Andy Beal
Andy Beal: Protagonist
Subtext Identity: A Billionaire amateur poker player obsessed with wining at high stakes poker with the players from The Corporation.
Subtext Traits: Manipulative, Scheming, Conniving.
Subtext logline: Andy is a Billionaire corporate financial banker, looking for a new “high” and he has found it in high stakes poker even though he is a fish out of water amateur.
Possible areas of Subtext: He is constantly scheming and manipulating the Corporation to play “one more game” even though his is losing his money.
Dole Brunson: Antagonist
Subtext Identity: A professional poker player and primary leader of The Corporation.
Subtext Traits: Concealing, Crafty, Slippery, Evasive
Subtext Logline: Dole recruits six players to meet Andy’s challenge to systematically take all of his money.
Possible areas of Subtext: Dole constantly tricks Andy to keep trying to beat the Corporation and reminding him he will be labeled a “loser” if he gives up.
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[REWRITE] Patricia Brown ELEVATE YOUR BEATS
Patricia Brown SEA CHANGE IN SEATTLE
What I learned from this assignment is that the story is in constant flux and these beats are foundational.
LOGLINE: A Seattle attorney and a therapist barter their services to get the divorces they’ve resisted, but when they start to have feelings for each other their professional rules say they must wait 5 years to date!
ACT I
1. INT.-HALLWAY-DAY
Trish on phone yelling at her husband. He drained accounts. Locked out. Nate overhears and invites her in.
2. INT.-NATE’S THEREAPY OFFICE-DAY
Trish notices Nate is married, but never seen her and Nate won’t say.
3. INT. NATE’S OFFICE-CONT.
Trish calls her BFF/attorney. Nate finds out she is a divorce attorney never divorces. Trish leaves for court.
4. INT.-COURTROOM-DAY
Trish is sanctioned. Can’t reach Bella.
5. EXT.-SCHOOL-DAY
Luke walks confused Bella to his home.
6. INT.-LUKE’S BEDROOM –DAY
Luke tells Bella his mom is on oceanic expedition. Bella says her dad is coming home for Christmas.
7. EXT. COURTHOUSE –DAY
Nate escorts Trish to his house. No way to pay Nate or sanctions, Trish proposes they barter. Opposing counsel cad hits on Trish. Nate’s BFF calls. Agreement to barter made.
8. INT.-NATE’S HOME-TWILIGHT
Nate and Trish tell Bella and Luke staying at Nates. Don’t say why.
9. INT.-NATE’S BATHROOM-NIGHT
Trish and Bella fight
10. INT. – NATE’S KITCHEN-NIGHT
Nate and Luke fight. Trish cooks.
11. INT. NATE’S BEDROOM –DAY Trish “shops” Nate’s wife, Perdita’s closet. No therapy at home.
12. INT. NATE’S OFFICE-NEXT DAY
Cad’s wife, a therapy client leaves and sees Trish going in. Trish and Nate agree to the terms of barter.
13. INT.-NATE’S GUEST ROOM-NIGHT
Bella begs to go home. Trish’s BFF agrees to be Trish’s divorce attorney. Nate finds out Evan is unfaithful.
14. INT.-NATE’S STUDY-NIGHT
Nate tells Trish re his wife before Trish finds out.
15. EXT.—PARK—DAY
Nate takes Trish to Tai Chi. Meets Nate’s BFF.
16. INT.-TRISH’S LAW OFFICE-DAY
BFF sent to tell judge Trish can’t pay sanctions. She teases Trish re Nate.
17. INT.-NATE’S NIGHT
Luke complains re rumors Nate is getting divorce. Trish covers. Trish and Nate collude to find help for their kids.
END OF ACT I
18. EXT.-THE DOCK-DAY
Luke and Bella confide in each other.
19. EXT.-LIGHTHOUSE-DAY
Trish and Nate go to serve Perdita. Get soaked in a storm.
20. INT.-SEATTLE AIRPORT-NIGHT
Trish meets Evan to sign papers. He kisses her. Takes him to Nate’s for Christmas Eve.
21. INT.-NATE’S HOME-CHRISTMAS EVE
Bella rejects Evan. Evan kisses Trish and leaves without signing papers.
22. INT.-NATE’S STUDY-CHRISTMAS EVE
Trish and Nate play a Christmas index game designed by Trish getting to know each other.
23. INT. SEATTLE AIRPORT-CRISIS
Trish and Bella leave for Italy. Trish doesn’t tell Nate Evan signed the papers. 5 year clock starts.
24. EXT.-PARK-DAY
Nate’s BFF tells Nate to propose to Trish as soon as she returns.
ACT 4
25. INT.-SEATTLE COURTHOUSE-DAY
Trish’s BFF gets Nate’s, but not Trish’s divorce. Sanctions raised.
26. INT.-SEATTLE AIRPORT-DAY
FIVE YEARS LATER
Trish, Bella, Melville, his new boyfriend return from Italy. Nate can’t propose bc Trish is not divorce.
27. INT.-COURTHOUSE-DAY
Trish and Nate rush to get divorce and hug. Judge threatens disbarment. Trish cites law.
28. EXT.-LIGHTHOUSE-DAY
Nate proposes. They kiss.
29. 0EXT.-THE DOCK-DAY
Luke proposes to Bella by singing a sea shanty.
30. EXT.-DOUBLE WEDDING VENUE-TWILIGHT
Judge officiates. Offers Trish his seat; she declines
31. EXT.WEDDING TENT-NIGHT
MONTAGE:
Trish and Nate’s first dance
Bella and Luke’s grand entrance
Melville dances in his wheelchair with Matteo
Boomerang dances with her #4 hubby
Finnian Jung
Evan and stewardess dance very close
Perdita catches bouquet kissing Tristen
PAN the back of each name card, the center pieces are gigantic hour glasses
END OF MONTAGE
32. EXT.-WEDDING TENT-NIGHT
Nate toasts Trish. Huge hour glasses turned over and guests must tell someone they love them.
33. EXT.-BEACH-FOGGY NIGHT
Trish and Nate leave the reception to Adddance alone on the beach alone with sparklers where they can see their beacon from the lighthouse.
THE END
Changes to BEATS:
Added new Beat 22: show falling in love
23: 5 year waiting period starts
24: Nate pushed to propose ASAP
Act 4 Beats
25: more obstacles to both Trish and Nate-Trish not divorced; sanctions go up
26: 5 yrs passed, almost, still can’t propose
27: Trish argues law, facts, love in court
28: Leads return to romantic place for proposal! Finally!
29: Younger couple return to romantic place for proposal! Finally!
30: Judge impressed with Trish offers her a job, she declines
31: montage = resolution of all characters
32: Themes made explicit= there is someone for everyone & love is worth waiting for. “Never pretend a love which you do not actually feel, for love is not ours to command.”—Alan Watts
34. Romance prevails!
Copyright 2023 Patricia Brown All Rights Preserved.
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My Vision: To create commercial studio size films that move people. To create characters that can live forever and bring electrifying memories to those that have watched one of my films.
What I learned from doing this assignment – To be aware and create unique exciting ways to display subtext.
Not sure I did this lesson correctly 😀
Example Movie: The Hunger Games
- Movie Title: The Hunger Games
- Character Name: Katniss
- Subtext Identity: A young woman who volunteers to take her sisters place in a game where she will most likely die.
- Subtext Trait: Defeated, honorable.
- Subtext Logline: Katniss, is a young woman who must overcome her helplessness to lead a rebellion.Possible Areas of Subtext: Not sure of herself. Loner.
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My screenplay: Descendants, A Key to the Past
- Character Name: Christina (Chris) Wentworth
- Subtext Identity: Unassuming college student, Chris, learns she is a Descendant with Super Human Powers.
- Subtext Trait: Shy, Socially Awkward.
- Subtext Logline: Chris must overcome her sheltered live to become a savior of the World.
- Possible Areas of Subtext: Finds a love interest. Falls back on apprehensive trait at crucial moment.
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- Character Name: Ronin
- Subtext Identity: Narcissistic Descendant, Ronin, tries to take over the World.
- Subtext Trait: Manipulative, Arrogant.
- Subtext Logline: Ronin must rely on himself and no allies.
- Possible Areas of Subtext: Ronin son is killed because of his actions.
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Cameron’s Subtext Characters
Vision: Write a movie that connects with audiences on a deep spiritual level, regardless of background, while prioritizing quality time with family.
What I learned doing this assignment is…Keeping it simple and going with what makes sense is always a good place to start; find what you already have to work with, rather than stretch to find new components. Creating situations for your characters to engage in subtext may be easier to start with, rather than thinking about how my characters engage in subtext in any situation.
Movie Title: AFTERKNIFE (Working Title. May change it again.)
Character Name: Null
Subtext Identity: Amnesiac
Subtext Trait: feigns knowing more or less what’s going on, suspects and questions everyone, experiments, plays along, playful, overplays her lack of ability, constantly shifts the narrative to keep others off balance.
Subtext Logline: Null is an amnesiac that wakes up in a labyrinth with an exact duplicate of her.
Possible Areas of Subtext: Dives headfirst into action, Lies about her past to her copy, Improvises every situation like she knew it was going to happen. When Janice or Clavex correct her, she either doubles down on the lie or shifts and pretends to be testing them
Character Name: Janice
Subtext Identity: Revenge Minded
Subtext Trait: Lies, Compliments, Promises, belittles in the most personal way, quotes scripture/philosophy/famous quotes
Subtext Logline: Janice was brought back from the dead to kill her assailant, but she must defeat an exact duplicate of her
Possible Areas of Subtext: Putting Null into hostile situations to off her, Lying to Null about her intentions, using Janice’s real history to conflict with Null’s version, or to manipulate Null or demoralize her.
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