Week 2 Day 3: Character Subtext #1 – GET OUT

[Deb Johnson]

What makes this a great scene:

Subtle Racism and Objectification:

The backyard cocktail party setting is seemingly innocent, but the subtext reveals deep-seated racism. The guests size up Chris in various ways, from sexual objectification to evaluating the favorability of his dark skin. The subtext implies a hidden agenda beyond the facade of a social gathering.

Misdirection through Rose’s Disdain:

Rose’s apparent disdain for the guests’ comments misdirects the audience, making it initially seem like she disapproves of their inappropriate behavior. However, the subtext suggests her real concern is the potential exposure of the underlying operation rather than the guests behaving badly.

Logan’s Betrayal and Odd Behavior:

Logan’s seemingly friendly approach hides a betrayal of Chris’s confidence when he discloses Chris’s comfort with his presence. The subtext indicates that Logan is not what he appears to be, leading to confusion and intrigue. His peculiar behavior: the way he talks, the way he doesn’t ‘fist bump’ and when he “shows off his body” to the Wincotts, adds another layer of mystery.

Awkwardness and Sympathy for Chris:

The awkwardness surrounding Chris generates empathy for his character. We (the audience) wish for his escape as he retreats behind his camera. The discomfort felt by the audience mirrors Chris’s experience, enhancing the emotional connection.

Setups and Payoffs:

Logan’s role is a crucial setup for unraveling the mystery, becoming the midpoint in the story when he urges Chris to “Get Out.” This subtext sets the stage for revelations about Logan’s true identity and his significance in the unfolding narrative.

Underlying Motivations:

This seemingly innocent party is a cover for a more sinister operation – the guests are not there for socializing but to buy Chris’s body. The comments made are inappropriate, hinting at the ulterior motives beneath the surface.

Intriguing Questions:

Questions that drive the story forward: Why are the guests behaving this way? What is Logan’s true identity? Is there a trance-like element involved? These unanswered questions add tension and curiosity, compelling the audience to stay engaged.

[William Whelan]

William Whelan – Character Subtext #1

What I learned from doing this assignment is to add subtext to my screenplay.

· Scene arc: Chris is treated as a stereotype; he then begins to take pictures of the event. While taking pictures Chris discovers he is not the only Blackman at the party. He realizes that though he and Logan are both black they inhabit two different worlds.

· Situation: Party at Roses’ parents’ house.

· Conflict: Chris thinks he will be accepted but realizes he is an outsider.

· Moving the story forward: Chris discovers that he doesn’t fit in.

· Entertainment value: Observing the hypocrisy and patronizing behavior of the people at the party.

· Setups/payoffs: Chris expects to be accepted; Chris realizes he is an outsider.

· What makes this scene great? Chris’s slow realization he doesn’t fit in.

· Which characters are obviously covering the real meaning beneath the surface? Logan is deferentially polite; Rose feigns indignation at the comments of some of the guests.

· How many ways do they cover-up? Hypocrisy, patronizing behavior, stereotyping.

· What causes you to believe there is something under the surface? Chris’ realization he doesn’t relate to anyone else at the party.

[Mary Emmick]

Chris is at a gathering with family friend’s of Rose’s parents. IN the “Meet the Neighbor’s scene, Chris wanders around the garden taking shots with his camera. The subtext is racism and objectification. The people are there to consider buying him. The white people want him for his black body. They talk to him about his “frame” and about how his black skin “being in fashion.” When asking Rose if it’s true that “it” is better referring to sex. Chris has stumbled into a white, very weird world. White supremacy can function subtly and we see a type of racism that is not so obvious. Chris is realizing that he is a specimen, and object for sale. The audience sees what racially motivated anxiety a black person feels.

When I first watched this film a few years ago, I knew I should see it many times for the layers upon layers of subtext. Subtext is what the character ultimately means. Subtest is the feeling the dialogue gives off, not the literal meaning of the dialog. Subtext is the implied, unspoken meaning of a character’s words and actions in a story. It is the implied meaning or underlying message of a story that is never stated directly. It is expressed through feeling or emotional throughline that lies beneath the text. “The lines between the lines.” “The unsaid meaning.” It is the art of saying one thing while implying another, allowing readers to uncover hidden meaning and emotions.

In my scripts I need to add subtext to my scenes to provide an extra layer of complexity to scenes and their characters.

[Isti Madarasz]

I love Get out a lot. This scene is great because it raises soo many questions. Somehow everything is awkward at this party, the guests, the way they talk the things they said… they seem nice and kind towards Chris but they say the most nasty things to him with a smile on their face. What the hell is happening here, Chris thinks – and we, the audience share his inner question.

The stakes are raising when Chris finally realizes he is not the only black person here, there is another “brother” so he steps to Logan – whose behavior anything but comforting. Everything he says is flawless, but the way he behaves is very odd. As his wife steps in things only get worse – is she controls him? Why is the dynamic between them so weird?

Chris’s reactions are our reactions, we feel what he thinks: WTF?

[Mary Dietz]

Almost every line in this scene carries subtext. I seems that Chris will only find some kind of truth through his photos…which in this scene center on other black players.

Neighbor comments and actions hint at virility, race, servitude, and betrayal of one’s essence (Logan’s handshake, the lady’s serving alcohol. Rose’s reactions don’t need dialogue; her face says it all.

I have a scene with sexual and dominance inuendo. That will be the one I will work on. Adding more action can make it richer. I’ll check the dialogue to see how both characters can benefit from subtext, not just the one. My characters are also racially different. This is another opportunity to add more conflict with subtext.