Text vs. Subtext

Text and Subtext »Text: What is explicitly said »Subtext: What is implicitly said »Text: What is explicitly said »Subtext: What is implicitly said

The Script »A: You’re late. »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this. »A: You’re late. »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this.

Scene 1: Two friends--the late friend has just arrived at what will be a surprise party for him or her »A: You’re late. (pretending to be angry, hands on hips) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad, looks at floor.) »A: I understand. (nods and smiles, truly understands and is glad because it helps) »B: I thought you would. (smiles big, knows friend is understanding) »A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isn’t a big deal, shrugging) »B: Really? (turns head to the side with a confused face) »A: Yes, this. (throws open the door and yells SURPRISE!!!) »A: You’re late. (pretending to be angry, hands on hips) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad, looks at floor.) »A: I understand. (nods and smiles, truly understands and is glad because it helps) »B: I thought you would. (smiles big, knows friend is understanding) »A: I have something to give you. (pretending it isn’t a big deal, shrugging) »B: Really? (turns head to the side with a confused face) »A: Yes, this. (throws open the door and yells SURPRISE!!!)

The Assignment »Each group will be given a scenario. Choose a “secretary” for your group and copy “The Script” from the next page, leaving room for your stage directions. »You MAY NOT change any words to the script. You can only change stage directions adding expressions, movement, etc. for each line. »You may use props, but you have to write them in the script. »Two “actors” from your group will act out the scene in front of the class. »Each group will be given a scenario. Choose a “secretary” for your group and copy “The Script” from the next page, leaving room for your stage directions. »You MAY NOT change any words to the script. You can only change stage directions adding expressions, movement, etc. for each line. »You may use props, but you have to write them in the script. »Two “actors” from your group will act out the scene in front of the class.

The Script (Copy THIS!) »A: You’re late. »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this. »A: You’re late. »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. »A: I understand. »B: I thought you would. »A: I have something to give you. »B: Really? »A: Yes, this.

Lights, Camera, Action!! »Let’s do it!!!

Scene 2: Pizza delivery and customer. The pizza delivery is late. »A: You’re late. (actually angry) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip) »B: Really? (knows it’s a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one) »A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad) »A: You’re late. (actually angry) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks customer is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice and give tip) »B: Really? (knows it’s a tip and is surprised A is still giving B one) »A: Yes, this. (sarcastically--tip is very bad)

Scene 3: Bride and groom. One has arrived late for the wedding. »A: You’re late. (very angry) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels very bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice) »B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident) »A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring) »A: You’re late. (very angry) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (honestly feels very bad) »A: I understand. (is not really understanding) »B: I thought you would. (thinks partner is being genuine) »A: I have something to give you. (pretends to be nice) »B: Really? (very surprised that A would give a givf after this incident) »A: Yes, this. (makes point--returns ring)

Scene 4: Spies--They are meeting secretly to exchange information. »A: You’re late. (monotone) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (matter of fact) »A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information) »B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in A’s face) »A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact) »B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is) »A: Yes, this. (matter of fact) »A: You’re late. (monotone) »B: I know. I couldn’t help it. (matter of fact) »A: I understand. (is purposefully being understanding because A needs to give B the information) »B: I thought you would. (rubs power dynamic in A’s face) »A: I have something to give you. (matter of fact) »B: Really? (pretending to be surprised but knows what it is) »A: Yes, this. (matter of fact)

What changed? »Body language »Props »Behavior »Blocking (movement) »Facial expressions »Vocal inflection »Body language »Props »Behavior »Blocking (movement) »Facial expressions »Vocal inflection