Scene Without Subtext

THE PLAYWRITING SEMINARS > CONTENT > SUBTEXT > EXAMPLE > DEMO 1-A >

'I think in recent years we've gotten to the point where plays can't be straightforward, where we're not even allowed to tell a story. We've gotten away from the simple, clear things in life. I don't think you can go wrong when you deal with that. When you're trying to be cryptic and super-intelligent, a lot of times what you're saying gets lost. There was one time when a reviewer said about OLD SETTLER, He's not a groundbreaking playwright, but he's a good storyteller. What's a groundbreaking playwright? Not that I aspire to be one, but I have no idea what one is even if I did!'

-- James Oseland

The subtext section has been revised and expanded in the new paperback and Kindle editions of Playwriting Seminars.