A Facetious, but Effective Example
of Subtext

THE PLAYWRITING SEMINARS > CONTENT > SUBTEXT > EXAMPLE >

'Prolific? I don't experience it that way. To make a film every year is not such a big deal. It doesn't take that long to write a script. I write every day. I'm very disciplined. I enjoy it. It takes a month, two months to write a script. . . . I have a perfectly sedate life. I wake up, do my treadmill, have breakfast, then I write and practice the clarinet and take a walk and come back and write again and turn on the basketball game or go out with friends. I do it seven days a week. I don't travel much. I could never be productive if I didn't have a very regular life.'

-- Woody Allen

The Subtext of Him and Her is in
boldface italic below each line of dialogue. . .

				(A party. Her and Him look out 
				over the apartment balcony. 
				They're six feet apart trying 
				desperately not to notice each 
				other.)
	
				HER
	Hi!
	Oh, God, nobody cool says Hi.
				
				HIM
	Hello!
	I'd love to take her out. I hope my deodorant's working.

				HER
	Nice view.
	He's talking to me! And he'll hate my silly dress.

				HIM
			(Taking a furtive step toward her)
	Just look at the clouds over there.
	I've got to find out who she is.
				
				HER
	I'm Leslie . . .
	What a stupid name. He'll hate it and hate me.

				HIM
	Neat dress.
	I just love her name.
				

It's much better than
this HIM and HER business
you've just slogged through.