Character and Subtext Exploration 13th - 16th January

 Subtext Scene Rewrite

o Choose a short section of dialogue from the script.

o Rewrite the scene to explicitly state what the characters are thinking or feeling (the subtext).

o Reflect: How does making the subtext explicit change the tone or dynamics of the scene?

Scene from normalised,

Reema Yeah everyone’s talking about it. They’re gonna put houses all over the Meadows. It’s causing a big stink, which is a laugh if you knew the dive I live in. But you can’t say that to the tree huggers, they’d blame you for killing the planet.

Jamesy Never mind the tree huggers. Why’s he saying that about Colm? In front of people?

Reema What about it?

(Reema senses Jamesy is getting irked.)

Jamesy Why is that queer making out that Colm was gay?

Reema Cos he was?

Jamesy He wasn’t.

Reema It’s not really an issue.

Jamesy Yes it bloody well is!

Reema Okay. Whatever you say. It’s just that, well, they seemed to be a couple.

(Jamesy stands up, angry. Reema is taken aback. She moves away from him while he rants.)

Jamesy That’s what he wants people to think. My brother was straight.

If he thinks he can use Colm as a sob story to save some stupid fields? Showing him up, disrespecting the dead? Fuck that. I’m starting my own campaign. I’ll do this for Colm.

(Jamesy spots Bo and Kieran walking in the distance.)

Jamesy There’s my wingman. Oi! Bo!

Jamesy waves at Bo and Kieran to join him.

Reema You’re really gonna start your own campaign?

Jamesy shrugs. He has no intention of campaigning.

Jamesy Maybe. (To Bo) Have you heard what that Jay’s been saying about our Colm? Dragging his name through the mud? I don’t want his first anniversary to be ruined.

Bo Don’t be causing trouble Jamesy. He’s not doing anyone any harm.

Jamesy Oh you think so do you? What about the harm done to me? To our family name? I’m glad Colm isn’t alive to see this.

Bo You don’t mean that!

Jamesy I know the path he takes through the Meadows. I’ve a wee something planned that’ll set the record straight once and for all. You up for that lads?

Written out again with subtext - Subtext Scene Rewrite,

Reema - Yeah everyone’s talking about it. They’re gonna put houses all over the Meadows. It’s causing a massive divide, which is a laugh if you knew how unhappy with were I live. But you can’t say that to the tree huggers, they’d blame you for killing the planet.

Jamesy - Never mind the tree huggers. Why’s he saying that about Colm? In front of people which is making me look bad?

Reema - I don't see the problem

Jamesy - Why is that queer making out that Colm was gay, because refuse to believe he was and resent him for it? 

Reema - Cos he was and there's no problem with that?

Jamesy - He wasn't I'm in denial 

Reema It’s not really an issue and you shouldn't have an issue 

Jamesy - I think its a problem 

Reema - I don't care but I know they were a couple 

Jamesy That’s what he wants people to think. My brother was straight .If he thinks he can use Colm as a sob story to save some stupid fields? Showing him up, disrespecting our name? Fuck that. I’m starting my own campaign. I’ll do this for me.

Jamesy - there's someone who can help me 

Reema -  your aren't going to start a campaign

Jamesy - Not really. (To Bo) Have you heard what that Jay’s been saying about our Colm? Dragging my name through the mud? I don’t want people to think that of me. 

Bo - Don’t be causing trouble Jamesy. He’s not doing anyone any harm.

Jamesy - Oh you think so do you? What about the harm done to me? To our family name? I’m glad Colm isn’t alive to see this so he wouldn't tell the truth. 

Bo You don’t mean that!

Jamesy - I know the path he takes through the Meadows. I’ve a wee something planned that’ll set the record straight once and for all. You up for that lads?