✍️Screenwriting II Unit 4 – Crafting Compelling Subplots

What Are Subplots?

• Secondary storylines that run parallel to the main plot of a screenplay
• Involve supporting characters and their own conflicts, goals, and arcs
• Serve to enhance the main plot by adding depth, complexity, and variety to the overall narrative
• Often intersect with the main plot at key points, influencing the protagonist's journey
• Can be used to explore themes, provide contrast, or offer a different perspective on the central story
• Should be related to the main plot thematically or through character relationships
• Typically have a beginning, middle, and end, mimicking the structure of the main plot on a smaller scale

Why Subplots Matter

• Add depth and complexity to the screenplay by exploring multiple facets of the story world
• Provide opportunities for character development and growth beyond the protagonist
• Help maintain audience engagement by offering variety and preventing the main plot from becoming monotonous
• Can be used to reinforce or contrast the themes explored in the main plot
• Offer a way to introduce and develop supporting characters who play crucial roles in the protagonist's journey
• Create a richer, more immersive story world that feels authentic and multidimensional
• Enhance the pacing of the screenplay by alternating between the main plot and subplots

Types of Subplots

• Relationship subplots explore the dynamics between characters, such as romantic relationships, friendships, or family bonds
  • Can involve the protagonist or supporting characters
  • Often focus on the challenges, conflicts, and growth within these relationships
• Character arc subplots follow the development and transformation of a supporting character throughout the story
  • May mirror or contrast the protagonist's own journey
  • Can be used to highlight different aspects of the story's themes
• Thematic subplots reinforce or explore the central themes of the screenplay through a separate storyline
  • Often involve characters or situations that embody the theme in a unique way
  • Can provide a different perspective on the main plot's thematic concerns
• Comic relief subplots offer moments of levity or humor to balance the tension or drama of the main plot
  • Typically involve secondary characters or situations that provide a break from the primary storyline
  • Should still be relevant to the overall narrative and not feel disconnected
• Mystery or suspense subplots introduce an element of intrigue or uncertainty that runs parallel to the main plot
  • Can involve a character's secret, a puzzle to be solved, or a looming threat
  • Should be resolved by the end of the story, contributing to the overall resolution

Connecting Subplots to the Main Plot

• Subplots should be thematically linked to the main plot, exploring similar ideas or concepts from different angles
• Characters involved in subplots should have relationships or interactions with the protagonist that impact the main storyline
• Key events or turning points in subplots should coincide with or influence pivotal moments in the main plot
• Information revealed in subplots can provide context, motivation, or complications for the protagonist's journey
• The resolution of subplots should tie into the overall resolution of the main plot, contributing to a satisfying conclusion
• Subplots should enhance the main plot without overshadowing it or feeling disconnected

Developing Subplot Characters

• Subplot characters should be well-rounded and have their own goals, motivations, and conflicts
• Establish the subplot character's relationship to the protagonist and their role in the story early on
• Develop a clear arc for the subplot character that demonstrates growth or change over the course of the narrative
• Use subplots to reveal different facets of the subplot character's personality, background, or desires
• Ensure that the subplot character's actions and decisions have consequences that impact the main plot
• Give subplot characters distinct voices, personalities, and quirks to make them memorable and engaging
• Avoid creating subplot characters that feel one-dimensional or solely exist to serve the protagonist's story

Pacing and Balancing Subplots

• Introduce subplots early in the screenplay, typically within the first act, to establish their relevance to the main plot
• Alternate between the main plot and subplots throughout the screenplay to maintain a sense of momentum and variety
• Use subplots to modulate the pacing of the main plot, providing breathers or increasing tension as needed
• Ensure that each subplot has a clear beginning, middle, and end that aligns with the structure of the main plot
• Allocate screen time to subplots based on their significance to the overall story and character development
• Avoid introducing too many subplots that can clutter the narrative and detract from the main storyline
• Resolve subplots before the climax of the main plot to maintain focus on the protagonist's final challenge

Common Subplot Pitfalls

• Introducing subplots that feel disconnected or irrelevant to the main plot, leading to a disjointed narrative
• Overloading the screenplay with too many subplots, causing confusion or diluting the impact of the main storyline
• Neglecting to develop subplot characters fully, resulting in shallow or unengaging secondary storylines
• Failing to integrate subplots into the main plot, making them feel like separate stories rather than part of a cohesive whole
• Resolving subplots too late or leaving them unresolved, leading to a lack of satisfaction or closure for the audience
• Allowing subplots to overshadow the main plot, shifting focus away from the protagonist's journey
• Relying on clichéd or predictable subplot tropes that fail to add depth or originality to the screenplay

Subplot Examples from Famous Screenplays

• In "The Godfather," the subplot of Michael Corleone's marriage to Kay Adams explores the theme of family loyalty and the cost of joining the family business
• "Pulp Fiction" features multiple subplots, such as the story of Butch Coolidge and his father's watch, that intersect and contribute to the film's exploration of redemption and fate
• The subplot of Carl Hanratty's pursuit of Frank Abagnale Jr. in "Catch Me If You Can" serves as a foil to the main plot and highlights the theme of identity and deception
• In "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," the subplot of Mary's discovery of her own erased memories adds depth to the exploration of love, loss, and the nature of memory
• "The Shawshank Redemption" includes a subplot involving the warden's corruption and illegal activities, which ultimately ties into the main plot's theme of hope and redemption
• The subplot of Stu's gambling addiction in "The Hangover" provides comic relief and adds complexity to his character arc within the main plot of the missing groom
• In "Forrest Gump," the subplot of Jenny's journey of self-discovery and struggle with trauma parallels and contrasts Forrest's own experiences, reinforcing the film's themes of love and resilience