What Writers Need To Know About Text, Subtext and Context by Adam Skelter

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In this Film Courage video interview, story artist and writer Adam Skelter shares what writers need to know about text, subtext and context.
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[@lonjohnson5161]

"Go ahead, drink it," brilliantly illustrates all the layers. And he did it on the fly.

[@RHStevens1986]

that's cuz adam is dope af

[@jaredjenkins99]

When I first learned about the 3 texts (Text, Subtext and Context) I basically felt that was all I needed to know about anything ever, I love it so much. And then one day I found out about a fourth text. PARATEXT! Which is basically whatever the audience brings to a story or how they interpret it. So in Adam’s forced poisoning example, if I had an experience of being made to drink poison, that scene would bring up a lot of visceral memories and completely change the text. Or say I were a toxicologist who knew the name and effects of that particular poison, then I may be far more shocked at this scene than some random person, knowing how painful a death that poison creates. Now I know everything I need to know about anything ever.

[@usernameonutube]

Great works allow free ranging paratext.

[@Zton-yn4kc]

But, do you know how to unsnap a bra, dweep? (Okay, now apply the 4 texts.)

[@jjkhawaiian]

Beautiful nugget at the end. He sums it up nicely. "Context is the situation we're facing, Subtext is the intention, Text is just the artifacts, one expression of that desire." Thank FC!

[@racewiththefalcons1]

I've heard Adam describe it like this is one of his other videos: *Text - written words* *Subtext - intention, strategy, tactics, emotional charge of the scene* *Context - conflict*

[@geoorobo1549]

Wow I've bought several books about sub -text and he has explained it fully in just 5 minutes!!!!! Respect bro!!!!

[@RossAllaire]

Really appreciate Adam taking time to think before he speaks here and there. Thoughtful, considered, and smart stuff. These rock.

[@moniquevamado]

My takeaway from this: "Subtext is intention." Thank you!

[@theartofstory9487]

Or is it? ;)

[@ClintLoweTube]

Monique Amado - Artist & Life Coach Simply put!

[@psyoniksoundz]

Probably the most succinct video on Text, Context, & Subtext I've ever watched.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for watching

[@jag5798]

Within 8 mins, I learned something new. Thank you!

[@meg-k-waldren]

There is that popular saying - "action speaks louder than words." I've come to intepret people by that both in real life and in scripts. How about the guy getting drunk at the bar telling you how he's happier now that he's single again?

[@Soothingyou45]

That was great! Thanks for explaining.

[@filmcourage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheFilmLook]

Absolutely nailed it! I have been giving myself a writing constraint lately where I can't ever use the words, Yes, No, I agree, disagree, etc etc, but instead, have been saying "well how can I EXPRESS this line without outright saying it?". Thank you for this, Film Courage and Adam Skelter, loads of great tips in here. I can now think about the layers of dialogue/lack of dialogue in stages without having to bombard my brain so much!

[@Sophia-wv6yf]

Context is my new best friend. Thanks for another great video Film Courage.

[@mngapro]

Man I get so excited when I see a little piece of this Adam Skelter interview uploaded, he explains things so incredibly well! When if ever is the full interview going to be posted? They usually upload it all together eventually right?

[@drjmapple5510]

This information is nothing less than magic!

[@ishbanyadav]

Well said

[@joshliam1967]

Since discovering Adam's channel through an earlier interview I've watched all of the videos he's made, great insights!

[@DGsa1661]

Adam is a genius!

[@etcetc56]

Enlightening, thanks for educating us

[@AnyDayNow360]

There's so many videos to catch up on your illustrious channel. Then something pops in my feed from you guys where I'm like, "that's exactly what I needed to hear!"....scary algorithms! 😂🙏😁

[@G-Blockster]

Short, sweet, and impactful.

[@adamhakim9446]

This was great. It makes me think of taking my dialog and playing with various contexts and setting to see what brings out the most of the characterization. Brillant .

[@z4lm276]

Nice tips,thank you

[@iknahid]

nicely explained. thanks for the video

[@owengordon6207]

That "go ahead, drink it" at 6:02 was extra serious with that ominous screech in the back 😆

[@filmcourage]

And she didn't! :)

[@therunawayrascal]

would boiling it down to "text is what happens, subtext is how it happens, and context is why/where it happens" be a correct assessment?

[@RHStevens1986]

I think "text is what is expressed, subtext is what is intended, and context is the lens to view it through' my be more accurate.

[@therunawayrascal]

Richard Stevens oh ok, word! thank you for that insight!

[@bened22]

I think this is one of that things that get more complicated the more you try to boil them down. A few examples like later in the video go a long way not to make a few simple terms complex.

[@therunawayrascal]

@@bened22 mmm, thats a good word. thank you!

[@kartikarry6921]

Great stuff

[@sagedelaney2813]

This is really amazing

[@ravishankarkaushik7823]

Brilliant

[@margaretregthechannel4929]

Thank you so much for this - a light bulb moment for me - excellent. It's clear precise and rather inspiring.

[@filmcourage]

Awesome, glad this one found you.

[@trephillips1112]

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS WAS SO IMFORMATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thelettre7954]

This I'm reading a story right now that while I'm enjoying reading it it's a cool sci-fi story i keep running into this thing where there is a lack of good subtext and the dialogue sort of melds together I think good subtext is not noticable because it makes sense and is showing the reader what is the intention But bad subtext is noticable and has forced telling dialogue Again I enjoy the story but it just is off sometimes This is a great video

[@ClintLoweTube]

Big Bang Theory on subtext: Context: Leonard wants to ask out Penny standing in cheescake shop. Text: Leonard says to her after a tremble, 'Can i use the bathroom?' Subtext: His true intention is to ask her out, and you show that through tells, such as the way he gazes at her, gets nervous on approach, swallows and shakes. I should do a brief vid on it. Would be fun.

[@DRATER469]

Big bang Theory on subtext. Context: Writers cannot think of a joke during dinner scene Text - Leonard: "Hey Sheldon pass the salt" Subtext: 20 second long Laugh track implies that what Leonard said was hilarious.

[@xChikyx]

the big bang theory sucksss#

[@theunwantedcritic]

Familiar with the concept of subtext. I didn't get what he meant by context until the end of the video.

[@theartofstory9487]

Yeah I wish I was more succinct about that too :)

[@afrosymphony8207]

fucking crazy! blew my mind wide open!...i think it'd be more interesting to always show the subtext first before the context.

[@montehalthon7831]

Writing dialogue last 🤯🤯🤯

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Well said and done! Great vid' and points... I might suggest, that within sub-text is also the unspoken turmoil, those inner conflicts as well as "the intention"... Because sometimes it gets crowded with suggestive ideals and hints, and part of the point of reading or watching is the adventure of figuring out "the truth" in all that. I like the internal monologue in the old version of The Hobbit, at the secret passage. Bilbo is voted to take the lead and investigate ahead before the dwarves get after the treasure, and a few paces into the tunnel he's struggling with following through... {context} "...But to take those steps... whatever happens after that means nothing." {text} SO he's facing the fear of forging his own path alone, going through that tunnel to meet Smaug, the dragon, to see the legendary treasure and potentially be barbequed instantly for his trouble. He's a hobbit, after all, and not meant (in his mind anyway) for gallivanting all over the countryside on adventures. Going after a dragon's treasure is bordering an act of shear lunacy, but he's at a moment of truth for himself, and facing that fear... That's what holds meaning for him. Finding his true metal as a hero or succumbing to cowardice is the conflict in the {subtext} In any case, such is a fairly thorough example, I suppose. Part of why I pointed out that intent is fine, but subtext gets used for more than any one intention... unless we go "broad strokes" and call it for "writer's intention"... not entirely erroneous, but dubious in claims, since practically everything has to carry some of the weight of "writer's intention"... (lolz) I do come from a somewhat facetious lot. ;o)

[@stressed_vivi]

Text:- Bears are cute Subtext:- Bears Is referring to a person who unfortunately brings misfortune Context:- ,by saying they are cute the other character wants to signify that they don't care about it and would stay by them anyways

[@BuntyKumar-vq6ek]

Tv show synopsis and tv pilot samole

[@karlkarlos3545]

These pretzels are making me thirsty.

[@MrPassion4truth]

Subtext is the desire not directly spoken or expressed. Picking up a class of water is not subtext. Subtext is giving you a class a water so I have an excuse to touch your hand. Subtext is you saying, Thanks for an interesting evening, but I have to get up early tomorrow but I respond, can I use your bathroom before I go. I really have to pee.

[@SirFoxConfessor]

I know I'm being a creep, but goddamn this guy is sexy. I can barely pay attention to what he's actually saying.