Daily Dialogue theme next week: Subtext
The Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Subtext.
“It’s a hard grape to grow, as you know. It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s, you know, it’s not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and uh, thrive even when it’s neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot’s potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they’re just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and… ancient on the planet.”
Sideways (2004)
Subtext. The meaning below the words themselves. Here Miles provides his thoughts about Pinot Noir… but the subtext is he’s talking about himself, even if he’s unaware of it.
This week, let’s come up with 7 sterling examples of subtext in movie dialogue. The best dialogue is often subtextual in nature. How about we up our dialogue-writing game by exposing ourselves to a week’s worth of great subtext?
Take part in the grand Daily Dialogue tradition — 2,500+ consecutive days and counting! How about your suggestion for this week’s theme?
The usual drill:
* Copy/paste dialogue from IMDb Quotes or some other transcript source.
* Copy/paste the URL of an accompanying video from YouTube or some other video source.
I’d also ask you to think about why the dialogue is notable. Is there anything about the dialogue which provides some takeaway related to the craft of writing? If so, feel free to lay that wisdom on us.
Our upcoming schedule of Daily Dialogue topics:
July 13-July 19: Survival
July 20-July 26: Last Line
July 27-August 2: Madness
August 3-August 9: Call to Adventure
August 10-August 16: Adultery
August 17-August 23: Callback
August 24-August 30: Hysterics
August 31-September 6: Monologue
September 7-September 13: Betrayal
September 14-September 20: Minimum Words, Maximum Impact
September 21-September 27: Depression
September 28-October 4: Opening Line
October 5-October 11: Rivalry
October 12-October 18: Cross Dressing
If you have some Daily Dialogue themes to add to the roster, be my guest to post in comments. But be sure to post your ideas for this week’s theme: Subtext.
Thanks to all you loyal Daily Dialoguers! You rock!
Comment Archive