What is a real SUBPLOT?

Dock · 10-22-2005, 09:40 PM

i've been reading the reviews to some recent movies that have been released and noticed the ones with bad reviews supposedly have weak subplots. i even read some reviews from SAW, which i thought was pretty good, and a few critics mention a weak subplot.

can anyone tell me what makes a good subplot? or can you give an example of a good subplot in your opinion from a popular movie?

thanx in advance!

vig · 10-22-2005, 10:05 PM

patriot games

a good subplot works when the main character has to solve a big stakes problem, while his character has a emotional problem he must take care of as well.

ryan must save the assasination of a leader, and stop the ira from bombing people, while he also has to save his family from the ruthless ira terrorist who has his family on his death list which gets even more detailed because the wife wants her husband to get out of the system anyway, so there is tension at all levels.

the godfather

There is so many things going on, first and foremost the safety and power of the corleone family is the plot, how they work the business, but the subplot is how the only son they want clear of the business micheal becomes one of the main guys while his wife is trying to keep him out of the business.

if the mainplot is about the leads falling in love that usually a romantic comedy, and then the subplot would be them achieving a goal.

BULL DURHAM

crash wants to get to the pros for one shot, while he is in love with the women who is dating the teams best player who crash is supposed to mentor.

vig

vig · 10-22-2005, 10:08 PM

TIN CUP

the main character has to win a golf tournament to have enough money to live.

the main character has to win a golf tournament while trying to get the antags girlfriend to fall in love with him.

it works best when the main character can solve both problems against the antag, but does not necessarily have to work with those two players.
vig

Dock · 10-22-2005, 10:19 PM

should all characters in the story have a subplot or motive?

vig · 10-22-2005, 10:25 PM

you're not really making the connection here. all characters have motives and the entire script revolves around them, but secondary characters have a goal, or motive, but you do not want to muddle the story by giving them multiple goals because they take up pages that are needed to move the 'A' story.

when they talk about the scripts focus, most often scripts start unraveling because the main character's motive is not clear and in many cases the secondary characters are begining to dominate the screen

it works best when the secondary charcter's motives work against the main characters goal so that right there causes more obstacles for the main charcter.

all the motives should either help, or hinder the lead characters overall objective and this is why its so very important to have a structurally sound script.

vig

wolfy262 · 10-23-2005, 08:14 AM

Sub-plots usually reflect, in some way, the main plot/story/theme - but there are always exception so don't get bogged down in the rules.

Lantana is a good example of a film where the sub-plots/theme all tie in to the main plot/theme.

Alternatively:

http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Subplot

vmf · 10-23-2005, 09:30 AM

A movie like Four Weddings and a Funeral has multiple subplots to examine, including the romantic fate of all the supporting characters. Some marry, some die, others decide to stay alone, but the movie does give ample time to each of them.

Even the photograph montage at the end help tie these subplots up in a nice little bow.

HD writer · 10-23-2005, 02:43 PM

Subplots don't necessarily push the plot forward but they don't hold it back either. Subplots are small units unto themselves; They create a deeper and richer story atmosphere. They give us more insight into the lives of the characters in the movie.

Adaptation is filled with subplots. Each subplot in some way is intertwined with one another. Charlie's obession to adapt the book The Orchid Theif into a screenplay is the man plot of the movie but other subplots emerge: Susan Orleans relationship with La Rouch, Charlies relationship with his twin brother Donald is actually another sub plot until it merges with the main plot.

Casablanca is fillled with many supplots: Isla and Rick's love afair, Laslo and Isla's revoltionary mission to save France, The young belgium couples desire to leave Casablanca, and the Nazi plot to capture Laslo.

The best way to create subplots is to see how the main plot stands on its own then concure to yourself where another story line is needed.

Subplots can offer us a nice distraction from the main plot thus keeping the audience interested in plot A: Casablanca and Shawshank Redemption to name two examples.

Biohazard · 10-23-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

but the [godfather] subplot is how the only son they want clear of the business, micheal, becomes one of the main guys

No, that's the plot.

vig · 10-23-2005, 03:52 PM

that's debateable, i think there is to much of don corrleone and if he's going to live or not and if he's going into the drug business to push him out of the main plotline.

i think you're a movie to early, godfather two was about micheal and the subplot the rise of the family.

close call though.

vig

10-22-2005, 09:40 PM	#1
Dock Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 333	What is a real SUBPLOT? i've been reading the reviews to some recent movies that have been released and noticed the ones with bad reviews supposedly have weak subplots. i even read some reviews from SAW, which i thought was pretty good, and a few critics mention a weak subplot. can anyone tell me what makes a good subplot? or can you give an example of a good subplot in your opinion from a popular movie? thanx in advance! __________________ "Making movies is a collaborative process...bend over."

10-22-2005, 10:05 PM	#2
vig Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,867	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? patriot games a good subplot works when the main character has to solve a big stakes problem, while his character has a emotional problem he must take care of as well. ryan must save the assasination of a leader, and stop the ira from bombing people, while he also has to save his family from the ruthless ira terrorist who has his family on his death list which gets even more detailed because the wife wants her husband to get out of the system anyway, so there is tension at all levels. the godfather There is so many things going on, first and foremost the safety and power of the corleone family is the plot, how they work the business, but the subplot is how the only son they want clear of the business micheal becomes one of the main guys while his wife is trying to keep him out of the business. if the mainplot is about the leads falling in love that usually a romantic comedy, and then the subplot would be them achieving a goal. BULL DURHAM crash wants to get to the pros for one shot, while he is in love with the women who is dating the teams best player who crash is supposed to mentor. vig

10-22-2005, 10:08 PM	#3
vig Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,867	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? TIN CUP the main character has to win a golf tournament to have enough money to live. the main character has to win a golf tournament while trying to get the antags girlfriend to fall in love with him. it works best when the main character can solve both problems against the antag, but does not necessarily have to work with those two players. vig

10-22-2005, 10:19 PM	#4
Dock Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 333	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? should all characters in the story have a subplot or motive? __________________ "Making movies is a collaborative process...bend over."

10-22-2005, 10:25 PM	#5
vig Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,867	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? you're not really making the connection here. all characters have motives and the entire script revolves around them, but secondary characters have a goal, or motive, but you do not want to muddle the story by giving them multiple goals because they take up pages that are needed to move the 'A' story. when they talk about the scripts focus, most often scripts start unraveling because the main character's motive is not clear and in many cases the secondary characters are begining to dominate the screen it works best when the secondary charcter's motives work against the main characters goal so that right there causes more obstacles for the main charcter. all the motives should either help, or hinder the lead characters overall objective and this is why its so very important to have a structurally sound script. vig

10-23-2005, 08:14 AM	#6
wolfy262 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 336	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? Sub-plots usually reflect, in some way, the main plot/story/theme - but there are always exception so don't get bogged down in the rules. Lantana is a good example of a film where the sub-plots/theme all tie in to the main plot/theme. Alternatively: http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Subplot __________________ Craft maximises talent

10-23-2005, 09:30 AM	#7
vmf Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? A movie like Four Weddings and a Funeral has multiple subplots to examine, including the romantic fate of all the supporting characters. Some marry, some die, others decide to stay alone, but the movie does give ample time to each of them. Even the photograph montage at the end help tie these subplots up in a nice little bow.

10-23-2005, 02:43 PM	#8
HD writer User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 100	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? Subplots don't necessarily push the plot forward but they don't hold it back either. Subplots are small units unto themselves; They create a deeper and richer story atmosphere. They give us more insight into the lives of the characters in the movie. Adaptation is filled with subplots. Each subplot in some way is intertwined with one another. Charlie's obession to adapt the book The Orchid Theif into a screenplay is the man plot of the movie but other subplots emerge: Susan Orleans relationship with La Rouch, Charlies relationship with his twin brother Donald is actually another sub plot until it merges with the main plot. Casablanca is fillled with many supplots: Isla and Rick's love afair, Laslo and Isla's revoltionary mission to save France, The young belgium couples desire to leave Casablanca, and the Nazi plot to capture Laslo. The best way to create subplots is to see how the main plot stands on its own then concure to yourself where another story line is needed. Subplots can offer us a nice distraction from the main plot thus keeping the audience interested in plot A: Casablanca and Shawshank Redemption to name two examples.

10-23-2005, 03:52 PM	#10
vig Banned Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,867	Re: What is a real SUBPLOT? that's debateable, i think there is to much of don corrleone and if he's going to live or not and if he's going into the drug business to push him out of the main plotline. i think you're a movie to early, godfather two was about micheal and the subplot the rise of the family. close call though. vig

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