Am currently drafting a script about the universal theme of a love triangle. Believe I have all the right ingredients for a dynamic script, but just wondering, if the subtext is different from that which is the norm, related to society's mainstream narration, would it be likely to be accepted by a studio etc, and its audience, if it so distorts the accepted formula of scripts? I want my script/s to have as much chance as possible for success, so am willing to adapt it to conform to reality...

How is the subtext different from the norm? Is there a norm? Imh, it's what you decide it will be? If we're talking story...

Society's mainstream narration? Conform to reality? What, does it have fantasy elements?

Are we talking here about format or story? Without a concrete example of what exactly you're referring to, I'm a little flummoxed.

I suggest if you are relatively new to screenplay writing and the assumption is you're writing a spec script, you write to Industry Standard. If you're up with that already a little experimentation/colouring outside the lines is fine.

It's a bit difficult without a tangible example.

Why don't you post a couple of scenes, or your opener in the My Work In Progress section of the boards.

SS is a great community of writers. Read and review scripts and writers will reciprocate in kind.

Welcome to SS, Linda.

P.S. I don't write to a formula, personally. Is there a winning formula? I know there are screenwriting books on the hero's journey etc. In the end, do all the reading and then tell the story you want to tell.

Those are very wise words. I have taken them to heart. I am new at this, at this level, so very much need good advice and guidance on these matters. I might even be assessing my own material matter inaccurately.

So I think your suggestion about 'jumping in at the deep end' and to read and review others scripts would give me insight into such things as proper format etc and, as you wrote, allow other writers to reciprocate when I post some of my writing for reviews.

Great idea! Thanks for that. I shall certainly be delving frequently into this forum as it seems accessible and encouraging....

Hi Linda,

I suggest you spend more time on idea, plot , character and structure. Dialogue is not that important.

Quoted from MichaelYu Hi Linda, I suggest you spend more time on idea, plot , character and structure. Dialogue is not that important.

Incorrect.  Dialogue is extremely important.  Bad dialogue leads one to immediately stop reading.

Quoted from Dreamscale Incorrect.  Dialogue is extremely important.  Bad dialogue leads one to immediately stop reading.

Concur!

Quoted from LindaC I want my script/s to have as much chance as possible for success, so am willing to adapt it to conform to reality...

"Reality"?

With a comment like this I'm concerned that your "subtext" will be a little too far out there.

See the conversation below about the current United States political ecosystem and the world's dependency on oil which then leads to the final comment on climate change as an example:

COLETTE:
I like cars.

MARCEL:
(smoking)
Cars.  I like.

COLETTE:
The wind.  Trees are blue, my heart...

MARCEL:
(smoking)
Your heart.  The sun is in the sky.

COLETTE:
Bastard!

MARCEL:
(smoking)
Bastard.  I love you.


As long as your subtext doesn't sound like that, you'll probably be okay.

Quoted from LindaC Great idea! Thanks for that. I shall certainly be delving frequently into this forum as it seems accessible and encouraging....

Please do delve the depths of our depravity on this site.
We're here to help as much as we can, but please take everything said with a grain of salt.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, though people will profess their way is the "correct" way.  

And if anyone really tries to tell you how to skin a cat, please report them to the authorities.

Jordan

If you want your script to appeal to the general public, that's fine. But you have to worry about the complete crap-shoot that is getting a reader who actually appreciates what you're going for.

What I mean is that no matter how successful your script may be, if the production company's designated reader doesn't fall for whatever you're putting out, you're dead in the water.

Just write the story and try not to actively worry about any subtext or underlying meaning because honestly, not everything needs to have a deeper meaning.

Also, make sure your dialogue reads how people speak in real life. Make sure they're not too witty and also not all super smart/sarcastic...unless it's intentional based on setting. In other words, avoid Diablo Cody and Aaron Sorkin type of dialogue.

I'd propose that if your characters and plot are interesting enough, the subtext will come about naturally -- something I've observed in a lot of the films/shows I enjoy lately. I've written scripts in the past with subtext as a priority. At times, I think the other elements have suffered as a result. Other times, they have not but the subtext simply wasn't as strong as I hoped it would be (if it came through at all).

I like my scripts to have some substance. There's a part of me that still likes to fret about it while I'm writing. Unfortunately for me, it seems it's when I take that approach that what I'm after eludes me the most. Lately I've tried to keep that side of me in check and focus more on the actions and motivations of the characters. As a result, I'm sometimes surprised at what comes out of my writing as far as subtext and often find a lot of clarity and direction moving forward.

To reference the oft quoted William Goldman; nobody knows anything. I don't think you should focus so much energy on whether your script is "mainstream" enough- mainstream taste is ever changing. And you could write the most mainstream script imaginable, but no one will care if it''s not a good story.

You can't control interest, but you can control story. Make us love the story, and everything else follows.

Last week, I had a set dinner. It was delicious. The main course was steak of idea, plot, character and structure. It came with dialogue sauce. Good steak is difficult to make. When a cook can make good steak, I do believe he can make sauce easily, which may not be very good but at least up to standard.

Finally, I had my dessert, called subtext.