How can you use subtext to create depth in a character?

1 Identify your character's arc

Before you write or rewrite your dialogue, you need to have a clear idea of your character's arc. This is the change or transformation that your character undergoes throughout the story, from their initial state to their final state. Your character's arc should be driven by their internal and external conflicts, and how they resolve them. Knowing your character's arc will help you craft subtext that reflects their growth, regression, or stagnation.

2 Choose a subtextual theme

A subtextual theme is a recurring idea or concept that your character expresses or explores through subtext. It can be related to their personality, worldview, values, beliefs, or desires. For example, a subtextual theme for a character who is insecure and afraid of rejection might be self-worth, validation, or acceptance. A subtextual theme for a character who is ambitious and ruthless might be power, control, or domination. Choosing a subtextual theme will help you create consistency and coherence in your character's subtext.

3 Use dialogue techniques

Creating subtext in dialogue can be achieved with a range of techniques, such as implication, evasion, irony, sarcasm, double entendre, metaphor, and innuendo. For example, you could imply something without saying it directly ("You know what you did"), avoid or change the subject ("Let's not talk about that"), mock the truth with irony ("What a lovely day"), express contempt with sarcasm ("Wow, you're so smart"), make a suggestive double entendre ("Do you want to come upstairs?"), compare or contrast something with a metaphor ("You're a wolf in sheep's clothing"), or hint at something inappropriate or offensive ("She's very friendly with the boss"). By using these techniques, you can show your character's hidden feelings, intentions, or agendas.

4 Use non-verbal cues

Non-verbal cues are the signals that your character sends through their body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures, eye contact, and physical distance. They can complement, contradict, or enhance the subtext of your dialogue. For example, a character who says "I'm fine" while frowning, crossing their arms, and looking away is sending a different message than a character who says the same thing while smiling, nodding, and looking directly at the other person. Non-verbal cues can help you create subtext that shows your character's true emotions, attitudes, or reactions.

5 Use context and contrast

Context and contrast are the elements that surround and influence your character's subtext, such as the setting, the situation, the other characters, the genre, and the tone. They can affect how your audience interprets and responds to your subtext. For example, a character who says "I love you" in a romantic comedy might have a different subtext than a character who says the same thing in a horror film. Context and contrast can help you create subtext that creates suspense, surprise, humor, or drama.

By using these steps, you can use subtext to create depth in a character and make your film more engaging, complex, and meaningful.