Screenwriting : Subplots by Brian McAndrew

Brian McAndrew

Subplots

Does subplots have to revolve around the central character? I have an antagonist who is bigot because he's really bisexual and religious. I'm not writing ensemble script.

Richard Toscan

At some point, a good subplot needs to hook back into the main story and help drive that story forward. A subplot that never connects to the main story, even if it shares a character from that main story, is a distraction for audiences; in a sense you're suddenly asking them to watch two different films at the same time.

William Martell

A subplot is part of the main plot, and subordinate to the main plot.

Regina Lee

Generally speaking, I advise that in feature films (not series), subplots are only narratively relevant when they impact the protagonist. Subplots don't have to "revolve around" the central character, but they should impact the protagonist.

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