A different tenor of comedic tone will help freshen up the comedy as the audience receives it. One tone of comedy throughout the plot might become wearing. Within a comedy it might alo provide a different variety of comedy for the audience. This will be a subplot intended to lighten the mood. Otherwise, their presence will feel two-dimensional and transparent.It’s vital that the love interest is a fully fleshed out character in their own right, with their own distinct character arc.It can be common for a love interest to seem a hollow vessel for the protagonist‘s desires, however. In this way, a subplot can also help bolster the script’s theme. For example, a subplot about a protagonist’s childhood/background might help us better understand their present situation.This might help the audience better empathise with the characters.But they might also add context and characterisation to the characters (protagonist or supporting).In a drama, a romantic/love interest subplot might raise the stakes for the protagonist, providing a barometer for their actions.A classic example would be a villain capturing a love interest, the protagonist further motivated to defeat this villain as the stakes have become personal (if they weren’t already).For example, in an action movie, a romantic subplot will often overlap with the main plot by thrusting the love interest into peril.A love interest will make the protagonist more vulnerable.The strong feelings this character elicits from the protagonist will help add tension, raise the stakes and add character depth.It could be a family member, for example. This doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic.It will show them in relation to a loved one. A romantic/love interest subplot will setup a different side of the protagonist.This is perhaps the most common type of subplot. Still, let’s look at the different ways subplots might break down. ![]() These subplots will often overlap and the perfect subplot may even cover all bases. And even within that purpose there can be a multitude of layers. Subplots can have many different purposes. With that in mind, what are the different types of potential subplot? The Different Genres/Tones of Subplots It needs to also be adding something to the themes, characterisation or main story. However, this tonal purpose needs to come alongside a narrative purpose.Ī subplot purely to change the tone (for example, comedic) will feel transparent for an audience. The latter could potentially distract from the main plot.Ī subplot can also have a tonal purpose. There is admittedly a tricky balance in finding a subplot that can exist on its own two feet, and one that develops a life of its own.
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