Major project: Subplots

After i began writing my script i realised one fundamental flaw. All of my characters were in the one scene and i had nothing to cut to. 

When you watch Friends, for example,  there are times when all the characters are together but there are usually 2 (sometimes even 3) plotlessness throughout the episode. One is resolved at the end and the other moves the series arch forward. Therefore monica can be having a kitchen crisis and need's phoebe to help her out, while ross and rachel are having yet another lovers tiff, and chandler and joey are creating fire ball. the story's intertwine slightly and it gives the episode a greater depth. 
My problem was one that was just not going away and what was worse is that i had clear subplots for all my other episodes just not the pilot. 
I decided to go back to basics and research subplots for anything that might help me figure out my issue. 


http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/screenwriting-structure-series-part-14-subplots-and-the-midpoint.html

" In fact, it's okay to manipulate your spun off subplot into a planned subplot that helps serve the story better. "

"Just as your Protagonist is a character in conflict, so should your secondary characters be in conflict of some kind and hence, we follow this secondary character's struggles via the subplot and this subplot helps pull the main story into full focus by the end of the screenplay. "

I decided to split up the characters in my plot. I knew which 2 characters i needed in terms of dynamic for the A plot - Dean and Ollie which left me with Tom be a driving force in the A plot. My b plot could therefore focus on any of the other three main or secondary characters. However i knew which 2 characters i needed in terms of dynamic for the A plot - Dean and Ollie which left me with Tom and Nath.  I just couldn't think of where to go with them. 
My A plot is getting a manager. This idea of conflict made me think the subplot should be the search for players. I began thinking more about the dynamic between tom and nath. They both support Spurs but while nath is shy and awkward, tom is hot headed and brash. perhaps the conflict could be that tom slacks off while nath really puts in a shift to get some new players. however whenever i read those scenes i kept thinking why are we coming back here? what is so important about this scene? it felt like it was just something to cut to - and it was. 

http://www.crackingyarns.com.au/2011/01/26/the-secret-to-subplots-half-revealed/

"If a screenplay dies in Act 2 or Act 3, it’s just as likely the problem lies in the subplots as in the main narrative."

The above quote is exactly my point.

I deleved a little further into the research department hoping it would help. 

http://www.scriptmag.com/features/craft-features/ask-the-expert-making-sure-your-subplots-arent-sub-par

"The B Story is often the more emotional thing, and not the visual, tangible, action-y thing. It’s 
connected to your concept – but is usually caused because of or caused by your concept. It’s 
what your hook or major storyline leads your characters to (or to do)."

I have a long running sub plot throughout the show of the love story between Dean and Lucy but it 
isn't appropriate to introduce that story at this moment. Then it came to me.. tom is hot tempered. 
Nath is the reason the team have come back together - he has been attacked by a rival team. Maybe 
Tom can teach him a few self defence / fighting tips. 

This storyline could easily intersect the main storyline at the end of the episode and would also offer 
a more serious and softer side to the show. 

"Your subplots are basically a way for you to cut away from your main storylines and main 
characters infuse different life and personality into your story. These subplots do NOT
have to include your main characters, and probably shouldn’t. However, it usually does and SHOULD intersect and affect your major plotline at some point. "


I would be bringing different life to the story through this subplot. It would be a different tone and pace to the wedding vibe and also let us know about the characters a little more. Tom is aggressive but also is a teacher a 2 sided personality character and he's hoping to rub a little bit of teaching and aggression off onto weak and shy geek Nath. 

"The secret to successful subplots is to have them ultimately come back and have an impact on the main narrative."

This exact line became one of the biggest turning points for me. When i saw this, everything started to slot into place. I began to think more about how Tom's teaching nath could come back and impact the final scene. Initially i had Ollie score a goal - as he missed the penalty i thought it would be idea to have him score - sort of mirroring the start and end. However This idea of having the sub plot impact the main narrative made me think - maybe Nath should score - maybe an on running defender could go to take him out but he ducks and is in acres of space for dean to pace the ball into his path for him to tap home. Now with Nath being the goal keeper its slightly unrealistic however as its a 7 vs 7 match the pitch would be smaller and perhaps the others are so tired he just makes a break for it. 

This research i have undertaken has  clearly influenced my writing and the way that i think about plots as it has made me see the light and shade of the stories. Although i watch a lot of programs and see it happening on screen it hasn't translated into my writing yet so this is a new development for me. Im applying what I'm learning through research into my script. I think having this subplot in place will make the story richer.

"It’s a simple subplot that’s introduced without fanfare but it ultimately creates a complication that threatens the hero’s pursuit of his goal and triggers evolution of the character. That’s an effective subplot, wouldn’t you say? It works because it complicates and escalates the drama."

This subplot would defiantly help to increase the drama because Nath would be learning how to take care of himself, it evolves his character and the inciting incident earlier in the script has already threatened his pursuit of his goal.