Theme is crucial to the story.

1. THEME
NEEDING THE EGGS

2. Needing the eggs (Theme)
What is theme?
THEME

3. Theme:
The primary statement
The purpose of the story
The overall message and
Truth behind the story.
THEME

4. Simple examples
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“You can’t keep a good woman down.”
THEME

5. Every story is about something.
Terminator
About a woman trying to get away from a robot.
THEME

6. Terminator
About humanity’s need to redeem itself
From the sin, pride and the folly of its own dangerous creations.
THEME

7. Frankenstein
THEME
About a scientist trying to stop a zombie he’s created.

8. Creating a catharsis of laughter
THEME
You interpret the chaos of life as gleefully absurd…
Or wickedly ironic, rather than terrifying….

9. THEME

10. Annie Hall
About a guy trying to hang on to a love relationship, against all odds.
“We need the eggs”
THEME

11. Persuade, Don’t Preach (Message)
This is why I hate theme!!
THEME

12. Persuade, Don’t Preach (Message)
This is why I hate theme!!
Become preachy or didactic.
THEME

13. Didactic screenplays sacrifice character and story…
To prove the theme correct.
What does this create?
THEME

14. This results in propaganda.
A story in which the characters are only mouthpieces…
For the author’s message.
THEME

15. The theme should be deeply embedded in the action.
Woven into the subtext.
THEME

16. Avoid themes that sound like political slogans…
Personal mottoes or life lectures.
THEME, MEANING, MESSAGE

17. Seven
The persuasive presence of evil in the world, as personified by a fanatic who commits
multiple murders in order to punish people for the “perceived” seven deadly sins.
So why is SEVEN not considered preachy?
THEME, MEANING, MESSAGE

18. The methods of the antagonist.
Living and breathing, action.
THEME, MEANING, MESSAGE

19. Dumb and Dumber
The world view is that life is hilariously absurd, and perhaps the best defense against
life’s woes is abject stupidity.
What’s the theme?
THEME, MEANING, MESSAGE

20. What is premise?
THEME

21. Premise is the basis of the conflict
THEME

22. Must be clear to the writer before he begins to write the script.
THEME

23. A premise can usually be described in one sentence
THEME
Typically applies the “What if” factor.
A proposition or argument stated or put forward for consideration.

24. What is the premise?