This document provides guidance on developing themes in stories and films. It discusses what a theme is, how to explore themes through character change, and steps for writing a story including creating a synopsis, treatment, script, and storyboard. The document emphasizes using character transformations or revelations to deliver thematic messages about human issues. It also provides examples of how to approach themes in different genres like documentaries.

1. Two stories

2. New marking key
Criterion 1: Clarity of theme/s
Criterion 2: genre/style/narrative in support of theme
Criterion 4 – 7: application of technical skills.. In support of that theme
Implications?
Pro tips?

3. Theme
Definition of theme?
Theme: A human issue that transcends time and culture.
Thematic message/preferred meaning: the commentary/statement made on that theme.

4. Transcending time and culture

5. Thematic message

6. So how do you explore theme?
Secret sauce: Character Change
The conflict represents a human dealing with that theme
The resolution delivers the message about that theme
How the character changes (or doesn’t) to what they’ve learnt becomes the thematic message

7. The character change
1. The protagonist goes through a ‘transformation’ as they learn something
2. The protagonist should learn something, but doesn’t (playing with expectations)
3. The audience experiences an enlightenment through the juxtaposition of images
If a film doesn’t do any of these, what is the point of the film?

8. Documentary implications
Character/narrator investigates something (discovery, character enlightenment) – e.g. Bowling for Columbine, The Cove
Character/interviewee has eventful experience that changes them/revelation - mix of doco techs such as
reenactment/dramatization helpful here to score marks, e.g. Fog of War, Blackfish
Art film/doco that leads audience through journey/revelation e.g. Golden Soil (Perspectives), Koyaanisqatsi, Baraka
Mockumentary that plays with narrative conventions, character changes/learns something
What won't work:
Advertisements
Doco’s with an interview with someone for 5 minutes

9. Steps: writing process
1. Synopsis
2. Treatment
3. Script
4. Storyboard

10. Step 1: Synopsis*
What is a synopsis?
* Synopsis with character change
Normal
Characters ‘want’ that drives the narrative
Conflict
Choice
Resolution

11. Shrek
Shrek is a loner who happily lives in a swamp alone. One day, fairy tale creatures invade his swamp.
He goes on a mission to rid his swamp of the invaders, along the way, he meets Donkey and Princess
Fiona and builds a relationship with them. By the end, Shrek has to make a choice between having his
swamp back, or, saving Fiona. He saves Fiona, and learns life is better with people. He is no longer a
loner.

12. Shrek is a loner who happily lives in a swamp alone. One day, fairy tale creatures invade his swamp. He goes on
a mission to rid his swamp of the invaders, along the way, he meets Donkey and must save Princess Fiona from a
dragon to appease the king, who promises to help him. By the end, Shrek has to make a choice between having
his swamp back, or, saving Fiona. He saves Fiona, and learns life is better with people. He is no longer a loner.
Normal - Shrek is a loner who happily lives in a swamp alone.
Characters ‘want’ that drives the narrative - One day, fairy tale creatures invade his swamp. He goes on a
mission to rid his swamp of the invaders
Conflict - along the way, he meets Donkey and must save Princess Fiona from a dragon to appease the king, who
promises to help him
Choice - By the end, Shrek has to make a choice between having his swamp back, or, saving Fiona. He saves
Fiona, and
Resolution/character change - learns life is better with people. He is no longer a loner.
So what is a major theme in Shrek and its thematic message?

13. A Sticky
Situation –
Initial
synopsis
Synopsis:
A young writer and filmmaker, Robert Wilson is creating a
story but is unsure how to link the ending of his next story. A
small drawing Robert created, a Stickman, comes to life and
goes on a fun adventure to help his creator finish and bridge
the gap in his story.
Normal
Characters ‘want’ that drives the narrative
Conflict
Choice
Resolution

14. A Sticky Situation
A young writer and filmmaker, Robert Wilson is creating a story but is unsure how to link the
ending of his next story and considers giving up. A small drawing Robert created, a Stickman,
comes to life and goes on a fun adventure to help his creator finish and bridge the gap in his
story. Through perseverance with an idea, Robert has a stroke of creative inspiration and is able
to complete the narrative.

15. Write the synopsis for a popular
film in this format

16. Step 2:
Treatment
Traditionally story written as a narrative-like prose.
Students may skip some detail, however, primary story
beats important.
Objective:
- Construct the causal effects of conflicts and resolutions
- Weed out any plot holes or character inconsistencies
- Students can still change theme and message at this point
as story develops
- Tone of the story should be present, consider Art
direction
- Adding narrative layers to theme – if they change the
theme, they have to go back and re-draft
- Most important aspect for documentary filmmaking

18. Step 3: Script
Proper script format, e.g. CELTX. Students can ‘share’ in the teacher as an editor
Purpose:
- primary utility of script is for expedient pre-production/production, such as labelling scenes
- include all details in story, scene by scene
- theme should be solidified by now, and students should be thinking about shots/art direction
- 1 min of script = 1 min of film time

20. Step 4: Storyboard
MANDATORY (for narrative, at least)
Purpose:
- turn scenes into visual storytelling
- dedicated to imagining all the interesting, unique and compelling ways to tell a narrative
- consider art direction as well, where applicable, such as placement of props

21. Optional: shotlist, lighting plans
Shotlists – complicated, out-of-sequence shoots
Lighting plans – if students have enough experience with lighting