How can I develop my theme without writing script pages?

Continuing our look at tools used in development, Chas & Stu are joined by Stephen Cleary to talk about Theme, The Thematic Logline and what Stephen calls The Story Synopsis. All are tools to help writers better understand their theme and how it is dramatised. We use the classic film WITNESS as an example, so spoilers abound.

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Meegan May for reading the examples. Meegan May is an emerging queer screenwriter and former military intelligence analyst with plenty of award winning scripts and extensive experience in development. Look her up!

RUNNING ORDER

00:00:00 - Intro: Theme in Development
00:01:54 - The Story Synopsis
00:04:19 - Plot & Theme / Praxis & Mythos
00:11:12 - Back to the Story Synopsis
00:13:45 - Witness
00:16:09 - Thematic Logline
00:17:00 - Using the Thematic Logline in development ()
00:22:26 - Witness - 1st Act in Story Synopsis
00:25:46 - Witness - 2nd Act in Story Synopsis
00:28:55 - Characters, Plot & Theme
00:30:27 - Witness - Book drops his facadé ()
00:33:25 - Witness - 3rd Act in Story Synopsis ()
00:40:49 - Witness - Complete Story Synopsis
00:41:51 - Using the Story Synopsis in development
00:48:04 - Rewriting using the Story Synopsis
00:54:53 - Wrap Up

EPISODE LINKS

Watch: Witness
Watch: Lawrence of Arabia
Watch: MacBeth

RELATED EPISODES

Listen: DZ-71: Treatments & Loglines – Development Tools
Listen: DZ-54: Thematic Sequences
Listen: DZ-41: Theme and Worldview

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DZ-72: Theme & The Story Synopsis – Development Tools 2

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast