What is theme?
Theme is the key message of your film.
Theme guides all your creative decisions:
- It shapes the story, characters, visuals, sound. These elements work together to represent the theme on screen.
- It guides the overall audience experience. Creative choices should be based on what audience reaction you want.
Video - theme
Watch this film, to find out more about theme. See how the theme of friendship can be explored creatively.
Theme is your film’s “why”. It's the idea of your film and what stays with the audience.
It drives everything: what you want them to feel or think about, during and after the film.
Let’s take the theme of friendship.
You can show theme through the choices characters make, and what happens next.
Sometimes theme feels like a lesson, like “don’t leave anyone out”. Sometimes it’s a question you’re exploring, like “what makes a good friend?”
How characters develop, what they say, sound, and symbols, like the friendship bracelet used here, can all highlight your theme.
Theme is the big idea you are expressing, so think how you can use it creatively and the different ways you can build it into your film.
Key points
Theme is the ‘why’ - a central idea or message explored in a film.
Theme is different from story or narrative. It is what drives the story along.
Theme can inform your choices as a filmmaker.
On screen examples - theme
- Image source, 21 Laps Entertainment / Monkey Massacre Productions / Upside Down Pictures / Netflix / Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy
Image caption, Stranger Things
'Coming of age' is one of the main themes of the TV series 'Stranger Things'. As the characters transition from childhood to adulthood, they face a scary, supernatural world which reflects the challenges of growing up.
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Try this - Theme
Watch this video and give this theme exercise a go!
Theme is the idea or message in film.
Think about scenes from three of your favourite films or TV shows.
Can you spot the theme they are trying to convey?
Is there some action, or speech or even a symbol that shows the theme?
Step 1: Pick one theme, such as friendship, trust or courage.
Step 2: Film two versions of a simple situation - such as two characters playing a game.
In each version, have a character make a choice linked to your theme.
Show the result of that choice.
What does it say about your theme?
Filming tips: keep each film short, around 10-15 seconds.
Make the different choice clear.
Have fun with it.
Roles/Departments
- Screenwriter - brings theme into their story when writing a screenplay.
- Director - makes creative choices based on the theme being explored.
Think about
- Which theme(s) are you interested in as a filmmaker and why?
- How can you show the theme(s) through your creative choices?
- What message or lesson do you want to leave your audience thinking about?
Things to look for
- Find visual ways to symbolise your theme - eg using colours or props.
- Make sure the theme is present throughout your story. How is it included in each scene or action?
- Consider how changing an aspect of your story affects how the audience feels about the theme.
Things to consider
- Do something different and avoid cliches. What can you say about this theme that is new?
- Have a point of view. Decide what you want to say as a filmmaker.
- Stay focused. Remember why you are interested in this theme.
More on Elements of film and screen
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