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name: theme-discovery description: | This skill provides personal theme mining exercises for screenwriters. Covers finding compelling themes from life experiences, analyzing what makes favorite films resonate, and developing thematic depth in stories.

Use when: starting a new screenplay project, exploring personal themes for story ideas, or developing thematic depth for a story concept.

Theme Discovery Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

• Starting a new screenplay project
• Exploring personal themes for story ideas
• Analyzing what makes favorite movies compelling
• Developing thematic depth for a story concept

Part 1: Personal Theme Mining

Find 3 themes from your own life experiences that would make great movies.

Theme Exploration Questions

1. What personal experiences have shaped who you are?
2. What moments in your life had the highest stakes?
3. What injustices have you witnessed or experienced?
4. What relationships have transformed you?
5. What secrets do you or your family carry?
6. What fears have you overcome?
7. What did you learn the hard way?

Theme Template

CopyTHEME 1: ___________________________________
- Life experience that inspired it:
- Why it resonates universally:
- Potential genre/approach:

THEME 2: ___________________________________
- Life experience that inspired it:
- Why it resonates universally:
- Potential genre/approach:

THEME 3: ___________________________________
- Life experience that inspired it:
- Why it resonates universally:
- Potential genre/approach:

Part 2: Top 10 Movie Analysis

Identify themes in your favorite movies to understand what appeals to you.

Movie Theme Worksheet

Copy| # | Movie Title | Theme | Why It Appeals to You |
|---|-------------|-------|----------------------|
| 1 | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | | | |
| 4 | | | |
| 5 | | | |
| 6 | | | |
| 7 | | | |
| 8 | | | |
| 9 | | | |
| 10 | | | |

Common Theme Categories

• Redemption: Character overcomes past mistakes
• Identity: Who am I really?
• Love vs. Duty: Heart conflicts with obligation
• Power & Corruption: What happens when power is gained
• Coming of Age: Transition from innocence to experience
• Justice: Right vs. wrong, the law vs. morality
• Sacrifice: Giving up something for a greater good
• Freedom: Breaking free from oppression or limitation
• Family: Blood ties, chosen family, legacy
• Revenge: The cost of vengeance

Part 3: Theme to Premise

Convert your strongest theme into a story premise.

Theme Development Template

CopySELECTED THEME: ___________________________________

PROTAGONIST: Who embodies or struggles with this theme?

CONFLICT: What opposes the thematic truth?

ARENA: Where does this theme play out most dramatically?

STAKES: What happens if the theme isn't realized?

LOGLINE DRAFT:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Best Practices

1. Write What You Know: Personal experience adds authenticity
2. Universal Appeal: Connect personal themes to universal human experiences
3. Avoid Preaching: Theme should emerge from story, not be imposed
4. Multiple Themes: Great scripts often have primary and secondary themes
5. Theme as Question: Frame theme as a question the story answers

Validation Checklist

• Identified at least 3 personal themes
• Analyzed 10 favorite movies for themes
• Noted why each movie appeals to you
• Connected personal theme to universal experience
• Drafted initial premise from strongest theme