Why Every Filmmaker Should Write Out Their Themes
What is your film really about?
Beyond plot, dialogue, and visuals, every great movie has a deeper meaning—a theme that resonates with its audience.
Whether it’s love, loss, redemption, or identity, themes give your film emotional weight and focus.
But here’s the challenge: If your themes aren’t clearly defined, your film can lose direction as you move through the five phases of filmmaking (development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution).
That’s why writing out your themes is a critical early step in the filmmaking process.
In this post, I’ll explain how defining your themes can guide your creative decisions, using lessons from my own independent film, WITH LOVE.
Plus, I’ll share tools to help you identify and articulate the themes of your own story.
What Are Themes in Filmmaking?
A theme is the central idea or message that runs through your film.
It’s not about what happens (the plot) but why it matters.
Themes explore universal truths and human experiences, giving your story depth and purpose.
For example:
The Shawshank Redemption explores the theme of hope and perseverance.
Get Out delves into systemic racism and cultural appropriation.
Her reflects on loneliness and the complexities of love in a digital age.
Why You Need to Write Out Your Themes
1. Guides Creative Decisions
Your themes serve as a compass for every aspect of filmmaking, from the script to cinematography, editing, and even marketing.
When you’re unsure about a scene, a shot, or a character arc, revisiting your themes will help you stay true to the core of your story.
Example:
For my film WITH LOVE, the central theme is healing through connection.
This theme influenced everything—from the emotional tone of the script to the way we framed intimate moments between characters.
2. Creates Consistency Throughout the Phases
Filmmaking is a long, chaotic process, and it’s easy to lose sight of your original vision.
By writing out your themes, you create a guiding document that ensures consistency throughout all five phases of filmmaking.
3. Strengthens Your Connection with the Audience
Themes are what audiences connect with on an emotional level.
Writing them out ensures they’re present and clear in your film, making it more likely to leave a lasting impact.
🎬 Stay on Track with Your Themes—Download My Guide!
Themes are the heart of every great film, and defining them early is crucial for success. As part of my journey with WITH LOVE, I’ve created a simple guide to help filmmakers like you write out and refine your themes.
👉 Sign up now to download the guide and take control of your filmmaking process!
This post includes a video walkthrough, template, and real production document to review for paid subscribers.
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How to Write Out Your Themes
Here’s a simple process to define and articulate your themes:
