theme

After years and I mean years of trying various writing methods with Theme in mind, I have subscribed to the idea that the most useful Theme is the situation itself.

Focusing your story by following a character in a situation and staying with that situation will indubitably UNIFY the story.  And will, in the end, say something whether you like it or not.

And here are two quotes I found on the internet that reinforce this idea.

"The experienced dramatist or screenwriter seldom begins with a theme, or attempts to fashion a story in order to present a philosophical position, which might be called a thesis. This method leads to clichés, propaganda, and lifeless characters; because all the human issues of the drama have been subordinated to this thesis the author is out to prove. Instead, an accomplished screenwriter creates characters and situations, and then chooses a culmination and resolution that seem right and satisfactory to his own feelings about the subject matter. In other words, a good screenwriter lets the theme take care of itself. The theme thus becomes not some point to be proven, but the subject matter itself, that aspect of human existence this story will explore."

"Another aspect of theme to keep in mind is that it applies to the entirety of the screenplay, not just to the protagonist."