Story Theme
The theme is the lesson that the protagonist learns, the central message or values of the
story. We just touched briefly on theme when we talked about what the main character learns
about himself. Not all animation stories have themes, but many of the best stories do. A
theme is something for the audience to think about later. It gives the story some substance.
It helps us understand each other and the world around us. It’s an observation about life
and the people in our world. It helps us to identify with the characters. We recognize our
own problems and root for the character to work through those problems, flaws, and needs
in order to survive and grow.
Think of a theme as one value coming into conflict with another and winning out. For-
giveness is better than revenge. Living for the present can make life fuller than constant
worrying about the future. Pestering your older brother is more fun than playing by your-
self...at least until you get caught. These are the basic everyday values of life, and they
have been the subjects of stories from the beginnings of time. Oral tales of old; myths;
legends; the Bible; Greek, Roman, and Shakespearean plays; novels; films; and even games
have all been centered around these conflicts in values.
Remember your audience. Because male teens are the biggest ticket buyers, many films
center on the theme of childishness losing out to adulthood (coming of age or identity). If
your audience is primarily children, then you may want to consider what is appropriate. Uni-
versal and timeless themes that touch us all are usually the best themes for films.
Character, plot, and theme are all connected. Your hero may have a character flaw that
is getting in the way of his happiness. What he goes through during the course of the story
changes the way he looks at life and alters the way he’ll live in the future. That’s his char-
acter arc. Ideally, he will become a better person, or at least come to know himself and the
world a little better. Will reaching his goal make life better for your hero and for others?
Will the values of the hero or the values of the villain win out, and why? It’s possible to have
more than one theme, but if this is the case, the themes must be interrelated.
A theme is felt, not indoctrinated or preached. No one wants a sermon. Instead we want
characters that by their actions show what they value in life and fight for what is good in
the world. Values are expressed mostly through action, but they might come out briefly
during the course of a verbal conflict as well. Conflict and opposing values are at the heart
of any story.
Basic Animation Writing Structure 115