Below is exerpt from a Francis Ford Coppola interview in which he talks about what drives him to direct what he directs. That said, what drives you to write what you write? Am i the only one who, over and over again, writes the same story?


AVC: In a way, a few movies you made in the '90s like Bram Stoker's Dracula and Jack could be also called Youth Without Youth. What has compelled you to return to these themes of time and of age so frequently?

FFC: I have no idea. I think that's the Rorschach test. It happens when you choose a subject matter. The ones you talk about, some of them I had nothing to do with—I was basically offered a job when I needed a job, and the script was written and it was cast and they said, "Would you direct it? We'll give you a job." And I said sure. Whereas with something like The Godfather, I looked at it in my own way. I saw it as a family in a story of succession. But it's true that the things you choose tell you a lot about yourself. I don't necessarily understand those things. It really falls to someone—a critic, or a thinker outside of me—to say "Hmmm, look at that. Youth Without Youth has a theme about time and so does Rumble Fish." But I didn't know that. Now, when I think about it, I can say, "Yeah, I guess I am interested in those kinds of stories." I'm sure as hell not interested in gangsters. I had plenty of chances to direct other gangster movies, and I never wanted to. So something about me must rather pick certain kinds of stories. Whenever I meet a couple, and I get to talk to the wife—because usually they sit you next to the wife—I always think "Gee, what a smart woman. What an interesting woman." And then my estimation of the husband goes way up, because she chose him. And I think that the stuff you choose as a director is a Rorschach test as to who you are.

Quoted Text Am i the only one who, over and over again, writes the same story?

No. Definitely not. In practically everything I write I see the same themes pop up in one way or another. Loss of innocence is a favorite of mine, and I think I've touched upon it in all the scripts I've written, which is why I often write about kids. I like how they can act in ways grown ups can't. They can see things grown-ups can't. I think you can explore a more unadulterated spectrum of human emotions, or at least more profoundly, in kids than with adults.

Generally, I guess I'm interested in stories about growing up (or not), in one way or another. not just in kids, but adults too.

If there's a common theme in my writing it seems to be that of someone struggling to hold onto their integrity and remain true to themselves in a corrupt world that is trying to break him/her down.  I guess it's that struggle of conscience, that inner-turmoil that intrigues me.

Sometimes the theme is front and centre, other times it's buried deep in the subtext of the story.  

I have a couple of themes.

One would have to be ambiguity.  In a number of scripts I write about a mysterious character that has some sort of romantic or other entanglement with one of the other characters. Other times it might be a mysterious substance.  

Another of my themes is self aware scripts.  I've written a number of them that are either fully or at some point self aware.

Hey,

For me, I think the theme that keeps popping up is friendship and betrayal of that friendship.

The difference I think I have with the rest of you is that I've been trying to force myself away to other themes, at least until I feel I have something significantly different to say about it, or an appropriately different perspective in which to examine it. I've actually started stuff and had the theme pop up and then go back and try to redo it to get away from the theme.

Not that I think it's bad to write about the same themes over and over. I know a lot of great artist who do that and the way they address that theme gets more and more refined each time. I just think of it as trying to make myself grow. Actually, I'd be interested to get your inputs on that last part.

sheepwalker

Quoted from Soap Hands I just think of it as trying to make myself grow. Actually, I'd be interested to get your inputs on that last part.

Some plants can thrive on almost any type of food. But some plants, like an orchid, may need a special diet to reach its full potential.

I like to think of Judd Apatow. This is a guy who pretty much always writes about adolescence and immaturity in one way or another. Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, 40 year old virgin (very much about growing up), Superbad and even Knocked Up all dealt with growing up but went about it in very different ways.

His stuff is consistently fresh, I think.

In fact, many of the great auteurs dealt with the same subject all their lives. It's like that screenwriter adage: It's not about what's it's about but how it's about it.

A theme is occurs a lot in my scripts is hope. My characters all hope something good will come out of the bad situation that has happened. I tend to write a lot about traumatic events where the character has to undergo the struggles presented by the event.

I think that makes sense.

What I get from your quote, Seth, is that he works on stories that appeal to him, and there is little more thought to it than that.

And yet, his stuff is pretty darn good (for the most part).

Then, when others find themes in his work, that is when he sits back and says, "Well, gosh...I guess there is actually something more in there..."

Is it wrong to just write your story without actively adhering to some underlying theme?  Even if it is a killer story?  I mean, must one have a theme in mind to actually create something of merit?

Or can you create a theme without even being aware of its presence?

I think it can go both ways. That's the beuaty of writing. The brainstomring stage does not adhere to any rules. But for me, when i write, I let it flow naturally. Anything that pops into my brain, which are usually images, i investigate further until I get a story worthwhile.

But back to the topic, I usually write about betrayal and chaos. Reason: I'm simply fanasted with it.

Gabe

You're so very right.  I think that many of us revisit the same things again and again.

All themes connect at some junction; it's a matter of discovering how.

When writers are able to pull these themes off from under the surface without the kind of form which is like proselytizing, then, I think something very special happens.

I don't mean this with respect to religion or personal values.  I'm talking about something that crosses over all kinds of "apparent" boundaries.

Something we are all a part of is "The Human Condition" and even though our perception and views are colored by our genetics, our culture, our personal family and community experience, we still exist within the same garment of flesh and we are all subject to nature's laws.

The writer's job is to help establish some kind of "moving" connection-- some kind of sense of revelation in The Reader or Viewer.  Whatever that is, it bridges the gap of our personal egos and helps bring a sense of unity.

Thank you for bringing this up.  I appreciate it because even though I try to keep this in mind, sometimes I get hard into details and it's always nice just to come on Simplyscripts and hear other people's souls being "Out There" and not an imaginary thing in a writer's mind.

Sandra

Writing about the same sort of genre is a common theme writers have.  Simply, sticking to what you know.  Like how Martin Scorcese is best known for writing his gangster themed movies like Good Fellas, Casino or The Departed.  It's just where we can write best in.

My theme is generally action or suspense.  My first screenplay I started with was an Action/Suspense theme, *never posted* but my next one is an Action screenplay, so once again, it's just what I enjoy writing best, and what I think I can write best.  Honestly, I can tell jokes and make people laugh, but I cannot possibly write a comedy screenplay, or a horror screenplay.  It's just sticking to what you know bud, and my future screenplays will probably be action as well, I mean you're right, a lot of writers, beginning and veterans alike DO write the same genre or theme, I think it's a good trend, but often you DO kinda  get curious about other genres, but the fear of failing in an all new genre overwhelms me.

It just all boils down to sticking to what you know and what you do best.  

Hello Big K,

I've just read your post about genre and wanted to mention that theme and genre are different things.

Theme transcends genre.  Genre is just a particular set of things (whoah now there's a big word) we identify with as a particular medium, but a general theme like "Hope in the face of adversity" can happen in all genres.  

We can have a vampire trying to find hope in his damnation.  Living forever in one particular form without the hope of reincarnating is quite the subject, but it's the same thing as:

Co-joined twins who were born attached at the head.  Maybe they try and find hope and individuality within "their kind" of damnation.

Both stories might be based on "The Hope" theme; yet one might be a horror and the other might be made into a thriller, a romance, or a regular sort of drama.

Interesting to think, if one of the twins fell into a mutual love with some soul from a past life-- then yes, we would definitely have a romance-- a romance with a major interference.

Anyways, this is a good thread.  Maybe someone can start another one which deals with theme.  Specifically, it would be interesting to hear from some of the real "literary" film people out there who have a lot to say about this.

Love and Light,

Sandra

Quoted from bert What I get from your quote, Seth, is that he works on stories that appeal to him, and there is little more thought to it than that. And yet, his stuff is pretty darn good (for the most part). Then, when others find themes in his work, that is when he sits back and says, "Well, gosh...I guess there is actually something more in there..." Is it wrong to just write your story without actively adhering to some underlying theme?  Even if it is a killer story?  I mean, must one have a theme in mind to actually create something of merit? Or can you create a theme without even being aware of its presence?

I think you can.

I think good stories - interesting stories - have themes whether purposely planted there or not. Looking on the face of things, of course what's important is simply writing what appeals to you, but what this thread is about, as I've gathered, is exploring what exactly that is, that appeals to us. I don't think it's random, I think writers will inexoribly write about their own dreams and nightmares, fears, hopes, problems, etc.

And is that not what themes are? Not laboriously contructed frills we put into a story so it looks better on paper, but the very foundation of why we write it and why people will respond to it.

I can't think of a single good film without a theme, albeit certain genres will marginalize the theme into latency at the expense of some big explosions and witty banter.