Thanks for reiterating this point, Sean.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Everyone, I just want to make sure we're clear on this, in these reviews. The theme. You don't have to state it as true, in order for it to be done correctly. Of course, that's one way to do things. You can also disagree with it (killing their family to save their friends, for example) or, if you character is a real hero, kill someone else to save themself. This agreement/disagreement/indifference will be true for every round in the tournament, tailored to each individual theme, of course.

Thanks for pointing this out, I've seen and commented on two that were like this and didn't realise. I'll take it into account with my scoring.  I wish I'd realised this when I was coming up with an idea, it might have made it easier, doh!

I'm still seeing that some people don't get that the  Blood is thicker than water theme doesn't have to mean family, it can mean any strongly forged bond, and it can also mean throwing that principle out the window e.g. going against it.

Quoted from LC I'm still seeing that some people don't get that the  Blood is thicker than water theme doesn't have to mean family, it can mean any strongly forged bond, and it can also mean throwing that principle out the window e.g. going against it.

It is understandable, people are confused. I've written two screenplays not realising this open aspect of the theme.

If you say the story has to follow a theme but then add that you can be positive, negative or indifferent to the theme and throw it out of the window why have a theme at all? BTW I think the use of a theme is good and I'm just throwing the question out there.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw If you say the story has to follow a theme but then add that you can be positive, negative or indifferent to the theme and throw it out of the window why have a theme at all? BTW I think the use of a theme is good and I'm just throwing the question out there.

My understanding was that even if your story is indifferent to the theme, it still needs to be called out. The OTN way would be to have a character outright suggest the positive version of the theme, then have the main character say, “I. Don’t. Care.”

Quoted from MarkRenshaw If you say the story has to follow a theme but then add that you can be positive, negative or indifferent to the theme and throw it out of the window why have a theme at all? BTW I think the use of a theme is good and I'm just throwing the question out there.

Because, like any theme, it's not meant to be the story, it's what the story is meant to be about. I don't believe in telling people what to write or else I would've gone with a standard theme like "Good always conquers over evil", something that tells you exactly what's expected and leave out the positive/negative/indifferent. I didn't want to do that, though, because it stifles creativity. That, I hate.

That said, I believe in the reviewers' own perspectives to determine things. There's really no point in having an objective scoring system in a subjective medium.

Quoted from FrankM My understanding was that even if your story is indifferent to the theme, it still needs to be called out. The OTN way would be to have a character outright suggest the positive version of the theme, then have the main character say, “I. Don’t. Care.”

Remember: the writer is positive/negative/indifferent, not the characters. I mean, the characters can feel however you want them to, but the purpose is to determine whether or not the writer makes any moral judgments on the themes.

Mark, here's my 2c:, Going for or against the theme can create a great story.

Example 1: If you're my brother and you're a drug smuggler I might turn you in if it means saving my own neck.
Example 2: I'm still your brother in the second scenario but also a cop so I might frame someone else to save my brother.

It was stated pretty clearly that you can agree with, or oppose (turn it on its head) the principle behind the theme.

I do think indifference doesn't apply to this theme and Sean said that too.
I have trouble getting my head around indifference for any theme really.

Quoted from LC I have trouble getting my head around indifference for any theme really.

Good conquers evil. Hero and villain both die. Everyone loses.

Okay, I'm just pondering that one, Sean...
I don't know that that would be your theme. I suppose if a character explicitly said it in dialogue, - we're going to get through this, and then they both die, then yep, okay, but I'm not convinced.

The indifference factor is a tough one.
Hey, healthy discussion here. You're making me think.

Quoted from LC Okay, I'm just pondering that one, Sean... I don't know that that would be your theme. I suppose if a character explicitly said it in dialogue, - we're going to get through this, and then they both die, then yep, okay, but I'm not convinced. The indifference factor is a tough one. Hey, healthy discussion here. You're making me think.

Admittedly, that's part of why I like the differences in people's reviews, because everyone sees these scripts a different way. It's fun. =)

Quoted from LC Hey, healthy discussion here.

Nope, healthy discussions are not allowed. This is the Internet, dammit!

Theme is theme, and if it's required, it's a necessity that the script actually has this theme.

So many do not, some, not even close.  And sadly, many of those did shockingly well in the week 1 scoring.  Personally, I don't get it, nor do I get how it could even be a point of controversy.

I thought about themes in general and I think if Sean gives us "there's no place like home" i'm skipping it.

Get it out there btw so he does not give it to us!

Commented on them all and now voted, time to rest up before the next round of madness