SCENE 05 // THE MEANINGFIG 5.0
THE
CONTROLLING IDEA
"A true theme is not a word; it is a sentence."
The Core
A Controlling Idea may be expressed in a single sentence describing how and why life undergoes change from one condition of existence at the beginning to another at the end.
The Formula
Value + Cause = Theme
Example: The Godfather
"Loyalty to the family leads to the destruction of the soul."
The Field
FIG 5.1 // ALIGNMENT
HOVER TO MAGNETIZE
Chaos
Without a Controlling Idea, scenes drift. They may be interesting, but they do not build.
Order
With a Controlling Idea, every beat, scene, and sequence aligns to prove the ultimate truth.
The Charge
IDEALISTIC
"Up-ending" stories. Love conquers all. Good triumphs over evil. The human spirit prevails.
PESSIMISTIC
"Down-ending" stories. Passion turns to hate. Nature is indifferent. We die alone.
IRONIC
"Up/Down-ending" stories. We gain everything, but lose our soul. We lose the battle, but win our dignity.