@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.5.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/themes/examples/common-mistakes-and-fixes.md

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+# Common Thematic Mistakes and How to Fix Them
+
+**Purpose**: Before-and-after examples showing common thematic errors and their solutions.
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 1: On-the-Nose Dialogue (Stating Theme Explicitly)
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+```
+INT. OFFICE - DAY
+
+JOHN
+You know what this story is about, Sarah? 
+It's about how ambition corrupts people. 
+How the pursuit of power makes us lose 
+sight of what really matters. That's the 
+theme of my life.
+
+SARAH
+Yes, John. That's exactly what the theme is.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- Characters explicitly state the theme
+- No subtlety or subtext
+- Feels like a lecture, not a story
+- Audience isn't allowed to discover meaning
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+```
+INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
+
+John sits alone in his corner office. Awards on the wall. 
+Photos of his family, faces he barely recognizes now.
+
+His phone rings. His daughter. He silences it.
+
+Returns to his work.
+
+The phone stops ringing.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Theme shown through action and imagery
+- Subtext: Success achieved, family lost
+- Audience infers the theme
+- Visual storytelling (awards vs. family photos)
+- Character's choice demonstrates theme
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 2: Theme Without Conflict
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Friendship
+
+```
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+Best friends LISA and EMMA laugh together.
+
+LISA
+I'm so glad we're friends!
+
+EMMA
+Me too! Friends forever!
+
+They hug. Everything is perfect.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- No conflict testing the friendship
+- Theme is stated, not explored
+- No dramatic tension
+- Nothing at stake
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Friendship
+
+```
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+Lisa and Emma sit in tense silence.
+
+LISA
+You slept with him.
+
+EMMA
+I didn't know you still had feelings—
+
+LISA
+We talked about him two days ago!
+
+EMMA
+You said you were over him!
+
+LISA
+And you believed that made it okay?
+
+Silence. Years of friendship hanging in the balance.
+
+EMMA
+I'm sorry.
+
+LISA
+Sorry doesn't fix this.
+
+Emma stands to leave.
+
+EMMA
+So that's it? Ten years of friendship, 
+gone?
+
+Lisa doesn't answer. Emma waits.
+
+Finally, Lisa looks up.
+
+LISA
+I don't know. I need time.
+
+EMMA
+How much time?
+
+LISA
+I don't know that either.
+
+Emma nods. Leaves. Lisa sits alone.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Friendship tested by betrayal
+- Real conflict with stakes
+- No easy resolution
+- Theme explored through difficulty
+- Ambiguous ending (realistic)
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 3: One-Dimensional Antagonist
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Justice
+
+```
+INT. COURTROOM - DAY
+
+The CORRUPT JUDGE sneers at the defendant.
+
+CORRUPT JUDGE
+I don't care about justice! I only 
+care about money and power! Guilty!
+
+(laughs evilly)
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- Antagonist is cartoonishly evil
+- No complexity or justification
+- Theme becomes simplistic (good vs. evil)
+- No moral nuance
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Justice
+
+```
+INT. JUDGE'S CHAMBERS - DAY
+
+JUDGE MORRISON reviews the case. The PROSECUTOR waits.
+
+PROSECUTOR
+The evidence is circumstantial.
+
+JUDGE MORRISON
+But the defendant has priors. Pattern 
+of behavior.
+
+PROSECUTOR
+Still. Reasonable doubt exists.
+
+JUDGE MORRISON
+And if we let him walk, and he kills 
+again? How do we live with that?
+
+PROSECUTOR
+How do we live with convicting an 
+innocent man?
+
+Morrison looks at the case file. Genuinely torn.
+
+JUDGE MORRISON
+The law says innocent until proven guilty. 
+But my gut says he did it.
+
+PROSECUTOR
+Your gut isn't evidence.
+
+JUDGE MORRISON
+No. But it's kept people safe for 
+thirty years.
+
+He makes his decision. We see the weight of it.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Judge has understandable motivation (protecting people)
+- Genuine moral dilemma (safety vs. justice)
+- Not evil, just prioritizing differently
+- Theme becomes complex (competing values)
+- Audience can see both sides
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 4: Theme Added as Afterthought
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Original Story**: Action thriller about stopping a terrorist
+
+**Theme "Added"**: At the end, hero says:
+```
+HERO
+I learned that violence only creates 
+more violence. Peace is the answer.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- Theme not integrated into story
+- Contradicts the action (hero used violence throughout)
+- Feels tacked on
+- No thematic development
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Integrated Story**: Action thriller where theme is woven throughout
+
+**Act I**: Hero believes violence solves problems
+```
+INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
+
+HERO
+We go in hard. Eliminate the threat.
+
+MENTOR
+And create ten more terrorists from 
+their families?
+
+HERO
+That's tomorrow's problem.
+```
+
+**Act II**: Hero sees consequences of violence
+```
+EXT. VILLAGE - DAY
+
+The hero walks through rubble. A CHILD stares at him 
+with hatred. The child's father was killed in the raid.
+
+The hero sees himself creating the next generation of enemies.
+```
+
+**Act III**: Hero chooses different path
+```
+INT. TERRORIST HIDEOUT - DAY
+
+Hero has the terrorist leader at gunpoint.
+
+TERRORIST
+Do it. Make me a martyr. Prove we're right 
+about you.
+
+The hero lowers his gun.
+
+HERO
+No. You're going to trial. The world 
+will see you're not a freedom fighter. 
+You're a murderer.
+
+TERRORIST
+They'll never convict me.
+
+HERO
+Maybe not. But I won't create more of you.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Theme integrated from beginning
+- Character arc reflects theme
+- Actions demonstrate thematic evolution
+- Resolution earned through journey
+- Theme shown through choices, not speeches
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 5: No Visual Representation
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Isolation
+
+```
+INT. APARTMENT - DAY
+
+MARK
+I feel so isolated. So alone. Nobody 
+understands me. I'm completely cut off 
+from human connection.
+
+His roommate nods sympathetically.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- Theme only in dialogue
+- Visuals contradict theme (roommate present)
+- No visual storytelling
+- Telling, not showing
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Isolation
+
+```
+INT. MARK'S APARTMENT - DAY
+
+Mark sits alone. The apartment is silent.
+
+Through the window: Families in the park. Couples walking. 
+Children playing. Life happening outside.
+
+Mark watches. Separated by glass.
+
+His phone sits on the table. No notifications.
+
+He picks it up. Scrolls through contacts. Hundreds of names.
+
+Puts it down without calling anyone.
+
+Returns to watching the world through the window.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Visual isolation (alone in frame)
+- Window as barrier (physical separation)
+- Contrast (life outside, emptiness inside)
+- Phone with contacts but no connection
+- No dialogue needed
+- Theme shown visually
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 6: Preaching Instead of Exploring
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Environment
+
+```
+INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
+
+SCIENTIST
+Climate change is real! We must act now! 
+Anyone who denies it is wrong! There's 
+only one solution: renewable energy!
+
+Everyone nods in agreement.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- One-sided presentation
+- No complexity or nuance
+- Feels like propaganda
+- No dramatic conflict
+- Audience told what to think
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Environment
+
+```
+INT. TOWN HALL - NIGHT
+
+The SCIENTIST presents climate data. The FACTORY OWNER 
+stands to respond.
+
+FACTORY OWNER
+You want me to shut down the factory. 
+Put 500 people out of work.
+
+SCIENTIST
+I want you to transition to clean energy.
+
+FACTORY OWNER
+With what money? You think I'm rich? 
+I'm barely breaking even.
+
+SCIENTIST
+And in ten years, when the river's toxic?
+
+FACTORY OWNER
+In ten years, these families will have 
+starved. I'm trying to feed people today.
+
+The scientist has no answer. The problem is harder than 
+she thought.
+
+SCIENTIST
+There has to be a way to do both.
+
+FACTORY OWNER
+Then help me find it. Don't just tell 
+me I'm destroying the planet.
+
+The scientist sits. Realizes she needs to listen, not lecture.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Multiple perspectives presented
+- Both sides have valid points
+- Complexity acknowledged
+- No easy answers
+- Characters must work together
+- Theme explored, not preached
+- Audience thinks, not told
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 7: Theme Without Stakes
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Ambition
+
+```
+INT. OFFICE - DAY
+
+JANE
+I want the promotion.
+
+BOSS
+Okay, you got it.
+
+JANE
+Great!
+
+Everyone's happy.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- No cost to ambition
+- No conflict or sacrifice
+- Nothing at stake
+- Theme not explored
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Ambition
+
+```
+INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
+
+Jane's mother lies in bed, dying. Jane's phone rings. 
+The promotion interview.
+
+MOTHER
+Go. It's important.
+
+JANE
+You're important.
+
+MOTHER
+I'll still be here.
+
+Jane looks at her mother. At her phone.
+
+JANE
+What if you're not?
+
+MOTHER
+Then you'll regret missing your chance.
+
+Jane answers the phone.
+
+JANE
+(into phone)
+I need to reschedule.
+
+She hangs up. Sits with her mother.
+
+Her phone rings again. The boss.
+
+JANE
+(to mother)
+They're giving it to someone else.
+
+MOTHER
+I'm sorry.
+
+JANE
+(taking her mother's hand)
+I'm not.
+
+But we see in her eyes: Part of her is.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Real stakes (career vs. family)
+- Difficult choice
+- Sacrifice required
+- Ambiguity (right choice, but still costs)
+- Theme explored through conflict
+
+---
+
+## Mistake 8: Inconsistent Thematic Development
+
+### ❌ Bad Example
+
+**Theme**: Redemption
+
+**Act I**: Character is selfish and cruel  
+**Act II**: Character is selfish and cruel  
+**Act III**: Character suddenly becomes selfless and kind (no development shown)
+
+```
+INT. CHURCH - DAY
+
+VILLAIN
+I've changed! I'm good now!
+
+Everyone forgives him instantly.
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**:
+- No gradual transformation
+- Change not earned
+- No struggle or setback
+- Audience doesn't believe it
+
+### ✅ Good Example
+
+**Theme**: Redemption
+
+**Act I**: Character is selfish
+```
+Derek steals from his employer. Feels no guilt.
+```
+
+**Act II**: Character faces consequences, begins to change
+```
+Derek's theft is discovered. He's fired. His family 
+disowns him.
+
+He hits rock bottom. Homeless. Alone.
+
+A STRANGER helps him. Gives him food. Doesn't ask for 
+anything.
+
+DEREK
+Why help me?
+
+STRANGER
+Someone helped me once. Passing it on.
+
+Derek is moved. First crack in his selfishness.
+```
+
+**Act II (continued)**: Character struggles, relapses
+```
+Derek gets a new job. Sees opportunity to steal again.
+
+He reaches for the money.
+
+Stops.
+
+Remembers the stranger.
+
+Pulls his hand back.
+
+Later: Derek sees the stranger being mugged. Derek 
+intervenes. Gets beaten up saving the stranger.
+
+STRANGER
+Why'd you do that?
+
+DEREK
+Passing it on.
+```
+
+**Act III**: Character completes transformation through sacrifice
+```
+Derek's old employer offers him his job back. But Derek 
+must testify against his former partner in the theft.
+
+DEREK
+He's my friend.
+
+EMPLOYER
+He let you take the fall.
+
+Derek struggles. Then makes the call.
+
+DEREK
+(into phone)
+I'll testify.
+
+He's chosen the right path. It costs him his friendship. 
+But he's finally redeemed.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**:
+- Gradual transformation
+- Setbacks and struggles
+- Each step earned
+- Sacrifice required
+- Believable character arc
+
+---
+
+## Summary: Thematic Checklist
+
+Before finalizing your screenplay, check:
+
+- [ ] Theme shown through action, not dialogue
+- [ ] Conflict tests the theme
+- [ ] Antagonist has complex relationship to theme
+- [ ] Theme integrated from beginning, not added at end
+- [ ] Visual elements support theme
+- [ ] Multiple perspectives explored, not one-sided
+- [ ] Real stakes and consequences
+- [ ] Consistent thematic development across acts
+- [ ] Subtext in dialogue
+- [ ] Earned resolution
+
+---
+
+**Next Steps**: Review your screenplay against this checklist. Revise scenes that fall into these common mistakes.
+