COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
The Beauty of Theme: The Benefits of a Unified Theme in Cinematic Storytelling
Creator:
Gowder, W. Grey
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Film and Television
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Film and Television
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"This thesis will analyze how the successful implementation of a unified narrative and visual
theme empowers a director to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the filmmaking
process while preserving the essence of his or her story. With a clear thematic
understanding of the story, the director is better able to communicate his or her needs and
vision to the crew, while retaining a flexibility to troubleshoot on the fly without risking the
integrity and authenticity of the story. The short film 'Songs From the Deep' serves as the
case study for the implementation of a unified theme from script to screen as it is dissected
and compared to influential science-fiction films with strong central thematic elements."
theme empowers a director to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the filmmaking
process while preserving the essence of his or her story. With a clear thematic
understanding of the story, the director is better able to communicate his or her needs and
vision to the crew, while retaining a flexibility to troubleshoot on the fly without risking the
integrity and authenticity of the story. The short film 'Songs From the Deep' serves as the
case study for the implementation of a unified theme from script to screen as it is dissected
and compared to influential science-fiction films with strong central thematic elements."
Abstract:
Includes film "Songs from the Deep," which tells the story of "an elderly NASA scientist working for the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) attempts to make contact with an alien civilization. The film begins late in his career as he begins to reconcile the time and the sacrifices he has made to follow his dream. Due to these sacrifices, Doctor
Singer is a man between two worlds, unable to reach the world of his dreams yet no longer able to connect with the world of his roots."
Singer is a man between two worlds, unable to reach the world of his dreams yet no longer able to connect with the world of his roots."
Abstract:
Keywords: theme, narrative theme, visual theme, unified theme, directing, filmmaking,
golden ratio, collaboration, story, poiesis
golden ratio, collaboration, story, poiesis
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2018-05
Format:
1 text file (thesis) : PDF, 90 pages + 1 film (9 min.) : WMV, sound, color