How important is theme in a script?

Very, imho.

Hi, I’m Ali and this is Little Things. My advice column is for paying subscribers only. You can upgrade your subscription at any time.

Hi Ali,

I recently got notes from a writer on my script (I am an assistant on the show, and this person is one of the co-EPs), and he said it was clearly well written, but he couldn’t tell what I was trying to say with it. When you’re writing, do you think about the ‘point’ of the script? Can it just be enough to have a really good piece of writing?

From,
(Name requested to be excluded)

Hi!

First of all, congrats on finishing a script, getting eyes on it, and hearing that it’s well written! You’re already in amazing shape, and now you get to dig into one of my favorite parts of writing: THEME! Before reading my thoughts, remember that this is just the opinion of one mid-level writer. It’s worth talking to your co-EP and others about this question too. That being said, here’s where I stand on it:

There are a lot of good writers out there. In order to stand out, your script needs to be well written, and it also needs to say something about the world.