I think theme and premise are sometimes used interchangably and I've heard a variety of definitions.

For me, Premise is usually a "What if ..." OR the Egri formula of Subject + Verb + Object like, "Ruthless Ambition leads to Self Destruction."

I think Theme is bit less Academic and relates more to the motifs and ideas that are not necessary proven, but rather examined through the work.

Or not.

I always has Lajos Egri's book on hand to refer back to.

Love is a theme. Identity is a theme. However, when you're talking about specifics, then you're talking about premise. What about love is your story about? What about identity are you trying to say?

To me, theme is what is learned by the end of the story.

I don't think theme and premise are interchangeable.

Is STAR WARS a story about

-- man vs. machine?
-- a son following in his father's footsteps?
-- imperialism vs. rebellion?
-- believing in an unseen "force" larger than one's self?

It touches on all of those themes.

But no one would say that any of those are what STAR WARS is "about."

"The Art of Dramatic Writing" uses theme and premise synonymously. Which is fine in context of the book. However, I think they are notably different. And John August acknowledges that (in school we are taught theme is...).

The book also says a movie can only have one "theme." Because he is using it interchangeably with premise. In the context of premise, I agree. However, movies can touch on what we (as Americans) typically consider theme, as illustrated in the Star Wars example above.

I agree with Ryan "To me, theme is what is learned by the end of the story."

...but I shy away from the word "learn."

I think theme is the thoughts and feelings an individual takes away from a film after seeing it. The things that get the wheels in our heads turning. Thinking about how this may or not apply to the world we live in.

And to that, I don't think one can write specifically for it.

Godard used to say he was writing for the invisible. The intangible. That which he couldn't describe and to describe it would be to take its power away.

Imho, that is what theme is.

The invisible.

August is always so good at explaining things in a concise way.

I teach Theme as a question, not an answer. "Theme is the universal idea explored in a piece." That's usually my official definition.