diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenOptionsService in.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenOptionsService in.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..904860a60c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenOptionsService in.lua	
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+return Def.ActorFrame{
+	Def.Quad{
+		InitCommand=cmd(FullScreen;diffuse,color("#fffdf2FF"));
+		OnCommand=cmd(decelerate,0.75;diffusealpha,0);
+	};
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu cancel.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu cancel.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8c25be1f11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu cancel.lua	
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+return Def.Quad{
+	InitCommand=cmd(FullScreen;diffuse,color("#fffdf200"));
+	OnCommand=cmd(decelerate,1;diffusealpha,1);
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu out.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu out.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fbcd53b75f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu out.lua	
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+return Def.ActorFrame{
+	Def.Quad{
+		InitCommand=cmd(FullScreen;diffuse,color("#fffdf200"));
+		OnCommand=cmd(sleep,1.125;decelerate,0.875;diffusealpha,1);
+	};
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu underlay.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu underlay.lua
index 9e177fce1d..6436218559 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu underlay.lua	
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu underlay.lua	
@@ -54,9 +54,15 @@ return Def.ActorFrame {
 		-- diffusealpha,1 makes the logo fade in when applied here.
 		OnCommand=cmd(linear,0.5;diffusealpha,1;);
 	};
-	
+
 	-- Creative Commons logo, using a local file in the same directory:
 	LoadActor( "creativecommons" )..{
 		InitCommand=cmd(x,SCREEN_LEFT+64;y,SCREEN_BOTTOM-48;Real);
+		OnCommand=cmd(addy,32;cropbottom,1;fadebottom,1;decelerate,0.8;cropbottom,0;fadebottom,0;addy,-32);
+	};
+	-- a cheap reflection effect.
+	LoadActor( "creativecommons" )..{
+		InitCommand=cmd(x,SCREEN_LEFT+64;y,SCREEN_BOTTOM-20;valign,0;zoomy,-0.6;rotationx,-40;diffusealpha,0.6;Real;);
+		OnCommand=cmd(addy,8;croptop,1;fadetop,0;decelerate,0.8;croptop,0;fadetop,1;addy,-8);
 	};
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu background.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenWithMenuElements background.lua
similarity index 90%
rename from Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu background.lua
rename to Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenWithMenuElements background.lua
index b2bdd597f2..ee69cb6ab6 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenTitleMenu background.lua	
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/ScreenWithMenuElements background.lua	
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
--- this file returns a single quad that represents the background of
--- ScreenTitleMenu.
+-- this file returns a single quad that represents the background of most screens in the theme.
 return Def.Quad{
 	-- FullScreen is defined in Themes/_fallback/Scripts/02 Actor.lua in sm-ssc.
 
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/_wait.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/_wait.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1c59852cfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/BGAnimations/_wait.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+local time = ...
+if not time then time = 1.0 end
+
+return Def.Actor{ OnCommand=cmd(sleep,time); };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/Graphics/ScreenTitleMenu scroll.lua b/Themes/HelloWorld/Graphics/ScreenTitleMenu scroll.lua
index 72e63f3bc7..0445f29634 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/Graphics/ScreenTitleMenu scroll.lua	
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/Graphics/ScreenTitleMenu scroll.lua	
@@ -13,17 +13,22 @@ Concepts used:
 * accelerate
 --]]
 
+-- this is used as a shorthand for GameCommand.
+local gc = Var("GameCommand")
+
 local t = Def.ActorFrame{
 	LoadFont( "_frutiger roman" ) ..{
 		-- This line tries to find a corresponding line in the current language
 		-- ini file; If it doesn't, (and you haven't disabled error messages,)
 		-- then an error will pop up telling you where you need to add the
 		-- string.
-		Text=THEME:GetString( 'ScreenTitleMenu', Var("GameCommand"):GetText() );
+		Text=THEME:GetString( 'ScreenTitleMenu', gc:GetText() );
 		InitCommand=cmd(zoom,0.85;y,-1;shadowlength,0;diffuse,color("#000000");halign,1;strokecolor,color("0,0,0,0"););
 		DisabledCommand=cmd( diffuse,color("0.45,0,0,1") );
 		GainFocusCommand=cmd(stoptweening;accelerate,0.15;diffuse,color("#000000");strokecolor,color("0.85,0.9,1,0.75"););
 		LoseFocusCommand=cmd(stoptweening;accelerate,0.2;diffuse,color("#888888");strokecolor,color("0,0,0,0"););
+		OffFocusedCommand=cmd(sleep,1;decelerate,1;addx,-32;diffuse,color("#FF0000"));
+		OffUnfocusedCommand=cmd(sleep,0.2*gc:GetIndex();linear,0.5;addx,SCREEN_CENTER_X;);
 	};
 };
 
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/Languages/en.ini b/Themes/HelloWorld/Languages/en.ini
index 361db82e0d..3fea1a2d15 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/Languages/en.ini
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/Languages/en.ini
@@ -2,5 +2,6 @@
 WindowTitle=Hello World (and other sm-ssc theming examples)
 
 [ScreenTitleMenu]
-Game Start=Enter Guide
+Guide=Guide
+Reference=Reference
 Tutorial=Tutorial Series
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/ThemeInfo.ini b/Themes/HelloWorld/ThemeInfo.ini
index d716420a59..0948fe30e1 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/ThemeInfo.ini
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/ThemeInfo.ini
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # [en] ThemeInfo is used to set the theme's name (as it appears in the options
 # menu), as well as the author (which shows up on ScreenInit, assuming you use it
-# in your them).
+# in your theme).
 [ThemeInfo]
 DisplayName=Hello World
-Author=SSC
\ No newline at end of file
+Author=Various Contributors
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/metrics.ini b/Themes/HelloWorld/metrics.ini
index 5709f3ab3e..9746eeed3e 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/metrics.ini
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/metrics.ini
@@ -14,46 +14,106 @@ InitialScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
 
 ################################################################################
 # [core] Core Screens; these are the concrete implementations.
+
+# ScreenTitleMenu is the first screen you see in this theme, thanks to the
+# [Common] InitialScreen metric being changed.
 [ScreenTitleMenu]
+# PrevScreen is set to make sure nothing gets messed up.
 PrevScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
 # These settings are used to disable the attract sequence:
 IdleTimeoutSeconds=-1
 IdleTimeoutScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
 
-# These settings define what options appear on the menu:
+# These settings define what options appear on the menu and what commands are
+# run when they are selected:
 ChoiceNames="1,2,3,4,5"
-Choice1="text,Guide"
-Choice2="text,Reference"
-Choice3="text,Tutorial"
-Choice4="screen,ScreenOptionsService;text,Options"
-Choice5="screen,ScreenExit;text,Exit"
+Choice1="text,Guide;screen,ScreenGuideMain"
+Choice2="text,Reference;"
+Choice3="text,Tutorial;"
+Choice4="text,Options;screen,ScreenOptionsService;"
+Choice5="text,Exit;screen,ScreenExit;"
 
 # These control the placement of the items, as well as the list:
 ScrollerX=SCREEN_RIGHT-44
 ScrollerY=SCREEN_CENTER_Y+32
+ScrollerOnCommand=addx,SCREEN_CENTER_X;decelerate,0.8;addx,-SCREEN_CENTER_X
 ScrollerTransform=function(self,offset,itemIndex,numItems) self:y(27*offset) end
 
+[ScreenOptionsService]
+# dummying out ScreenInit
+NextScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
+PrevScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
 ################################################################################
-# [guide] The guide splits the elements of StepMania theming into different sections. #
+# [guide] The guide splits the elements of StepMania theming into different sections.
+# It acts as an introduction to all of the concepts in modern StepMania theming.
 # All guide pages aside from ScreenGuideMain MUST be prefixed with "Guide" in
 # order to differentiate them from the core screens.
 [ScreenGuideMain]
+Class="ScreenSelectMaster"
+Fallback="ScreenSelectMaster"
+PrevScreen="ScreenTitleMenu"
+
+ChoiceNames="Metrics,Fonts,Graphics,BGAnims,Sounds,Scripts,Other,NoteSkins,Announcers"
+ChoiceMetrics=""
+ChoiceFonts=""
+ChoiceGraphics=""
+ChoiceBGAnims=""
+ChoiceSounds=""
+ChoiceScripts=""
+ChoiceOther=""
+ChoiceNoteSkins=""
+ChoiceAnnouncers=""
+DefaultChoice="Metrics"
+
+# guide base screen (sets up things I don't want to retype a lot -aj) #
+[GuideBase]
+Class="ScreenSelectMaster"
+Fallback="ScreenSelectMaster"
 
 ## Metrics
+[GuideMetrics]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ## Fonts
+[GuideFonts]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ## Graphics
+[GuideGraphics]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ## BGAnimations
+[GuideBGA]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 ### Decorations			(simpler)
 ### Overlay/Underlay	(can be more complex)
 
 ## Sounds
+[GuideSounds]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ## Scripts
+[GuideScripts]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ## the Other folder
+[GuideOther]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
+### HowToPlay steps
+### PreferredSort
+
+# And then there are the things that are related to theming:
+## NoteSkins
+[GuideNoteSkins]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
+
+## Announcers
+[GuideAnnouncers]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
+
+## Characters
+[GuideCharacters]
+Fallback="GuideBase"
 
 ################################################################################
 # [ref] The reference section contains a complete listing of commands and examples of how they work. #
@@ -61,12 +121,98 @@ ScrollerTransform=function(self,offset,itemIndex,numItems) self:y(27*offset) end
 # in order to differentiate them from the core screens.
 [ScreenReferenceMain]
 
+# reference base screen (sets up things I don't want to retype a lot -aj) #
+[ReferenceBase]
+Class="ScreenSelectMaster"
+Fallback="ScreenSelectMaster"
+
 ## Screens
+[ReferenceScreens]
+Fallback="ReferenceBase"
+
+## Managers and other Singletons
+[ReferenceManagers]
+Fallback="ReferenceBase"
+
+# STEPMANIA ROBOT MASTERS
+### ANNOUNCER [man]
+[ReferenceAnnouncerMan]
+
+### CHARMAN
+[ReferenceCharMan]
+
+### FILEMAN
+[ReferenceFileMan]
+
+### GAMEMAN
+[ReferenceGameMan]
+
+### GAMESOUNDMAN
+[ReferenceGameSoundMan]
+
+### GAMESTATE
+[ReferenceGameState]
+
+### MEMCARDMAN
+[ReferenceMemCardMan]
+
+### MESSAGEMAN
+[ReferenceMessageMan]
+
+### NOTESKIN [man]
+[ReferenceNoteskinMan]
+
+### PREFSMAN
+[ReferencePrefsMan]
+
+### PROFILEMAN
+[ReferenceProfileMan]
+
+### SCREENMAN
+[ReferenceScreenMan]
+
+### SONGMAN
+[ReferenceSongMan]
+
+### STATSMAN
+[ReferenceStatsMan]
+
+### THEME [man]
+[ReferenceThemeMan]
+
+### UNLOCKMAN
+[ReferenceUnlockMan]
 
 ## Classes
+[ReferenceClasses]
+Fallback="ReferenceBase"
 
-## Etc.
+### Actor
+[ReferenceActor]
+#### many sub-things
+
+### ActorFrame
+[ReferenceActorFrame]
+
+### Banner
+[ReferenceBanner]
+
+### Song
+[ReferenceSong]
+
+### Steps
+[ReferenceSteps]
+
+### Course
+[ReferenceCourse]
+
+### Trail
+[ReferenceTrail]
+
+### and a ton of missing stuff
 
 ################################################################################
 # [tutor] Tutorials are guides to implementing specific things #
-[ScreenTutorialMain]
\ No newline at end of file
+[ScreenTutorialMain]
+
+# todo: figure out what tutorials
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Themes/HelloWorld/readme.txt b/Themes/HelloWorld/readme.txt
index d14beaae4e..c72d71d7b8 100644
--- a/Themes/HelloWorld/readme.txt
+++ b/Themes/HelloWorld/readme.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-Hello World (and other sm-ssc theming examples)
+Hello World
+and other sm-ssc theming examples
+--------------------------------------
 A theme by various contributors.
------------------------------------------------
+--------------------------------------
 
 This theme and its accompanying documentation are licensed under
 the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
@@ -12,6 +14,22 @@ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/
 Table of Contents
  Introduction [intro]
  Chapter List [chapt]
+  Guide       [guide]
+   Metrics     [g_met]
+   Fonts       [g_fon]
+   Graphics    [g_gfx]
+   BGAnims     [g_bga]
+   Sounds      [g_sfx]
+   Scripts     [g_scr]
+   Other       [g_oth]
+   NoteSkins   [g_not]
+   Announcers  [g_ann]
+   Characters  [g_cha]
+  Reference   [ref]
+   Screens     [r_scr]
+   Managers    [r_man]
+   Classes     [r_cls]
+  Tutorials    [tutor]
 [others tba]
 
 ================================================================================
@@ -22,4 +40,10 @@ This theme and accompanying documentation are provided for people new to
 theming for StepMania, using sm-ssc as a base.
 
 ================================================================================
-The Chapters [chapt]
\ No newline at end of file
+The Chapters [chapt]
+
+The theme itself is split into three sections, encompassing various elements of
+sm-ssc theming.
+
+The Guide is a general run-through of how Themes are constructed (along with
+NoteSkins, Announcers, and Characters)
\ No newline at end of file