The film industry has greatly evolved since its beginnings, and with all the options available, audiences today are more demanding than ever. To stay ahead in the industry, filmmakers must make movies with strong storylines that capture the audience's attention.
The first ingredient of a great film is a good script. A script provides the blueprint on which the rest of the film can be built. A good script weaves visual metaphors in a story to underline its themes. It also has a well-developed plot with interesting and believable characters and is structured in an easy-to-follow manner. More importantly, a good script keeps the audience engaged and invested in the film.
Great films have actors who make viewers believe they are real individuals with real-world problems. Even though the audience knows they are acting, great actors can evoke emotions such as joy, sympathy, compassion, or anger. Filmmakers hire casting directors to find actors who can execute various roles perfectly and naturally. A cast that works well together elevates the entire film. Conversely, those who do not fit their assigned roles may make the film feel off-balance.
The production process, from cinematography and directing to post-production, such as editing, is essential to the creation of any film. For instance, movies like Avatar and Titanic are famous for their great production skills and innovative special effects. The best filmmakers will work with cinematographers to meticulously construct frames that convey meaning and add relevance to the overall story. They will also collaborate with great editors to include effects, music, and sounds to create compelling films that resonate with the audience. James Cameron and Steven Spielberg are examples of top filmmakers employing these techniques.
Great films also have a strong cultural impact and often represent a moment or period in their time. For instance, Hollywood movies from the 1970s reflected rising protests and the economic recession of the time. Similarly, modern films like Star Wars propelled the technological age and have since shaped the technology around the United States.
Nostalgia is another powerful aspect of the film. Great films have a nostalgic effect on audiences, often reminding them of the past when they had great times with family and friends. Filmmakers can use this incredible tool to alter the audiences' moods and encourage social connectivity among people that experienced a particular event at the same time in the past. However, bringing up too much of the past can bore and distract viewers from the main story. Consequently, filmmakers should use this tool sparingly.
Lastly, a great film will convey its message creatively and artfully. Unlike other films where the message is portrayed in an outright manner, a superb film will use a compelling story to consciously or unconsciously communicate an understanding of the human experience or the world. For instance, filmmakers may use fables to create a commentary on social and political issues like social segregation, human rights, and wealth equality.
Superb films gain value over time. They are memorable to the audience and awaken their admiration for the beauty and art of the cast and the story. As a result, superb films are sources of entertainment and are highly rated by audiences and critics alike. Additionally, they become landmarks of cinema, often setting a precedent for others in the film industry to emulate.
