What Makes A Movie Great?

Summary

This video script explores the elusive qualities that make certain films 'great'. It highlights the importance of a compelling and universally relatable story that reveals insights about the human experience. The script also discusses how great films reflect their cultural context, innovate technically, and create a believable cinematic world that captivates audiences. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of casting and the synergy between technical and creative aspects in achieving a polished and engaging film. Ultimately, it suggests that while there is a formula for greatness, there is also an intangible spark that propels a film into the annals of cinematic history.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Art is subjective, and there's no definitive formula for what makes a film 'great', but certain elements can contribute to its recognition as such.
• 📖 A great film's story must be engaging and resonate with a wide audience, often revealing insights about the world or human experience.
• 🌟 Stories have been a fundamental part of human communication, allowing for the conveyance of deep truths and ideas in a nuanced manner.
• 🌍 Great films often reflect the cultural context of their time, impacting society and representing historical moments or periods.
• 🎬 Technical and artistic innovation in film can push boundaries and contribute to a film's legacy, such as inventive cinematography or editing.
• 👀 A polished technical style in a film can draw audiences in, making them feel fully immersed in the story without questioning its elements.
• 🎥 Directors with a strong artistic vision and technical knowledge can create films where the story, artistic expression, and technical execution are in harmony.
• 🌐 Today's audiences are more analytical and demanding, requiring films to be believable and engaging to maintain their suspension of disbelief.
• 🌟 Casting plays a crucial role in a film's success, with well-cast actors, whether famous or lesser-known, bringing stories to life and leaving a lasting impact.
• 🔥 The 'magic ingredients' for a great film include a compelling story, cultural significance, technical innovation, creative synergy, and effective casting.
• 🤔 There is an element of mystery to what makes a film great, suggesting that it might be a combination of the mentioned factors, luck, or an indefinable spark.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the video regarding the subjectivity of art?

The video argues that while art is subjective and it's impossible to state categorically what makes a piece of art great or terrible, certain movies are held in high regard by a consensus of viewers and reviewers due to specific factors.

What is the significance of a story's connection to the audience in determining a film's greatness?

The story must be engaging and connect with the audience on a mass level, revealing insights about the world or human experience that resonate with viewers, making them identify with the narrative.

How does the video relate the use of stories to human communication of deep truths?

The video suggests that humans have used stories as a nuanced form of communication to convey deep truths, messages, or ideas, allowing different people to take away different things from the same story.

Can you provide an example from the script of how a film uses a simple concept to convey a complex message?

The script mentions 'District 9' as an example of a film that uses a story about aliens to comment on social segregation, xenophobia, and South African history, rather than stating these ideas outright.

What role does a film's representation of its time play in its cultural impact?

A film's representation of a particular moment or period in history can have a definite cultural impact, reflecting the tone and feelings of the time and making the film a product of its era.

How does the video connect the technical aspects of a film to its artistic vision?

The video suggests that great films often innovate technically and have a high level of synergy between the on-screen content and the technical aspects that capture it, which is attributed to a director's ability to create a singular artistic vision.

What is the importance of casting in the legacy and impact of a film?

Casting is crucial as a great screenplay requires talented actors to bring the story to life. Well-cast actors, whether famous or lesser known, can solidify their characters in the minds of the masses and increase the film's impact.

How does the video describe the synergy between technical and artistic elements in great films?

The video describes this synergy as the result of a director's ability to align the technical side with the artistic side and the story, creating a polished technical style that immerses the audience without any awkwardness or technical flaws.

What does the video suggest about the audience's role in the perception of a film's greatness?

The video suggests that great films are able to entangle the viewer, getting them to experience emotions and suspend disbelief because they buy into the world of the movie, which is a sign of masterful filmmaking.

What is the role of a film's thematic idea in ensuring its longevity?

The video posits that even as the elements of a film may age, a solid thematic idea at the core of the story will stand the test of time, making the film memorable and impactful.

How does the video address the mystery surrounding what makes a film great?

The video acknowledges that while there are identifiable factors contributing to a film's greatness, there is also an inexplicable spark or mystery that makes certain films stick in the minds of viewers and become part of cinema history.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Understanding the Magic of Great Films

The first paragraph discusses the subjective nature of art, emphasizing that while it's challenging to define what makes a piece of art great, certain films are widely regarded as masterpieces by both viewers and critics. The author explores the elements that contribute to a film's greatness, such as an engaging and relatable story that reveals insights about the human experience. The paragraph references John Steinbeck's 'East Of Eden' to highlight the importance of storytelling in conveying deep truths. It also mentions how great films often have enduring themes that resonate with audiences over time, using examples like 'District 9' and 'Citizen Kane' to illustrate how stories can communicate complex ideas and emotions effectively.

05:02

🎥 Technical and Artistic Innovation in Great Films

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of technical and artistic innovation in making a film great. It discusses how memorable films often push the boundaries of cinematic techniques, whether through innovative cinematography, editing, or music. Examples include the lighting in 'The Godfather' and the iconic cut in '2001: A Space Odyssey.' The author explains that great films exhibit a high level of synergy between the technical and artistic elements, resulting in a seamless viewing experience. This synergy is often the result of a director's singular artistic vision, which ensures that all aspects of the film work together harmoniously. The paragraph also touches on the challenges of meeting modern audiences' high expectations and the crucial role of casting in bringing a story to life. It concludes by summarizing the key ingredients for film greatness, acknowledging the mystery and luck that often accompany the creative process.

Keywords

💡Subjectivity

Subjectivity refers to the quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. In the context of the video, it is used to discuss the difficulty in universally defining what makes a piece of art, such as a movie, great. The script mentions that art is subjective, implying that what one person considers great might not be the same for another.

💡Consensus

Consensus is a general agreement or accord among a group of people. The script talks about certain movies being held in high regard by a consensus of viewers and reviewers alike, suggesting that despite the subjectivity of art, there are films that are widely recognized as 'great' due to a shared appreciation.

💡Story

Story is the narrative or plot of a film, which is crucial to its impact and engagement. The video emphasizes the importance of a story in making a film great, stating that it must not only be engaging but also connect with the audience on a large scale. It cites the novel 'East Of Eden' to illustrate how a story can reveal insights about the world or human experience.

💡Cultural Impact

Cultural impact refers to the influence a film has on society or a specific culture. The script explains that great films often represent a moment or period in history and have a definite cultural impact, using 'Taxi Driver' as an example of a film that visually represents the bleak state of New York in the 1970s.

💡Technical Innovation

Technical innovation in the context of the video means the use of cinematic devices in new and inventive ways that push storytelling forward. The script mentions that great films are remembered for their technical and artistic innovation, such as the dark lighting in 'The Godfather' or the match on action cut in '2001: A Space Odyssey'.

💡Artistic Vision

Artistic vision is the unique perspective or creative concept that a director brings to a film. The video suggests that a director's ability to create a singular artistic vision, where the technical and artistic sides are in sync with the story, contributes to a film's greatness.

💡Casting

Casting is the process of selecting actors for various roles in a film. The script argues that a great screenplay is meaningless if the on-screen talent isn't cast correctly and has the capacity to tell that story. It highlights the importance of casting in a film's legacy and impact.

💡Cinematic Landscape

Cinematic landscape refers to the overall environment and atmosphere created by a film. The video states that great films create a cinematic landscape that is both believable and immersive, allowing the audience to suspend disbelief and become emotionally invested in the movie's world.

💡Synergy

Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more elements to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. In the script, synergy is used to describe the high level of collaboration between the elements in front of the camera and the technical aspects that capture them, contributing to a film's greatness.

💡Suspending Disbelief

Suspending disbelief is the willingness of the audience to accept as true the fictional world and events of a film, despite their implausibility. The script mentions that great films are able to entangle the viewer and get them caught up in experiencing emotions because they buy into the world of the movie, suspending disbelief.

💡Masterful Filmmaking

Masterful filmmaking refers to the skill and expertise required to create a film that is considered great. The video concludes by stating that achieving greatness in film requires not just the mentioned ingredients but also masterful filmmaking skills and a creative spark.

Highlights

Art is subjective, making it difficult to define what makes a piece of art great or terrible.

Certain films are considered 'great' by a consensus of viewers and reviewers due to various factors.

A great film's story must be engaging and connect with a wide audience, revealing insights about the world or human experience.

Stories have been used by humans since the beginning of consciousness to communicate deep truths and ideas.

Great films often use simple concepts to convey complex ideas and themes, like District 9's commentary on social issues.

Citizen Kane is an example of a film that uses story to reveal truths about life, such as the emptiness of material success.

Great films are often a product of their time, representing a specific moment in history and having a cultural impact.

Taxi Driver visually represents the bleak state of New York in the 1970s, reflecting the tone of the era.

Even period or sci-fi films often carry traits that represent the feelings of the time they were conceived.

The core thematic ideas of great films stand the test of time, despite changes in dialogue, costumes, and performances.

Great films are often selected and remembered for representing the time and style of the period, like French New Wave or New Hollywood.

Technical and artistic innovation is a key factor in a film's greatness, with inventive use of cinematic devices.

A polished technical style in great films makes the audience feel immersed in the story without noticing flaws.

Great directors often have a good degree of technical knowledge to execute their artistic ideas effectively.

Today's audiences are more analytical and demanding, making it challenging for films to amaze and engage them.

Great films create a believable cinematic landscape that draws viewers in and suspends their disbelief.

Casting is crucial for a film's impact, with well-cast actors helping to convey the story and create memorable characters.

The magic ingredients for a great film include story, cultural impact, technical innovation, creative synergy, suspending disbelief, and casting.

There is an undefinable mystery or spark that contributes to a film's greatness and lasting impact.

Transcripts

Art is subjective.

Therefore it’s impossible to categorically state what a great or terrible piece of art

is.

Nonetheless certain movies are held in high regard by a consensus of viewers and reviewers

alike.

So what exactly is it that makes certain films ‘great’?

What is the magic formula that I can use to make my movie a part of cinema’s canon?

It’s hard to pin down exactly but in this video I’ll break down some factors which

I feel contribute to movies being regarded as ‘great’.

One trademark that connects almost all great films is their story.

Not only must the story be engaging but it must also connect with an audience en mass.

In the novel East Of Eden, one of John Steinbeck’s characters says, “No story has power, nor

will it last, unless we feel in ourselves that it is true and true of us.”

I’d argue that part of what creates that magical spark that makes humans identify with

a story is the tale’s ability to, consciously or unconsciously, reveal an insight about

the world or the human experience.

From the beginnings of consciousness, humans have used stories as a way to communicate

deep truths, messages or ideas - rather than just stating these ideas outright.

Perhaps because a story is a more nuanced form of communication.

Different people can take away different things from the same story.

As humans, our lives are also just one big story, so drawing theories, ideas, emotions,

truths and themes out of narrative events is something which our brains are accustomed

to doing.

Many great films have the impact and longevity that they do by taking simple concepts and

conveying them through story - almost like a fable.

District 9 uses a story about aliens to create a commentary on social segregation, xenophobia

and South African history.

Rather than using a complex wordy argument, the story itself conveys those ideas.

Or in Citizen Kane, which uses story to show a man who has to come to terms with the fact

that people are not just the sum of their achievements and that money and power doesn’t

buy happiness.

Kane reveals a truth about life that we can identify in ourselves.

Most great films therefore have a story which is both engaging and which functions in presenting

an insight, or truth, about the human experience.

Great films are a product of their time.

They often represent a moment or period in a particular place in history and have a definite

cultural impact.

For example, Taxi Driver visually represents the tone and feeling of the bleak, dark state

that New York was in during the 1970s.

Even if movies do not feature contemporary stories (are period or sci fi films) they

often still carry traits which indicate or represent the feelings of the time in which

they were conceived.

For example, Classic Hollywood cinema from the 1950s often displayed a more idealistic,

romanticised optimism that was prevalent during the post World War Two economic boom.

This tone starkly contrasts many New Hollywood films from the 1970s which felt far more uneasy,

realist and discomforting - a tone which reflected the economic recession, rising protests and

growing disillusionment and fear about the Cold War.

The pieces that make up these films may age over time, the dialogue may become cliche,

the costumes out of style and the performances over the top.

However, as great films have a solid thematic idea at the core of their story, these themes

will stand the test of time.

Like movements in art - with famous works from expressionists and post modernists - in

film great movies are often selected and remembered which represent the time and style of the

period - whether that be French New Wave, New Hollywood or Italian Neorealism.

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Now, back to the video.

This leads to another important aspect which contributes to a film’s greatness: it’s

level of technical and artistic innovation.

Many great films are remembered for using cinematic devices in inventive ways which

pushed storytelling forward and experimented with artistic conventions.

This could be through the cinematography, editing, music or any other expression of

technical creative decisions.

This could be the dark lighting that set the tone in The Godfather, or the match on action

cut that transported the story 1000s of years in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

When watching a great film, more often than not, nothing feels out of place or awkward.

The audience just gets sucked into the story.

We don’t question anything from a tonal point of view or point out technical flaws.

This is the sign of a polished technical style.

Not only do great films often innovate technically, but there is a high level of synergy between

what is in front of the camera and the technical aspects that capture it.

Things such as the lighting, camera movement and pacing in the edit are used to elevate

and add to the story.

I’d attribute this synergy to a director who is able to create a singular artistic

vision.

One where the technical side is in sync with the artistic side which is in sync with the

story.

That’s why some of the most well regarded directors often have a good degree of technical

knowledge which they use to execute their artistic ideas.

In a world where we as an audience have become acclimated to having tons of information available

at the click of a button we are more familiar than ever with how things are constructed.

The same applies to film.

When people are more analytical and critical it becomes challenging to awe the audience.

Back in the day all it took was a clip of a train coming towards the camera to terrify

and amaze folks.

Today’s audiences are more demanding.

Whether a musical, a horror, a comedy, or a drama, great films are able to entangle

the viewer.

Getting them caught up in experiencing emotions because they buy into the world of the movie

- suspending disbelief.

Great films therefore create a cinematic landscape which is both believable and sucks you in.

Any time there’s a shaky performance, a bit of odd pacing or an unbelievable twist

in the story, filmmakers run the risk of alienating the audience.

Speaking of shaky performances, the final factor which I feel largely impacts a film’s

legacy and impact is casting.

Coming back to my first point about the story, a great screenplay is meaningless if the on

screen talent aren’t cast correctly and have the capacity to tell that story.

Star power can help in this regard.

Famous actors that are well cast in a great film, will retain that role as part of their

legacy and solidify their character in the minds of the masses.

Whether through film criticism, popular culture or memes, a character that enters the canon

of mainstream culture will increase the impact of the film.

Stradom isn’t a prerequisite though.

Many great films have been made without stars, by lesser known actors giving stellar performances.

The duty of holding up a story will always partially fall to the actors, so casting should

never be underestimated.

The magic ingredients for greatness boil down to story, cultural impact, technical innovation,

creative synergy, suspending disbelief and casting.

But there’s also a mystery surrounding greatness, a spark which sticks in the minds of viewers

and places a film in the history books.

Maybe it’s everything I’ve mentioned, maybe it’s luck, or maybe something else.

But what we do know is that it requires masterful filmmaking skills and a creative spark to

ignite the fire of greatness.

What do you think makes movies great?

I’d like to hear your thoughts down in the comment section.

Otherwise I’d like to say a special thanks to all the supporters of the channel on Patreon.

Until next time, thanks for watching and goodbye.