How to Mesmerizing Your movie viewing Audience ???
- Thread starter tejas9999
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The only that hooks you for good is a good story. Have you ever noticed how sometimes you'll flip past a movie in progress and get hooked? Not even knowing fully what is happening? That's just great storytelling. Effects can you hook you momentarily, but unless they keep escalating you'll tune out (unless the story is dynamite.)
i don't think i agree with uranium city... story isn't really what grabs you right away... in fact, as you mentioned, even before you even know what's going on you can be drawn in... it isn't the story at that point that is drawing you in... you don't even know the story... you could even have 2 directors direct the same story... even the same script... and one could draw you in.. and the other might not at all...
to me, it's not just the story that does it... filmmaking is not all about story, to me. it's more about mood and experience... the story is one of many tools that the filmmaker uses to create a mood and atmosphere and bring about a certain type of cinematic experience for the viewer. for example, David Lynch is an incredible director... some of his films have storylines that are so weird and convoluted that you can't even figure out what's going on, and yet you can still be totally drawn in and mesmerized by the mood and atmosphere. now don't misunderstand me.... story is very important... and it's sad that so many stories and scripts in hollywood are substandard... but i think that story is only one tool of many... a very important tool, yes.... but one of many... and i think just as much attention and care need to be taken with the other tools/elements as with the story/script.
to me, it's not just the story that does it... filmmaking is not all about story, to me. it's more about mood and experience... the story is one of many tools that the filmmaker uses to create a mood and atmosphere and bring about a certain type of cinematic experience for the viewer. for example, David Lynch is an incredible director... some of his films have storylines that are so weird and convoluted that you can't even figure out what's going on, and yet you can still be totally drawn in and mesmerized by the mood and atmosphere. now don't misunderstand me.... story is very important... and it's sad that so many stories and scripts in hollywood are substandard... but i think that story is only one tool of many... a very important tool, yes.... but one of many... and i think just as much attention and care need to be taken with the other tools/elements as with the story/script.
i think it is...
a movie that has a large verity of emotional influences, and leaves you wondering, worrying and scarred, through out a majority of the film.
in action flicks your all ways thinking (will he make it) unless you are sure you are then its like you are making sure.
in dramas it's "will she get the guy?"
etc etc, people like the suspense and need that reason to keep watching. i think they could care less for the story, and more for the characters.
soo id say strong character development and a reason to doubt them is a good combo?
all just speculated opinion.
a movie that has a large verity of emotional influences, and leaves you wondering, worrying and scarred, through out a majority of the film.
in action flicks your all ways thinking (will he make it) unless you are sure you are then its like you are making sure.
in dramas it's "will she get the guy?"
etc etc, people like the suspense and need that reason to keep watching. i think they could care less for the story, and more for the characters.
soo id say strong character development and a reason to doubt them is a good combo?
all just speculated opinion.
well, i agree, tongoll, that character development is another important tool.... sometimes strong character development can overshadow and make up for a weaker or more derivative storyline... strong characters can be very compelling, and can definitely draw a viewer in. though, at times, a strong and compelling story can make up for slightly weaker characters.... but if you have strong character development, and a strong story, then you are on your way to a good film.
mood and atmosphere can still make or break the film... just like any other element can... each element/tool is important to the overall effect of the film. write a good story, write a good script, develop characters well, cast good actors for each roll, create the right mood and atmosphere, shoot in an interest and effective way that fits with your mood and story.
i don't think there is any one thing that is always responsible for making a movie compelling... it can be strong characters... or an interesting storyline... or maybe snappy dialogue in the script, or maybe an interesting mood or atmosphere.... as i said, all of these are tools that the filmmaker can use.... and each of these can ruin the film, if done badly, or help the film, if done well. the more care and attention that is given to each of these elements, and the better they are done and fit together, then chances are, the more compelling the final film will be.
mood and atmosphere can still make or break the film... just like any other element can... each element/tool is important to the overall effect of the film. write a good story, write a good script, develop characters well, cast good actors for each roll, create the right mood and atmosphere, shoot in an interest and effective way that fits with your mood and story.
i don't think there is any one thing that is always responsible for making a movie compelling... it can be strong characters... or an interesting storyline... or maybe snappy dialogue in the script, or maybe an interesting mood or atmosphere.... as i said, all of these are tools that the filmmaker can use.... and each of these can ruin the film, if done badly, or help the film, if done well. the more care and attention that is given to each of these elements, and the better they are done and fit together, then chances are, the more compelling the final film will be.
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After a strong story and well written characters is the chemistry between the actors and the directors ability to communicate his/her vision to the cast and crew and to infect them all with her/his enthusiasm for the project. Otherwise everyone is just going through the motions.
when i think about what makes a movie ADDICTING. i don't think about a movie, people stay for the story, the film version is just a canvas, i look at what the story is about....
look at the harry potter books, people where GLUED.
look at fight club, same thing.
there was more character development then anything else.
hell look at the TV show, Heroes.
they have messed up terribly time and time again.
but people still don't give up on it, they love the characters too much. (i cant stop watching it personally for this reason... i need to see these things get resolved.)
so ill stick to the strongest part in a movie is the character development and the conflict.
take those out and you don't have much of a plot....
and hell of course the acting matters, but that's with all movies, that's not really a addicting factor, more of a make it or fail factor...
look at the harry potter books, people where GLUED.
look at fight club, same thing.
there was more character development then anything else.
hell look at the TV show, Heroes.
they have messed up terribly time and time again.
but people still don't give up on it, they love the characters too much. (i cant stop watching it personally for this reason... i need to see these things get resolved.)
so ill stick to the strongest part in a movie is the character development and the conflict.
take those out and you don't have much of a plot....
and hell of course the acting matters, but that's with all movies, that's not really a addicting factor, more of a make it or fail factor...
Connection is what reels me in... usually that is rebelion by the filmmaker. I love the shots many of us were told never to do when we were in school. In many cases, they aren't even being rule breakers... they just didn't limit themselves by going to classes that listed what not to do. lol
I thinking I know what's gonna happen and then being wrong.
I thinking I know what's gonna happen and then being wrong.
What you are describing is "good storytelling." So we agree. Perfume ads have great atmosphere and mood, but they wouldn't hook you for longer than their 30 second duration.
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The way to hook the viewer is to avoid things that remind the viewer that it's a film. For me this happens all the time. When you are forced to suspend disbelief, when there is incredible dialog, when there are things that would just never happen (from simple coincidences to special effects) or even when there is an actor you just can't see playing that part. This usually happens when it's a Hollywood star and you're not seeing the character you're just seeing the star. If you are constantly reminded that it is a film, then you will never be drawn in.
I agree. That's why I argue that a movie like Burn After Reading is not good...because we are not laughing at the character who is strange...we are laughing at Brad Pitt being strange. However; the Coen Brothers follow up - A Serious Man - is near perfect because we don't really have anything to pull us out of the story. It's completely original and the talent isn't as recognizable. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of movies with Hollywood stars that capture me, but they are often a rarity.
Agreed. Everything stems from the story. Even a director's direction...
scantily clad females
Helps. Definitely. But then again, it's taking you out of the story if the only thing you are thinking of is how attractive that actress is.
That is why it's important to enter production with a good script...because everything comes out of it...the characters, the choices, the decisions. When you have all aspects working, I believe you will capture an audience and keep them in the story.
Yup, and why I really don't like the Hollywood ensemble cast, like Ocean's Eleven. It's hard to see past the stars. Too many. It's like they just want to hang out together so they agree to make the film, and that's all you see.