Balancing Style and Story (MMM#51)

Hello everyone,

Madeline here, and welcome to another Movie Minute! For this entry, we’ll be focusing on why story matters the most in filmmaking.

You’ve likely heard the term “style over substance” a million times- and it’s often true for filmmaking. While there have been successful blockbusters that emphasize style heavily (especially with the abundance of franchise films and cinematic universes), throwing a bunch of effects and transitions won’t matter if the story or narrative isn’t meaningful. Whether your project’s intent is to entertain, inform, or persuade, you want to tell a story that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. Part of having a powerful story is the way the story is told. That means coming up with meaningful questions for interviews, planning shots ahead, keeping video and audio clean and stable, and allowing moments of silence for breathing room.

Now, all that doesn’t mean that style doesn’t matter. After all, you have to be able to keep your audience interested and engaged as a filmmaker. That’s where having eye-catching visuals and audio come in- transitions, right choice of shots, effects, music, sound effects, and anything else that supplements the story. That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that the elements used should complement the story, as throwing random effects can disorient or distract your audience.

Overall, while style is important in filmmaking, the story remains paramount. As long as you focus extensively on having a great narrative to tell while using the right amount of style to keep your audience engaged, you’ll be telling an impactful story that will resonate with viewers well after the project ends.

And that concludes this entry in The Movie Minute. Wishing you all the best, and see y’all in 2! -Madeline

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