Anatomy of a Movie

A movie is a living breathing organism that is born of creativity. Just as a human, there are distinct processes that make it work. This is my take on the 4 main systems of the movie, what elements must come together to make a movie good and in some cases great.

Every movie starts with an idea, a story that needs to be told. Talented writers are the backbone of any script, and a good idea can quickly become a flop is the creatives are not up to snuff. The dialog needs to engage and entertain as well as continue the story arcs.

Location, set design and costumes are the skeleton anchored to the backbone. They provide the framework for the story, the context and contribute to the mood. With the current hi-def generation, quality is of the highest importance in set dressings, location shoots and costuming. If these 3 elements fuse together without being too distracting, the foundation is set for great cinema.

Adding to this framework is the beating heart of cinematography, lighting and soundtrack. These elements can elevate a mediocre film to new heights, and conversely, can sink a movie into a forgettable abyss no matter what talent is headlining. Visual and audio cues contribute even more to the context and mood because they are the emotional keys, and can make or break a film. Finding the right balance and the right combination of visual and audio elements can bring a sense of harmony and extend a storyline subtly into the psyche of the viewer.

Finally, casting. Of course great actors are needed for a great film, but I believe the framework and heart of the movie can make even the most basic of actors look good. The actor who can pull from the elements on set can elevate their performance and sew their character into the fabric of the story seamlessly. Actors are the skin that holds the rest together. The audience is able to relate to the movie and give it a face, building buzz and selling tickets.

If you are lucky enough to have all 4 elements come together, you may have a masterpiece on your hands. If not, I would focus on the "skeleton" and "heart" be the most important features, since a weak script and mediocre actors can be made to look good by the other elements.

What films do you think used all 4 elements well? What movies may have fallen short? Get on your Movie Megaphone and let me know what you think!