Effective
Filmmaking as Salt and Light
by
Diane Howard, Ph.D.
As
Christian filmmakers we want to produce good films that will glorify our Lord
and that will serve as salt and light in the world. Let’s consider what makes
an effective, artistic, redemptive film. An effective narrative film requires a
well-written screenplay, skillful acting, and artful directing. An effective
documentary needs similar structural elements and skillful directing. The
screenplay and documentary need the following: a unifying concept, universal
themes/ideas that are revealed through experience (shown rather than told), a
captivating beginning, foreshadowing, building tension, multi-dimensional
characters, unpredicted twists and turns, a gripping climax, and a meaningful
resolution.
After thorough research of one's character, a good film actor usually displays
the following: minimized movement, minimal dialogue, effective listening to
other characters, passionate internal commitment, heart-felt empathy with the
character, vulnerability, believability, authenticity, subtle non-verbal
communication, and compelling eyes.
Artistic
directing of narrative or documentary films depends on the following: careful
pre-production planning, good equipment, effective film crew, skillful editors,
captivating music, artful lighting, and clear sound. The effective
cinematographer and director carefully plan each scene to captivate and engage
viewers with dramatic, moving, visual elements.
Film in all its forms captures living experience. Unlike other literary, visual,
or performing art forms it presents moving, dynamic experiences in and over
time. A redemptive film has an edifying story that reveals universal ideas and
lifts the viewer from negativism, cynicism, and/or pessimism to what is
positive, renewing, and hopeful. Although, it presents honest, difficult
struggles, it turns what is paralyzing, degrading and debilitating to what is
freeing, beautiful and eternal.
Here are some examples of Best Practice in Redemptive Films:
How
Should We Then Live?
There is an early example of outstanding film documentary work on art
in the context of the history of the rise and fall of thought and culture in
Western Civilization from the Christian perspective. These films present Dr.
Francis Schaeffer's brilliant scholarship.
The
Hiding Place
One of the best in redemptive movies is The Hiding Place. Among its
respected actors are Julie Harris and Jeannette Clift George, as the ten Boom
sisters. This powerful film depicts the true story of the ten Boom Family. This
family responded to the Holocaust with Christian love, courage, and forgiveness.
It is suspenseful. The main character, Corrie ten Boom, is multi-faceted,
vulnerable, and honest. She develops throughout the story in unpredictable,
captivating ways.
The
Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings films are based on the acclaimed writings of
J. R. Tolkien. These films have in them the finest of film actors, whose
acting is powerful in these films. They are directed by highly respected
Peter Jackson. The cinematography is spectacular. The use of computer graphics
is masterful. The stories and the films deal with great universal truths. The
leading characters are ironic, passionate, and heroic. They are multi-faceted
and significantly develop over time. These films are entertaining, enlightening,
and inspirational.
The
Chronicles of Narnia
The
Disney Corp. films of the C. S Lewis' literary masterworks are stunning in
story, structure, and style. They are masterpieces of adventure, characters, and
redemption. C. S. Lewis, who was in the same writing circle as J. R. Tolkien,
has used the fantasy genre, like Tolkien, skillfully and powerfully for all
ages. His characters are multi-faceted and develop through time. The films are
powerful and redemptive depictions of the epic, spiritual struggle of good and
evil.
Amazing
Grace
The acting in this film is outstanding by some of the best British film actors.
Albert Finney's portrayal of John Newton is riveting. The story of William
Wilberforce's perseverance and self-sacrifice to end the British slave trade is
powerfully inspirational.
Bella
This highly rated film of redemptive, unconditional love and grace is moving and
uplifting.
See trailers and the free documentation license on http://www.bellamoviesite.com/ .
Whether films are documentary or narrative, like the examples above, here are
some of the same, significant aesthetic principles that are apparent in
effective, compelling documentary filmmaking and screenwriting:
- unifying
concept
- captivating
hook related to a problem
- passionate
communication of ideas
- incorporation
of universal themes, ideas, issues
- specific
story with universal references, frame, and appeal
- high
stakes in the story
- critical
incidents that build to a riveting climax
- main
characters are multi-dimensional/complex
- central
characters struggle with themselves, others, and/or environment
- primary
characters are moved by unexpected characters or situations
- situations,
experiences, conflicts are believable and universal
- main
characters develop over time through their personal and interpersonal
journeys
- characters
are believable
- dialogue
is minimal and authentic
- story
told through moving images
- central
characters have flaws but something redemptive
- inclusion
of subtlety, paradox, irony
- unexpected,
unpredictable twists and turns
- development
of meaningful, thought-provoking conclusion/resolution
- screenplay
or film develops with experiences and action
Copyright
© 2008
www.dianehoward.com
