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What are the "Rules" of filmmaking?
Yes there are rules to making a film. So what are they? Here's 10 in no particular order.
What does this mean? Movies have their own reality. There are events that happen in real life that would not be believed in a movie. I don't believe there's a clear cut explanation for why, but it's one of those things that, "just is". So avoid the "real life" scenes at all costs, because once you lose your audience they're gone.
Here's a quick example. I was in Manhattan and was closer to the west side then the east, so I decided to take the west side highway home. I came to a stop at the light on 57th between 10th and 11th. i stayed in the right lane because I soon needed to turn right. Cars were cheating down the lane to my right where cars usually were parked, but I decided to stay in my lane. Why? I don't know. I just did.
I looked over and realized I was right at the entrance of the building which housed the Writer's Guild East. I smiled. Then I saw something that seemed familiar. It couldn't be though. I looked again. It was. What was she doing here. She was supposed to be in home. As that thought went through my mind, my sister screamed out my name. "What are you doingl here?" I asked the same. She said she had a job interview and I told her that I was going home. She jumped in and we went home. What an amazing coincidence. If I had scooted further right, I would have missed her. If I had moved up one car length, I would have missed her. I couldn't believe it, but it's true.
Now if I put this in a movie no one would believe it, even though it's true.
In a movie the only way to make this work is to set it up.
Now if I put this in a movie no one would believe it, even though it's true.
In a movie the only way to make this work is to set it up.
Now if I put this in a movie no one would believe it, even though it's true.
In a movie the only way to make this work is to set it up.
Now if I put this in a movie no one would believe it, even though it's true.
In a movie the only way to make this work is to set it up.
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What are the two types of movies?
Let me just say that I believe there are two types of movies. We're talking about films which follow the rules. Not other films that won't know a rule if it hit them in the butt.
There are films which are great. They are operating on all cylinders.
Then there are films that you love because you do. They may miss some of the rules, but you still love them, and can watch them over and over again.
So to me, when we hear talk (I've always wanted to use that phrase) of the greatest films of all time, I always want to ask, "which ones? The ones I love and can watch over and over again or the ones which are firing on all cylinders?"
What's Wrong With Titanic?
Even movies which are very good can have scenes in them that don't work very well. This is true of Titanic. There are many reasons for this to be the case. Or the Director, (one who has final cut) feels the scene is perfect the way it is and I'm just a crazy person with too much time on my hands. I'm not so sure when a scene sticks out like such a sore thumb.
Which scene? It's the Rose and Jack deck scene. The one where they are first getting to know each other. He insults her and then she in turn for no reason grabs his drawings and the scene changes. What!? Where did that come from? I believe it's not set up as well as it could be. It's a simple solution. Here's the scene as it exists.
I feel that it's choppy near the end and could have worked better if it were done differently.