I believe that all the years I’ve spent in the “film production trenches” have given me a unique insight into finding the answer to the question: “Is there a formula, or guide, or checklist, that film directors anywhere in the world can follow, that will help them make a successful film?"
We all know there is no 100% guarantee of anything being successful in our business, but I believe there is a “formula” that any filmmaker can use to HELP them make “compelling movies with believable characters.”
In my opinion, most inexperienced, (or experienced but lazy) film directors spend the majority of their time figuring out how to shoot the film first (cool visual effects, creative shots, camera angles etc.) before they understand what the story is really about and what the characters really want.
I’m going to be bold here and state publicly that this is the wrong way to prep and direct a film because I strongly believe that to successfully direct a “visually compelling story with believable characters”, you need to first understand the following 7-step 'formula.'
STEP 1: THE STUDY OF HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
A. Human Nature
Human nature refers to a set of inherent and intrinsic characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting, that are believed to be universal among humans regardless of culture or upbringing.
Studying human nature involves understanding core principles about what it means to be human. This includes exploring philosophical, psychological, and biological perspectives on inherent human traits.
These fundamental traits and tendencies encompass a wide range of attributes, such as the capacity for rational thought, emotions, social behaviors, and moral reasoning. These characteristics influence how individuals interact with each other and their environment, shaping societal norms, cultural practices, and personal identities.
Examples of human nature include emotions like love and fear, the need for social connection, and moral reasoning. These traits are considered innate, meaning they are present from birth and not significantly altered by individual experiences or the environment.
Human nature provides the foundational tendencies believed to be inherent in all humans. Understanding these basic characteristics gives you a grounding for exploring how these traits manifest in various “behaviors.”
This framework helps explain why certain behaviors occur, making it easier to analyze and interpret human actions by revealing commonalities across diverse populations and explaining patterns observed throughout history.
Once you have a good grasp of human nature, you can then see how these inherent traits interact with external factors to produce human behavior. This includes looking at how individual experiences, environmental influences, culture, and social norms shape human behavior.
B. Human Behavior
Studying human behavior allows you to see the practical applications of the principles of human nature, and understand how inherent traits manifest in real-world actions and interactions. This study spans fields like psychology, sociology, and anthropology, aiming to comprehend how and why people act in specific ways in different contexts.
Human behavior includes a range of actions, reactions, and interactions exhibited by individuals and groups. Influenced by feelings, attitudes, and the environment, our behavior is shaped by genetics, culture, personal experiences, and social norms, observable in everyday activities and interactions.
Examples of human behavior include habits, customs, rituals, communication styles, and responses to social norms. This behavior is affected by a combination of innate characteristics (human nature), personal experiences, environmental factors, culture, and social norms.
C. Why Should Filmmakers Study Human Nature and Behavior?
1. Human Nature
a. Character Depth: By understanding the inherent traits and tendencies of humans, filmmakers can create more nuanced and believable characters. This depth enhances the emotional connection between the audience and the characters.
b. Emotional Authenticity: Knowledge of human nature helps in portraying authentic emotions and reactions. It allows actors to deliver performances that feel genuine and resonate deeply with viewers.
c. Moral Complexity: Knowledge of human nature allows filmmakers to explore moral ambiguities and ethical dilemmas, creating richer and more thought-provoking narratives that challenge audiences to think deeply about human behavior and choices.
d. Predicting Audience Reaction: A deep understanding of human nature enables filmmakers to anticipate how audiences might react to certain scenes or characters, allowing them to craft more engaging and impactful narratives.
e. Universal Themes: Understanding human nature allows filmmakers to tap into universal themes that resonate with a wide audience. It helps in creating characters and stories that are relatable on a fundamental level, regardless of cultural or individual differences.
2. Human Behavior
a. Conflict and Resolution: Insight into human behavior helps in developing compelling conflicts and resolutions. Filmmakers can construct believable obstacles and the ways characters overcome them, which is crucial for engaging storytelling.
b. Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding the variability in human behavior across different cultures enables filmmakers to create culturally sensitive and accurate portrayals. This can make the film more relatable and respectful to diverse audiences.
c. Dynamic Relationships: Insight into human behavior allows filmmakers to depict complex and dynamic relationships between characters. This depth adds richness to the narrative and helps viewers connect more deeply with the story.
d. Realistic Interactions: Studying human behavior aids in depicting realistic interactions and social dynamics. Filmmakers can craft scenes that accurately reflect how people act and react in various situations
e. Social Commentary: A deep understanding of human behavior enables filmmakers to make insightful social commentary. They can address contemporary issues and societal norms in a way that resonates with and challenges the audience.
D. You MUST be a “Witness” to Human Behavior
As writers, directors and actors, we are all artists, and as artists, we must observe and report on our version of the human condition. Therefore, we must understand human emotions and feelings so we know “what makes us tick” and “why we do” certain things.
Once you know the answers to these questions, you will have a better idea of how the characters in your script should interact with each other, as well as having the proper “psychological tools” to direct actors on the set.
The good thing about human behavior is that it is observable, and as storytellers, we must first observe the way people react to different situations and circumstances to understand “How and Why” their behavior changes.
As a film director, you must be a “witness” to human behavior. You need to get into the habit of observing people going about their daily lives, so you can find out what motivates them to take action.
Once you know what motivates a person to achieve their daily needs, you will understand the story you are telling better, and you will also feel more confident helping your actors achieve believable performances.
Next Article: Part Two (STEP 2: STORY, STORY, STORY)
4 people like this
Thanks for making this post, Peter D. Marshall. It's a must-read post for filmmakers, writers, and more! I study human nature and human behavior for my scripts, but I need to do it more. Thanks. And I always try to pick universal themes for my scripts. I also add sub-themes in my scripts.
4 people like this
I love those points about character depth and emotional authenticity and performances that resonate with viewers. Sometimes I'll write characters that are odd, quirky, eccentric or dysfunctional. I love writing short stories about dysfunctional families because I feel they are more relatable. I prefer movies and stories about people who have little idiosyncrasies or quirks because they feel more real and authentic. Characters who are perfect and don't have problems feel boring to me.
4 people like this
Thank you very much for this thoughtful article.
This is truly a great map for dissecting our stories and seeing what works, what needs more development, and how to make everything more believable — instead of creating characters who simply follow what the plot demands from scene to scene.
5 people like this
Peter D. Marshall You're hitting around the reason that, with very rare exception, directing is not a young person's game. It requires life experience, the broader and deeper the better.
4 people like this
Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg directing is not a young person’s game” I don’t agree with you. I think it requires from the film’s story. As a 15 years old, I could make a movie about a life in a trade school full of special needs student (because I go to a school like this), or a movie about a blind single father (because my dad is one as well), but yeah, I couldn’t make a movie about a break up, or about an old man whose wife is died, or about a woman in a bad marriage, etc.
4 people like this
Hello Imola. Thank you for responding to my article. You and I are both correct. Based on writing a story, you would know much more about how teenagers think and feel than me. You also have the passion, determination and youth to make that film happen. On the other side, my years of "life experience" as well as my 40 years of making films gives me the technical and "life-lessons" advantage that you do not have (yet) at 15. BUT... in my opinion, anyone, no matter what age or language or "life situation", who has the passion and drive to tell personal film stories, they will always get my support! :) :) :)
3 people like this
Very aptly put, Peter D. Marshall. Thanks.
5 people like this
Imola Orbán I don't mean you cannot direct - but that you will get better the longer you do it. As an example, Steven Spielberg began shooting and directing at half your age (literally), and didn't do his first big film (Jaws) until he was much older than you. Since Jaws, he has only gotten better. If directing and storytelling is what you want to do, I encourage you to do it and do it now and do it often.