Common Themes in Successful Films

Have you ever watched a movie and felt like there was something deeper going on beneath the surface? That’s the power of symbolism at work—a language of images, colors, sounds, and more, subtly woven into the fabric of storytelling. In this educational exploration, we’ll delve into the techniques filmmakers use to harness symbolism, unlocking the hidden messages and deeper meanings that enrich our cinematic experiences.

Visual Metaphors:

Imagine a scene where a character sits alone, peeling an orange—a seemingly innocent moment, yet laden with significance. In “The Godfather,” director Francis Ford Coppola uses this visual metaphor to symbolize impending danger and death. By associating oranges with perilous situations throughout the film, Coppola creates a sense of unease and foreboding, without ever explicitly stating it. This is the power of visual metaphors—they allow filmmakers to convey complex ideas and emotions without saying a word.

Choice of Color:

Colors can evoke powerful emotions and associations, influencing how we perceive characters, settings, and themes. Take “The Matrix,” for example, where the directors, the Wachowskis, use color to distinguish between the artificial reality of the Matrix (green) and the real world of Zion (blue). By associating green with deception and blue with truth, the filmmakers create a visual language that helps audiences navigate the film’s complex narrative and themes.

Music and Sound:

From the haunting melody of “Jaws” to the iconic theme of “Star Wars,” music and sound play a crucial role in shaping our emotional responses to film. In “Jaws,” director Steven Spielberg uses John Williams‘ ominous score to build tension and suspense, signaling the presence of the shark long before it appears on screen. By manipulating sound and music, filmmakers can create mood, atmosphere, and emotion, heightening the impact of key moments and enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

Camera Angles and Movements: 

Have you ever noticed how the angle of a shot can change the way we perceive a character or scene? In “Citizen Kane,” director Orson Welles uses low-angle shots to make the titular character appear larger than life, conveying his power and dominance. Conversely, high-angle shots are used to depict vulnerability and weakness, creating a sense of intimacy and empathy with the characters. By carefully choosing camera angles and movements, filmmakers can manipulate our perception of space, time, and reality, guiding us through the narrative and shaping our emotional responses.

Dialogue and Narration: 

Dialogue and narration are powerful tools for conveying information, opinions, and perspectives, as well as revealing the inner thoughts and motivations of characters. In “Fight Club,” director David Fincher employs unreliable narration to create ambiguity and uncertainty, reflecting the protagonist’s fractured psyche. By playing with language and narrative structure, filmmakers can subvert audience expectations, challenge conventional storytelling conventions, and invite us to question our perceptions of reality.

Editing and Montage: 

Editing is where the magic of filmmaking truly comes to life, as shots are stitched together to create meaning, rhythm, and continuity. In “The Godfather Part II,” director Francis Ford Coppola uses cross-cutting between past and present to contrast and connect the parallel storylines of Michael Corleone’s rise to power and his father’s immigrant origins. By manipulating time, space, and perspective, filmmakers can weave together disparate elements of the narrative, enriching the story with layers of meaning and subtext.

In conclusion, symbolism is a powerful tool that filmmakers use to convey messages and deeper meanings in their films. By employing visual metaphors, colors, music and sound, camera angles and movements, dialogue and narration, and editing and montage, filmmakers can enhance storytelling by adding depth, emotionality, and layers of meaning that resonate with audiences on a profound level. So, the next time you watch a movie, keep an eye out for the subtle symbols and hidden meanings that enrich the cinematic experience, and you’ll unlock a whole new world of understanding and appreciation for the art of filmmaking.