How to Make Your Audience Feel — Emotion Theory in Movies

How to Evoke Emotion in Film — We look at a filmmaker's most powerful tool: emotion.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Emotions in Film
01:01 - What it Emotional Theory?
04:18 - Chapter 1: Writing Emotions
03:38 - Chapter 2: Shooting Emotions
13:54 - Chapter 3: Post-Production
17:36 - Takeaways

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THEORY OF EMOTION IN FILM

Movies can make us feel emotions that our daily lives might only rarely give to us. Cinema's power to move is arguably what made it the dominant art form of the 20th century, and what continues to bring audiences to it today. So how do filmmakers make us feel? What are the cinematic techniques that help make an audience laugh, cry, gasp, or all of the above?

INTRODUCTION TO EMOTION WRITING

The feelings present in your film begin on the page. Writing compelling dialogue and relatable characters is key. Dialogue should reflect their internal struggles and desires, creating a connection with the audience. Subtext, where characters say one thing but mean another, can deepen emotional resonance. Repetition can also be powerful, bringing certain elements from earlier in the story into a new context.

VISUAL EMOTION THEORY

Visual storytelling amplifies the emotional tone set by the script. Cinematography plays a crucial role in conveying emotions; shot composition, camera angles, and lighting all contribute to the mood. Close-ups can capture subtle expressions and intensify emotional moments, while wide shots can underscore isolation or vastness. Color palettes also influence emotion; warm tones might evoke comfort or passion, while cool tones can suggest sadness or detachment.

EMOTIONS IN THE EDIT

In post-production, sound design, music, and editing further enhance emotional impact. Music scores can heighten emotional moments by aligning with the narrative’s emotional arc– it's perhaps the most powerful tool to make an audience feel. Editing techniques, such as pacing and rhythm, can build tension or create relief. Juxtaposing scenes and timing emotional beats precisely can guide the audience’s emotions, making moments of resolution or heartbreak pack more of a punch.

By blending these elements, filmmakers can effectively evoke emotions, creating unforgettable cinematic experiences.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

"Insane in the Brain" - Cypress Hill
"Call Me Joker" - Hildur Guðnadóttir
"Journalistic Instinct" - Kyle Dixon
"Magnolia" - Jon Brion
"Home Score" - Todd Rundgren
"Stick to the Plan" - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
"When She Loved Me" - Randy Newman/Sarah McLachlan
"1931" - Flanders Philharmonic Orchestra
"Future Bill & Ted Leave" - David Newman
"Adolf Einleitung in Cheek" - Michael Giacchino
"Remember Me" - Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
"Shawshank Redemption" - Thomas Newman
"Woody’s Dream" - Randy Newman
"Valuable Property" - Randy Newman
"Love Me Some Walking" - Nigel Godrich
"Theme from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" - Jon Brion
"Smile" - Nat King Cole

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#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

[General_reader]

Who needs our school when you have studio binder?

[steve.santiago]

The “Married life” opening montage in Pixar’s Up emotes the audiences’s emotions to absolute perfection.

[fred]

The opening scene from Up is a great example of how to give an audience an emotional experience.

[lkeke]

Favorite Emotional Scenes:
1. The song, "When Somebody Loved Me" gets me every single time, without fail.
2.The scene at the end of Iron Giant when he says he's Superman.
3. The End of Lord of the Rings, when Aragorn tells the Hobbits they bow to no man, and the King and everyone else, bows to them instead.

[zai_cortsan]

0:51 Oh StudioBinder what a nice consideration to say in adavance what movies you're goingo to spoil!! You're the best!!!

[ideastudio]

In The Breakfast Club, there's long take shots in the scene where the five protagonists are circled together talking about their inner thoughts and troubles. Those long shots helped focus in on their view points, making the scene feel emotional and real.

[violetta]

14:35 This scene will never be forgotten by me. It also shows how static/long shots can be so powerful.

[Hitchfred_Alcock]

Just watching these excerpts made me cry several times.

The scene from Manchester bts hit so hard every time. Thank you StudioBinder

[obalfaqih]

You forgot one feeling, Excitement... and that's when a notification pops up from StudioBinder 🔥
Been following your content for years and it's one of my favorites... very informative, a subtle editing, and of course a great narration & explanation.

[alioncaci]

That scene from Manchester by the Sea is among the best scenes I've ever seen in my entire life. Especially the gun moment. Casey Affleck totally deserved the Oscar for that role. I'm happy you brought that up in this video.

[ArtistCreationsPicturesInc]

“Lincoln” is a best example of emotion. Editor Michael Kahn extended each shot for several seconds or longer because it really shows the emphasis of the characters’ long dialogues and emotions (especially their eyes) and how we the audience react and how we connected to the historic people. I pretty much use the same technique to capture dramatic moments. Drama is my genre.

[jennabrasuell]

I’m already crying half way through this video?

[NotUrBot]

This one video has taught me more than most art masterclasses. Absolute perfection.

[rouztv]

This is so emotional that I had to take a break lol. Great job! Phenomenal tips!

[_what._.]

StudioBinder is honestly better than certain film schools. Thank you so much for these videos

[myphilosophy-]

I have seen every single video in your channel, more than 4 times for every video.
Thank you and keep it up.

[gabrielnoble]

Man, this is just as good if not better than the grad program I'm going into a ton of debt for. So glad you're doing some more on the writing process!

[Bobywan]

11:33 This scene is the best acting I have ever seen, it's impossible not to be empathic with Cooper.

[dodiac]

OMG, thank you, guys. ur video literally evokes my emotions by this video. this law of attraction or StudioBinder hacked my brain. All day yesterday, I could not stop thinking about the scene “What is Heaven” in “The Creator” movie, which affected my feelings and kept replaying and crying. ❤❤❤❤❤

[manosmehedee]

As always, every episode is a masterclass with precise information.
In my understanding, , Emotion = Energy + Motion.