Simone Lawson
There are several key differences between commercial narrative films and experimental films. Commercial films are designed to appeal to a broad audience and typically follow a linear and coherent storytelling structure with a clear plot and well-defined characters. They adhere to established filmmaking conventions and techniques, utilising familiar camera angles, editing styles, and visual effects. On the other hand, experimental films often challenge traditional formats and narrative structures, exploring non-linear storytelling, abstract narratives, or even abandoning narrative elements. They focus on artistic expression and pushing the boundaries of filmmaking, employing unconventional techniques and styles. Commercial films are generally produced with larger budgets and backed by major studios, while experimental films are often made on lower budgets by independent filmmakers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial Narrative Films | Immerse audiences in the story and maintain their suspension of disbelief |
| Experimental Films | Often break the fourth wall, challenging the norms that commercial films adhere to |
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What You'll Learn
Commercial films aim to immerse the audience in the story
Commercial films are designed to immerse the audience in the story, aiming for mass appeal and profit through a focus on entertainment. They follow a linear and coherent storytelling structure, presenting a clear plot with well-defined characters, conflicts, and resolutions. For example, "The Lion King" is a commercial narrative film that follows a linear story with character development.
To create an immersive experience, commercial films adhere to established filmmaking conventions and techniques. They utilize familiar camera angles, editing styles, and visual effects to support the narrative. This predictability in the narrative structure and technical aspects of filmmaking is intended to create a seamless viewing experience for the audience.
In contrast, experimental films often challenge or disregard traditional narrative structures. They may experiment with non-linear storytelling, abstract or fragmented narratives, or even abandon narrative elements altogether. For instance, the experimental film "Koyaanisqatsi" uses visual imagery and music without a conventional storyline to explore the relationship between humans and nature.
While commercial films aim for broad appeal, experimental films often target a niche audience that appreciates unconventional storytelling. Experimental filmmakers prioritize artistic expression and innovation over mass appeal, pushing the boundaries of filmmaking and challenging viewers' perceptions. They explore new ideas, unconventional aesthetics, and experimental techniques, which may limit their commercial success.
The primary goal of commercial films is to entertain a wide audience and generate profit. They are designed with consumer expectations in mind, focusing on popular genres and familiar themes. For example, the commercial film "Frozen" achieved global reach by following established conventions and appealing to a broad audience.
In summary, commercial films aim to immerse the audience in the story by adhering to established filmmaking conventions, employing mainstream techniques, and focusing on entertainment. They seek to create a seamless and relatable experience for viewers through familiar narratives and technical aspects. This approach differs from experimental films, which challenge traditional structures and techniques, often reminding the audience that they are watching a movie.
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Experimental films remind audiences they are watching a movie
Experimental films are a mode of filmmaking that does not adhere to standard cinematic conventions. They often challenge or disregard traditional narrative structures, exploring new ideas, unconventional aesthetics, and experimental techniques. This focus on artistic expression and pushing the boundaries of filmmaking reminds audiences that they are watching a movie.
Commercial narrative films, in contrast, typically follow a linear and coherent storytelling structure with a clear plot and well-defined characters, conflicts, and resolutions. They adhere to established filmmaking conventions and techniques, aiming for mass appeal and a seamless viewing experience.
Experimental films, however, often experiment with non-linear storytelling, abstract or fragmented narratives, or even abandon narrative elements altogether. They may employ unconventional techniques such as jump cuts, overlays, the use of text on screen, or innovative editing to build suspense. These deviations from traditional narrative structures serve as a reminder to the audience that they are watching a movie.
The exploration of new ideas and unconventional aesthetics in experimental films can also take the form of subjectivity, where the audience experiences the world through the eyes of a character, as in a POV shot. This technique, known as subjective cinema, offers a unique perspective that differs from the typical viewing experience of commercial films, reminding the audience of the constructed nature of the film they are watching.
Additionally, experimental films may relate to other art forms such as painting, dance, literature, and poetry, further distinguishing themselves from commercial films and reminding audiences of the artifice of the medium.
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Experimental films often break the fourth wall
Commercial narrative films and experimental films differ in several ways, notably in their narrative structure, purpose, filmmaking techniques, and production budgets.
Commercial narrative films, on the other hand, typically adhere to a structured plot with well-defined characters, conflicts, and resolutions. They follow established genre conventions, aiming for mass appeal and seeking to entertain and engage a broad audience. These films utilize familiar camera angles, editing styles, and visual effects to create a seamless and immersive viewing experience.
The filmmaking techniques employed by experimental films often differ significantly from those of commercial films. Experimental filmmakers may use unconventional techniques, such as jump cuts or innovative editing styles, challenging viewers to engage more actively with the material. Additionally, experimental films often explore unconventional aesthetics or ideas, which may limit their mainstream commercial appeal.
Production budgets also differ between the two types of films. Commercial films are usually produced with larger budgets and have significant backing from major studios, allowing for extensive marketing and broader distribution. In contrast, experimental films are often made on lower budgets by independent filmmakers.
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Commercial films prioritise conventional narrative techniques
Commercial films are designed to appeal to a wide audience and make a profit. They tend to follow conventional narrative structures and techniques to ensure the story is easy for audiences to understand and engage with.
A typical narrative structure involves dividing the film into three or four parts: setup, confrontation/complication, development, and resolution. The first act introduces the characters and conflict, the second escalates the tension, and the third resolves the story. This structure is used in many popular films, such as "Star Wars" and "The Godfather", and provides a satisfying narrative arc.
Commercial films also tend to feature well-defined protagonists whose journeys drive the plot forward. For example, characters like Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" or Harry Potter in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" embody this technique. The desires, struggles, and growth of these protagonists anchor the narrative and provide a relatable point of view for the audience.
In contrast, experimental films often break the fourth wall, employ self-reflexive techniques, and challenge the norms of traditional storytelling. They may also utilise innovative narrative techniques, such as interactive narratives, to challenge the passive viewing experience and encourage active participation from the audience.
While commercial films typically strive to immerse audiences in the story and maintain their suspension of disbelief, experimental films often remind audiences that they are watching a movie. This is achieved through various techniques, such as directly addressing the audience or presenting complex themes and moral dilemmas that challenge societal norms.
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Experimental films challenge the norms of commercial films
Experimental films, also known as avant-garde cinema, are a mode of filmmaking that challenges the norms of commercial films. Unlike commercial films, which typically adhere to a linear and coherent storytelling structure with well-defined characters and a clear plot, experimental films often experiment with non-linear and fragmented narratives, abstract storytelling, or even completely abandon narrative elements. While commercial films aim for mass appeal and seek to entertain and engage a broad audience, experimental films focus on artistic expression and pushing the boundaries of filmmaking, sometimes challenging societal norms.
Commercial films generally follow established filmmaking conventions and techniques, such as familiar camera angles, editing styles, and visual effects, to create a seamless and immersive viewing experience for the audience. In contrast, experimental films explore unconventional techniques, such as jump cuts, innovative editing, or unconventional camera angles, often challenging viewers to engage more actively with the material.
Another key difference lies in their production and budget. Commercial films are typically produced with larger budgets, significant backing from major studios, extensive marketing campaigns, and broader distribution channels. Experimental films, on the other hand, are often made on lower budgets, sometimes self-financed or supported by small grants, and are usually produced by independent filmmakers.
The history of experimental film is closely connected to various avant-garde art movements, such as Dadaism, Surrealism, and Futurism, which sought to challenge traditional aesthetics and societal norms. Pioneers of experimental film include Dziga Vertov, Luis Bunuel, Salvador Dali, and Maya Deren. These filmmakers challenged traditional narrative structures, explored dream logic, and delved into the subconscious, expanding the horizons of what cinema could be.
Experimental films often arise from a desire to render the personal vision of an artist or promote interest in new technology rather than to generate revenue. They may relate to other art forms, such as painting, dance, literature, and poetry, or stem from research and development in new technical resources. Experimental filmmakers often begin as amateurs, and some use these films as a springboard into commercial filmmaking or academic positions.
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Frequently asked questions
Commercial films aim to immerse the audience in the story and maintain their suspension of disbelief.
Experimental films often break the fourth wall, employing self-reflexive techniques that remind audiences that they are watching a movie.
Self-reflexivity is when a film challenges its audience, making them more aware of their experiences as viewers.
Commercial films prioritise conventional narrative techniques to immerse the audience in the storyline.
Experimental films often utilise self-reflexivity to challenge audiences, which is a sharp contrast to the strategies used by commercial films.
