Unit 12: Extended Writing Minimum 1500 word
“The Whale” was a film that I recently watched that I thought had a great message and I felt as if it was a great film I had watched in a long time.
The main message in this film is that we all carry guilt and the main character Charlie’s weight is used as a metaphor to show the guilt that he carries.
Ideas:
How has films evolved over time?
What was the first film with a message?
What was the first film that made the audience think?
Why do films not have the same feel to them anymore?
How important are films to its audience?
How do films impact its audience?
Films that can be analysed:
The Whale
Five Feet Apart
Tick Tick Boom
Me Before You
Exploring:
How has films evolved over time?
As technology developed, films have become longer and includes multiple shots. With that an entertainment industry quickly developed and director and editor positions became a solidified role in the movie industry. The first film that consisted more than one shot was produced near the end of the 19th century.
What was the first film with a message?
What was the first film that made the audience think?
A silent film about trains caused audience to run. It was a silent black-and-white image of a moving locomotive filled a movie screen in Paris
Why do films not have the same feel to them anymore?
After streaming services like Netflix, there has been many over saturated films so films today feel like long episodes rather than feature films. However movies before used to have beautiful cinematography.
How important are films to its audience?
Throughout the years film has been a type of escapism, for some people it's a way of entertainment, some it's a reality check. Film is a combination of music and pictures and stories all in one so it's a way in forgetting the real world.
How do films impact its audience?
Certain films tend to stay with people, and this is most likely because it's something that they can relate to or something as simple as grabbing their attention.
Final Decision:
After thinking about what what topic I want to do for my extended writing, Ive chosen how feels don't give the same feel anymore, now I'll have to choose a subtopic of this so that my topic isn't too broad.
Option A:
How has the shift from film to digital cinematography changed the visual 'feel' of modern cinema?
Option B:
How colour grading and lighting contribute to the perceived loss of atmosphere in modern film.
Option C:
How the increase in remakes and sequels has impacted originality and emotional connection in film.
Rephrase question:
To what extent have remakes and sequels reduced originality and emotional connection in modern films?
Research:
This article speaks about how Hollywood movies have the same old stories and they don't release anything new, and how when sinners came out it had the same feeling from back when movies used to excite them and keep them on the edge of the seat. This tells how over done some stories are and that there is no reactivity in the movies made today.
For this extended writing I could look into a film from back in the golden era that made the audience feel something and stuck with them and compare it to a recent film and see what the difference is and explore the differences.
I can also look at the few exceptions and compare them throughout the essay.
https://www.seeingthroughfilm.com/p/why-the-movies-will-never-feel-the
This website explores multiple films that has created an impact to its audience
Guiding Question for first 500 words:
Why has the film industry relied on remakes and sequels and how has this influenced originality?
Recently remaking and sequel culture has been common, the film industry has been relying on them, major studios have been prioritising existing story arcs, rather than encouraging new narratives. For example Disney/Marvel have been making live actions of previous animated movies of theirs, even though they have been doing pretty well in the box office, audiences have raised concerns about lack of originality and emotional depth in recent cinema.
One of the main reasons for the rise of remakes is that it's financially safer than making original films. This is because existing narratives already have a fanbase, which makes it easier to do marketing as the audience will already recognise the characters. Making it a much safer option for the box office if they invest in a familiar franchise and reduce the risk of box office failure.
Audiences tend to be drawn to nostalgia, so it plays a significant role for the rise in remakes and sequels. The hype around the existing franchises are already familiar, so social media recognises it. The audience feels emotional connection to familiar characters and stories. Even though audiences love to find comfort in watching familiar narratives, critics would argue that some remakes fail to meet the standard of the original movies and in Disney live-actions it may lack the charm of the original animated film. Other critics also suggest these remakes rely heavily on nostalgia and drawing in audiences by banking on familiar stories rather than offering new narratives.
Remakes do not excite the audience, as they already know the narrative. This contributes to the view of modern films and the lack of emotional depth found in them compared to the authenticity earlier original films had. A main reason we see a decline in new narratives in Hollywood is that, writers have given up in creating anything new as they quote that “audiences prefer being spoon-fed reheated stories” and without motivation and confidence their film/story will do well every film maker will hesitate to make something that they know their audience won't take well.
Even when filmmakers write new stories it is very stressful for them as nowadays anyone has been a critic and if one negative review goes viral it could depict the success rate of the film, no matter how great the film is. At the end of the day remakes are not a new occurrence in cinema and surely they only keep coming to cinema because majority of the audience are liking what they are getting out of this.
For my first 500 words I received feedback, which I later used when writing the rest of my essay.
This is the feedback that I received:
To what extent have remakes and sequels reduced originality and emotional connection in modern films?
The modern film industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, specifically in the types of films being produced. One of the noticeable trends is the increasing dominance in remakes and sequels. Major film studios are heavily reliant on pre-existing narratives, revisiting previous successful story arcs rather than investing in entirely original narratives. For example, film studios such as Disney have produced numerous live-actions adaptations of their earlier animated film. Although many of these films perform well at the box office, audiences and critics have raised concerns regarding the lack of originality and emotional depth in recent cinema.
One of the main reasons for the rise of remakes is financial security. Established narratives already have an existing fanbase, which makes marketing campaigns more effective and reduces risk of commercial failure. Audiences are most likely to engage with characters and franchises they already recognise. Which makes investing in familiar franchises a safer investment for studios compared to developing original stories, which carries a greater financial uncertainty.
Audiences tend to be drawn to nostalgia, which plays a significant role in sustaining remake culture. Established franchises already possess cultural recognition, allowing studios to create anticipation through audiences familiarity with the characters and storylines. This familiarity often creates a sense of comfort to the audience and makes them feel emotionally connected. Even though audiences love to find comfort in watching familiar narratives, critics would argue that some remakes fail to meet the standard of the original movies and that excessive reliance on nostalgia can limit creative innovation (Flight, 2025). In the case of many Disney live-action adaptations, the emphasis on recreating loved animated classics has led to the remakes lack the charm and emotional authenticity the original film possessed. When films depend primarily on audience familiarity rather than narrative reinvention, they risk appearing repetitive rather than innovative.
While remakes offer a sense of familiarity, this predictability can reduce narrative tension, as audiences are already aware of the key plots and its outcomes. This contributes to the view that modern film lacks the originality and emotional impact associated with earlier films. The main reason we see a decline in new narratives in Hollywood is that, writers have given up in creating anything new as they quote that “audiences prefer being spoon-fed reheated stories” and without motivation and confidence their film/story will do well every film maker will hesitate to make something that they know their audience won't take well (Reboots and remakes: why is Hollywood stuck on repeat?, no date).
Even when filmmakers write new stories it is very stressful for them as nowadays anyone has been a critic and if one negative review goes viral it could depict the success rate of the film, no matter how great the film is. At the end of the day remakes are not a new occurrence in cinema and surely they only keep coming to cinema because majority of the audience are liking what they are getting out of this.
A key example of Disney’s remake strategy is The Lion King, a photorealistic adaptation of the 1994 animated original. A comparison between the 1994 film and its 2019 remake reveals significant creative differences. Although the remake retains many of the narrative elements and iconic scenes of the original, some film critics argue that it struggles to replace the emotional intensity, parts of which the fan-base loved from the original that defined the animated version. Some elements are in the remake but it didn't tackle all elements that the animated 1994 film succeeded at.
The most prominent difference between the two films lies in the visual style. The 1994 The Lion King uses traditional hand-drawn 2D animation, characterised by expressive character design and vibrant colour palettes. This stylised approach allows for stronger facial expression and this helps exaggerate emotion, making the characters feel more animated and symbolic. In contrast, the 2019 remake utilises photorealistic CGI intended to mimic real animals and natural environments. While this looks visually impressive and makes the audience get a full experience of the world, the realism restricts expressive exaggeration, as the animals move and emote more like actual wildlife. Therefore, the shift to hyper-realistic CGI shows how remakes can demolish originality and take away the heart of the original.
Another key difference between the original and the remake lies in the character performance and the voice acting. In the 1994 film, voice performances work in harmony with exaggerated animation to convey strong emotional expression. This was particularly important in scenes involving Simba’s grief and internal conflict. In contrast, the 2019 remake relies on controlled vocal delivery with realistic animal behaviour, in which limits the amount of emotional intensity that reaches the audience and as a result scenes that were emotionally impactful in the original feel muted and unalive in the remake.
Music plays a crucial role in shaping emotional responses in both films. While the remake reuses iconic songs from the original, critics argue that the performance lacks the theatrical energy present in the animated version. The original film uses musical sequences to amplify emotion, whereas the remake's commitment to realism limits this expression quality. This further proves the perception that the remake prioritises technological realism over emotional engagement.
Despite its box office success, the 2019 lion king received mixed critical reviews. Many critics praised its technology achievement but criticised its lack of emotional warmth and originality. This response highlights the divide between commercial success and creative fulfilment, reinforcing the argument that financial motivations often outweigh artistic innovation in remake culture.
However it would be inaccurate to suggest that all remakes and sequels diminish originality, as some contemporary adaptations actively challenge these assumptions. Rather than merely replicating familiar narratives, they reinterpret existing texts in ways that generate new meaning. (All the Little Women: The (Mostly) Definitive List of Little Women Adaptations, no date) A strong example that shows this change in view would be Little Woman and its recent remake in 2019.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted for films multiple times since the early twentieth century, demonstrating the story’s enduring cultural relevance. Each version reflects the social values and cinematic priorities of its production period. The first two adaptations of Little Woman to the big screen were silent films and the continued reimagining of the novel suggests that its theme remains adaptable to new audiences.
In the 2019 adaptation, Greta Gerwig has made improvements to the story to benefit her version of the film, by introducing originality through its non-linear narrative. Rather than presenting events chronologically, she interweaves the March sisters' childhood and adulthood. This style of editing encourages audiences to draw emotional comparisons between moments of joy and loss, strengthening the film's memory, growth and regret explored in the film.
Unlike earlier adaptations, Gerwig’s version foregrounds feminist themes more explicitly. Jo March’s struggle between creative independence and societal expectations is presented as a central conflict rather than a secondary theme. By emphasising authorship female autonomy, the film aligns the nineteenth- century text with contemporary conversations about gender roles and artistic ownership, renewing its relevance for the modern audiences.
In this adaptation emotional depth is heightened through the naturalistic performance and intimate character interactions that the actors pulled off really well. The close focus on dialogue, gesture and pacing allows the audience to form a stronger emotional connection with the characters, despite familiarity with the narrative. This demonstrated that remakes can preserve and even enhance emotional resonance when guided by clear creative intent. Therefore, Little Women challenges the assumption that remakes inherently reduce originality. Instead, it suggests that emotional depth and originality depends on reinterpretation rather than replication.
Overall, the impact of remakes and sequels on originality and emotional connection is not absolute. While commercially driven remakes such as The Lion King demonstrate how excessive reliance on realism and nostalgia can diminish emotional depth, films like Little Women reveal the creative potential of reinterpretation. This contrast suggests that the issue lies not in remakes themselves, but in the motivations behind them. When remakes prioritise profit and audience familiarity, originality often suffers, however when filmmakers approach existing material with artistic intent, remakes can remain emotionally and culturally meaningful.
In conclusion, remakes and sequels have reduced originality and emotional connection to a significant extent within modern cinema, particularly when driven by financial security and nostalgia. The analysis of The Lion King demonstrates how technological advancements does not guarantee emotional depth, whereas Little Women illustrates how reinterpretation can revitalise familiar narratives. Therefore, while remake culture dominates contemporary cinema, its impact on creativity depends largely on the intentions of filmmakers and studios.
References:
All the Little Women: The (Mostly) Definitive List of Little Women Adaptations (no date). https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/little-women-adaptations/.
Flight, T. (2025) 'Why the movies will never feel the same again,' Seeing Through Film - Thomas Flight, 3 August. https://www.seeingthroughfilm.com/p/why-the-movies-will-never-feel-the.
Reboots and remakes: why is Hollywood stuck on repeat? (no date). https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/06/reboots-and-remakes-why-is-hollywood-stuck-on-repeat.
Secondary Researches
Film Analysis - Your Name (Anime)
For my secondary research, I analysed the film Your Name, as it explores themes of connection gradually through distance and visual repetition rather than immediately presenting the relationship romantically. This has influenced my decision to make the interaction between my two characters to be subtle, without it being overly direct.
Your Name
Although the film contains fantasy and other supernatural elements, I'm mostly interested in how the relationship between the two characters relationship develops through narrative, colour, body language and visual motifs rather than constant dialogue.
At the start of the film, Taki and Mitsuha are emotionally distant strangers living completely different lives. Taki lives in an environment that is fast pace as well as isolated since he lives in a big city (Tokyo), while Mitsuha lives in a quite rural area rooted with tradition. Even though they are separated through distance, the film slowly builds emotional familiarity through small interactions, notes and memories. This has influenced the way I want my characters to interact within my short film and wanted to focus on the idea that connection doesn't need to be direct and can be through observation instead. Simialar to Your Name I want my film to develop connection gradually through glances, and internal thoughts.
Another aspect I explored in this film was the colour throughout the film. Your Name frequently uses warm lighting such as sunsets and soft tones to create emotional warmth and nostalgia. The cinematography making ordinary locations feel intimate without making it loud. I would also like to follow similar visuals in my film, using warm lighting in scenes to represent the comfort and familiarity of the main character's safe space before her emotions shift.
I was particularly inspired by the use of the red ribbon throughout the film. Japanese folklore, the "akai ito" or red thread of fate symbolises an invisible connection between two people who are defined for one another, no matter the time or distance. Your Name constantly reinforces this idea through Mitsuha's braided cord, which becomes a significant visual motif representing emotional attachment and destiny. The part find most significant is when Mitsuha gives her ribbon to Taki without knowing the future significance. The ribbon transforms into a physical representation the connections before either of the characters understand their bond completely.
After analysing Your Name it helped me make several creative decisions for filming my project. It has reinforced my decisions to focus on visual storytellin and keeping subtle progression with emotion. It has also inspired me to use recurring red elements such as bracelets in my short film.
Song Analysis - Detached by Lyn Lapid
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| Detached by Lyn Lapid - Song Cover |
I chose to analyse this song called Detached after coming across it through Spotify. The themes explored within the lyrics closely connect to the same emotional narrative of my short film. The song focuses mostly on emotional distance, uncertainty and struggling to form real connections with people, which directly links to the guardedness of my main character. Although the song approaches these emotions through music and lyrics rather than visuals, I found that the tone of emotion and reflective style strongly relates to the concept I want for my short film.
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| Detached by Lyn Lapid - Song Lyrics |
Throughout the song, the lyrics connote the feeling of being emotionally attached to somebody while questioning whether that feeling is mutual. This strongly connotes to the internal conflict that my film will represent, where the main character begins to create assumptions about somebody before fully understanding them. The repeated lyrics "how are you so detached?" particularly reflects the way my character interprets the behaviour of the male character during the party scene. Without understanding his actions, she distances herself and assumes emotional disinterest from him.
Another part of the song that connects to my film is "when I'm outta your sight, I'm outta your mind." This reflects the insecurity and overthinking that my main character experiences. Even thought the male character may not intentionally be distant, she interprets the moments of silence negatively because of her guarded personality and previous assumptions about others.
The lyrics "swear there was a res string connecting a piece of you to me" became especially influential to my project development. It directly links to the red string theory that inspired my short film and represented the idea of invisible emotional connection between people. However the lyrics that follow "but I'm guessing I just misread that|" also reflects to the main themes of my film, misunderstanding and misjudgment. Same as the song, my narrative within the film explores how emotional guardedness can cause somebody to doubt or ignore genuine connection before allowing it to develop naturally.
I also found inspiration through the reflective and vulnerable tone of the song. Rather than expressing emotion through dramatic confrontation, the song conveys feelings quietly through internal thoughts and questioning. This has influenced me to use voiceovers and minimal dialogue within my short film.
By analysing Detached it has helped me decide on the emotional tone swell as the sole of storytelling for this project. It has reinforced my decision to create a subtle and reflective narrative focused on emotional guardedness.
Primary Research
Audience Survey:
As part of my primary research, I
created an audience survey exploring their first impressions and themes of emotional guardedness, trust and symbolism within films. I reason for this questionnaire was to understand how people respond to new connections and assumptions they have on new people, which will be the main theme explored within my film.
The questionnaire for my primary research
From the survey, the most significant finding was that 100% of the participants states that they had previously misjudged somebody before getting to know them properly. This helps support the realism of my narrative, my short film will focus mainly on the main character creating assumptions about somebody before fully understanding or getting to know them. This response has reassured me that the emotional behaviour within my film would feel relatable to the audience.
Another interesting result was that 50% of participants believed first impressions are only "sometimes" accurate, while the other 50% believed they are not accurate. None of the participants said "yes", suggesting that most people agree that first impressions can often be incorrect. This also connects to the my main message of my film, where the audience gradually realises that the main character's assumptions of the male character wasn't entirely correct.
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