What Separates Great Shows/Movies From Everything Else

[SWIL]

Wasn't sure where to put this so decided to start a thread. This is a fairly subjective topic (everyone has their own tastes), but I'm interested to hear what you guys think makes a show/movie excellent and worth your time in watching.

For me, it all begins and ends with the characters, their motives, and how authentic and "real" they seem based on their dialogue and actions.

The guy perfectly nails it, IMO, in describing what good story writing is. He used season 1 of True Detective as an exhibit of masterful TV. (Spoiler Warning for those who have not seen True Detective)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgs-saf5Se8[/youtube]

 

[joevol33]

I'm more into a movie, or show, based on the characters. One thing that helps either be great for me is if what I'm watching could really happen. I like a lot of stuff, but the more real the better for my taste.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Characters and good acting to flesh them out, followed closely by a good story.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Directing and storytelling are everything to me. Even if somewhat poorly acted, a well directed movie with a strong story can forgive a multitude of sins.

 

[bignewt]

Three things: Writing. Writing. Writing.

 

[n_huffhines]

Three things: Writing. Writing. Writing.

Me too. I'll watch a show about characters I don't like if the writing is good. I wil watch a show with cheesy production or bad acting if the writing is good.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Three things: Writing. Writing. Writing.

Story, writing, acting, production values and story...Good shows and movies have some of these qualities, but great shows have them all.

 

[bignewt]

writing is what creates story and good acting does not exist without writing. Inf act production value is the least needed thing on that list. Give me an indie on a shoestring budget if the writing is good the product will be good.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

writing is what creates story and good acting does not exist without writing. Inf act production value is the least needed thing on that list. Give me an indie on a shoestring budget if the writing is good the product will be good.

I agree to a point. When I refer to story, I meant the basic story arc, to me writing is what fleshes out that story and gives it life. Also film being a visual medium gives credence to production value being important to some degree. It is to me. I mean even movies on a shoestring can be well done production wise. I think maybe you and I have a different understanding of what I meant as production value.

 

[Grand Vol]

Writing is always good to start with, but I think cast chemistry can make a good show great. You take a TV show like MASH. If it wasn't for the chemistry of the characters, it would likely have never run for eleven seasons. And even then, it took a few seasons until the right balance was found. Same with NCIS in Seasons 2-10.

Casting is important, but the way those characters interact is even more important in making a good show great.

 

[SWIL]

writing is what creates story and good acting does not exist without writing. Inf act production value is the least needed thing on that list. Give me an indie on a shoestring budget if the writing is good the product will be good.

Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs is a good example of this; was done on a $1.2 million dollar budget, which was tiny even for 1992.

 

[bignewt]

I agree to a point. When I refer to story, I meant the basic story arc, to me writing is what fleshes out that story and gives it life. Also film being a visual medium gives credence to production value being important to some degree. It is to me. I mean even movies on a shoestring can be well done production wise. I think maybe you and I have a different understanding of what I meant as production value.

To me production value is directly tied to budget, how nice the camera gear is, locations, design, fx, etc.

 

[Godfatha]

Dialogue to me. It's the one commonality that seems to pop up amongst most of my favorite movies/tv shows.
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