Why Film Is Called a “Total Art Form”

Calling film a “total art form” can sound pretentious—like something said by overly intellectual types. But the truth is, cinema genuinely incorporates a wide range of creative elements.

Just off the top of my head, we have:

• Story
• Acting
• Visuals
• Music
• Sound
• Art direction

Depending on one’s taste or role in filmmaking, people tend to focus on one of these elements and passionately declare it the “essence” of cinema.

For example, writers may see story as paramount and feel frustrated when actors try to leave a strong impression through performance. Conversely, those who value acting might find visual editing intrusive, preferring long, uninterrupted takes like in stage plays.

Visual specialists might go so far as to say that even if the story is weak and the acting poor, a film can still succeed if the visual composition is strong.

This diversity is both the beauty and the challenge of cinema. Even among film lovers, wildly different preferences can make meaningful conversation difficult.

The Role of Technique in Cinema

Among all these elements, the one most unique to film is visual technique.

The way scenes are framed and edited—the cut structure—is foundational to cinematic expression. But I also love the more “unorthodox” side of technique, like special effects.

My own interest in filmmaking began with stop-motion monster movies—classic “tokusatsu” films. I was fascinated by the technical ingenuity used to bring imagined creatures to life.

And once I started dabbling in filmmaking myself, I discovered something curious: after using a technique to realize a vision, I’d often want to create scenes specifically to showcase that technique.

From a purely narrative standpoint, that might seem backward. But for those of us who love film technology, a movie packed with clever techniques is deeply satisfying.

Today, digital editing has made visual manipulation easier than ever. Compositing, in particular, is now incredibly accessible. I’ve embraced this shift, planning projects that rely heavily on compositing to reduce production time and cut down on prop and set costs.

Yes, I use compositing to save money—but even if I had unlimited funds, I wouldn’t abandon it for a more “traditional” approach. I enjoy the creative challenge of technical filmmaking.

Cinema as a Showcase of Technical Scenes

One of Hollywood’s legendary figures is George Lucas.

Though he directed a few films himself, he’s best known as a producer who excels at leveraging technology. Traditionalists have long dismissed him as a “tech geek,” but his contributions to cinematic technique are undeniable.

His effects studio, ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), has produced countless groundbreaking visuals.

From the compositing innovations in Star Wars that earned a Guinness World Record, to the blend of animatronics and CG that resurrected dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Lucas’s projects have defined entire eras of visual storytelling.

Another series rich in technical variety is Indiana Jones. In 2023, the final installment was finally released.

I’ve been a fan since the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and I’ve enjoyed every entry since.

One of the series’ strengths is its effective use of cutting-edge visual techniques. In the latest film, the standout moment is the opening sequence featuring a digitally de-aged Indiana Jones.

While makeup has long been used to age actors, this may be the first time a major film successfully made an actor appear decades younger—and pulled it off convincingly.