In our Psychology 101 section, we touched upon the infinite ways in which psychology influences our thoughts and actions. If psychology shapes so many aspects of our lives, it undoubtedly shapes how films are made. Films are created to convey the director and writer's vision, to entertain the masses, or do both. Simply put, films are made by and for humans. Consequently, the human psyche determines which stories are made into film, how characters are designed, how the plot is structured, and how these factors vary by genre and target audience.
Avatar (2009), The highest grossing film of all time.
On the next few pages (Character and Story Design), you will learn how the viewers' psychology (that would be you!) influences decisions about which actors get roles, which stories are told, and how characters develop throughout a film. In our "Target Audience By Genre" pages (currently under construction), you will learn how movies in different genres are designed to appeal to specific demographics within the movie-going population. For movie fans, The Audience will help you understand why you are attracted to certain movies and not others. For aspiring filmmakers, this section will provide you with some insight on how to create stories and characters that will find a fan base.