The Universal Story

A film is often based around an underlying universal story, the Aussie Hands foundation and the hand differences there is a universal theme of rising above adversity, people’s immaturity and doubt, overcoming insecurities about a disability, their appearance, overcoming their doubt over abilities, their obstacles are displayed, their failures clear but their triumphs emphatic through the success of the subjects.

Moments can accumulate and create something more. Moments of Silence by Lydia Moyer is a compilation of a congress sitting where the reactions in the moment of silence after a mass shooting are what makes the short three minute documentary. Although there is no text on screen, although nothing is said, it is powerful. Only a slither of context is given but that is all that is needed to prompt and provoke greater thoughts and discussions. The compilation raises greater universal ideas beyond the congress members in a room in absolute silence. The repetitiveness of the edit signifies that it is a recurring action, should something be done, should this response prompt the congress to do something more to combat this sadness. From a simplistic edit, a compilation, many ideas can come from it’s simplicity. Sometimes it isn’t what you say that is profound is the absence of speech that is the most powerful. People are left to think about greater issues, issues not considered not thought or shared by everyone. The impact through how something relates to an individual can have a different influence on them.

Another important element can be how complex the characters and stories are. Often the easiest approach is to make a person who does great things heroic, but often the complexities beneath the surface, the true human interest stories need the complexity so the other layers make sense. Density can often confuse audiences too many layers stacked on and confusing over complexity will lose the audience.

Universal messages are important, without a greater thought to take out of the film after the viewing experience, the film will not have an impact on the target audience. To have that connection and to get the universal message across, are all crucial to the impact the documentary will have, to leave a lasting impression.

Michael Serpell