Sew Lucky: An Analysis of "Show, Don't Tell" Filmmaking

The “show, don’t tell” narrative storytelling technique has been around for centuries. It applies to all forms of media. This essay focuses on the methods commonly used within filmmaking to accomplish the “show, don’t tell” technique, how these methods appear in popular coming-of-age indie films and animations, and how I incorporated them into my own capstone film production through writing and direction. Through this essay, I describe how a character can be written and directed to visually impact the story through the use of dialogue, subtext, and silence. Furthermore, I dive into how cinematic techniques and montage sequences can emphasize feelings and develop pacing within a film. Finally, I analyze how the set dressing of a character’s environment and the usage of symbolism can enhance visuals and give deeper meaning to story characters. The overarching goal of this thesis was to become a better script writer and director through analyzing film techniques and methods to create a cohesive story that did not rely on dialogue to be told.