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When a film director can't compete on big budget production values in a movie, some advantage need be found. If a movie director can't get the best camera, the best actors or even the greatest script, there are other things he or she can do to elevate a film. Instead of worrying about technical factors, concentrate on making the style of the picture unique.

Not Caring Is A Style

You might think style doesn't matter. You may think only the actor or the story or the camera matter; but it's not true. Style matters because it's one of the few things that you have as much access to as any other filmmaker. Style is about visual composition, not about money or other precious resources. If you don't put effort into the look of your film, you will have a boring style. Not caring is making a movie like a home movie. Home movies are commonplace, boring. Boring is not the best use of style.

Limitation, Variations On A Theme

Style is about limiting choices and using a smaller palette. It's about saying more with less. You are creating a world in your film that is related to but not completely analogous to reality. In life we have homes of different styles next to each other on any given street making an eclectic scene. In films we try to imitate what people do in life;, pick and choose amongst all the choices to create their own little world. The country may be filled with ugly houses, but it won't seem that way if you don't look at them. So your limits and consequent variations upon those limits will give your film a point of view that will feel authentic and compelling.

Strong Style Conveys Authority

Along with establishing a point of view, your use of style can put the audience at ease with the movie knowing that you are in control of the experience. If you have successfully whittled down life to a cross-section to be included in your movie it will give you some latitude in other aspects where you may not be so accomplished. Your story may be a little weak, but if it were told with strong visual statements people may be more likely to overlook the weak parts.

Style Isn't Pure Period

Style is a contrived concept, it probably never existed and that's fine. Using style isn't about finding a period you like and recreating it whole cloth. It's about taking elements of existing styles and putting them together to create a new style. Don't look at period styles as complete sets of conventions you have to adopt, but rather as being composed of many little elements that you can pick and choose from.

Style Isn't Fashion Or Loud

Often people mistake style for fashion. Fashion is a mix of styles that are popular as of now. Some think style is about splashy captivating visual statements. Style doesn't have to grab your attention with any single element, but rather subtly inform the mood with the sum of it's parts. So don't get confused as to what you are shooting for. You aren't necessarily going to put the most current and trendy looks in your film and you aren't shooting for something to overwhelm people. You want to gather elements that work well together and look great as a unit.

It's Also What You Don't Do

Not as obvious, but still an important part of style, is what you do not do. This is a necessary part of establishing a specific style and can speak just as firmly about your film's point of view. Making a movie in New York and not having one black person in it is a strong statement that could offend some. Making a movie set in the United States that never shows an automobile also says something specific. Give as much thought to what you don't want to be seen in the film as what you do want to show.

Style is a way to compete where you otherwise couldn't. Fashion-centric Hollywood movies will be putting the newest styles and most recent innovations in their movies. You shouldn't try to do the same. While they fill frames with modern gadgets, you might not want to have any. While the actors all have the latest hair styling, you might want to have all your characters be bald. It's about making a statement that serves the story and conveying authority, not pandering and playing to trends.