In the world of cinema, the term triangel system may be quite familiar. In the film production process, it is a system of work that becomes an important foundation in developing the story and directing the production vision. Have you ever heard of this term? Or maybe you’ve realized it but don’t know how it works? Let’s take a deeper dive!
The Triangle System involves three main figures in the creative process of a movie, namely: producer, director, and scriptwriter. The three of them work together from the beginning of concept development until the movie is produced. The main goal? Building a solid vision so that the resulting movie has a clear direction and a strong identity.
Then, what is the role of each in this system? Here’s a detailed explanation:
1. Producer’s Role: Production Designer and Managerial
The role of the producer is often thought of as the “managerial brain” behind the scenes. Here are his main responsibilities:
- Formulate the initial idea of the movie from social, cultural, and moral aspects.
- Managing the entire production line, from funding to distribution.
- Manage the budget and schedule, so that all processes run efficiently.
- Ensure the availability of resources, such as actors, crew, and locations.
- Overcoming technical and non-technical obstacles that arise during the production process.
The producer is also the bridge between the team’s creative desires and the reality of the production. He or she must ensure that the movie can run within the budget without sacrificing the quality of the story and visuals. Without a reliable producer, even the best ideas can go unrealized.
2. Director’s Role: Vision Holder and Aesthetic Director
The director serves as the creative leader who translates the script into strong visual images. His main tasks include:
- Directing actors to perform in character.
- Determining the visual style, including shots, tone, and atmosphere of the story.
- Collaborating with technical teams, such as cinematography, art, and sound.
- Maintain the continuity of the story, both visually and emotionally.
- Adjust creative ideas to production conditions with the producer.
While directors have a lot of room for artistic exploration, they still have to be realistic about production limitations. This is why intensive communication with producers and writers is essential. So, it’s not just about vision, but also about strategy.
3. The Role of the Screenwriter: The Storyteller Who Brings the Movie to Life
Without a solid story, there would be no compelling movie. The scriptwriter is the main narrative direction of the movie. Here are his important roles:
- Building a cohesive and logical storyline.
- Bringing the characters and dialog to life so that they feel natural.
- Promotes a strong and relevant main theme.
- Work closely with the director to match the story content with the visual vision.
- Coordinating with the producer to keep the story realistic in terms of budget.
Sometimes the writer is also involved during production to make revisions or improvements to the script according to the needs in the field. Imagine if the dialog in the film feels stilted – most likely the problem is in the story writing stage.
Related Reading: 11 Important Technical Elements in Movie Screenwriting
Benefits and Challenges of the Triangle System
Effective implementation of the triangle system can provide great benefits, including:
- Unifying creative ideas and production strategies.
- Reduces conflict during production.
- Improves the overall quality of the movie.
- Makes the movie more accessible to the audience and market.
However, this system is not without its challenges. Differences in views between directors and writers, or budget limitations that stifle ideas, can trigger tension. But this is where the power of the triangle system is tested-is it able to adapt and unite differences for the best results?
Successful Example: The Dark Knight (2008)
One of the most successful examples of the triangle system is the movie The Dark Knight.
- Christopher Nolan as the director brought a dark yet elegant visual direction and storytelling.
- Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer as writers created a complex scenario full of layers.
- Emma Thomas as producer organized the production efficiently and strategically.
The result? The film was a commercial success and critically acclaimed as one of the best superhero films in its genre.
Does the Triangel System Always Work?
Not really. Some movies still fail despite the team behind them using this system. Usually, failures occur due to unresolved conflicts of vision or imbalance of roles in the production team. But such cases are minor when compared to the successes that result from strong collaboration. But in general, the triangle system remains the best approach to building a movie that is mature in idea and strong in execution.
So, the triangle system is not just a technical term. It is a collaborative strategy that is the key behind successful movies. Of course, not all movies that apply it automatically succeed-some fail due to team disagreements or execution issues. But when executed well, the triangle system can be a very powerful tool.
Now, after reading this explanation, which part of the triangle system do you think is the most crucial in determining the success of a movie? Let’s share our opinions in the comments column!
