A Filmmaker's Guide to: Universe Cinema and The History of It

In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.

Universe Cinema and The History of It

What is it?

Universe Cinema has become more popular in the recent age with declaration that certain films are a part of the same 'universe'. Like a TV show it takes every episode or every instalment to understand the nature of the universe and in reality, follow it precisely with all character and plot developments included.

Over the years, many a film has been included or rumoured to be included in a universe. Obviously we have the DC and Marvel films, we have the Conjuring universe and then we have the rumoured universe of people like Quentin Tarantino because of the fact that two characters from two different movies are blood related.

What's the history of it?

The history of the Universe of Cinema begins in the 1930s with the monsters of Universal cinema. Films like "Dracula" (1931) and "Frankenstein" (1931) have become synonymous with beginning what would become the universe cult of cinema in which many people eagerly waited for the next instalment of the massive cinematic theme which all films seemed to be either a big or small part of. It was a way that the cinema would make money, knowing people would pay to see the next part in supposed series of film.

During the 40s, 50s and 60s, Sir Alfred Hitchcock signed his name to films stating that it was 'Alfred Hitchcock's...[insert film name here]' and so, would indirectly create the universe scenery as the same director, same themes and same styles were presented in each output of cinema.

What happened after that?

When it comes to the films of the 70s and 80s, Universe style films were not as popular as people wanted to go and see stand alone films and be surprised. This saw the resurgence of horror movies almost perfectly timed for the modern era. When it comes to Universe films, they were converted into sequels and as with films such as "The Exorcist", "The Omen" and many more, due to the success of the initial film, there were films made afterwards, second instalments, that did not do so well.

When it comes to the 90s and 2000s we nearly get no instalment films until the late 2000s era and even then, we are still at the beginning of what will become the Nolan DC era and the Marvel Era beginning with “Iron Man” (2008).

When you study universe cinema, you probably want to have a look at its similarities and difference from instalment cinema. See what it is like to make an instalment film and what that entails. Watch the Universal cinematic monsters collection of the 1930s and see what makes it a universe of cinema. What do you think creates a universe and what do you think draws the audience towards it? Why do you think that the recent attempt at the Dark Universe of Universal Studios didn’t work and what made it collapse in on itself? Think about these and you will find the answer as to why the audience wants universe cinema in the modern day - and why they don’t.