Great Art
Biggest Difference Between Bad Art and Great Art
The power of engagement
In the realm of storytelling, Richard Walter emphasizes a simple yet crucial rule: don’t be boring. This applies from the very beginning to the end of a story. Whether it’s a film, a novel, or even a painting, the most fundamental expectation audiences have is to stay engaged. Walter admits that much of the art he consumes these days leaves him feeling disengaged or, worse, bored.
As a result, Walter has shifted from regularly attending movie theaters to watching screeners at home, although he still feels guilty when he doesn’t finish them. For him, being bored is not just frustrating but a reflection of the larger issue with much contemporary art — it often fails to captivate.
Most Art Isn’t Great — And That’s Okay
Walter argues that the majority of art, regardless of medium, is not particularly good. This might sound harsh, but it’s a sentiment rooted in optimism. He believes that, with time, only the best art survives. The rest — what he calls the “bad stuff” — inevitably falls away.
Walter shares an anecdote from a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There, he marveled at the timeless masterpieces but reminded himself that for every painting hanging in that gallery, there are countless amateur works that never made the cut. In his view, the same principle applies to contemporary film and television: while much of it may not be great, the truly exceptional will stand the test of time.
Why We Think Contemporary Film is Uniquely Bad ?
Walter acknowledges a common perception that modern films are worse than those from earlier eras. People often ask, “Why don’t they make good movies like they used to in the ’40s and ‘50s?” Walter points out that, although those decades produced some truly remarkable films, they also gave us plenty of forgettable ones. We just don’t remember the bad ones because time has filtered them out.
The power of engagement
He believes that years from now, people will look back at the early 21st century with the same fondness, recalling standout films while forgetting the mediocre ones. For instance, Walter speculates that films like The Hunger Games will be forgotten, while more impactful works like The Imitation Game will endure.
“Don’t Be Boring” is the Minimum Expectation
When Walter advises creators to avoid being boring, he sees this as the bare minimum requirement for any work of art. Keeping an audience’s attention is the first step, but it’s not enough. Walter reveals that he used to fight the urge to fall asleep during films, trying to force himself to stay awake out of respect for the craft. Now, he no longer bothers — if a movie puts him to sleep, he allows it to happen, believing that it’s the film’s responsibility to keep him engaged.
However, he acknowledges that some films manage to transcend even his exhaustion. When a film is truly engaging, it has the power to wake him up, despite his weariness. For Walter, this is a rare and valuable experience, one that proves the importance of avoiding boredom.
The Ultimate Goal
While avoiding boredom is essential, Walter believes that the highest achievement for any work of art is to transform the audience’s life. He points to television shows like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos as examples of art that didn’t just entertain — they fundamentally changed his worldview.
Great art, according to Walter, has the power to transport us to a different state of being. It challenges us, shifts our perspective, and leaves a lasting impact. This, he argues, is what we should ultimately aim for as creators and what we should seek as audiences.
Conclusion:
In storytelling, avoiding boredom is the foundation, but the true magic lies in creating something that changes lives. Whether through film, television, literature, or other mediums, Richard Walter’s insight serves as a reminder that while most contemporary work may fall short, the few masterpieces that endure can have an immeasurable impact. For those who engage with great art, it has the potential to transform how we see the world — and that is the ultimate goal.
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