THE formula for creating the "perfect" film has been discovered by an academic.
To create a hit movie directors need to combine seven essential elements in the right proportions to ensure they have success, according to university lecturer Sue Clayton.
Her research has revealed that the blueprint for a perfect feature must have: action 30pc, comedy 17pc, good v evil 13pc, love/sex/romance 12pc, special effects 10pc, plot 10pc and music 8pc.
The study was based on detailed analysis of a cross-section of the highest grossing films in the UK in the past 10 years, ranging from Brit-flicks such as The Full Monty and Notting Hill to big budget blockbusters like Die Another Day and Titanic.
Ms Clayton, who is a movie director and screenwriting lecturer for the University of London and the British Film Council, was commissioned by diet Coke to carry out the research in order to better understand what the British public love about popular movies.
The research will be used to assess the potential success of prospective film sponsorship deals.
Toy Story 2, a Disney Pixar production, was the film that had the closest match to the blueprint. The animated tale grossed more than £44m at the UK box office.
