Previously, novels would be picturised on film. Film has a bigger scope than a novel because it can show you a lot of things, and you can also hear lots of sound. Films can based on a simple idea. It needn't be a plot, craft thing.
Technique is to achieve something.
Technique is a means to achieve something. What you show is not important. How it is shown is the most important thing. Till the price of raw film comes down to the level of paper and pencil, it is very difficult for the medium to survive as an art form. Till the prices of raw stock come down come down, it will very difficult for the medium to survive.