A method for manufacturing a film, the method having the steps creating a cast film having a polymer component, a monomer component, a nanoparticle component, a magnetic-filler component, or a combination thereof; shearing the cast film; aligning a cast-film component by applying an electric field to the cast film; aligning a cast-film component by applying a magnetic field to the cast film; curing or polymerizing a cast-film component; annealing the cast film; and evaporating solvent from the cast film.