What is independent cinema?

What is independent cinema?

-          Independent cinema explores subjects considered taboo in the mainstream film industry and are usually created on a low budget.

History

The roots of independent film can be traced back to when the early pioneer filmmakers at the turn of the century resisted the control of the Motion Pictures Patents Company, when filmmakers built their own cameras to escape the Edison trusts in order to relocate to Southern California where they laid the foundations of the American film industry as well as the Hollywood studio system.

Conventions: studio vs independent

Independent

·         It faces a series of topics that conventional films don’t take in consideration such as prostitution, drugs, homosexuality etc.

·         Aesthetics, it includes different formats and ideas, they use different techniques such as black and white, shiny colours, etc.

·         The characters are often more quirky and real. They are also more rounded and neither bad nor good.

·         The storyline is more likely to be non-linear and most include flashbacks.

·         Happy endings are not always present and many end leaving viewers with questions.

Studio

·         Obvious characters, usually stereotypical, such as the action-hero.

·         An easy-to-follow narrative with universal themes, which can be described in one sentence and can be used as a tagline to promote the film.

·         High production values, expensive costumes and locations. These films often use special effects and/or CGI.

·         High profile celebrity actors. These actors can often be related to the film genre.

·         The visual appeal of events or situations you would not see in everyday life, such as explosions, car chases, fantasy worlds and historical settings.

·         Easy to understand plots.

Social and production context

·         Production context is the social and economical aspects which surround the making of a film. The possibilities and impossibilities of film making depending on the budget. Also, it is about what genres and techniques will result in a higher grossing films, directors have to think about what kinds of films are popular.

·         Social context is what films (especially indie films) rely on for people to understand the characters. It consists of what lifestyle they lead and the way they were brought up and educated.