Definition of Independent Films - Essay Example

INDEPENDENT FILMS Introduction The entertainment world has become very diverse, comprising ofdifferent features according to people’s cultures, tastes and preferences. In the same way, various companies have been established in the process of ensuring that people enjoy their various forms of entertainment in the best way they can. It is important to note that advancements in technology and information continue to make it easy for people to enjoy various forms of entertainment. In this development, people can easily enjoy and develop their talent. Nowadays, for people developing films and movies, there are various studies that are often helpful at affordable rates. People that have talents in recording films and movies often prepare their scripts and act them out, they then develop them in a studio, which has to ensure that it adds value and quality to the final products that people enjoy. Many people often enjoy various kinds of films and movies without knowing the journey that they go through before they can be watched and enjoyed by people across cultures. At the studio, the producers have to ensure that the particular content to be developed is acted out in the best and professional standards before working on them (Hillier 2001, 24). They have to ensure that the particular themes intended are well outlined so that they can be easily understood. In some case, it is the studios that assume the role of marketing, subject to the agreement by the particular actors; otherwise some prefer to undertake the process themselves. Currently, independent films have been developed, becoming popular in most countries across the world (King 2005, 41). Various reasons have been cited for the emergence of these kinds of films in modern times, with people preferring to make their films away from the major film studios. This paper examines the aspect of independent films, focusing on some of the challenges in defining these independent films in the contemporary world. Independent Films An independent film can be described as the professional practice of film production that often results in feature films, which are done outside the chief studio film systems (Tzioumakis 2006, 23). After these films have been produced by these independent films, they are often marketed and distributed by the particular independent entertainment organisations and companies according to the terms and conditions in the agreement arrived at. It is also important to note that in some cases, independent films can also be developed and distributed by the subsidiaries of some of these major film studios. In several instances, the major striking similarities in most of the independent films are their style and content. Additionally, they are also distinguished by the artistic vision that the particular film makers often have when developing them. However, this is not always the case, because different artists have their various ways in which they make their creativity, which varies from one to another. One of the reasons why many people prefer to use these independent films stems from the fact that they often have low film budgets as compared to the major film studios. It is important to note that in terms of marketing, independent films are very different from the major studios. In the independent films, the marketing process is often characterized by very few releases; however, there are special instances when the films can also have major marketing and sales campaigns and various broad releases. In many instances, most independent are not screened out anyhow, they often feature in most of the local, national and selected international film events and festivals before they can be distributed in theatres and other retail outlets. By doing so, the film producers often aim at making enough returns before breaking even in the competitive industry. In most cases, the entertainment industry is characterised by much piracy, by people that want to make sales and profits out of the producers’ and artists’ efforts while not minding the owners of the copyright laws (Allen 2003, 52). In this case, by deciding to make few releases at a time in selected events, the film producers and particular producers can effectively break even and make better returns before their films can be released in theatres and other retail outlets. When given enough resources including distribution and finding, independent films can effectively challenge and rival many of the mainstream film production systems. It is important to note that many film producers often prefer to establish independent films because many people often prefer to use them owing to their affordable cost and quality. In this case, it is evident that they have the capacity to develop better products that can be many people can love and enjoy in the same way mainstream film studios and systems work. The journey of film movement It is believed that the journey of the film started gaining momentum in the 1990s mainly because of the growth and success of the festival circuits. In addition, these films were becoming popular because of the rise of the box office and also the emergence of established and renowned actors like john Travolta, Tim Robbins and Bruce Willis among many others (Tzioumakis 2006, 32). These artists found their success in the independent films as well as in the studios films that were based in Hollywood. In 1990, one of the teenage mutants by the name Ninja Turtle managed to raise more than $ 100 million, coming from the famous New line Cinema at that time (Tzioumakis 2006, 68). This was a record deal that made the highest record ever to be reached in the United States box-office history, which still remains to this day. From that time, Miramax films, one of those that had created a name for itself started becoming famous for the many releases that it was producing (Allen 2003, 54). This development made the company to compete effectively with most of the large companies that had been established at that time, this was aimed at cashing in on the many independent studies that were fast emerging. Later on, many new development were witnessed, Hollywood started acquiring most of the smaller film studios that were pausing great competition in the entertainment industry. This was a specially calculated move that would see Holly dominate the film industry, avoiding the competition that would pose a major threat to its growth and success prospectus (Allen 2003, 59). Additionally, Hollywood had thought that by acquiring these small studios, it would end up setting up its own small independent films that would serve the people that preferred them. By the time the film industry reached the 2000s, Hollywood had grown and expanded immensely, it had developed the capacity to produce three main classes of entertainment films (Allen 2003, 52). They were dealing in the production of art films, which were particularly for the niche markets and other kinds of specialty films that were being developed by conglomerate-owned Indies. The second category they dealt in was the big-budget blockbusters (Newman 2011, 65). The third category of the specialty they were dealing in involved about half of the entire features that had been released across the United States. This category seemed was costing between $5 to $10 million in terms of production (Newman 2011, 69). Additionally, it is important to note that Hollywood has become the most successful, not only in the United States but all across the world. Many people have preferred to come and make their films from Hollywood, owing to the quality and value that the final products often have (Holmund &Wyatt 2005, 65). However, it should be noted that of all the numbers of people that come to film at Hollywood, we have a double or even more numbers that prefer to make their films in other independent films in different countries, with the main reasons cited as being the cost and convenience as well as the less bureaucratic and red-tape procedures that often characterize independent films. Examples of some of the contemporary films Currently, it is becoming impossible to make a clear definition between the independent films and those made from some of the major studios. This has often arose from the fact that with each passing year, a film that many people don’t often consider as being independent ends up winning an award or two at the independent film awards. On the other hand, a film that is considered by many people as being quintessentially indie ends up being overly ignored and given little recognition. This development has raised the debate of what exactly constitutes an independent film, making it receive such accolades on the global scene. In this case, some of the questions that have been asked include whether independent films should be done in major studios and involve some of the major actors and producers. However, the issue of costs and the many other logistics involved in these studies make it had for these independent films to follow that line, thus retaining the stalemate. Some of the films like Silver Lining Playbook, an independent film, have gone ahead to receive much publicity and fame on the global stage, yet it was not made in any of these major studios like Hollywood (Newman 2011, 76). Silver Lining Playbook This independent film was produced in 2012 featuring a romantic comedy-drama. The film is an American, having been produced by Weinstein Company, an independent film company in the US. This film was actually written and also directed by Russell David, one of the best renowned film greats in the United States. The film was actually adopted from a novel that had been earlier written by Quick Mathew (Newman 2011, 79). The stars in the film include Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, Jackie weaver and Robert Niro as well as Julia Stiles and Anupam kher together with Tucker Chris playing the supportive roles (Newman 2011, 79). In the film, Patrick, a man that has a bipolar disorder is actually being played by Cooper. Patrick has just been released from the psychiatric hospital where he had been attending medication for his sickness. After being released from hospital, Patrick comes to stay with his parents, roles being played by Jackie weaver and Robert Niro (King, Molloy & Tzioumakis 2013, 61). While being determined that he will win back his wife, Pat finally meets Tiffany Maxwell, who has just been widowed, being portrayed by Lawrence Jennifer who volunteers to offer a helping hand in finding Patrick’s wife (King, Molloy & Tzioumakis 2013, 61). Soon the two end up becoming very close in the process of training, Pat, alongside his Tiffany and his father take time to examine their relationship as they help each other in coping with their health and emotional problems (King, Molloy & Tzioumakis 2013, 63). This film was premiered during the International film festivals that were held in Toronto, Canada in September 2012 (Obenson 2013, 8). Later it was released for the audience in the United States after being effectively marketed in November 2012 (Obenson 2013, 8). Soon after its release, the film went on to receive major successes and accolades as well as due recognition on the global stage. Being an independent film, it has so far earned itself more than eight nominations in the Academy Awards including the Best Director, Picture and Adapted screenplay among several other categories. By getting these four nominations, it became the first since 1981 to receive the Oscar nomination (Berra 2008, 62). Many people did not expect that an independent film would actually manage to receive such international recognition and acceptance in the United States and many other countries. However, some critics have explained that if the film would have been made in some of the major studio films like Hollywood, perhaps it may not have ended up getting such great praise, accolades and recognition. In most cases, such kind of recognition and awards has always been the preserve of movies and films made in Hollywood and some of the large and famous film studios across the world. It is this particular kind of development that has brought into light the need for an effective understanding of the meaning of an independent film; stemming from the notion that independent films are mostly not meant to receive such worldwide recognition and nominations for several awards. However, it is important to note that currently, many company have emerged to offer top quality top quality films and movies that have ended up receiving much international presence, while wining several intentional accolades. Defining an independent Film It is important to note that at present, defining an independent movie has become quite complicated. After people saw Silver Lining Playbook scope various international accolades instead of Beasts of the Southern Wild, a movie that had been made in the Hollywood’s main studio and thought to become award winning more that Silver Lining Playbook (Obenson 2013, 4), defining what really makes an independent film has become an issue still under great debate across the entertainment industry in the United States and other nations across the world. In addition, another profound observation that has been made about these independent films is that most of them often trend on social media more that those films in the Hollywood and other major studios (Ferncase 1996, 28). One of the things is that after people happen to watch these films in selected international festivals and events as that they go on giving reviews of these films, something that builds the urge in those that have not seen them to want to see them. It is important to note that the incident of more independent films receiving wide publicity internationally has brought the need for people to try and figure out the precise meaning and definition of independent films. So far, little consensus has been reached over this whole matter, meaning, the debate still continues. However, some people have tried to explain that in trying to understand and define independent films, the solution could be quite simpler that it is thought to be (Newman 2011, 43). In actual sense, the line separating Hollywood studio cinemas and the proverbial independent cinemas is so thin to be noticed. In fact, many people do not seem to pay attention to the cinema as being independent or made in the famous Hollywood Studios. Many people often want to see and enjoy various films depending on the kind of content that is featured and the people starring in the particular films and cinemas. It is thought that perhaps a better approach would be to replace the term independent cinema with another different term altogether. When asked to define an independent film, many people often say that it is simple a film or cinema, which is made away from the famous studio systems of the Hollywood. However, this definition often puts into consideration the issues of budgets involved, the story and its cast, source of the invested funds, cinema distribution among other factors related to the particular films. However, many films and cinemas have been established, which lie between being independent and studio based. In many cases, this often happens when it comes to such issues as marketing and distribution among other costs incurred in the same process. Another perfect example of a film that underpins the controversy in drawing the line between independent and studio based cinema is Red Tail; this film was financed by George Lucas, who went all the way to invest around $ 58 million into its production (Hillier 2001, 53). In his initial instructions, George had made it pretty clear that no single Hollywood or other studio was to touch the film until it was ready for viewing and marketing (Obenson 2013, 4). From this analysis, one can freely ask the question of whether Red Tail is an independent film. If the answer can be yes, then what is the most probable explanation for not making it into the Indie Spirit awards? Is there any probable and conclusive reason that can be given for the film not making it for the nominations (Obenson 2013, 5)? From this analysis it is evident that defining independent films has become quite a hectic task depending on the different factors that have to be considered in making the precise definition that tries to cover these and many other issues involved. However, it is important to appreciate the work made by companies that try to work on these films and cinemas outside Hollywood and some of the major studio systems that exist in the United States and many other countries across the world (King, Molloy & Tzioumakis 2013, 76). Additionally, advancements in information and technology continue to play an essential role in defining independent films. Conclusion Currently, the entertainment industry has continued to change drastically, largely because of the advancements in technology. Many producers seem to be moving away from the traditionally studio systems to make their independent films, marketing and distributing them in their own ways. The internet and large online platform has continued to play a leading role in influencing the production, marketing and distribution of films. In this case, producers have decided to rely in independent films in the process of making and marketing these films and cinemas (Biskind 2004, 35). Additionally, some critics have pointed out that at present Hollywood seems to have run out of ideas in the emergence of these technological and information advancements. In this case, it becomes easy to point out that independent films and cinemas have taken over the film industry, with more expected to come that would bring about a complete change to the industry. It is important to point out that with all these advancements, the process of defining independent films is becoming much easier. Therefore, many producers and artists are opting to look for more cost effective ways of producing and marketing their cinemas, while earning the expected returns from it. With these advancements, people can easily download their favourite movies to watch and make their reviews and feedback. Alternatively, many of the online based retail outlets have continued to make it easy for people to access and buy these cinemas cheaply from the various vendors. In actual sense, all these develops are making Hollywood and other major studios to reinvent their strategies in order to remain relevant to the changing market that wants to have faster and efficient services from their convenience and comfort. Bibliography Allen M. 2003. Contemporary US Cinema. Longman/Pearson Education, Harlow. Berra, J. 2008. Declaration of Independence, American cinema and the partiality of independent production. Chicago Press, Bristol, UK. Biskind, P. 2004. Down and Dirty pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the rise of Independent Films. Bloomsbury, London. Ferncase, R. K. 1996. Outsider Features: American Independent films of the 1980s. Greenwood Press, London. Hillier, J. 2001. American Independent Cinema: a sight and sound reader. BFI, London. Holmund C &Wyatt J. 2005. Contemporary American independent Film: from the margins to the mainstream. Routledge, New York, NY. King, G. 2005. Indiewood USA: where Hollywood meets Independent Cinema. I. B. Tauris, London. King, G. Molloy, C & Tzioumakis, Y. 2013. American Independent Cinema: Indie, Indiewood and beyond. Routledge, London. Newman, M. Z, 2011. Indie, an American film Culture. Columbian University Press, New York. Obenson T. A. 2013. How do you define an independent Film? Retrieved from. < http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/how-do-you-define-independent-film> Tzioumakis, Y. 2006. Introduction. American independent Cinema. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. Read More