Independent versus Studio Films: Which is Right For Me?

Independent versus Studio Films: Which is Right for Me?

The Film Business. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2014, from http://masteringfilm.com/independent-versus-studio-films-which-is-right-for-me/

There is a significant difference between the making of independent films and studio films. The processes differ in ways that may seem positive and others negative. The making of independent films is much more, you guessed it, independent.  The crew is much smaller, as is the budget. A budget for independent films usually runs at a couple thousand dollars financed by private investors. Financial backers require a completion bond after reviewing a script and details of the production. Independent films are a great way to gain experience, completing internships is much easier for these productions.  A ‘negative’ aspect of an independent production includes not being able to afford certain locations for filming. Also, there is a stricter margin for error.

Independent films do allow greater freedom regarding the plot and means of storytelling.  The creativity present in independent films has attracted a larger audience. This has caused independent films to gradually become more successful.

Studio films have a larger crew and may work with big name celebrities, which could make these productions much more difficult to handle.

“It’s also easier to get an internship on an independent, as there is always a need for additional labor that won’t tax the budget.”

“At one time, being independent always meant low budget, and low budget almost always meant non-union, but now that the unions and guilds are offering low-budget (and low-low-budget) agreements, more indies are becoming signatory.”

Starting a career in film is becoming more difficult. Making the decision regarding what type of film you want to focus on could make or break your career. I think that the growing market for independent films has caused their relevance in society to surface. If you want to put your heart and soul into a film, it is important to make sure you are creating something you believe in. Big studio films come with baggage. There are regulations and more people you have to answer to. The creative freedom present in the production of independent films makes it a more attractive idea. Though there are struggles in raising funds and finding locations for independent productions, you have complete control over what occurs. If you a make an independent film, you have the opportunity to enter various film festivals. These festivals could publicize your film for what you wanted it to be, allowing you to gain recognition for work that you truly believe in. In the end, I believe that the hard work that is put into making an independent production will be much more rewarding than a big studio production.

16 Big Marketing Tips For Filmmakers On A Small Budget

16 Big Marketing Tips For Filmmakers On A Small Budget

16 Big Marketing Ideas For Filmmakers On A Small Budget. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2014, from http://www.raindance.org/16-big-marketing-ideas-for-filmmakers-on-a-small-budget/

Independent films are often associated with having less amount of marketing than big screen films. While that may be true, it doesn’t mean that less amount of marketing can’t be just as good. While big marketing companies are well known with plenty of ‘success stories,’ various marketing strategies have become bland and overused. The idea is to use what you are surrounded with to the best of your ability and target audiences through what is commonly used nowadays, like social media websites. Websites and apps like Twitter, Vine, and Youtube have become a norm; it is unusual for certain people to go a day without browsing them, so use it towards an independent film’s benefit. It is easy to hashtag and check what is trending on Twitter, so it is vital to make an independently run production attract viewers through the use of a simple hashtag or catchy phrases. The internet is your best friend and gaining credibility through it can be an intense breakthrough. It is easy to do so using websites like IMDB and Wikipedia. Lastly, it is important to expose an independent film as much as possible, taking advantage of film festivals and other similar competitions or contests can make a dramatic difference.

“One thing I have learned through producing independent films with Raw Talent is that throwing money at problems doesn’t necessarily make problems go away, and often the job is done with half the energy and passion need for success.”

“The big agencies working for the big films are so tired and burnt out that their approaches to marketing are so staid.”

Budget- this is the noticeable and known difference between independent films and big screen productions. While it may be much more difficult for independent films to gain popularity and credibility, there are easy resources that could be taken advantage of. The relevance of this article seems to lie in the fact that many larger production companies forget to focus on some of the smaller details that could help their films gain publicity. Social media is the most important one. While a lot of publicity has recently been centered around social media, it is not being fully taken advantage of. Forming more personal relationships between audience members through responses on Tumblr or Twitter accounts can give productions a huge boost. This is what independent filmmakers such as Zach Braff have been able to achieve, resulting in great success.