Independent film

An independent film, or indie film, is usually a low-budget film that is produced by a small movie studio. Additionally, the term is used to describe less commercially-driven art films which differ markedly from the norms of plot-driven, mainstream classical Hollywood cinema. These films are often produced by subsidiaries of larger studios, such as Sony Pictures Classics, as long as less than half of its budget comes from a major movie studio. In 2005, about 15% of the U.S. domestic box office revenue was from independent studios. Independent films are often distinguishable by their content or style. The writer or director's original authorial intent or personal creative vision is usually maintained in the final film.

 

 
 

The independent film scene's development in the 1990s and 2000s has been stimulated by a range of factors, including the development of affordable High Definition digital video cameras that can rival 35 mm film quality and easy-to-use computer editing software and the increasing visibility of independent film festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival.

History

The roots of independent film can be traced back to when the early pioneer filmmakers in the 1900s who resisted the control of the a company called the Motion Picture Patents Company and the Edison trusts. Independent filmmakers built their own cameras and moved to Southern California where they laid the foundations of the American film industry as well as the Hollywood studio The studio system eventually became so powerful that some filmmakers once again sought independence as a result. Independent filmmakers around the world have created a diverse range of filmmaking styles that symbolize their own unique cultures and subcultures such as experimental film and underground film. Some independent filmmakers use digital video techniques. While most of the US film industry is located in Los Angeles, one-third of all independent films in the US are produced in New York City.

  
 
 

Technology

Until the advent of digital alternatives, the cost of professional film equipment and stock was a major obstacle to independent filmmakers who wanted to make their own films. The cost of 35mm film is outpacing inflation: in 2002 alone, film negative costs were up 23%, according to Variety. Studio-quality filming typically required expensive lighting and post-production facilities.
But the advent of consumer camcorders in 1985, and more importantly, the arrival of high-resolution digital video in the early 1990s, have since lowered the technology barrier to movie production considerably. Both production and post-production costs have been significantly lowered; today, the hardware and software for post-production can be installed in a commodity-based personal computer. Technologies such as DVD, FireWire connections and professional-level non-linear editing system software make movie-making relatively inexpensive.
The first independent film released on HD DVD was One Six Right on November 1, 2006
Popular software (including commercial, consumer level and open source) includes:


Mac OS X

· iMovie
· Final Cut Express
· Final Cut Pro
· Avid Xpress Pro
· Adobe Premiere Pro
· Final cut Studio

Windows

· Microsoft's Windows Movie Maker
· Avid Xpress Pro
· Avid FreeDV
· Sony Vegas
· Adobe Premiere Pro
Linux

· Cinelerra
· Kino

Popular digital camcorders, mostly semi-professional equipment with 3-CCD technology, include:

· Canon
o SD: XL2, XM2
o HD: XL H1, XH G1, XH A1
· JVC
o HD: GY-HD100
· Panasonic
o HD: AG-HVX200
o SD: AG-DVX100
· Sony PD-170, VX 2000, HVR-Z1U

Most of these camcorders cost between US$2,000 - $5,000 in 2003, with costs continuing to decline as features are subtracted, and as models depreciate. Additionally, open source software holds the potential for increasing high-level editing capabilities being available for also increasingly lower prices, both for free and paid software.

  
 
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