ad;
I'm sure IndieTalk will come back and clarify his statements as soon as he gets a chance
However, what I got from his post is this:
Since the word
indie has now become synonymous with Tarantino and Rodriguez, who made films that probably would never have been made through Hollywood's system, now
everybody out there wants to seem edgy, cool, creative in thinking and perspective, in a word:
indie. So Hollywood began attaching the word indie to
everything in order to capitalize on what the word means, even if it didn't really apply.
However, what often happens here in the United States, if you
say you are something, people tend to believe it, often without checking it out. So all of a sudden
indie becomes a catch all phrase with none of the spirit of indie filmmaking.
For example, the movie: The Aviator
This film was made for $100 million dollars and had so many "A-list" actors in it, that most movie goers would never think indie film when watching it. But since the film did not go through the Hollywood system to get made or for distribution,
independent was attached to the name.
When we talk indie on this board, my understanding is: to have a great idea/screenplay/script. To create the film with the best technical ability we can, have the film be good enough to stand on its own even without actors like Cate Blanchett or Leonardo DiCaprio, and still be considered a good film, hopefully good enough to get distribution and allow the filmmaker and crew to express themselves creatively and make a living at their craft. Everyone cannot afford Cate Blanchett. But if you are lucky, you will find actors that can carry your film.
An example of an indie film that eventually gained a following: Pi
Hollywood would have
never made this film. It was made for $60,000 by an unknown Darren Aronofsky. No love interest, no Hollywood ending, a story you had to pay attention to in order to follow. The word is that he raised the money by selling shares to his family. Lucky him, the film was recognized for its artistic contribution and Aronofsky is a busy director now, who does unusual films.
Since indie does not apply to everything and the fact that no one was being fooled, Hollywood went back to doing what they are good at: blockbusters.
I personally think that indie filmmaking is like painting or creating music. You do it because you have something to express or a story to tell. However, it seems like Hollywood feels that they get to decide whose story is worth telling. Since that is
not fair, I think this is where indie films step in. Being drawn into creating something you haven't seen or considered before. Those stories
are important. So, it is
our job to tell those different stories and show different people and perspectives. Everybody in America isn't rich. Everybody doesn't live on the beach in California.
That is why independent filmmaking is important.
That is why independent filmmaking is cool.
Sorry my answer is so long.....
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