#supportindependentfilm

[regentstreetcinema]

Sundance audiences were charmed, and now it's your turn - Charlotte Regan's Scrapper is now booking!

[ecsundance]

More Than a Mode: Independent Film's Culture of Creativity.

From the size of the crowds at the local multiplex on Friday night, it might appear that everybody swarms to witness Hollywood’s latest special effects extravaganzas and nothing else. However, one can also see sizeable turnouts for the alternative fare of independent, or “indie”, film. Opposed to major studio tentpoles, indie movies are smaller in scale, budget, and production, depict believable, realistic narratives entrenched in everyday life, and forgo flashy visuals for a minimalistic approach to storytelling. Yet, independent film’s difference from mainstream Hollywood productions is not solely predicated on economics, style, or themes, as its surface elements might make it appear as.

Indie is also, and foremost, a comprehensive culture, within which like-minded filmmakers realize their personal visions through a cinema that reflects their, and subsequently indie culture’s, values. Describing the history of the independent film movement as well its ideals and effects on the greater film industry, Michael Newman’s book Indie: An American Film Culture illustrates how this once-minor cinematic sect grew to prominence. In divulging a succinct idea of what “indie” means, Newman discusses how a film fits the label in its production, content, and release, showcasing how it reflects the culture in which it was made.

By its name, independent film is produced, distributed, and exhibited on its own outside of mainstream Hollywood studios and theaters (Newman 3). These movies have lower budgets, smaller casts of lesser-known actors, and modest crews, fitting into and shaping indie culture’s grounding in community and creativity with limited resources. Filmmakers can use their own money, apply for grants, or seek assistance from organizations dedicated to a similar cause to finance production. Through these means, indie films are created by those with similar outlooks on movies who desire more films that reflect them. The forces that shape the culture therefore also shape its creative output, a feedback loop of creation built on certain beliefs.

This “shared knowledge and expectations within” indie film culture is based on can result in projects arising from strong relationships between filmmakers (Newman 15). For instance, Jim Jarmusch was able to start making Stranger Than Paradise (1984) after German director Wim Wenders gave him some leftover film, while additional German funding supported the movie’s completion. Such an instance of one creator helping another exemplifies the amicable bonds of indie film culture that nurtures what its members create, works that proclaim the tenets the culture is centered around.

These tenets, as Newman indicates, consist of three attributes that conceptualize indie film. The first is how characters are emblematic of certain identities, mindsets, beliefs, or values, evident in She’s Gotta Have It(1986) where Nola’s (Tracy Camilla Johns) three lovers represent different epitomes of masculinity (Newman 29). Second, narrative form and aesthetic is game-like, inviting viewers to mentally engage, interact, and “play” with the film (Newman 34). Memento’s (2000) story, told in reverse chronological order, is one such example.

Lastly, indie films can inherently be read as “anti-Hollywood” in their plots, formal construction, or aesthetics (Newman 42). For instance, El Mariachi’s (1992) gritty appearance, shaky cinematography, simplistic story, and bloody violence greatly contrast with Hollywood’s polished, accessible productions. These elements work to create “indie realism”, defined by Newman as “character-focused storytelling set in recognizable, familiar locales” (96-97). Differentiated from Hollywood’s goal-driven plot structures, indie films’ emphasis on character means that stories are less focused on characters achieving something, instead depicting their experiences of the world. Indie realism’s existence consequently depends on dissimilarities between it and Hollywood, as “realism means little…absent a comparative context”, something that can similarly be said for how indie films are brought to audiences (Newman 97).

Indie productions usually debut at film festivals like Sundance, Telluride, and Cannes, where they are “treated as…accomplishments” instead of “commodities” (Newman 53). Interested distributors compete to purchase promising projects, sometimes influenced by critical acclaim or positive audience reactions. Once acquired, distributors work to show the films to viewers outside the festival, though eschewing multiplexes for specialized venues, most commonly art house theaters. Distinctly showing “alternative” movies from mainstream theaters, they cater to an equally specific audience in both its offerings and physical appearance (Newman 75).

These facets couple to create an environment that positions indie cinema as a higher artform than mainstream film, equating art houses with museums in how they present their attractions as more significant and sophisticated than mass entertainment. In art houses, indie film culture fully thrives, as a community of viewers and connoisseurs comes together to watch, discuss, and bond over what they all cherish (Newman 83). A simple theater becomes a temple of cinematic engagement and celebration of a counterculture that dares to be different in the face of the global mainstream. An independent film’s meager beginnings culminate in the delivery to the people who keep the culture thriving and future productions able to happen.

--Conall Rubin-Thomas

[thedonttellshow-blog]

It's Monday, so it's new video time.

Check out our review of the short film GHETTO BIRD (2020) here:

https://youtu.be/tL9IglZVoPs

[fcsyndicate]

To help accomodate everyone staying indoors, THE HIT LIST will go online every two weeks on Monday morning at 7:00am EST, starting tomorrow! 🔊F O L L O W U S! WEBSITE:⤵️ http://filmcombatsyndicate.com FACEBOOK:⤵️ http://www.facebook.com/FCSyndicateOfficial TWITTER:⤵️ http://www.twitter.com/FCSyndicate INSTAGRAM:⤵️ https://www.instagram.com/fcsyndicate/ #stunts #stuntreels #shortfilms #indieaction #stayhome #watchmovies #supportindependentfilm https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nFSqwAwRI/?igshid=mem6fzi5j30g

[naturallangdon]

It’s Official our international film NIKITA is an Official Selection @newarkiff. It is such an honor to be apart of this awesome Film Festival! Thank you to the cast & crew and everyone who supported this project!!#onelove #filmfestival #directorslife #internationalfilmmakers #supportindependentfilm #internationalfilm #bahiabrazil #usa #africandiaspora #faithnotfear https://www.instagram.com/p/BzEh-okBPr7/?igshid=1vwffwlfb02bd

[cjtkfilms]

The Devil will be present in a few of my films. But the good will fight the Evil that is before them. #devil #evil #goodvsevil #good #horror #filmlife #bloodmoon #onlyamovie #genre #supportindependentartist #supportindependentfilm #bringit https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0PTl4FuKh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hujrbrva1m31

[trascapades]

🎥🎬🖤 👏🏾 #ArtIsAWeapon Shout out to my sis @dedratate, #writer #director @noel.calloway.films, and my "nephews" @rtatebrickle & @finalkut_1911!!! Their film #LIFELOVESOUL, starring @chadlcoleman @jamiehector @rtatebrickle @itstamarafay @terrijvaughn @egyptsherrod @miamor_i_adore#AllenWest @tamiroman @valeriesashford and @finalkut_1911, makes its cable TV premiere tonight, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th at 9PM EST on @bethertv! Please tune in, set your DVR’s and SPREAD THE WORD @bet! ____________________ Executive Producers: Allen West & @bennypough; Producers: @dedratate @noelcallowayfilms; Associate Producers: Robert & Sandy Tate, @yandysmith @sherriedeanda @acemazingaht ___________________ #BlackExcellence #BlackStorytellers #BlackFilmmakers #BlackActors #DopeFriends #BlackGirlFilmGeeks🤓 #SupportIndependentFilms #TraScapades https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo1w3DxH8yE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1n27d6b5bnk3

[regentstreetcinema]

"A charming, effervescent story about grief set on a housing estate in East London that turns the kitchen sink genre on its head" - Little White Lies

Is Scrapper on your radar?

[noahawatersiii]

#QuietOnSet #FilmMaking #FilmMaker #Film #FilmSet #FilmLife #SetLife #IndieFilm #SupportIndieFilm #independentfilm #supportindependentFilm https://www.instagram.com/p/B8kkPKxnePJ/?igshid=jzmrvolw9ukd

[onefelix]

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A post shared by Felix (@onefelix)

Time is the most priceless gift you can give someone. and when you invest it in someone the R.O.I. might be in question... but when it yields results like @tyevans it's makes all the failed investments fade away... Download #TheFlatEarth on iTunes now and watch one of my best friends redefine film making yet again, while paying it forward to some of my other friends pushing skateboarding far beyond the conceivable... Love you guys! - #ONEFELIX 2016 #PURPOSE #SkateLife #Skateboarding #LoveBuiltThis too... #SupportIndependentFilms

[movie-misfit]

|It's All Fun and Games Until...| Want to find out what I saw? LINK‼: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0vIylOuUe_w&feature=youtu.be Written/Directed by (and starring) @thisiskimflores, Shot by @always_stay_focused. @universalnation #🎬 #🎥 #funandgames #TwistToTheStoryProductions #horror #comedy #shortfilm #skit #supportindependentfilms #youtube #supportblackartists #independentfilm #comedicacting #BlackActors #filmmakersofny #hellskitchen #NYC #filmmakersofcolor #storytellers #nycactors #shortfilms #youtubeskit #actorsofcolor #filmindependent #contentcreators #film_local #feedyourdreams #actorslife #nycactor #TonyMcNallyActor ... P.S.- Also, Watch @HappeningsAnthology Season 1 (In Any Order): https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXRAYDO6PLFh4CAbA4WG0tdIM5e62COZB (at Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByEj5DYpexr/?igshid=5gl0bu44mydg

[bearrepublicnetwork]

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A post shared by J Eric Sandoval (@unconventionalcommonsense)

Hey everybody, check out my good friend, @jaygiannone ‘s breakout film that he produced on a shoestring budget, SCALPERS. A GREAT film about hustlers scalping tickets on the streets of Southie Boston. This is a great film by a great guy I’m blessed to know. I’ll be sharing the link to all my people on Facebook and Twitter too. #southie #boston #scalpers #jaygiannone #kevinweeks #independentcinema #supportindependentfilm #originalproduction #southieoriginal #southiestrong #friendssupportfriends #keyboardandadream https://www.instagram.com/p/CAe0LYIpFLv/?igshid=2a9slnpwjcfx

[theindieglobe-blog]

‼️WE SUPPORT INDIE FILM‼️ Go follow @blurshort - Such an honor to screen at @fliffnmore among such talented filmmakers. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this film! . . . . #fliff #femaledirector #femalefilmmaker #florida #ftlauderdaleinternationalfilmfestival #screening #shortfilm #womeninfilm #5050by2020 #love #redcarpet #blur #blurshortfilm #jumpsuit #supportindependentfilm #feministfilm #feminist #independentfilm #filmfestival https://www.instagram.com/p/BqIfi3fhIKn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12z73ffw7xli0

[michellelynnvip]

Check out @Blindspotting this weekend in select cities (LA, Oakland, DC, etc.) before it's wide release. It’s a must see! Congrats to @rafaelcasal and @daveeddiggs #oakland #supportindependentfilm #LA #Hollywood #LALife #HollywoodDreams #Reality #NoFilter Thanks to my peeps for the Q&A invite 😊

[naturallangdon]

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A post shared by Natural (@naturallangdon)

Support Independent Filmmaking! I had a great night at the movie screening of Equal Standard at #museumofthemovingimage #equalstandardsmovie #equalstandard #supportindependentfilm #internationalnat #filmmaking #makeithappen #congratulations #greatcast (at Museum of the Moving Image) https://www.instagram.com/p/B265ZwJAzH8/?igshid=ckkq9k0pspsw

[cjtkfilms]

I will be going the practical FX route for my films. I feel that practical FX looks more realistic. Might be just my opinion. So I'll be designing the creatures, then molding them. More on this soon. #horrorlife #horror #practicalfx #monsters #monstersontheloose #creative #creating #conceptart #fx #sculpting #mold #imagination #fun #filmlife #creepytales #supportindependentartist #supportindependentfilm #monstermaker #itsalive https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0Oby4FLhY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17q8o8ltl286m