Let me tell you. Quentin Tarantino isn’t independent cinema. Or at the very least it cannot be put in the same bag as the actually independent filmmakers who, rise, collect, borrow budgets for their films. On such productions there is no studio involvement (hence no money up front for the budget). ANd therefore executive who sticks his beak in, that’s how they are independent (from…). Arguably Tarantion is a brand and I would guess has the most creative freedom possible. Yet it was the studio (MiraMax!), who eventually decided to split GrindHouse, not him. (infographic source /Film)
Quite like in music, indie came to stand for certain style, not so much the method of creation.
The style, of course, evolved from certain method, but then started living its own life. yet the name still comes from the method.
By going totally independent you exchange financial security for creative freedom,
because you don’t have the initial investor – the studio. You also often go totally independent because no studio will make your film. And these days you might also distribute the flick yourself. You will spend long hours promoting it over the internet and organizing independent screenings – because again there is no initial investment to run an advertising campaign.
Some small studios are considered independent, as they often have to go DIY to make a film happen too. It’s just that there’s a team of them and not the film maker on their own. Still if they help you out they might come in and say, hey dude, can you make this a bit more funny? No one will watch it the way it is…
And then you, the filmmaker, weep silently in the corner. However on both occasions such intrusion might in the end improve your film… This above is obviously an over-simplified explanation. All is up for discussion.
I object to the use of word free because again there is a hell lot of difference between free as in beer and free from
something or open (say software) which is often overlooked. Making a film is never free. EVER. Do not believe in that. If we don’t call these totally independent filmmakers indie and leave the label for Quentin and the gang, that’s fine too. Just remember – in practice there is a difference.
Independent filmmakers sleep less and during the last two years of production their self-confidence has been put to more test than average person’s over entire life-time. They probably know the schedule of the coming festival season by heart. And they make magic happen. So when you see one – give them a hug and a fiver to buy a sandwich.