What are the main differences between an Independent film and a commercial film?
I need a little detail, give as manny main differences as possible and a small explanation for each (unless they are blindingly obvious)
Well in a commercial film there is usually a big name to support it like a commercial film would be from Universal Pictures or WB Pictures. But then you have an independent film which comes from more of an household name or an up and coming director. So you can say to a degree that a lot of independent films are done more unprofessionally, and I’m not putting down independent films when I say this either.
Another obvious reason is that there is a lot more hype. But anything mainstream gets more attention from anything independent. Like the movie Hurt Locker is 1 of the best movies in the past 5 years, and the paper gave it 5 stars. But you won’t hear about it because it is an independent film. Commercial and previews will tell you that their movie is the best movie out now, but you should judge for yourself.
Another difference is that commercial films have big names when it comes to actors. Even though you will occasionally find "Hollywood" actors in independent, their main turf is commercial films.
Then another reason is that commercial movies have it easier then independent. Not saying that commercial movies haven’t earned where they are now, but look who has it easier by comparison.
So there are a lot of differences. I can go on and on but that is probably all you need.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
distribution, independent films are usually made with no distribution, once its done they will go to the film festivals (if its accepted) and then it might get bought, and maybe just maybe there will be a theatrical release, studio films are the exact opposite and usually have less risky content, and usually its independently financed,
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February 20th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Well in a commercial film there is usually a big name to support it like a commercial film would be from Universal Pictures or WB Pictures. But then you have an independent film which comes from more of an household name or an up and coming director. So you can say to a degree that a lot of independent films are done more unprofessionally, and I’m not putting down independent films when I say this either.
Another obvious reason is that there is a lot more hype. But anything mainstream gets more attention from anything independent. Like the movie Hurt Locker is 1 of the best movies in the past 5 years, and the paper gave it 5 stars. But you won’t hear about it because it is an independent film. Commercial and previews will tell you that their movie is the best movie out now, but you should judge for yourself.
Another difference is that commercial films have big names when it comes to actors. Even though you will occasionally find "Hollywood" actors in independent, their main turf is commercial films.
Then another reason is that commercial movies have it easier then independent. Not saying that commercial movies haven’t earned where they are now, but look who has it easier by comparison.
So there are a lot of differences. I can go on and on but that is probably all you need.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
There’s actually a pretty big debate about what constitutes an independent film these days, but the standard division is:
an independent film has zero studio involvement at the pre-production level- that means the movie was written, a director and essential crew were found, the film cast, pre-visualized, and SOME of the funding received- all without any studio backing, control, or money. Once in the production phase, a film may receive studio funding, or even studio control- and still be considered independent.
A Studio Film on the other hand (the term "studio" not "commercial" is used since technically every movie is commercial since it wants to be seen) originates from the studio executives, who decide what genre, budget, style of film they want to make, then either find a script that fits or hires someone to write one.
Now obviously that is sort of vague and leaves many films in the gray area- and you can see why there is debate about this, but that is the criteria used by unions, producers, and insurance companies the decide whether a film is "indie" or not.
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