New to filmmaking, got a question.

Challenge · August 18, 2005

Hey all.

I was wondering what the difference between an independent filmmaker and a.. well... normal one is.

Thanks,

Challenge.

David Mullen ASC · August 18, 2005

"Normal filmmaker" is an oxymoron...

"Independent" is a vague term with ill-defined boundaries, basically meaning not funded by a studio and usually made without a distribution deal in place, financed outside of the studio system and sold afterwards.

But with the studios forming "indie" divisions (like Fox Searchlight, Warner Independent, Paramount Classics, Sony Pictures Classics, Miramax, etc.) the separation between indie and studio is pretty nebulous.

Tim Carroll · August 21, 2005

"Normal filmmaker" is an oxymoron... B)

If you pick up a camera and go out and make a movie, you're an independent filmmaker. If somebody pays you to make a movie, you're not. That's why so many of us are "independent filmmakers", and in my case, hoping someday to move into the category of "not".

-Tim Carroll

Challenge · August 21, 2005

So independent filmmakers make a movie of their choice, with their own budgets and guidelines, and then later try and sell that movie?

And the other filmmakers are hired to make a movie from the beginning with a budget, etc..?

Rik Andino · August 25, 2005

So independent filmmakers make a movie of their choice, with their own budgets and guidelines, and then later try and sell that movie?

And the other filmmakers are hired to make a movie from the beginning with a budget, etc..?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes that's pretty much it...

It's a pretty simple concept...

However when you say filmmaker--you mean mostly director.

There no such thing as an independent Cinematographer, or AD, Gaffer...

(There are Cinematographers that work only in independent film)

The funny thing is independent filmmaker is a term that doesn't really make sense

At least these days...

There is such thing as independent films (films which are made outside the studio)

But since these days no studio owns filmmakers...

There are no directors are contracted to certain studios...

You can say all filmmakers are independent...

They can choose to shoot their film within a studio or outside the studio.

So really everyone making films is an independent filmmaker...

Some sometimes contract themselves...

That doesn't mean they're not independent (especially after the contract expires)

I hope I've made things much more confusing for you. :)

Laurent Andrieux · August 27, 2005

Sorry, guys, what does "oxymoron" means, couldn't find it in my harrap's dictionnary even...

I would say a "normal filmmaker" is nonsense or even useless ! :D

David Mullen ASC · August 28, 2005

Oxymoron: A figure of speech combining incongrous or contradictory words, usually for descriptive purposes.

Usually it means a contradiction of terms, like "Army Intelligence"...

Laurent Andrieux · August 28, 2005

Oxymoron: A figure of speech combining incongrous or contradictory words, usually for descriptive purposes.

Usually it means a contradiction of terms, like "Army Intelligence"...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I second that then - as well as for the army actually ! :lol: