The history of independent film: How to make a viral filmmaking career

Independent Filmmaking has been a part of the film industry dating back to the early roots of the media form itself in the early 1900s. It basically defines the art of filmmaking outside of Hollywood. As such, Independent Filmmaking can take on a variety of forms for a variety of different purposes and reasons. When films first came into production in the late 1800’s and into popularity in the early 1900’s, filmmaking equipment was expensive and hard to come by. This meant that only rich companies and individuals usually had access to this specific equipment and the ability to produce and distribute it.

However, as time has progressed, cameras, filming equipment, the ability to add special effects and even make-up has become so easy and so cheap to come across that almost anyone is able to make a film providing they have an idea, script, a cast and access to a basic camera, no matter how poor or how powerful the idea may be. This has in turn allowed independent films to flourish and become a popular art form and a viable alternative to Hollywood films in their own right and a suitable alternative to the mass produced films in the public eye

In many situations, Independent Films receive very sparing public attention and are often filmed and released to a specific target audience of a certain genre of interest. There are exceptions to this rule however with one being 1999’s “The Blair Witch Project” which started off as a small independent project with a budget as low as $20,000 but towards the end of its production and viral advertising campaigns, the film’s final budget was around $500,000.

Other examples include 2007’s “Paranormal Activity”, a $15,000 film that has grossed over $150 million and 2008’s “Colin”, a British-made zombie film shot on a camcorder with a budget of £45 became a surprise hit that has grossed millions.

Independent film also spans into the region of low budget and even no budget film. Any film that is produced released and distributed without the Hollywood Banner can be classed as Independent film. Low budget films are often released to a specific target audience. Horror films are occasionally filmed and released independently due to their appeal to audiences. No budget films are often filmed without location or planning permission and even credited actors and are usually just filmed on location with no budget or payments with only expensed from their own pockets for things such as props and make-up. Most no budget films are not well received, although one recent no-budget film that actually achieved viral acclaim is 2008’s “Rise of the Dead”, a basically no budget zombie film from a small independent company.

Independent Films also get their own screenings separate from major Hollywood films. There are cinemas and locations dedicated to showing only independent films and even the major cinemas often show independent films if you enquire at the desk, on their websites or have connections with small movie producers. Many of these are often shown once as “independent premieres” in which the director, cast and team that produced it are present but this is not always the case and most independent showings vary from film to film and company to company.

Independent cinema is often driven by smaller independent companies that operate in specific areas. Independent film companies like to attract younger audiences and student filmmakers in order to keep the business fresh and thriving and because of this, many independent local cinemas and local film making companies offer their own education programs and schemes that can be attended. The best way to find out about these is to visit their headquarters or their official websites where there will often be a tab that leads to specific pages with the required information on these programs.

Around the Walsall area, there are two major independent film companies. Screen West Midlands operates primarily around the West Midlands and is funded by the government and educational programs. This allows them to continue operations and promote their existence in a range of forms. Their website is a great source to find information on local independent films and you are also able to submit your own ideas, attend exhibitions and schemes and contact the staff and organisers that will give you detailed information on the company and its range of services.

Another local film company is Light-House Cinema. Light-House cinema exclusively provides screenings and premieres for smaller independently made films as well as galleries and exhibits relating to the films and independent film making itself. Light-House cinema is based in Wolverhampton and also offers help and advice with local film making if you specifically enquire. Light-House is a great example of a company that exclusively screens independent films, which in turn gives this specific form of film-making more exposure and in turn gives students and aspiring film makers more hope within the media and film making industry.

Local Independent film companies and cinemas can be found all across the country and all across the world and play a crucial role in developing not only independent cinema, but also Hollywood cinema. Many film makers, script writers and directors begin their career in Independent films and progress onto new heights; all that it takes is one big break and one successful film to become a hit to elevate the career to Hollywood heights.

Classic British examples of this include Shane Meadows who is probably most famous for 2006’s depiction of 80’s Britain with “This Is England” and Jake West, a small-time Independent film-maker that elevated his career with 2009’s zombie comedy “Doghouse” starring Danny Dyer.