FTV30006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: John Cassavetes, Stranger Than Paradise, Noah Baumbach
Week 11
American Independent Cinema
Working against and working with the Hollywood system
Frances Ha (2012) Dir. Noah Baumbach
Here are the ways people define independence, I’m sticking with this
Defining Independence
One definition: Produced independent of all studios regardless of size, no prior distribution
arrangement. E.g. Reservoir Dogs, Ditto Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise.
Split further – semi indie. Funding by a ‘minor’ studio. E.g Pulp Fiction.
Another – its spirit or aesthetic rather than financial. E.g. Fargo, Memento, Mulholland Drive
Last – opposition to the dominant or mainstream cinema
Independence as Opposition
Obvious differences:
Indie: Low Budget; Mainstream: extensive financial backing
Indie: Difficult, controversial subjects; Mainstream: cautious, fear of alienating audiences
Indie: Lesser known actors; Mainstream: Star system
Exhibition and distribution, Mainstream: multiplexes, cities, suburbs, saturation release
strategy
Independent: small arthouses, urban areas, shown on one or two screens, limited marketing
strategies, beyond basic advertisements in the print media
Independence Dependence
(how they are connected)
Indie really relies on Mainstream and vice versa
Indie needs the mainstream to identify neglected stories, things mainstream isn’t doing or
won’t do
Hollywood’s Dependence on Indies
Indie needs mainstream to bring about innovation: rebel needs something to rebel against
Once indie uncovers an interest, mainstream appropriates and reconfigures, feeds off the
ideas formed in the independent industry
Indie and mainstream need each other, feed off each other. The downside for indie is once
mainstream exploits off a niche market ‘edge’ is ultimately lost. Forced to begin the process
again, seeking to hit on the next topic or taboo or subculture
Indie is constantly emerging
The Independent Pathway
Mainstream doesn’t just steal ideas, but also notable talent which emerges
Often indie filmmakers make a ‘calling card’ film to get notice that the major studios
approach the director with a three picture deal. Indie cinema is a training ground, very
public apprenticeship before you graduate into mainstream
Few who stick to indie: Jam Jarmusch or Spike Lee or John Sayles; but increasingly stepping
stone
Steven Soderbergh, making indie films and coupling with money makers
Document Summary
Working against and working with the hollywood system. Here are the ways people define independence, i"m sticking with this. One definition: produced independent of all studios regardless of size, no prior distribution arrangement. Another its spirit or aesthetic rather than financial. Last opposition to the dominant or mainstream cinema. Indie: difficult, controversial subjects; mainstream: cautious, fear of alienating audiences. Exhibition and distribution, mainstream: multiplexes, cities, suburbs, saturation release strategy. Independent: small arthouses, urban areas, shown on one or two screens, limited marketing strategies, beyond basic advertisements in the print media. Indie really relies on mainstream and vice versa. Indie needs the mainstream to identify neglected stories, things mainstream isn"t doing or won"t do. Indie needs mainstream to bring about innovation: rebel needs something to rebel against. Once indie uncovers an interest, mainstream appropriates and reconfigures, feeds off the ideas formed in the independent industry. Indie and mainstream need each other, feed off each other.
