by Ronnie Rhodes
We see commercials for Hollywood blockbusters almost every day, wondering what big installment of a franchise will come next and who will be the next big actor. Now, the rise of a totally different entity – the independent film – is giving Hollywood a run for its money.
OU senior Kyle Whalen has been in multiple independent movies and defines independent film as its own genre and style.
“Something that has a lot of quirk. Something a big production company wouldn’t bank their summer revenue on,” Whalen said.
Independent films did not come into the world unexpectedly and suddenly, but came gradually and fluidly. The transition from Hollywood blockbusters to independent movies occurred during the second half of the 20th century, said an assistant professor in the Film & Media Studies Program at The University of Oklahoma.
Katrina Boyd attributed this gradual change to American filmmakers, noting the power of films from earlier in the century.
“They [filmmakers] started to make films that were more aware of classical films,” Boyd said.
Another senior actor at OU said what sets independent films apart from Hollywood movies is a focus on storytelling rather than making huge profits.
“With Hollywood blockbusters, it’s all about the money. With independent films, you’re able to focus on the actual human condition and express it in the most artistic and simple way,” Joshua Bonzie said.
With relatable characters in indie films, many are beginning to call independent films the next big thing. In recent years, the popularity of independent films has increased, sometimes even propelling small movies to mainstream acclaim, such as with Debra Granik’s “Winter’s Bone” and Jason Reitman’s “Juno.”
Kim Haywood, director of programming for the deadCENTER film festival, attributes this to something she likes to call the “Little Miss Sunshine Effect.” This occurs when a small, unusual movie gains worldwide recognition and turns into an instant success.
These movies serve as a gateway for more indies to become successful. Actors such as Bonzie are taking notice.
“Ever since ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ indie flicks are becoming more and more mainstream each year,” Bonzie said.
The rise of independent films also can be credited to the new age of technology and accessibility of media.
This accessibility helps those involved with independent films, including Christopher Hunt, who is a videographer and an Oklahoma native.
“They are growing tremendously in popularity,” Hunt said. “It’s because with the way digital technology works today and the way people are consuming content, whether it be your iPhone, iPad, Netflix, digital streaming, Apple TV’s, whatever it may be, it’s just much easier to watch content.”
Independent films are becoming a way for people to learn and grow. They deal with social issues and topics that Hollywood blockbusters won’t touch. These films could be one of the most important developments in modern movie making. But some dismiss independent movies as a waste of time. Haywood, however, has hopes for the future of independent films.
“I do hope people reconsider their perception and start expanding their ideas,” Haywood said.
