Danny's take on Independant Films v/s Big-Budget Films

 Indie films have always been our saving grace, why? Because some of the best films that come out are indie films. These are films produced by independent film makers and they are often (though not always) ultra- low budget films. In recent years however many larger budgeted filmakers (and production companies) have laid claim that their films were (or) are Independant films. when in fact they are not, this is just P.R. propaganda to promote their films, Why you ask?.....Well the formula is simple, true Independant or Indie films have been kicckin da' shit out of Big-budget productions for years now, so some lame ass big budgeted production company comes along and trys to market his multi-million dollar crappy picture as an INDEPENDANT FILM. Its pretty obvious with the dozens upon dozens of remakes being churned out by the big production production companies right now that they are struggling and will do anything for some bucks.Case in point, you ever wonder why sequels always suck? Well maybe its because once you've already been scared the hell out of or shocked by a movie,  its hard to do the same thing twice. Just use saw as a reference point or maybe friday the 13th, the original was great, but the sequels sucked, (atlest to me). So what actually happened? Well lets see.........some struggling lo-budget filmmakers spent a great amount of time, blood, sweat and tears and basically with no budget that either scared the hell of us or just simply entertained us. Then Mr. Lazy ass big production comes along and decides to capitalize on the whole thing, by simply pouring the bucks to the project and what we end up with is a glossed over stylized version that they think is better because it was made with High dollar amounts. My question has always been, why not use the original filmakers to do the production? Maybe then they would have a much bteer product to pass along to us consumers?  Maybe they (big-budget) should seriously take a look at what makes the struggling Indie filmakers tick, and why they seem to churn out dozens of great films year after year. So lets see.......All independent films have to have a unique hook if they want to get noticed, kinda like a pop song has a good hook, that is simply how the game is played folks. In the case of the lower budget end of the filmaking scale, being able to use cheaper locations is going to be a major coup to any independant filmmaker, because locations burn up a large portion of a Big-budget films purse. Next we have originality for a film and If you mix this with the fact that most indie filmakers choose to go the horror route for their films consider this, the zombie, slasher and vampire sub-genre of horror is so overflowing with movies that it’s hard to be original. But some of these guys stick with their guns and break-out anyway. The basic formula for the more successful indie films is a very, very simple formula..........keep it simple and don't over do it, Dont over do the story, dont over do the action and dont over do your budget. And most important try to be original. This formula works for the true Independants so I'm sure it can work with the Majors.

        Note # Another problem with what us the consumers get for our hard earned pay,  media wise is presented to us via DISTRIBUTOR, now I'm not sure how you guys (distributors) pick the movies you decide to pick up and sell to us (the consumer), but your formula is'nt working to well and I can give you many great examples..........in fact all the films below were rejected over and over by many distributors and look what they turned out to accomplish and the millions they eventually made the SMART MINDED Distributor's who did pick them up...most are cult classics now! Maybe you guys (distributors) need to re-think restructure! Are just fire some of your so called consumer savy personel. Because in the end its you thats losing out on the money.

   Let this act as a reminder for all you wannabe filmakers out there. The fact is, you don't need to be backed by major studio financing to make a great film and to be fair as to my idea of what true independant films are (budget wise, if your able to sink millions upon millions into a film......are you really an indie filmaker? not in my opinion! (and neither is your film.), below is a partial list of famous Indie films that were made on a budget of less and I do stress less, than 1.2 million U.S. Dollars by the filmakers who busted their asses off making up for their lack of budget with complete originality, sheer genius creativity, defined intelligence and overall, with just some damn fine filmmaking! And keep in mind this is only a partial list of films made on the cheap that went on to make millions and millions of dollars. I just don't have the time to list the hundereds of lo-budget films success's here.

    Some great Independant Films

1998 - FOLLOWING -Budget -$ 6,000

2004 - PRIMER -Budget - $7,000

1992 -EL MARIACHI -Budget - $7,000

2010 - Paranormal Activity - Budget $11, 000

1999- The Blair Witch Project -Budget - $22,000

1991 - SLACKER -Budget: - 23,000

1963 - Blood Feast - Budget -  $24,500

1994 -CLERKS -Budget - $27,000

1960 - Little Shop of Horrors - Budget $30,000

2007 - The Signal -Budget $50,000

1997 - PI -Budget - $60,000

1974 - THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE -Budget -$83,532

1976 - ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 - $100,000

1990 - HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER -Budget -$110,000

1968 - NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - $114,000

2007 - ONCE -Budget -€130,000

2004 - OPEN WATER -Budget-$130,000

1996 - SWINGERS -Budget --$250,000

1978 - HALLOWEEN - Budget -$325,000

1979 - MAD MAX -Budget - $350,000

1998-  CUBE -Budget - $365,000

1973 -  AGUIRRE: THE WRATH OF GOD -Budget- $370,000

1979 - THE EVIL DEAD - Budget: $375,000

2004 -  NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - Budget: $400,000

2006 -  BRICK - Budget - $475,000

1995 -  LIVING IN OBLIVION - Budget -$500,000

1978 - DAWN OF THE DEAD -  Budget $650,000

1996 - WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE - Budget - $800,000

1993 - Reservoir Dogs - Budget - 1.2 million

2004 - SAW - Budget - 1. 2 Million

         Just my Opinion,  Danny Onforo