Differences Between Mainstream and Independent Films

Differences between mainstream and independent films

Genres

As mainstream and independent films focus on different types of audiences (mainstream being focused on mass and independent being focused on niche) they both have different genre types to focus on, as  some genres are more popular than others. Mainstream films tend to focus on action, superhero and Si-Fi film genres, with horror sometimes also being included as they are the main film genres that audiences tend to focus on. Independent films focus on horror, film dramas and unclear/ not specific genres, as they are more popular with smaller audiences. 
 

Themes

Mainstream films usually use heroism as a theme, as its instantly recognisable and fits in with the appropriate genres that mainstream filmmakers focus on. Independent films however usually focus on unusual themes subjects and representations throughout the film, including serious and realistic topics to relate to the audience watching the film. Even though both genres focus on different subjects themes, they usually both use escapist entertainment to entice the audience, as it gives them time away from the real world and makes the films produced more appealing to audiences.
 

Endings

As the film types have different genres, they also tend to have different ending to films due to how mainstream films are usually followed up. Mainstream films usually focus on an upbeat/resolved narrative, as it allows the films to be turned into a franchise if it proves popular, allowing film companies to make more profit in the long run as they are able to fund the films appropriately. As independent films usually have a smaller budget for them, there is no clear intention to set up a follow-up film to it, meaning the endings are different to that of mainstream films. This means these films usually end quite downbeat and ambiguous with an unresolved narrative as to not set up any further sequels to the film.
 

Audience

Mainstream films and independent films have very different demographic audiences, as they both have polar opposite aims to each other.  Mainstream films usually have a mass market to focus on, which usually includes a younger mainstream audience. People who watch these films tend to be part of a passive audience. Independent films on the other hand focus on more niche markets, focusing on specific groups of people. These audiences usually have an older fan base to them, and they tend to be part of an active audience.  

Budget

Budget is another section of the film industry that is drastically different if you compare mainstream and independent films. For mainstream films, the budget is usually very substantial, as it's needed for multiple sections of the production and film making process, including the payroll for the stars you include in the film (as they are usually put on a very large payroll), the multiple locations that they are filming in (including props used) and the marketing they have to do on the film in order to make the audiences aware of the product. Independent films' budget is usually quite low, as it doesn't have to pay for the different areas like a mainstream films have to. Even though marketing is still needed for these products as you still need to make the audiences aware, even if it's aimed towards a niche section of the market. Even in independent films stars may be recruited to appear in it, however there will be less stars and they will appear for less time on the film as they are getting payed less money.

Funding

Funding for mainstream films is usually very easy to come across for some directors, especially if the film is part of a franchise of a sequel to a very successful film. Usually filming for these kinds of films would come from major studios or companies such as Disney, usually coming along with substantial budgets. Independent films however have to rely on the movie concept being a success with however they are pitching it to. Most of these film ideas get turned away because they are not what most companies want to out their money into as they believe it wont be a success, so these directors have to get the money from somewhere else. This could include the money that the director has saved themselves (their own investment), loans from friends/family or the bank or some private investors that they might be able to get ahold of. 


 
 

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