Jamal Daniel: A Look at Independent Filmmaking

Filmmaking

photo credit: Kyle Loftus / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Independent filmmaking operates outside the studio system, allowing greater creative freedom and artistic control.
  • Indie films often work with smaller budgets but can still achieve major cultural and commercial impact.
  • Filmmakers benefit from the ability to choose their own cast and crew without studio-driven constraints.
  • Limited resources and crowded markets make marketing and visibility major challenges for independent films.
  • Creative strategies like crowdfunding, guerrilla filmmaking, and multitasking help reduce costs and improve success.
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Sharon Vernick: The Most Successful Comedies of All Time

Slapstick comedy

photo credit: Alev Dogan / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Comedy has been a foundational genre in film history, evolving from silent slapstick to a wide range of modern subgenres.
  • Many of the most profitable comedies were produced on relatively small budgets and earned back their costs many times over.
  • Films such as Pink Flamingos and American Graffiti demonstrate how modest productions can become major commercial successes.
  • Cult followings and long theatrical runs, as seen with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, can dramatically extend a film’s profitability.
  • Both low-budget and big-budget comedies continue to achieve global box office success, proving the genre’s lasting commercial appeal.
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