10 Years of MovieMaker; 10 Years of Indie Film

10 Years of MovieMaker, 10 Years of Indie Film Growth

by Andy Rose | Published February 11, 2004

Top to Bottom: The Decade in Review: Halle Berry, with Billy Bob Thornton, proved she’s not just another pretty face in Monster’s Ball; Director Kevin Smith inspired a decade of indie moviemakers with his offbeat comedies; Shows like ‘The Sopranos’ gave indies a chance to direct something meaninful and earn a paycheck.

Everyone loves a Top 10 List. Best Movies. Safest Cities.

Worst Dressed. Letterman’s made a career out of this fascination. With MovieMaker celebrating its 10th anniversary (Dec. 1993-Dec. 2003), we decided to come up with our own list: the Top 10 Most Important People, Events or Things that have shaped the independent film world over the past decade.

Digital Technology: Moviemaking for the Masses

The good news: The advent of affordable, high-quality DV cameras and home editing equipment has allowed almost anyone with the dream of becoming a moviemaker accessibility to the tools needed for making motion pictures. Films that used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars—much of which went into 35mm film stock and camera rental fees—can now be produced for a fraction of the cost.

The bad news: The advent of this technology has allowed almost anyone with the dream of becoming a moviemaker—including those with absolutely no talent—accessibility to the tools needed for making motion pictures. There’s no denying that this double-edged sword makes it harder on true moviemakers who face a market glutted with inferior—and often unwatchable—product.

Tarantino: Inspiration, Babes, Money, Movie Cameras

MovieMaker began publishing in 1993. Sandwiched around that year were the two most auspicious freshman and sophomore releases by the same independent moviemaker in history: They were, of course, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. The former was a sensation and the latter was, lest we forget, more than just another box office smash. The movie was nothing less than a national cultural phenomenon, responsible for turning a former videostore sales clerk into the poster-boy celebrity for would-be independent moviemakers everywhere. Single-handedly, Quentin Tarantino inspired countless other video salesmen, gardeners, pool cleaners and cab drivers to dash off clever scripts with lots of guns and cool music and enter the exciting world of babes, money and movie cameras.

Besides inspiring a generation of moviemakers, perhaps Tarantino’s most important contribution to independent moviemaking was his decision to direct an episode of ER. Until he did that, there were ‘Episodic TV Directors’ and there were ‘Feature Film Directors.’ His crossing the line made it legitimate for less successful moviemakers to work in TV which, in turn, provided much-needed income while they nurtured their pet projects.

Cable Television: New Source of Money, Markets

The proliferation of quality scripted shows such as “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City” and “Six Feet Under” has allowed independent film directors a respected arena in which to hone their craft. In addition, channels such as HBO, Showtime, Starz, Encore and Sundance provide an alternative to theatrical distribution for features and documentaries. Many also offer financing and/or finishing funds. With the cost of distributing a film often more than the film’s total budget, TV has become an important outlet for indies to showcase their work.

Film Schools and Workshops: Learning Curve Made Easy

Not too long ago it was USC, UCLA, NYU and Hard Knocks U. But over the past 10 years, hundreds of film and “new media” schools have popped up from coast to coast. You can now learn every aspect of the craft, from screenwriting to cinematography to post-production, at a location near you. And if your lifestyle won’t allow you to become a student, you can go to the weekend warrior school of moviemaking—and take one of the dozens of excellent workshops and seminars that tour the country.

With films, TV series, videos and commercials being shot all over the U.S., it’s easier than ever for moviemakers to shoot anywhere—and find well-trained, local talent to fill their crews. Oh, and if you live on a mountain somewhere and can’t find a film school, workshop or program near you, there are several that offer courses online.

TV Friendly: Tarantino’s contribution to indie moviemaking didn’t stop with his feature films.

Film Societies & Festivals: Exposure Better Than Ever

During the past 10 years almost every modest-sized city in America has started a film society and/or film festival. Film societies often support moviemakers by acting as liaisons, helping with permitting, location scouting and getting the best rates on hotels and equipment rentals. The film festivals provide moviemakers an opportunity to screen their work for the public, for critics on the large screen and possibly win awards. All this, we needn’t remind gentle readers of this magazine, helps independents secure that elusive distribution deal.

The Academy Awards: Rewarding Indies, the Movies That Matter

Actors covet the Oscar, but they’re not going to win one by starring in Scary Movie 3. As sequels and remakes become more and more a staple of studio fare, performers need to look to the independent world for the great role—and in the past 10 years they’ve been finding them. Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Geoffrey Rush in Shine (1996), Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball (2001)... The list goes on. Because when the majors are willing to pay you $15 million to be in a movie like Legally Blonde 2, you can afford to spend a few months working for scale!

The Blair Witch Project & My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Indies Can Make Major Money

Made for a mere $40,000, The Blair Witch Project, the mother of all indies, went on to earn $140 million domestically in 1999. Distributed by Artisan, it proved that a low-budget indie could indeed compete with the big boys. Three years later, IFC Films’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding, made for $5 million, went on to earn $240 million domestically, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the past 10 years. Talk about inspiration. These movies proved to thousands of parents that they were not throwing their money away by paying for their children to attend film school.

Scary: Made for only $40,000, The Blair Witch Project made more than $140 million at the box office.

The Internet: Not Just Because of Streaming Video

In the past 10 years, the Internet has made communication available and access to information immediate. It has revolutionized the way independent moviemakers see the world, and pretty much altered the universe as we knew it, forever.

Indie Directors and Distributors: A Generation with a Vision

Kevin Smith, Richard Linklater, Robert Rodriguez, Michael Moore, Allison Anders, Rebecca Miller, Sofia Coppola and a host of other top indie moviemakers all came into their own during the past decade. They produced their own style of off-beat films that exemplified what independent moviemaking is all about.

And let’s not forget the distributors, especially Harvey Weinstein of Miramax. Though he and his brother sold out to Disney, his taste and passion were largely responsible for stirring up the feeding frenzy that pushed up indie moviemakers’ stock over the past 10 years. And rumor has it he’s still not afraid to throw a left hook if it means beating out a competitor at Sundance for a film he likes.

MovieMaker Magazine: America’s Quarterly Diary of Independent Cinema

C’mon, you won’t find a list like this in Entertainment Weekly. The reason? MovieMaker is the one mag. that speaks to you, the independent moviemaker and you, the indie film fan. Entering its 11th year of publication, the editors like to brag that MM is now the most widely-read magazine on independent film in the world. Thanks! MM

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