Independent Media Artists

From mediaartiststudio

[edit] The Origins of Independent Film

This page chronicles the beginning of independent film in America, focusing on the MPCC and Edison, and filmmaker's who sought to seek independence from tyrannical patents on film. It also provides information on the second wave of independent filmmakers, fosuing on United Artists and the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers. Along with this information, it describes the beginnings of independent animation. Full Article

[edit] The Independent Animator?

This segment provides an overview on successful and "unsuccessful" contemporary independent animators, including Don Hertzfeldt, David Daniels, Caroline Leaf, anbd Richard Williams. Full Article

[edit] The Contemporary Independent Experimental Filmmaker

For filmmakers that cannot relate to the aesthetic and seediness of the mainstream film industry, or even the appeal of the “indie” narrative feature, it is drastically harder to sustain themselves by producing the art they want to produce. Because experimental media is not as accessible as narrative or documentary media works, experimental filmmakers are almost always forced to work independently as a default, which is not always an unwelcome manner of working. Because most experimental and avant-garde filmmakers do not have the funds to produce high-budget films, they usually have to work within their means, which is for the most part very low-budget. However, this aspect is what makes experimental cinema extremely interesting –because the filmmakers need to work with “what they got,” they figure out new, nontraditional or unconventional ways to portray their ideas on screen. Though it is difficult to become an independent experimental filmmaker --the most fame anyone who considers him/herself one could reach would only exist in the art world--, it is still possible to make a living, or a half-living, producing the work he or she loves. In the US, there are various resources out there for independent artists, and it is in their best interest to take advantage of them.

This page includes links to artists' websites, works available online, and articles on experimental cinema. Full Article