A film blog for students of my classes at Santa Clara University. Use this blog to discuss the films we are studying, classic films, current releases or production issues you encounter while making your own films.
Monday, January 18, 2016
The Independent Model - for Comm 130B
What characterizes a screenplay following the Independent model? Give examples from a film that you like that no other classmates (or the author) have used in their answer.
23 comments:
Anonymous
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An example of an independent film is Garden State. Written and directed by Zach Braff in 2001, this film is based off of his own life experiences and is about an actor/waiter whose mother dies. It depicts a lot of the author's own emotions that he wanted to share with the world. 1. Character- rather than moving through a dramatic plot like the Hollywood model, this MC is someone we observe and try to understand throughout the film. Andrew Largeman is a normal guy trying to get through life's struggles. 2. Plot- typically a two-act structure that is rarely plot driven. Rather than a resolution, there is a series of consequences that explore the character layer in more depth. Largeman's mother dies so he moves back to Jersey for a little while he begins to discover who he is. 3. Genre- take a little more of a realistic and melodrama stance. More unique in the storytelling narratives. Garden State is a comedy-drama focusing on the real life issues that some people can go through. 4. Voice- The voice is coming from the writer-director's ideas but is portrayed through the characters and events of the screen story. Rather than attaching the the characters, the audience connects with the writers message. Garden State is somewhat of an autobiography and Braff wants to communicate the struggles he went through while growing up. 5. Relationships with Society- make socio-political statements that are relevant for today's culture/society. Braff does a good job of making the characters more subtle and relatable in order to communicate more fluidly with it's viewers. The issues that the MC and friends go through are real and important to him. 6. The Unconventional POV- independent films break the rules when it comes to pov. It is an unorthodox way of storytelling. I would say that Braff is very blunt and straight forward with some of his messages, which can throw some people off. Rather than trying to hook the viewers, he tells a story in a very powerful and understandable way.
An independent film is Lords of Dogtown. The movie follows a group of young boys trying to make it in the surfing world. However they soon discover empty neighborhood pools and turn in their surfboards for skateboards. The movie follows each character as they face their own unique challenges. 1. Character- there is not one distinct main character in this movie, but rather each character has their own allotted time and drama. There is no end game for the characters, instead the audience just follows along as the movie progresses. 2. Plot-at the end of the movie there is no real solution. Rather than having the boys win a skating competition, the plot line fizzles out with no goal met. 3.Genre-the movie focuses a great deal on the relationship between each of the boys. As the movie goes on the audience begins to care about each of the character and what dilemmas they may face. 4. Voice-the voice of the director and writer are clearly heard. This movie could have been a big Hollywood production by adding more pivotal points, but rather the voice focuses on the relationships and the characters not the plot. 5. Relationship with society-the boys are seen as outcasts of sorts. First rejected by the older surfing community, they're then rejected by the conventional skateboarding community. Their tricks are seen as ridiculous and in one competition scene are clearly looked down upon. 6. Unconventional point of view- the story is somewhat unorthodox in not letting the audience get exactly what they want. Rather than a happy, go lucky ending, the story ends with broken friendships and one character on the verge of death
An example of a film that follows the independent model of screenwriting is American Beauty. The independent model of screenwriting is distinguished by the following characteristics: 1. Character: While the Hollywood model focus’s on the main character’s effort towards achieving a goal, laced with high dramatization, the independent model focuses on seeing and trying to relate to the main character(s). Lester Burnham is a suburban father navigating his life as an employee and family man. 2. Plot: Most often an independent model follows a two-act structure without regard to plot. Because there isn’t a goal, or plot towards achieving said goal, resolution does not make sense. American Beauty explores Lester and his mid-life crisis sparked by an attraction towards his daughter’s best friend. 3. Genre: The genre that most dominates independent films’ storyline is melodrama, focusing on experimental narratives and stylized depictions of relationships. American Beauty is a melodrama that explores the complex relationships within a family, giving each viewer something or someone to relate to. 4. Voice: This is the most component of the independent model. The ideas of the writer-direction are more important than the character or events of the screen story, no matter how they are conveyed. The writer, Alan Ball, is gay. The scenes with colonel Fitts, the father of Lester’s neighbor Ricky, illustrate the conflicting feelings individuals undoubtedly feel when they realize they are not heterosexual. Colonel Fitts is depicted as being furious at his son for possibly being a homosexual relationship, but is in turn shown trying to engage in a sexual situation with Lester. This imagery may illustrate just one of the confusing feelings someone who is gay experiences in a lifetime. 5. Relationships with society: Independent films are much more likely to include a relevance to current culture and society, whether that be a sociopolitical position, intellectual current or prevalent issue. American Beauty, as stated above, explores the current “issue” of homosexual relationships, along with the reality that the “American Dream” of a stable job and family may become boring and unfulfilling. 6. The Unconventional Point of View: The independent films core rule is to break the conventional rules of screenplays. The visual glimpse into Lester’s inappropriate fantasies may cause some discomfort, but they are what make the film so engaging and impressionable.
1. Character: The two main characters are extremely ambiguous. The entire film just follows a few years of their lives and there is no real plot. They don't have any real purpose. They simply just go through their lives. Neither one has any outstanding character qualities.
2. Plot: There is no main plot, it simply follows the two of them through a few years in their lives. It goes through what the characters mean to each other and really the only plot is whether or not the two of them will end up together.
3. Genre: It is a melodramatic romantic comedy about a couple who is forced to be long distance.
4. Voice: The voice is definitely incinuating that the government should not interfere with love.
5. Relationship with Society: This potentially could be the difficulty in marrying someone from a different country because this couple is so clearly in love but because of the law, cannot be together. The law makes it extremely difficult on their relationship.
6. Unconventional Point of View: It is told in a very slow paced, follow the actors as they live type thing. It is extremely unconventional.
The Skeleton Twins is an example of an independent movie. It observes twins reconnecting after coincidently attempting to commit suicide on the same day. The male twin moves in with the female twin, and they begin mending their relationship and facing issues of their past.
The independent model has the following characteristics: 1) A main character that lacks a true goal and that the audience observes rather than follows 2) A plot that follows a two act structure. Many times they lack plots because we observe characters experiencing everyday lives. Often there is no real resolution because it is just a sequence of emotions 3) A genre that typically falls under melodramatic or realist 4) A voice that focuses on the director's and writer's ideas rather than the actors' narratives 5) Relationships with society in order to showcase dramatic characters and issues currently in society and culture 6) Unconventional points of view so the pace might be slower and aesthetic filmmaking rules might be broken
The Breakfast Club is one example of the Independent film model. It is a film about five high school students from completely different backgrounds who are all put together in the same room for detention. As the film goes on, you start to learn more and more about each character, in a way breaking stereotypes and giving the chance for the characters to understand each other in a different way. 1. Character - lack of a goal-oriented MC. Instead, we watch people experiencing the world in which they were put in. 2. Plot - Lack of a plot that guides the story. Instead, the movie explores the character layers more. 3. Genre - usually a melodrama or has a realist base. The breakfast club follows this. 4. Voice - You should be able to hear the ideas or the writer/director and they should be more important than the actual plot. In the Breakfast Club, you can easily derive the themes of social pressure and expectations and stereotypes. 5. Relationship with Society - issues of the day demonstrate narratives. 6. Unconventional points of view - the film is slow-paced, getting into the details of these students' experiences.
The Independent Model consists of the following six elements: lack of a goal-oriented MC, lack of plot and resolution, usually a melodrama, a voice that is conveyed through characters in film, a blatant show of the relationship with society, and an unconventional POV in storytelling.
An example of this would be Wong Fu Production's short film "Komorebi" (2015) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EsSyQfi218). The main characters don't really have a goal in the film; the entire short is a dialogue between two college students discussing words that "can't be translated directly to another language" (Wong Fu). This short film shows a relationship with society through the cultural phrases the MC's explain in the film that pertain to the Japanese culture. The unconventional perspective can be seen in the way the characters take turns saying the phrases or senses that are only pertinent to a certain culture; that in itself is the visual and ultimately the film. Because of its narration in Japanese it's a very unique way of storytelling because through the Japanese dialogue, the American viewers experience the film's main point that words "can't be translated directly to another language."
A movie following the independent model has these characteristics: 1. Lack of a goal oriented main character who is often ambivalent and ambiguous in nature; we observe this character rather than follow him/her 2. There is also a lack of plot which is sometimes in a 2 act structure. 3. Usually, independent films are melodramas. 4. The voice is central to the independent structure. It focuses more on the ideas of the director/writer rather than the plot. 5. The film shows its relationship with society and the issues in society. 6. Has an unconventional point of view
A movie that follows this structure is Silver Linings Playbook.
In this movie, we observe Pat Solatano, a character with no real goal in mind except to get back with his wife. We observe him as he meets another woman and they build an awkward friendship. Throughout the movie, nothing really happens besides their friendship and awkward interactions. Though this film is not a melodrama, it covers important issues within society such as divorce and mental institutions. Overall, this movie has a very unconventional point of view that I believe shows the voice of the director.
A film that is categorized under the independent model has the following characteristics: 1. Main character who is not goal-oriented, we observe rather than follow them 2. Lack of a plot leads to a more developed character layer 3. usually melodrama 4. voice of creator/director is strongly heard, a clearer message 5. film makes relevant political/social statements 6. Unconventional point of view
An example of a film following this model is the Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson. The main characters, Gustave the concierge and his protege zero, are the focus of the film. There is a plot involving the theft and owner of a painting following a woman's death, but the plot itself is not central to this film. This is a comedic melodrama (if that is a proper classification) and the voice and style of Anderson is impossible to miss. This film employs interesting filmmaking methods and storytelling techniques to create an unconventional point of view.
Independent model films have a few core characteristics they generally share. Here I'll use the example of "The Kids Are All Right" to further explain these characteristics. 1. Character- In a hollywood model film we have a goal oriented, if reluctant, MC, but in the independent model MC is not always particularly driven, or as in "The Kids Are All Right", we have many characters, without a clearly identifiable lead, all of whom do not have any particular goal or quest. The only driven action of the movie is that Lazer seeks to find his and Joni's bio father, and the kids accomplish this within the first 15 minutes of the film. Everything else is just normal life actions that follow. 2. Plot- TKAAR is not a plot driven movie, but like most independent model films uses plot to explore the character layer. For example, Jules' affair with the kids' bio dad is a major plot point, but it is used to explore her feelings about herself and how she feels under appreciated in her marriage, rather than propelling the story forward in any major way. 3. Genre- The film is a melodrama, a genre which lends itself nicely to independent model film making because of the realism and perspective on relationships it offers. TKAAR is literally only about exploring family dynamics and relationships, and is not sensationalized to the point of being unbelievable. It is a realistic depiction of real life drama. 4. Voice- The message of this film is not given to us by one of the character but rather, we see things from the film maker's perspective. Rather than focusing on one character the perspective of all is seen, giving rise to an understanding of the theme which individual characters don't have. 5. Relationships with Society- This film is about a lesbian couple and their children as their family interacts with the sperm donor who the couple used to have their kids. Like many independent model films, it is exploring important socio-political themes, in this case LGBTQ family life and issues. 6. The Unconventional POV- Made by Lisa Cholodenko, a queer film maker, the point of view of this film is unconventional in it's depiction of queer characters. Both Jules and Nic are fully developed characters, who don't neatly fall into any lesbian stereotypes (apart from liking Joni Mitchell, which is a bit of a joke in the film). In one scene the couple is caught watching gay porn by their son Lazer, showing a broader range of queer sexuality then lesbians are often granted in film.
An independent film generally has a MC who is either ambivalent or not goal oriented. Plot is subservient to character, if present at all and there is often no resolution. Genre: stylized realist melodrama. The voice and ideas of the director are conveyed through the story and character. Relationship to society is critical and the story often follows unconventional points of view.
I would suggest that Cloud Atlas falls into this category. There isn't even a MC to have a goal. The story is achronologically shattered into multiple sub-stories with common elements. There is no time to identify with characters, only enough to observe a piece of their struggle. The film breaks from the rules a bit in its heavy use of plot, but perhaps this is necessary to maintain interest in multiple stories that don't have enough time to actually get fleshed out. It would seem appropriate to call it a melodrama. The voice and the relationship to society are one and the same as the film attempts to tackle as many issues as it has unresolved plot lines: nuclear power , corruption, minority and gay rights, the role of elderly in society.
A film that used the independent style of filmmaking is Room. Room is about a kidnapped young woman who bears her captor's child and how the manage to adapt to real life after escaping. Her son, Jack, had never seen anything but 'room' his entire life and both he and Ma must learn to adjust into mainstream life. The 6 characteristics of this style are followed through this film and are as follows:
1. although Ma has one goal, to get Jack out of that room, we still observe her instead of follow her. Once her goal is reached in the film, we continue to observe her and her family as her life is put back together. 2. this film is not plot driven and because of this we get to see more developed character layers of Joy and Jack. There is a plot, but it is very simple and not the entire point of the movie. 3. this film is a melodrama. 4. the style and voice of the director is shown through the way the film is put together. 5. independent style usually makes relevant political/social statements, Room brings about issues of PTSD, motherhood, survival, and family dynamics. 6. this film continues with the independent style by creating an unconventional POV on these topics.
Clerks is an example of an independent film model. 1. The main character is not goal oriented and is very ambivalent. He feels marginalized with society and is pessimistic about almost everything. 2. The plot really is non existent or at least hard to uncover. We simply sit and watch two men work as clerks and discuss their lives without much action or story to be told. 3. The genre is very realist to the point where boredom becomes a prevalent theme in the film. 4. The voice is very strong. It is clear what the writer wants you to hear and it is evident that the tone and dialogue is that of the writers personality. 5. The relationships with society are seen in every scene. The clerks must deal with people on a day to day basis and are constantly annoyed by them. 6. It has an unconventional point of view as it breaks most movie rules and is very unorthodox.
Characteristics of an Independent Model film include: 1. A character that doesn't really have a goal and is often ambivalent and marginalized 2. The plot is minimal: 2 act structure, no real resolution 3. Genre is often a melodrama with a realist base & stylized relationship 4. Voice conveys the ideas of the writers and directors rather than the main character 5. Usually makes a political/social statement 6. Unconventional point of view
A film that fits most of these characteristics is Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It is not plot driven but character driven. The different stories are held together by the arrival of the pants. It is a melodrama, centered around relationships. It takes the point of view of 4 different misunderstood, outcasts trying to figure out life as they spend a summer without each other. The second one is bad, don't watch it.
The 1943 film "Meshes of the Afternoon" by Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid is an early example of an independent film. The primary purposes of an independent film are to educate, explore form, and to follow an artistic vision. "Meshes of the Afternoon" tells the story of a woman walking home and then falling asleep on her chair and having a dream. She dreams she is chasing a hooded figure with a mirror for a face and she follows the figure into her house where she sees random house items all cut together. At the end she realizes what she was dreaming is actually happening and attempts to escape the hooded figure, but in the end dies. This movie is silent and very interpretive.
This story does not have a character with a goal; she is sleeping and ambivalent until she tries to injure the hooded figure when she realizes he is trying to kill her. There is a lack of plot because she is dreaming the majority of the movie, and the narrative is circular. The genre of "Meshes of the Afternoon" is experimental; the main focus is on the camera shots and the director’s vision, it is also surrealist. This leads us into the voice, which is clearly of the director. The directors are sending an interpretive message with this movie rather than telling a story. The movie’s relationship with society is that it is making a statement about suicide and depression, but that is just my interpretation, others might see it a different way. This film has an unorthodox point of view because it does not follow the rules of a narrative, which makes the audience focus on how and why the film was made.
The characteristics of the Independent Model includes: 1. The main character lacks a goal oriented mentality and is often marginalized within society. 2. There is a lack of plot and follows the 2 act structure. 3. The film is a melodrama. 4. The voice is conveyed through the characters in the film. The ideas of the writer/director are more important than the plot. 5. The film has a relationship with society and often includes issues and socio-political statements. 6. There is an unconventional point of view that gives an unorthodox storytelling.
The film Crash is an example of the Independent Model. There is no main character and all the characters do not have a goal. There is a lack of plot as there are many storylines that are interconnected and it does follow as a melodrama. It is clear to understand what the writer/director is trying to convey through the movie by the actions and words of the characters. The film is touching upon the racial and social tensions of Los Angeles, which brings a relationship with society. Lastly the film is portrayed through many characters point of views, which gives an unorthodox storytelling.
Some characteristics of the independent model are a lack of a main character, a lack of plot, realist base, the message of the director is conveyed through the characters, displays issues in society, and has an unconventional point of view. A film that follows the Independent Model would be Spring Breakers. Spring Breaker is about four girls who go on a wild vacation for Spring Break. On their vacation, they are exposed to sex, drugs, and crime. There isn’t a clear main character and as the movie progresses, the viewers are observing the main characters rather than following them. In addition, Spring Breakers doesn’t focus on a plot but rather shows the issues of society through the behaviors of the four college- aged girls. Lastly, the movie doesn’t have a clear resolution. The movie ends with two of the four girls driving off after murdering a bunch of gang members.
Ideas of writer-director are more important than actual plot/narrative
Conveyed through characters in films
5. Relationship with Society
Issues of the day dominance narratives
Socio-political statements
6. Unconventional point of view
Often defines itself by breaking the rules
Unorthodox storytelling
A film that follows the Independent film model is Crash (2004). There is no main character in Crash. There are different characters, but there is no focus or main emphasis on any of them—you see them develop as time goes on, but again there is no focus on one specific character. None of the characters have a goal; it is just follows the lives of people for a 36 hour period. There is lack of a plot in Crash. It just focuses on racial issues from various characters. Though this film is not a melodrama, it covers important issues within society such as racial inequality and stereotypes. The director had an unorthodox way of telling the story and trying to get the point across. As mentioned, Crash focuses on racial issues and stereotypes, to get that point across the director had numerous characters. Each character showed their struggle when it came to society and racial issues, each character showed what issues are present. What also made it unique was that despite the fact that all of the characters have no relationship to one another all of their stories become connected as the film progresses—during the fictional 36 hours.
The Brazilian film "The Second Mother" is an example of an independent film. The independent model of screenplay includes: 1. A character that is not goal-oriented, often ambiguous, marginalized within society, and the audience observes rather than follows this character. The protagonist, Val, is a housekeeper for a wealthy family in Brazil. She never states a clear goal, rather the audience sits back and watches what happens to her 2. The plot is lacking a main narrative, series of sequences, there is no real resolution, 2 act structure, and we explore the character layer more. This is true of The Second Mother because most of the film is exploring the depth and personality of Val. Though there is somewhat of a resolution, it is open-ended. 3. Independent films are usually melodramas with a realist base and stylized relationships and experimental narratives. The Second Mother is a melodrama that explores one woman's life and class relations. 4. The voice of the writer/ director is more important than the actual narrative and it is conveyed through the characters. In The Second Mother, there isn't a strong plot, yet the writer/ director convey a strong message and comment on class interactions. 5. These films usually focus on issues of the day and make socio-political statements. In this case, the writer explores the unspoken boundaries between classes, using different characters to display different attitudes and sides toward this topic. 6. There is also an unorthodox point of view that breaks the rules. This is true in The Second Mother because it is told from a third person point of view and focuses in on the housekeeper. In addition, the plot moves very slowly and some moments are very drawn out.
Independent films contain: a character whom we observe rather than follow, and more of a connection to the writer/director than the character; a lack of plot as the main narrative, and an emphasis on character layer; an experimental narrative, usually melodrama; ideas that are from the writer/director and conveyed through the characters; a socio-political statement; and finally, unorthodox storytelling.
The film that comes to mind here is Twelve Angry Men (1957). This unconventional but thought-provoking film shows the shifting dynamics between a jury of twelve who slowly change their opinion of "guilty" to "not guilty". The entire film takes place in the deliberation room. When watching the film I found myself caring less about the characters than I did the story, which was beautifully written. The point of the film is to watch these character relationships change and develop. It also challenges what happens in the jury room and how personal distractions can influence a hasty decision.
The independent screenplay model lives on the completely different side of the spectrum if being compared to the classic Hollywood model. It is often characterized to be character rather than plot driven. In addition, the main character is forced to become a hero by the circumstances. Another important distinction of the independent model would be the fact that we, as viewers, would observe the main character's actions rather than follow his adventure like in a Hollywood screenplay. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that not all independent films follow the independent screenplay model and vice versa for the Hollywood films. "500 days of Summer" is the perfect example of an independent screenplay where characters are they main reason why viewers continue watching the film. The plot is kept to a very minimum: a boy falls in love with the girls of his dreams. What really draws us to the film (and makes us appreciate it only so much more) is the relationship development as well as the main character himself. The story has little to none action is filled with stylistic accents that help emphasize some of the key characteristics of the leads.
23 comments:
An example of an independent film is Garden State. Written and directed by Zach Braff in 2001, this film is based off of his own life experiences and is about an actor/waiter whose mother dies. It depicts a lot of the author's own emotions that he wanted to share with the world.
1. Character- rather than moving through a dramatic plot like the Hollywood model, this MC is someone we observe and try to understand throughout the film. Andrew Largeman is a normal guy trying to get through life's struggles.
2. Plot- typically a two-act structure that is rarely plot driven. Rather than a resolution, there is a series of consequences that explore the character layer in more depth. Largeman's mother dies so he moves back to Jersey for a little while he begins to discover who he is.
3. Genre- take a little more of a realistic and melodrama stance. More unique in the storytelling narratives. Garden State is a comedy-drama focusing on the real life issues that some people can go through.
4. Voice- The voice is coming from the writer-director's ideas but is portrayed through the characters and events of the screen story. Rather than attaching the the characters, the audience connects with the writers message. Garden State is somewhat of an autobiography and Braff wants to communicate the struggles he went through while growing up.
5. Relationships with Society- make socio-political statements that are relevant for today's culture/society. Braff does a good job of making the characters more subtle and relatable in order to communicate more fluidly with it's viewers. The issues that the MC and friends go through are real and important to him.
6. The Unconventional POV- independent films break the rules when it comes to pov. It is an unorthodox way of storytelling. I would say that Braff is very blunt and straight forward with some of his messages, which can throw some people off. Rather than trying to hook the viewers, he tells a story in a very powerful and understandable way.
An independent film is Lords of Dogtown. The movie follows a group of young boys trying to make it in the surfing world. However they soon discover empty neighborhood pools and turn in their surfboards for skateboards. The movie follows each character as they face their own unique challenges.
1. Character- there is not one distinct main character in this movie, but rather each character has their own allotted time and drama. There is no end game for the characters, instead the audience just follows along as the movie progresses.
2. Plot-at the end of the movie there is no real solution. Rather than having the boys win a skating competition, the plot line fizzles out with no goal met.
3.Genre-the movie focuses a great deal on the relationship between each of the boys. As the movie goes on the audience begins to care about each of the character and what dilemmas they may face.
4. Voice-the voice of the director and writer are clearly heard. This movie could have been a big Hollywood production by adding more pivotal points, but rather the voice focuses on the relationships and the characters not the plot.
5. Relationship with society-the boys are seen as outcasts of sorts. First rejected by the older surfing community, they're then rejected by the conventional skateboarding community. Their tricks are seen as ridiculous and in one competition scene are clearly looked down upon.
6. Unconventional point of view- the story is somewhat unorthodox in not letting the audience get exactly what they want. Rather than a happy, go lucky ending, the story ends with broken friendships and one character on the verge of death
An example of a film that follows the independent model of screenwriting is American Beauty. The independent model of screenwriting is distinguished by the following characteristics:
1. Character: While the Hollywood model focus’s on the main character’s effort towards achieving a goal, laced with high dramatization, the independent model focuses on seeing and trying to relate to the main character(s). Lester Burnham is a suburban father navigating his life as an employee and family man.
2. Plot: Most often an independent model follows a two-act structure without regard to plot. Because there isn’t a goal, or plot towards achieving said goal, resolution does not make sense. American Beauty explores Lester and his mid-life crisis sparked by an attraction towards his daughter’s best friend.
3. Genre: The genre that most dominates independent films’ storyline is melodrama, focusing on experimental narratives and stylized depictions of relationships. American Beauty is a melodrama that explores the complex relationships within a family, giving each viewer something or someone to relate to.
4. Voice: This is the most component of the independent model. The ideas of the writer-direction are more important than the character or events of the screen story, no matter how they are conveyed. The writer, Alan Ball, is gay. The scenes with colonel Fitts, the father of Lester’s neighbor Ricky, illustrate the conflicting feelings individuals undoubtedly feel when they realize they are not heterosexual. Colonel Fitts is depicted as being furious at his son for possibly being a homosexual relationship, but is in turn shown trying to engage in a sexual situation with Lester. This imagery may illustrate just one of the confusing feelings someone who is gay experiences in a lifetime.
5. Relationships with society: Independent films are much more likely to include a relevance to current culture and society, whether that be a sociopolitical position, intellectual current or prevalent issue. American Beauty, as stated above, explores the current “issue” of homosexual relationships, along with the reality that the “American Dream” of a stable job and family may become boring and unfulfilling.
6. The Unconventional Point of View: The independent films core rule is to break the conventional rules of screenplays. The visual glimpse into Lester’s inappropriate fantasies may cause some discomfort, but they are what make the film so engaging and impressionable.
Like Crazy
1. Character: The two main characters are extremely ambiguous. The entire film just follows a few years of their lives and there is no real plot. They don't have any real purpose. They simply just go through their lives. Neither one has any outstanding character qualities.
2. Plot: There is no main plot, it simply follows the two of them through a few years in their lives. It goes through what the characters mean to each other and really the only plot is whether or not the two of them will end up together.
3. Genre: It is a melodramatic romantic comedy about a couple who is forced to be long distance.
4. Voice: The voice is definitely incinuating that the government should not interfere with love.
5. Relationship with Society: This potentially could be the difficulty in marrying someone from a different country because this couple is so clearly in love but because of the law, cannot be together. The law makes it extremely difficult on their relationship.
6. Unconventional Point of View: It is told in a very slow paced, follow the actors as they live type thing. It is extremely unconventional.
The Skeleton Twins is an example of an independent movie. It observes twins reconnecting after coincidently attempting to commit suicide on the same day. The male twin moves in with the female twin, and they begin mending their relationship and facing issues of their past.
The independent model has the following characteristics:
1) A main character that lacks a true goal and that the audience observes rather than follows
2) A plot that follows a two act structure. Many times they lack plots because we observe characters experiencing everyday lives. Often there is no real resolution because it is just a sequence of emotions
3) A genre that typically falls under melodramatic or realist
4) A voice that focuses on the director's and writer's ideas rather than the actors' narratives
5) Relationships with society in order to showcase dramatic characters and issues currently in society and culture
6) Unconventional points of view so the pace might be slower and aesthetic filmmaking rules might be broken
The Breakfast Club is one example of the Independent film model. It is a film about five high school students from completely different backgrounds who are all put together in the same room for detention. As the film goes on, you start to learn more and more about each character, in a way breaking stereotypes and giving the chance for the characters to understand each other in a different way.
1. Character - lack of a goal-oriented MC. Instead, we watch people experiencing the world in which they were put in.
2. Plot - Lack of a plot that guides the story. Instead, the movie explores the character layers more.
3. Genre - usually a melodrama or has a realist base. The breakfast club follows this.
4. Voice - You should be able to hear the ideas or the writer/director and they should be more important than the actual plot. In the Breakfast Club, you can easily derive the themes of social pressure and expectations and stereotypes.
5. Relationship with Society - issues of the day demonstrate narratives.
6. Unconventional points of view - the film is slow-paced, getting into the details of these students' experiences.
The Independent Model consists of the following six elements: lack of a goal-oriented MC, lack of plot and resolution, usually a melodrama, a voice that is conveyed through characters in film, a blatant show of the relationship with society, and an unconventional POV in storytelling.
An example of this would be Wong Fu Production's short film "Komorebi" (2015) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EsSyQfi218). The main characters don't really have a goal in the film; the entire short is a dialogue between two college students discussing words that "can't be translated directly to another language" (Wong Fu). This short film shows a relationship with society through the cultural phrases the MC's explain in the film that pertain to the Japanese culture. The unconventional perspective can be seen in the way the characters take turns saying the phrases or senses that are only pertinent to a certain culture; that in itself is the visual and ultimately the film. Because of its narration in Japanese it's a very unique way of storytelling because through the Japanese dialogue, the American viewers experience the film's main point that words "can't be translated directly to another language."
A movie following the independent model has these characteristics:
1. Lack of a goal oriented main character who is often ambivalent and ambiguous in nature; we observe this character rather than follow him/her
2. There is also a lack of plot which is sometimes in a 2 act structure.
3. Usually, independent films are melodramas.
4. The voice is central to the independent structure. It focuses more on the ideas of the director/writer rather than the plot.
5. The film shows its relationship with society and the issues in society.
6. Has an unconventional point of view
A movie that follows this structure is Silver Linings Playbook.
In this movie, we observe Pat Solatano, a character with no real goal in mind except to get back with his wife. We observe him as he meets another woman and they build an awkward friendship. Throughout the movie, nothing really happens besides their friendship and awkward interactions. Though this film is not a melodrama, it covers important issues within society such as divorce and mental institutions. Overall, this movie has a very unconventional point of view that I believe shows the voice of the director.
A film that is categorized under the independent model has the following characteristics:
1. Main character who is not goal-oriented, we observe rather than follow them
2. Lack of a plot leads to a more developed character layer
3. usually melodrama
4. voice of creator/director is strongly heard, a clearer message
5. film makes relevant political/social statements
6. Unconventional point of view
An example of a film following this model is the Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson. The main characters, Gustave the concierge and his protege zero, are the focus of the film. There is a plot involving the theft and owner of a painting following a woman's death, but the plot itself is not central to this film. This is a comedic melodrama (if that is a proper classification) and the voice and style of Anderson is impossible to miss. This film employs interesting filmmaking methods and storytelling techniques to create an unconventional point of view.
Independent model films have a few core characteristics they generally share. Here I'll use the example of "The Kids Are All Right" to further explain these characteristics.
1. Character- In a hollywood model film we have a goal oriented, if reluctant, MC, but in the independent model MC is not always particularly driven, or as in "The Kids Are All Right", we have many characters, without a clearly identifiable lead, all of whom do not have any particular goal or quest. The only driven action of the movie is that Lazer seeks to find his and Joni's bio father, and the kids accomplish this within the first 15 minutes of the film. Everything else is just normal life actions that follow.
2. Plot- TKAAR is not a plot driven movie, but like most independent model films uses plot to explore the character layer. For example, Jules' affair with the kids' bio dad is a major plot point, but it is used to explore her feelings about herself and how she feels under appreciated in her marriage, rather than propelling the story forward in any major way.
3. Genre- The film is a melodrama, a genre which lends itself nicely to independent model film making because of the realism and perspective on relationships it offers. TKAAR is literally only about exploring family dynamics and relationships, and is not sensationalized to the point of being unbelievable. It is a realistic depiction of real life drama.
4. Voice- The message of this film is not given to us by one of the character but rather, we see things from the film maker's perspective. Rather than focusing on one character the perspective of all is seen, giving rise to an understanding of the theme which individual characters don't have.
5. Relationships with Society- This film is about a lesbian couple and their children as their family interacts with the sperm donor who the couple used to have their kids. Like many independent model films, it is exploring important socio-political themes, in this case LGBTQ family life and issues.
6. The Unconventional POV- Made by Lisa Cholodenko, a queer film maker, the point of view of this film is unconventional in it's depiction of queer characters. Both Jules and Nic are fully developed characters, who don't neatly fall into any lesbian stereotypes (apart from liking Joni Mitchell, which is a bit of a joke in the film). In one scene the couple is caught watching gay porn by their son Lazer, showing a broader range of queer sexuality then lesbians are often granted in film.
An independent film generally has a MC who is either ambivalent or not goal oriented. Plot is subservient to character, if present at all and there is often no resolution. Genre: stylized realist melodrama. The voice and ideas of the director are conveyed through the story and character. Relationship to society is critical and the story often follows unconventional points of view.
I would suggest that Cloud Atlas falls into this category. There isn't even a MC to have a goal. The story is achronologically shattered into multiple sub-stories with common elements. There is no time to identify with characters, only enough to observe a piece of their struggle. The film breaks from the rules a bit in its heavy use of plot, but perhaps this is necessary to maintain interest in multiple stories that don't have enough time to actually get fleshed out. It would seem appropriate to call it a melodrama. The voice and the relationship to society are one and the same as the film attempts to tackle as many issues as it has unresolved plot lines: nuclear power , corruption, minority and gay rights, the role of elderly in society.
A film that used the independent style of filmmaking is Room. Room is about a kidnapped young woman who bears her captor's child and how the manage to adapt to real life after escaping. Her son, Jack, had never seen anything but 'room' his entire life and both he and Ma must learn to adjust into mainstream life. The 6 characteristics of this style are followed through this film and are as follows:
1. although Ma has one goal, to get Jack out of that room, we still observe her instead of follow her. Once her goal is reached in the film, we continue to observe her and her family as her life is put back together.
2. this film is not plot driven and because of this we get to see more developed character layers of Joy and Jack. There is a plot, but it is very simple and not the entire point of the movie.
3. this film is a melodrama.
4. the style and voice of the director is shown through the way the film is put together.
5. independent style usually makes relevant political/social statements, Room brings about issues of PTSD, motherhood, survival, and family dynamics.
6. this film continues with the independent style by creating an unconventional POV on these topics.
Clerks is an example of an independent film model.
1. The main character is not goal oriented and is very ambivalent. He feels marginalized with society and is pessimistic about almost everything.
2. The plot really is non existent or at least hard to uncover. We simply sit and watch two men work as clerks and discuss their lives without much action or story to be told.
3. The genre is very realist to the point where boredom becomes a prevalent theme in the film.
4. The voice is very strong. It is clear what the writer wants you to hear and it is evident that the tone and dialogue is that of the writers personality.
5. The relationships with society are seen in every scene. The clerks must deal with people on a day to day basis and are constantly annoyed by them.
6. It has an unconventional point of view as it breaks most movie rules and is very unorthodox.
Characteristics of an Independent Model film include:
1. A character that doesn't really have a goal and is often ambivalent and marginalized
2. The plot is minimal: 2 act structure, no real resolution
3. Genre is often a melodrama with a realist base & stylized relationship
4. Voice conveys the ideas of the writers and directors rather than the main character
5. Usually makes a political/social statement
6. Unconventional point of view
A film that fits most of these characteristics is Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It is not plot driven but character driven. The different stories are held together by the arrival of the pants. It is a melodrama, centered around relationships. It takes the point of view of 4 different misunderstood, outcasts trying to figure out life as they spend a summer without each other. The second one is bad, don't watch it.
The 1943 film "Meshes of the Afternoon" by Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid is an early example of an independent film. The primary purposes of an independent film are to educate, explore form, and to follow an artistic vision. "Meshes of the Afternoon" tells the story of a woman walking home and then falling asleep on her chair and having a dream. She dreams she is chasing a hooded figure with a mirror for a face and she follows the figure into her house where she sees random house items all cut together. At the end she realizes what she was dreaming is actually happening and attempts to escape the hooded figure, but in the end dies. This movie is silent and very interpretive.
This story does not have a character with a goal; she is sleeping and ambivalent until she tries to injure the hooded figure when she realizes he is trying to kill her. There is a lack of plot because she is dreaming the majority of the movie, and the narrative is circular. The genre of "Meshes of the Afternoon" is experimental; the main focus is on the camera shots and the director’s vision, it is also surrealist. This leads us into the voice, which is clearly of the director. The directors are sending an interpretive message with this movie rather than telling a story. The movie’s relationship with society is that it is making a statement about suicide and depression, but that is just my interpretation, others might see it a different way. This film has an unorthodox point of view because it does not follow the rules of a narrative, which makes the audience focus on how and why the film was made.
The characteristics of the Independent Model includes:
1. The main character lacks a goal oriented mentality and is often marginalized within society.
2. There is a lack of plot and follows the 2 act structure.
3. The film is a melodrama.
4. The voice is conveyed through the characters in the film. The ideas of the writer/director are more important than the plot.
5. The film has a relationship with society and often includes issues and socio-political statements.
6. There is an unconventional point of view that gives an unorthodox storytelling.
The film Crash is an example of the Independent Model. There is no main character and all the characters do not have a goal. There is a lack of plot as there are many storylines that are interconnected and it does follow as a melodrama. It is clear to understand what the writer/director is trying to convey through the movie by the actions and words of the characters. The film is touching upon the racial and social tensions of Los Angeles, which brings a relationship with society. Lastly the film is portrayed through many characters point of views, which gives an unorthodox storytelling.
Some characteristics of the independent model are a lack of a main character, a lack of plot, realist base, the message of the director is conveyed through the characters, displays issues in society, and has an unconventional point of view. A film that follows the Independent Model would be Spring Breakers. Spring Breaker is about four girls who go on a wild vacation for Spring Break. On their vacation, they are exposed to sex, drugs, and crime. There isn’t a clear main character and as the movie progresses, the viewers are observing the main characters rather than following them. In addition, Spring Breakers doesn’t focus on a plot but rather shows the issues of society through the behaviors of the four college- aged girls. Lastly, the movie doesn’t have a clear resolution. The movie ends with two of the four girls driving off after murdering a bunch of gang members.
1. Character
Lack of goal orientated main character
Often ambivalent and ambiguous in nature
Marginalized within society
Observe the character rather than follow
Connect with writer/director not character
2. Plot
Lack of plot, or at least as the main narrative
2 act structure
Explore the character layer more
Series of sequences
No real resolution
3. Genre
Melodrama is best genre to use
Realist base
Stylized relationships
4. Voice
Central to independent films
Ideas of writer-director are more important than actual plot/narrative
Conveyed through characters in films
5. Relationship with Society
Issues of the day dominance narratives
Socio-political statements
6. Unconventional point of view
Often defines itself by breaking the rules
Unorthodox storytelling
A film that follows the Independent film model is Crash (2004). There is no main character in Crash. There are different characters, but there is no focus or main emphasis on any of them—you see them develop as time goes on, but again there is no focus on one specific character. None of the characters have a goal; it is just follows the lives of people for a 36 hour period. There is lack of a plot in Crash. It just focuses on racial issues from various characters. Though this film is not a melodrama, it covers important issues within society such as racial inequality and stereotypes. The director had an unorthodox way of telling the story and trying to get the point across. As mentioned, Crash focuses on racial issues and stereotypes, to get that point across the director had numerous characters. Each character showed their struggle when it came to society and racial issues, each character showed what issues are present. What also made it unique was that despite the fact that all of the characters have no relationship to one another all of their stories become connected as the film progresses—during the fictional 36 hours.
The Brazilian film "The Second Mother" is an example of an independent film. The independent model of screenplay includes:
1. A character that is not goal-oriented, often ambiguous, marginalized within society, and the audience observes rather than follows this character. The protagonist, Val, is a housekeeper for a wealthy family in Brazil. She never states a clear goal, rather the audience sits back and watches what happens to her
2. The plot is lacking a main narrative, series of sequences, there is no real resolution, 2 act structure, and we explore the character layer more. This is true of The Second Mother because most of the film is exploring the depth and personality of Val. Though there is somewhat of a resolution, it is open-ended.
3. Independent films are usually melodramas with a realist base and stylized relationships and experimental narratives. The Second Mother is a melodrama that explores one woman's life and class relations.
4. The voice of the writer/ director is more important than the actual narrative and it is conveyed through the characters. In The Second Mother, there isn't a strong plot, yet the writer/ director convey a strong message and comment on class interactions.
5. These films usually focus on issues of the day and make socio-political statements. In this case, the writer explores the unspoken boundaries between classes, using different characters to display different attitudes and sides toward this topic.
6. There is also an unorthodox point of view that breaks the rules. This is true in The Second Mother because it is told from a third person point of view and focuses in on the housekeeper. In addition, the plot moves very slowly and some moments are very drawn out.
Independent films contain: a character whom we observe rather than follow, and more of a connection to the writer/director than the character; a lack of plot as the main narrative, and an emphasis on character layer; an experimental narrative, usually melodrama; ideas that are from the writer/director and conveyed through the characters; a socio-political statement; and finally, unorthodox storytelling.
The film that comes to mind here is Twelve Angry Men (1957). This unconventional but thought-provoking film shows the shifting dynamics between a jury of twelve who slowly change their opinion of "guilty" to "not guilty". The entire film takes place in the deliberation room. When watching the film I found myself caring less about the characters than I did the story, which was beautifully written. The point of the film is to watch these character relationships change and develop. It also challenges what happens in the jury room and how personal distractions can influence a hasty decision.
The independent screenplay model lives on the completely different side of the spectrum if being compared to the classic Hollywood model. It is often characterized to be character rather than plot driven. In addition, the main character is forced to become a hero by the circumstances. Another important distinction of the independent model would be the fact that we, as viewers, would observe the main character's actions rather than follow his adventure like in a Hollywood screenplay. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that not all independent films follow the independent screenplay model and vice versa for the Hollywood films. "500 days of Summer" is the perfect example of an independent screenplay where characters are they main reason why viewers continue watching the film. The plot is kept to a very minimum: a boy falls in love with the girls of his dreams. What really draws us to the film (and makes us appreciate it only so much more) is the relationship development as well as the main character himself. The story has little to none action is filled with stylistic accents that help emphasize some of the key characteristics of the leads.
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