Hearing the term indie movies thrown at everything from Paranormal Activities to District 9,
I’ve had enough. Hollywood figured out mass amounts of money can be
made from smaller budget films since the early 60’s and it has gone far
too long without changing terms about it. All I’ve done is
sub-categorize the genre.
Short films - a shorter than 55 minute long practice movie, no matter the budget. Can be also called a testing ground movie.
B-movie - well meaning with budget or not, but falls short of the original vision. Except for anything Troma, which means to make what you see on purpose.
Zero indie - where everything is done on favors, no one gets paid, probably ever. With exception of craft services aka Domino’s Pizza.
Art house indie - semi-experienced filmmakers who stride from the established norm with some budget and occasionally a plot, generally somewhere in the 5 figure area. These movies play in art galleries or midnight matinees.
Indie - small budget with obvious creativity to make up for low production values
Backed indie - Near mainstream Producers find films that can be made for low budget but with name stars attached to a points system to make some profits. A good portion of these open at Sundance Film Festival.
Indie in spirit - My favorite. Some production cash is available but everyone strives to give their most on ambitiously lean but healthy production values.
Low budget - less than $10 million after rebates. This is not exactly indie but it is nice that some people can pay their rent working on it.
Medium budget - (not indie) $10-$50 million after rebates.
Big budget - (not indie)$50-$99 million after rebates.
Blockbuster budget (not indie) $99million+ after rebates.
Short films - a shorter than 55 minute long practice movie, no matter the budget. Can be also called a testing ground movie.
B-movie - well meaning with budget or not, but falls short of the original vision. Except for anything Troma, which means to make what you see on purpose.
Zero indie - where everything is done on favors, no one gets paid, probably ever. With exception of craft services aka Domino’s Pizza.
Art house indie - semi-experienced filmmakers who stride from the established norm with some budget and occasionally a plot, generally somewhere in the 5 figure area. These movies play in art galleries or midnight matinees.
Indie - small budget with obvious creativity to make up for low production values
Backed indie - Near mainstream Producers find films that can be made for low budget but with name stars attached to a points system to make some profits. A good portion of these open at Sundance Film Festival.
Indie in spirit - My favorite. Some production cash is available but everyone strives to give their most on ambitiously lean but healthy production values.
Low budget - less than $10 million after rebates. This is not exactly indie but it is nice that some people can pay their rent working on it.
Medium budget - (not indie) $10-$50 million after rebates.
Big budget - (not indie)$50-$99 million after rebates.
Blockbuster budget (not indie) $99million+ after rebates.
