I sensationally claimed that I consider Pulp Fiction the last independent film, which is true in that after Miramax's incredible success, financially and critically, with the film, every studio wanted to get in the indie business--and all did with smaller dependents such as Fox Searchlight, Focus Features, Sony Pictures Classics, Paramount Vantage, etc.
With less fanfare but more underground interest, though, a New Jersey convenience store clerk made a not-so-boring film about his boring job and in the process became an acclaimed auteur in the former vein of independent directors.
In the video above Smith talks to a film hopeful about his inspiration from Richard Linklater's route to film-making with his Slackers. Smith, in turn, inspired other hopefuls to make their films themselves instead of waiting for some studio man to greenlight them. One of those hopefuls was our next filmmaker--Jon Favreau, with his first film, Swingers. Swingers, maybe not so surprisingly, became attached to Harvey Weinstein's Miramax--as was Clerks.
By the way annus means year in Latin (and mirabilis, wonderful), in case you were wondering.
With less fanfare but more underground interest, though, a New Jersey convenience store clerk made a not-so-boring film about his boring job and in the process became an acclaimed auteur in the former vein of independent directors.
In the video above Smith talks to a film hopeful about his inspiration from Richard Linklater's route to film-making with his Slackers. Smith, in turn, inspired other hopefuls to make their films themselves instead of waiting for some studio man to greenlight them. One of those hopefuls was our next filmmaker--Jon Favreau, with his first film, Swingers. Swingers, maybe not so surprisingly, became attached to Harvey Weinstein's Miramax--as was Clerks.
By the way annus means year in Latin (and mirabilis, wonderful), in case you were wondering.
I think with digital video cameras being more accessible, and editing program being fairly easy to use, pretty much anyone can make short films/music videos/documentaries. I am not sure how the digital process translates to the big screen; I'm aware that feature films are shot on 35mm. And of course YouTube gives anyone a shot as Internet star, or perhaps next great filmmaker. I have my own channel and I've done some goofy stuff. It's fun.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondering why they chose to film this movie in black and white. It is interesting that Kevin Smith has stuck true to what his original material was. The indieness translates well in his movies.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen Clerks but it is great to here how Kevin Smith put in all on the line(credit line that is) to get this movie made so he could raise money to make more movies. It was very interesting that the one gentlemen he mentioned in the film encouraged him to go to Sundance and how the calls started coming in. The rest is history.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that Kevin Smith didn't think about the money to make Clerks and just somehow made it happen. Sometimes you can't get too caught up in trying to secure everything perfectly and roll out some master plan. Things wouldn't get done the way they were meant if there wasn't just some leap of faith.
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