Independent Film case study

Case Study: Independent Film 

Napoleon Dynamite:


Napoleon Dynamite is an American independent film released in 2004 and directed by Jared Hess. What makes this film independent is that it only has a budget cost of $400,000 and was originally based on a short film called 'Peluca' made by Hess whilst he was in university. He was then convinced to make it into a feature length film, however no big production companies and script directors would back it due to it's 'too weird' ideas, so they looked for different investors separately to help produce it.

The production cost of the film was $400,000, and Hess relied on the kindness of the locals of Preston in southeastern Idaho, to use their houses and for food for the crew. The film contains actors such as Jon Heder, who was a friend of Hess at school, and who could convincingly and effectively bring the main character to life. Heder was only paid $1,000 for his role, however after its success he was paid more from the profit. The film also won many awards such as three MTV awards as well as multiple teen choice awards in categories such as movie of the year, best breakthrough male and female star, as well as comedy movie.

   




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Short Film Analysis no.1 - Curfew

Image
Curfew  (Shawn Christensen, 2012) The film starts with the opening sequence being a tracking shot of a red bathroom floor, followed by a close-up shot of a red telephone on the same floor. From the start of the film, the very first impression you get is that something bad is happening within the scene, especially as the connotations of the colour red represent danger. Therefore, this imagery and cinematography paired with the non diegetic opera music heard in the background of the shot creates an eerie and unsettling mood within the shot for the audiences, especially considering that the situation that is about to be presented juxtaposes completely the calm and almost happy music. The sequence then cuts between the objects in the bathroom using close-ups to help heighten the environment that the main character of Richie is in-showing razor blades and used cigarettes. The scene then cuts to a high angle shot of Richie in his bath after having cut himself quite badly, presenting Ric
Read more

Short Film Analysis no.3 - High Maintenance

Image
High Maintenance (Phillip Van, 2006)  The opening shot of the film is a medium long shot of the main female character eating dinner at the head of the table with her husband. By making this the opening shot of the film, it connotes to the audience that between the two characters, the wife has the most power as the long shot used implies that she has the most control over the environment around her as the back of her husbands head is the only shot you get of him up to present, highlighting his lack of significance from the very start.  The diegetic sound used of the couple eating creates a scene of realism and amplifies the awkward and dull exchange between the two, as neither of them are talking and the only sound to fill the silence is them eating. The close-up shots of both husband and wife also create a personal and intimate environment between the pair, perhaps trying to present an ideal environment in which they wish they had between them -one being full of intimacy. Ho
Read more

Trainspotting: Mise-en-scene and cinematography analysis

Image
Trainspotting scene analysis:  Mise-en-scene and Cinematography: The scene opens with a high angle shot of the crowd in the lower floor of the bar, showing the insignificance of the characters and their inferiority within the scene. This is later amplified by Begbie's actions when he throws the pint glass into the crowd, causing injury. The mise-en-scene of many of the people in the crowd show the variety of different professions within society and heighten the idea of realism and therefore juxtaposes the lives of the main characters who are going through a much more dramatic and chaotic life.  The scene then follows to a medium shot of the group at the bar. The mise-en-scene of the characters positions show their individual importance to the scene. Begbie being in the middle of the shot highlights that he has the power within the scene at this time, as he's in the most visible position. The power Begbie has, although, isn't higher social power -seen throug
Read more