What is the difference between a studio film and an independent film?

What is the difference between a studio film and an independent film?

Ben Lyons (Producer) gives expert video advice on: Which independent filmmakers have changed the genre?; Where are most independent films made?; What are some different techniques in making an independent film? and more...

A studio film has to play to the agendas of those who are funding it, and traditionally the ones funding studio films are huge media companies and overseas film financing companies, who have their own agenda and want to make their money. They are not just making money from movies, but making money from everything that comes with that, whether it's product placement, video games and theme park rides, clothing and accessories and food and toys, or God knows what else they can sell off the strength of a movie. When an independent film is financed, it's usually with the idea of wanting to give the film-makers the space they need to go out and make the movie that wants to be told, the one that's on the page, the one that the actor wants to just lose themselves in, beyond money. Charlize Theron in 'Monster' is just unrecognizable, and that's the role that got her an Oscar, and that's a film that didn't have to deal with the influence of a major media company telling the film-makers how it is to be made.