When did independent film begin?

When did independent film begin?

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...

Independent films are not something new; they've been around for a long time. Some of the old shorts that you would see back in the day are independent films, just people making little movies is an independent film. If you and I get a camera and shoot something, that's an independent film; we're doing something away from the studio system in Hollywood. Most recently, in recent years, films like 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction' really opened up Hollywood's eyes to the world of independent film. It caused legit actors, big stars, to want to be in independent films because they could do more daring material. Those two films in particular - and Quentin Tarantino, of course - really made independent films profitable and newsworthy in the early 90s and have carried on through today.