Film sector

Thaddeus O'Connor-Dunphie

Film sector

Characteristics of mainstream films

The characteristics of mainstream films can easily be noticed, one element of production may be the director. In mainstream films, the directors behind them are normally very well-known and multi-award winning. For example, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and James Cameron. These are directors who have directed some of the most well-known and highest grossing films of all time, this therefore, immediately shows that it’s a characteristic of a mainstream film as they appeal to a very wide audience which will result in a larger audience and more money. Another production factor is the casting of A-list actors and actresses. The top actors charge a very high amount of money which independent budgets can’t afford. This is why it’s rare for A-list actors to be casted in an independent film. Special effects is also what makes a mainstream film an example of this is Avatar, you can see some amazing special effects which add a huge sense of thrill and excitement to a movie.

Characteristics of independent films

The characteristics of independent films are easily noticeable too. These films usually have unknown actors and directors, the complete opposite of a mainstream film. They would not have as much special effects as a mainstream film as they would be working on a much lower budget. In addition to this these films do not aim to make sequels just the one film unlike main stream films. We can also see differences in the marketing process between the two film types. Mainstream films are marketed in a much more public way as opposed to independent films. This, again, comes down to money. The mainstream companies such as Universal and Paramount can afford to advertise the movies through a variety of media. They use trailers on television and the internet, adverts, billboards, adverts in magazines and newspapers, posters, adverts on buses and they advertise on large websites on the internet such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. They will also show trailers of the film pre-release in cinemas before a film. This isn’t possible for independent films again due to their more modest budget. The main way we see independent films marketed is through film award ceremonies such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Oscars. The film which wins, for example, best independent film, will immediately generate a huge amount of public awareness for itself due to it winning a prestigious award. This will make viewers want to see this award-winning film and will normally result in a high intake of money and a healthy profit.

Characteristics of niche films

Niche is when you can see that one portion of the audience clearly overwhelms all of the others… even when you hope that it will expand past that group. The idea of the “quadrant” has been around forever, but has really lost its meaning, as it is not nearly specific enough in the recent market. The “niche” is a section of a quadrant. It doesn’t have to be defined by age or sex, but when you look at each niche, they usually are one sex or the other, one age group that bulges outside of historic ideas, etc.