Using your own case studies, compare narrative, codes & conventions and styles between independent and mainstream cinema

Clerks is a popular independent film written by Kevin Smith, filmed in the convenience store where he worked at the time and released in October 1994. Independent films like this often have a regional or local setting to appeal to niche audiences that can relate personally to the characters of the film. The genres and subjects of independent films can be controversial and are often challenged and subverted where as in a Mainstream film such as The Avengers, the genre is intended to satisfy its target audience and fulfil their expectations. This aspect of fulfilling expectations is vital for a mainstream film with a large budget as they are aiming to breakeven and make profit at the box office.

Another difference between Clerks and The Avengers is the star appeal – The Avengers is overflowing with well-known stars  who  are easily recognisable to the public but with Clerks the actors in the film were the director/creator himself, Kevin Smith and his own close friends. Independent films focus more on directorial talent rather than its star appeal. By using unknown actors with unfamiliar faces it represents the ‘everyman/woman’ that many people can easily relate to. This would mean the film would have to be recognised by popular word of mouth and has an appeal to more ‘intellectual audiences’ rather than a more general, mainstream audience that The Avengers would appeal to.

In an independent film there are fewer sets, like in Clerks it is set in at most five locations in the area, giving it a sense of a more secluded, realistic atmosphere, by using a regional setting it also represents and appeals to its regional audiences so it is more relatable. On the other hand in The Avengers, it is filmed in a multitude of locations to give the audience a sense of escapism from their real lives and offering a greater cinematic experience. The cinematic experience in mainstream films can be enhanced with new technologies such as 3D and special effects where as independent films avoid this due to budget reasons and the intention of being more realistic.