Almost exactly a year ago I was asked to look at the results of a survey which concluded that audiences were increasingly concerned with the glut of sequels, reboots and remakes which were taking up space in their local multiplexes. Originality was being stifled our survey said. New technology was also placed firmly in the firing line, though the ubiquity of 3D appears to have separated somewhat from the criticisms which seemed to have been magnetised to the format. However sequels and reboots continue to make up a fair percentage of the films we’re all talking about, so what difference have new avenues, such as Video on Demand and the persistent rise of Independent cinema, had on those seeking more imaginative fare in their cinema going?
Bombay Sapphire, who conducted the research as part of their ongoing Imagination Series (which encompasses a short film competition), found that eighty-three percent of the international film community believes film studios are choosing to ‘play it safe’ when it comes to producing more imaginative films. Looking at the top ten highest grossing films of 2012 (full list here) the results appear to ring true. Only two films (Brave and Ted) from the that top ten list were original ideas, the others made up of the usual sequels, comic book and popular novel adaptations. The safety of these films is right there in the numbers.
One of the results of this year’s survey echoes the 2012 results in that a large percentage (70%) prefer to seek out more imaginative fare in their choice of film. While the nebulous qualities associated with what can be considered ‘imaginative film’ do not discount some of the popular sequels and adaptations (we had seen many of The Avengers in their own films it was the talent of Joss Whedon and Marvel which brought them together to tell a new, and very successful story) it is possible to assume that a film which centres around new characters and new places are seen as more imaginative in the eyes of those surveyed. Economically it will always make more sense for the large cinema chains to pack their picture houses with the most well known films so it is to the independent stage many are looking to find their cinematic fix.
The return of Sundance London, and the growing profile of events such as the British Independent Film Awards, show that the desire to show and see independent films is on the rise. Films such as Berberian Sound Studio, The Imposter and Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers are finding a theatrical release here and (mostly) in the US and the eyes of the British and American Academies are beginning to linger on the independent scene. Playing it safe when it comes to greenlighting a film may make sense for those studios willing and able to plough in vast coffers of cash but through grander accolades and the advances in technology it should become easier than ever for independent cinema to find its audience.
When I spoke to one of the judges of the Bombay Sapphire Imagination Series competition, Nancy Schafer, she spoke of the rise of On Demand screenings over the internet as a growing avenue filmmakers are taking to having their films released on a grand scale with the necessity of getting paid being part of the service. Imagination in film has always been present, and those able practitioners of the art may run up against unwilling studios looking for the next Harry Potter but we are a long way from the overwhelming multiplex shutouts of recent years.
Interestingly part of the research involved ranking various elements of film production to find out which those taking the survey considered to be the most important when it comes to making what they perceive as an imaginative film. The results haven’t been made public until now and the list below chimes very much with the general consensus as to who are the most important people when it comes to crafting a new and exciting film.
1. Script
2. Director
3. Cast
4. Production design
5. Costumes
6. Visual effects
There’s no doubt that each of the elements below are essential however the writer and director are seen as key when it comes to harnassing the imagination. Two films I enjoyed very much last year were Ruby Sparks and Looper, they share very little in terms of idea and execution (the actor Paul Dano provides the one obvious link) however their visions were both bold and brilliant, and importantly immensely enjoyable films. One was released widely to critical and commercial acclaim and the other made it out to a handful of cinemas and shone for a brief moment but was sadly little seen. It is perhaps only that Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt starred in Looper that it had the power of the studio behind it that it made such a great return. This is not to disparage Rian Johnson’s pitch perfect script and direction but when it comes to getting an imaginative film out to the people studios are far more likely to shift Cast from Number 3 right up to Number 1 in the list above. There’s a case to be made that when it comes to selling a film many studios see only their cast, with the rest of the elements present but in a distant, supporting role.
So, in a year’s time where will we be? There’s little doubt that the desire for more imaginative films (independent or otherwise) will remain. It is hoped that the cinema audiences will be offered a wider choice at their local cinemas and that enough noise is made, and more avenues are opened up, for the independent scene to find itself alongside its blockbusting cousins. But the choice, ultimately, is yours. Imagination is all around, and sometimes you need to exercise some in order to find it.
