Level of Awareness on Philippine Independent Films
LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON SELECTED PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT
FILMS OF AB COMMUNICATION STUDENTS
In partial fulfilment of the the subject
Thesis Writing
CHAPTER 1
Rationale
Movies have been an important part of everyday experience for more than a century. Most people already know a great deal about it. But majority of viewers appreciate those on the mainstreams without giving prior notice to the existence of independent films. The chances for an indie film to elicit at least a semblance of ‘mainstream response’ remains very low. Independent films are largely ignored by ordinary movie-goers in the Philippines, but the genre has become the “in thing” in the country as it gains international acclaim and generates the worldwide interest. (Onscreen Asia, 2009)
According to Maslog (2007), independent films which is also known as “indie films” can be in a form of short or full-length cinema which expresses self-expression and creativity different from mainstream cinema. The very nature of an independent film appears to be easier and cheaper since the allotted budget for its production is minimal. But, although the budgets are low, some of these films have been screened and awarded by local and international film festivals.
Though independent films are becoming successful locally and internationally, there are also negative connotations when independent movies are mentioned. There are doubts coming from Filipino themselves because of the usual topics of indie films: poverty, homosexuality, prostitution, the underworld, and life in the margins, which exploits the image of the society (The Daily Guardian, 2012). As communication students and future media practitioners, the study will provide a profound understanding about independent films to appreciate better the ways of such films through its messages and to raise everyone’s awareness on the said genre of film. Since, the researchers and respondents are both in line with the practice of media; this study will prepare them
FILMS OF AB COMMUNICATION STUDENTS
In partial fulfilment of the the subject
Thesis Writing
CHAPTER 1
Rationale
Movies have been an important part of everyday experience for more than a century. Most people already know a great deal about it. But majority of viewers appreciate those on the mainstreams without giving prior notice to the existence of independent films. The chances for an indie film to elicit at least a semblance of ‘mainstream response’ remains very low. Independent films are largely ignored by ordinary movie-goers in the Philippines, but the genre has become the “in thing” in the country as it gains international acclaim and generates the worldwide interest. (Onscreen Asia, 2009)
According to Maslog (2007), independent films which is also known as “indie films” can be in a form of short or full-length cinema which expresses self-expression and creativity different from mainstream cinema. The very nature of an independent film appears to be easier and cheaper since the allotted budget for its production is minimal. But, although the budgets are low, some of these films have been screened and awarded by local and international film festivals.
Though independent films are becoming successful locally and internationally, there are also negative connotations when independent movies are mentioned. There are doubts coming from Filipino themselves because of the usual topics of indie films: poverty, homosexuality, prostitution, the underworld, and life in the margins, which exploits the image of the society (The Daily Guardian, 2012). As communication students and future media practitioners, the study will provide a profound understanding about independent films to appreciate better the ways of such films through its messages and to raise everyone’s awareness on the said genre of film. Since, the researchers and respondents are both in line with the practice of media; this study will prepare them