Spring Break
Speaker says plenty of demand for 'indie' films
Tyler Will
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
04/02/08 - The U.S. head of Theatrical for THINKFilm, an independent cinema production company, highlighted the history of movies in a speech at the annual Graduate Student Conference Saturday.
While URI graduate students dominated the presentations, there were also students from across the country and a few international presenters. Though the event was sponsored by the URI English department, the students represented a variety of disciplines including literature, feminism, music, technology and fashion.
Urman, who was producer of "Monster Ball," starring Halle Berry, and has worked on numerous other films, talked about the development of the independent film industry and its clash with mainstream cinema. Urman has also worked for Miramax, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, United Artists and several other film companies.
After his speech, Urman said it's not just actors or screenwriters that make a good film.
"It's the totality of the experience," Urman said. "A film can only be great if it stands the test of time. If a film continues to give year after year, generation after generation, that is a truly great film. Anything else is merely excellent."
He began his speech with an anecdote that reflected on the progression of indie films he observed throughout his career.
"Independents are getting more mainstream attention more than ever before," Urman said. "For those of us who are in the game, it's ironic and it's also surprising."
He explained that most independent producers don't expect to make a big hit with their films, and instead set out with a goal to make movies that are less "polluted" by commercialism and aimed at a smaller audience. Yet, these low budget films appear to be taking off with audiences, he said.
Urman said that indie films, which are supposed to be smaller and less lucrative than mainstream films, can make a lot of money.
"Today's low-budget director is tomorrow's superstar," Urman said.
While URI graduate students dominated the presentations, there were also students from across the country and a few international presenters. Though the event was sponsored by the URI English department, the students represented a variety of disciplines including literature, feminism, music, technology and fashion.
Urman, who was producer of "Monster Ball," starring Halle Berry, and has worked on numerous other films, talked about the development of the independent film industry and its clash with mainstream cinema. Urman has also worked for Miramax, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, United Artists and several other film companies.
After his speech, Urman said it's not just actors or screenwriters that make a good film.
"It's the totality of the experience," Urman said. "A film can only be great if it stands the test of time. If a film continues to give year after year, generation after generation, that is a truly great film. Anything else is merely excellent."
He began his speech with an anecdote that reflected on the progression of indie films he observed throughout his career.
"Independents are getting more mainstream attention more than ever before," Urman said. "For those of us who are in the game, it's ironic and it's also surprising."
He explained that most independent producers don't expect to make a big hit with their films, and instead set out with a goal to make movies that are less "polluted" by commercialism and aimed at a smaller audience. Yet, these low budget films appear to be taking off with audiences, he said.
Urman said that indie films, which are supposed to be smaller and less lucrative than mainstream films, can make a lot of money.
"Today's low-budget director is tomorrow's superstar," Urman said.
