American independent cinema : an introduction / Yannis Tzioumakis.

First edition published 2006.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 300-313) and index.

Introduction : problems of definition and the discourse of American independent cinema -- Part I. American independent cinema in the studio years (mid-1920s-late 1940s) -- 1. Independent filmmaking in the studio era : tendencies within the studio system -- 2. Independent filmmaking in the studio era : the poverty row studios (1930-50s) -- Part II. American independent cinema in the post-studio era (late 1940s-late 1960s) -- 3. Independence by force : the effects of the Paramount Decree on independent film production -- 4. An audience for the independents : exploitation films for the nation's youth -- Part III. American independent cinema and the 'New Hollywood' (late 1960s to late 1970s) -- 5. The new Hollywood and the independent Hollywood -- 6. American independent cinema in the age of the conglomerates -- Part IV. Contemporary American independent cinema (1980s to date) -- 7. Mini-majors and major independents -- 8. The institutionalisation of American independent cinema -- 9. American independent cinema in the age of media convergence -- Epilogue : from independent to 'specialty' cinema.

This introduction to American Independent Cinema offers both a comprehensive industrial and economic history of the sector from the early twentieth century to the present and a study of key individual films, filmmakers and film companies. Ordered chronologically, beginning with independent filmmaking in the studio era (examining both top-rank and low-end independent film production), moving to the 1950s and 1960s (discussing both the adoption of independent filmmaking as the main method of production as well as exploitation filmmaking) and finishing with contemporary American independent cinema (exploring areas such as the New Hollywood, the rise of mini-major and major independent companies and the institutionalisation of independent cinema in the 1990s), readers will develop an understanding of the complex dynamic relations between independent and mainstream American cinema. Ordered chronologically, beginning with independent filmmaking in the studio era (examining both top-rank and low-end independent film production), moving to the 1950s and 1960s (discussing both the adoption of independent filmmaking as the main method of production as well as exploitation filmmaking) and finishing with contemporary American independent cinema (exploring areas such as the New Hollywood, the rise of mini-major and major independent companies and the institutionalisation of independent cinema in the 1990s), readers will develop an understanding of the complex dynamic relations between independent and mainstream American cinema.