The rise of independents

The rise of independents

Everyone has ideas. Some people have ideas that they want to publish, but some companies pass over these ideas. Others don’t want to jump through hoops to get their ideas published. Then there are those who succeed on their own, publishing their works for the world to see. These are the independents, and they are everywhere– even in this very school.

Independent works are media published without the involvement of a third-party publisher; that leaves the author responsible for the entire publishing process including design, price, and marketing.

The word “independent” can be applied to most mediums: films, books, video games, the list goes on. However, the question remains: Are indie mediums actually good?

Just like big-name publishers, there are good articles produced, and there are bad articles produced. To identify which are good and which are bad, one must go through the trial-and-error process. However, because of their smaller budgets, independent machinations tend be lacking in the effects department.

Nevertheless, having a small budget doesn’t necessarily make them bad. For example, the popular PC game Minecraft that has rocked the world of video games, was originally created by a single person. While the game looks like 3-D blocks with pixelated textures, the world of Minecraft is near-infinite and there are plenty of ways for the player to manipulate their environment in-game.

In a different medium, the Web Series Marble Hornets popularized the urban legend of the Slenderman, leaving in its wake one of the most terrifying video games to be seen so far, Slender (which is also independently made).

Self-published books are being made by the minute, and can be bought and sold on places Amazon.com, and are steadily creeping into chain bookstores around America. The Scott Pilgrim series is a major graphic novel specimen, creating the cult classic film of the same name, and John Green’s works, like Looking for Alaska, and The Fault in Our Stars, are especially popular.

Film festivals celebrate the large and still growing genre of independent films. Stand-outs here include Quentin Tarantino’s rise to fame with Reservoir Dogs. Other instances include the mind-bending Donnie Darko and comedic yet dramatic road adventure of Little Miss Sunshine.

The independents have more than just potential; they have already proven that they can go toe-to-toe with chain companies.  Hopefully these self-publishers can have more time in the spotlight to truly be respected as a respectable medium. In the meantime, the students (and teachers!) of Adams can take the time to enjoy these beauties, some of which can be found in the media center.