Unless you're incredibly lucky, well connected, or independently wealthy, the chances of your film hitting the big time are very slim. That said, however, it doesn't mean that if your goal is to go commercial, it can't be done. With enough hard work, business savvy, patience, tenacity, and a few well-placed industry professionals, it is possible to obtain a measure of success.

What it all comes down to is your goal as a filmmaker. If you want to become a blockbuster movie-maker, then that's certainly a goal to strive for. If you're happy in the low-budget realm, that's good, too. If you're unwilling to give up any measure of control, you are not alone. There are innumerable filmmakers in the world who are perfectly happy never having to deal with a studio and the politics and complexities associated with any higher-budget production.

The Pros

What most independent filmmakers will tell you, if they're being honest and realistic, is that going the indie route is exceptionally stressful and frustrating in regard to time and financing. What they'll also tell you is that it's probably the best job you could ever hope to have. Being in control of your cinematic vision is a powerful feeling, especially if you're not concerned with budget and you're simply creating films through innovative means for the sheer pleasure of it. Many indie filmmakers can't quit their day jobs, but as with any truly artistic endeavor, they don't necessarily need to. As long as they have some funding to feed their creative hunger they can continue to make innumerable films.

The Cons

Every perceived “perfect” job has its downside, and the world of independent filmmaking is no different. Creative endeavors aside, making an indie film is tough work. Without significant financing, everything has to be done on a shoestring budget, and that inevitably makes each aspect of a production exponentially harder than it would be on a typical film production. Even on the most basic level, you need a camera, a computer, software, a script, a few willing friends, and some form of transportation to get you to your locations. As an indie filmmaker, you can certainly do everything on the cheap, and beg, borrow, barter, or charge up your credit cards, but in reality any amount of excess funds you have will get used up quickly.

The other sad reality is that most independent films rarely get the exposure necessary to further someone's career. Many indie filmmakers spend years working on their films, only to have them seen by a handful of friends and family members. Filmmaking is an intensely collaborative medium, a fact that makes going it alone an option that has to be carefully considered.