Level of Awareness on Philippine Independent Films Essay

RationaleMovies grow been an important weaken of every daytime experience for more than a century. Most slew already k none a large(p) deal roughly it. But majority of viewers appreciate those on the mainstreams without giving prior check off to the exis xce of indie needs. The chances for an indie mental picture to elicit at least a semblance of mainstream resolution bears very low. sovereign films atomic number 18 largely ignored by ordinary movie-goers in the Filipinos, entirely the genre has become the in thing in the country as it gains international acclaim and generates the ecumenic matter to. (Onscreen Asia, 2009) According to Maslog (2007), main(a) films which is also known as indie films can be in a form of minuscule or full-length photographic film which expresses self-expression and creativity distinct from mainstream cinema.The very nature of an free-lance film appears to be easier and cheaper since the allotted budget for its production is minimal. But, although the budgets be low, some of these films stomach been screened and awarded by topical anesthetic 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 beca white plague 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 quotidian Guardian, 2012).As communication students and future media practitioners, the check testament provide a profound understanding active independent films to appreciate better the bearings of such films through its messages and to raise everyones sentiency on the said genre of film. Since, the exploreers and respondents are both in line with the practice of media this ruminate will prepare theminto the world of film industry, specifically, Phili ppine free-living films. tilt of the ProblemThe say was conducted to investigate the direct of sentiency on selected Philippine individuals makes of AB Communication studentsSpecifically, the study attempted to answer the following questions1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of1.1, Age1.2 Gender?2. What is the level of awareness of the respondents on the following selected Philippine self-employed person Films in terms of 2.1, (2009) Last Supper no 32.2, (2010) identity card Kang Titingin2.3, (2011) Ang Babae sa unhealthful storage tank2.4 (2012) Victor?3. What is the level of awareness of the respondents in the selected Philippine Independent films in the traits and messages as observed in terms of 3.1, Nationalism3.2, Social Reality3.3, Freedom of Expression3.4, developing of Poverty3.5 Homosexuality?Conceptual FrameworkThe conceptual framework for the study on the level of awareness on selected Philippine Independents Films of AB Communica tion students Level of Awareness to Selected Philippine Independent Films-Construction of questionnaire regarding Philippine Independent films. -Distri andion of questionnaires-Collection data-Interpretation of the gathered dataSelected Philippine Independent Films Last Supper No. 32009 Wag Kang Titingin2010 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank2011-Victor2012Significance of the StudyThe result of this study will be beneficial to the following AB Communication students. The study would capitally affect them since this is much related to the topics that will be discussed in their course. The study would help them to be critical in thinking and be a respectable observant on what is happening around them most especially to the industry that they will be engaged to in the future. This would what is more explain things that should be taken consideration of.Film Industry. This study will help in creating good impressions on how film should showcase the society through creative, sensible, fair and i ntelligent representation.Film Producers. This would help them on how they should be keenly aware and ethical in producing films. The study would remind them on the impact, influence and effect of their films to the viewers as perceived by Communication students.Future Film Producers. This study would give them experience and understanding on how to be creative and critical in producing independent films. This will provide them insights on ethical standards, limitations and violations when it comes to the following issues organism discussed in relation to the themes of movies produced.Future researchers. This study will be profitable to the future researchers who would conduct a similar study in a larger scope, beca drop this could be a means of an additional source and baseline data to explain further ethicalissues regarding Philippine Independent Films as perceived by AB Communication Students. This research, likewise, may serve as a fiber for future studies. If needed, the re sults of the study can be verified and tested. seekers. The would be an opportunity for them to utilize the cognition they have learned from their study since they would be a part of the mass media world in the future. This would serve as their basis of practice if they will be inclined on the field of media, particularly, the film industry.Definition of basisThe following terms were defined operationally and conceptually AB Communication Students- It pertained to the bonafide students enrolled in the course, Bachelor of humanities in Communication major in broadcasting which presents opportunities for writers, performers and producers. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank- 2011 Cinemalayas Best Film in the Full Length category. Directed by Marlon Rivera. A comedy about misguided ambitions, the art of devising art and the romanticization of poverty. Awareness- It is defined in the study as the level of knowledge or being mindful on certain subject, issues, situation and separates.Cinemalay a- A film competition and festival that aims to encourage the foundation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers works that boldly articulate and freely ensure the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. Film- Also called a movie or doing picture, is a story conveyed with moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images utilise animation techniques or optic effects. Full Length Film- According to the Academy of dubiousness Picture liberal arts and Sciences, American Film Institute, and British Film Institute, a feature film runs for 40 minutes or immenseer.Last Supper No. 3- 2009 Cinemalayas Best Film in the Full Length category. Directed by Sherwin Dayoc. Based on a true story, Last Supper No. 3 is a humorous construe at the circuitous way our legal system takes to justice.Mainstream Cinema- Defined as commercial films that are make by major entertainment studios or companies that are owned by international media conglomerates. Philippine Independent Films- Also known as indie films canbe in a form of short or full-length cinema which expresses self-expression and creativity different from mainstream cinema. bypass Feature Film- A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits.Victor- 2012 Cinemalayas Best Film in Short Feature category . Directed by Jarell M. Serencio. A film that showed glaring realities of faith, beliefs, etc. and how Filipinos and foreigners embrace the tradition of Semana Santa (holy week) as an attraction to this town. Wag Kang Titingin . 2010 Cinemalayas Best Film in Short Feature Category .Directed by Pam Miras. The film was about a girls attempt beyond death and destruction to maintain for her younger sister a semblance of peace and order amid so much vio lence and conflict that seems to reflect todays Filipinos.CHAPTER 2REVIEW OF RELATED literary productionsThe researchers have found the following studies and literature relevant to the study being proposed. The review of the literature for this study focuses on the level of awareness on selected Philippine Independent Films of AB Communication students Importance of demographic ProfileAccording to Gauntlett (2002), media and communications are central element of modern life, whilst age and gender remain at the core of how people think of their identities. With media containing images and messages about men, women and their sexuality, it is very likely that they have a abundant impact on peoples sense of identity. Age and gender are variables that affect exposure and perception agree to the study conducted by Linda M. Woolf, PhD. The study states that older people perceive more negatively than younger people and females tend to absorb more from media than males.Independent FilmsAs an art form, independent film is a great tool to express advocacies to their viewers for public awareness. Filipino independent filmmakers are steadily growing and are likely to continue to do so by virtue of itsfacility for innovation, diversity and originality. Whether they are about social commentary, political statement, psychological study, or keen insights into human relationships, all of these topics represent controversial subjects that are catered to feed the audience intellectual hunger (Mon-alon, 2011).San Diego (2010) stated that 2009 was a watershed year for local independent films. Based on cinemalaya.org, from year 2009 to 2012, the following films have been awarded by Cinemalaya as Best FilmsA. Last Supper No. 3Won the Best Film in full- length category on 2009. It is based on a true story about a humorous look at the circuitous path our legal system takes to justice. Assistant Production Designer Wilson Naawa is tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as props for a television commercial. He finds three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda. B. Wag Kang TitinginA film directed by Pam Miras bagged the top price in Cinemalaya 2010. The story is about a father and his two young daughters who travel through a war-torn area. The father explains to his eldest wherefore they need to shield the youngest from what is really happening around them. The eldest finally understands and vows to protect her sister. C. Ang Babae sa Septic TankWon the Best Film in the year 2011 in full-length category. It was also chosen as the Audience Choice Award, Best Direction by Marlon Rivera and Best Performance of an Actress awarded to Eugene Domingo. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank chronicles a day in a life of three ambitious but misguided filmmakers as they situated out to do a quick pre-prod at Starbucks. They believe that they have a winning script, the push button and the drive to make to make their dreams come true. This is a comedy about misguided ambitions, th e art of devising art and romanticization of poverty. D. VictorThe Best Film under short feature category in Cinemalya 2012 directed by Jarell M. Sarencio. It is a story about life as a big show. For ten long years, Victor religiously offers himself to be nailed on the cross everyHoly Week. Like other people, this has been a long time panata for he believes that God will forgive him for all and grant petitions later crucifying himself on the cross.Awareness to Philippine Independent FilmsIndependent films are gaining widespread attention these days. Every day Filipinos alike want their stories told through a different lens and through films made with creativity beyond the demands of commerce. To students, indie films are an eye opener, giving youth a better appreciation and understanding for art. It gives an interest about the realities of our society and the creative execution in cinematography, video editing by our local filmmakers. On the other hand, Communications graduate Ogy Yap added, There have been efforts to give awareness to Independent cinema, but these have not been successful. Robinsons Galleria has dedicated a theatre for independent cinema, but ticket gross sales are less than impressive. The duration of the films showing is also not as long as those in the mainstream world. (Gonzales and Libre, 2012).SynthesisWhen the indie fever swept the movie industry, corresponding weak points entwine with it. People involved in the indie trend are not really concerned about their subjects or the theme they are just vehicles to fame and fortune. Poverty, homosexuality, prostitution, the underworld, life in the margins are the usual topics of indie films. These themes and subjects are exploited to the fullest not for social transformation or for the benefit of the poor, the deprived, the oppressed or the marginalized but in order to make it. This is called poverty porn the exploitation of poverty and its effects, squeezing it to the last drop for pro perty and glory (The Daily Guardian, 2012).Aside from the poverty porn issues of Philippine Independent Films, pink films are in general recognized today as erotic films produced by independent production companies for specialized sex film theatres. The low-budget pink films were produced quickly to be shown outside the mainstream venues of exhibition. This provided the opportunity for a few interested filmmakers touse their pink films to make ironic political commentaries on the contemporary social situation (Nochimson, 2010). Independent cinemas biggest advantage is the uniqueness that can be observed in their films.Local mainstream films depict some the same stories, (or copied plot from an international film), the same themes (mostly romance), and the same actors. This is because mainstream cinema would stick to what the masa wants. There is no direction for change. It is independent cinemas biggest advantage because each directors creativity will be showcased. People would m ost likely explore in to something new like these independent films, rather than observance local mainstream which is not that exciting anymore because it lacks originality.Another advantage of independent films is that it gives way to new caudex of artistic and creative filmmakers. New breed of directors can express fresh ideas in making their films. Independent cinemas give their audience something to look forward to different style, different genre, and new actors.. Through the growing harbour for these independent films, viewers of independent films can support, encourage, and recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers. Many of these independent films have already been recognized internationally (Anglo, et.al, 2011).CHAPTER 3METHODOLOGYThis chapter presents the manner and procedures that were used in this study, it discusses the research design, the respondents, research locale and instrumentations to be used. Data gathering procedures and statistical analysis of data was also presented.Research DesignThis study has used the descriptive method. The researchers also utilized a self-made survey questionnaire. The method involves the description, recording, analysis and interpretation on the perception of a certain group of students. It includes the following processes induction analysis, classification, enumeration, bill and assessment of data (Manuel & Masinda, 2008). The survey has focused on the gathering of data concerning the respondents awareness on selected Philippine Independent Films from 2009-2012. The survey ascertained the messages, traits and characteristics present on Philippine Independent Films. Furthermore, the ABCommunication students were the respondents since they are the major recipients of this study.Research InstrumentsThe researchers have used the research method opinion polls to test the knowledge of the target audience regarding the selected Philippine Independent Films from 2009-2012. An opinion poll is designed to repre sent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio. It is a type of survey that deals on the prospect of the audience on a certain topic and designed to discover the attitudes and behaviours of an individual. The questions are consisting of lists of possible responses which are analyzed. The results are usually given as percentages of those expressing opinion on a particular question (Asher, 1998). later on the survey, the tallying has been administered by the researchers to gather sufficient data that made the research more reliable and precise.Statistical abbreviation of DataFrequency DistributionThe researchers have used the frequency distribution in summarizing how often different scores occur based on the answers by the respondents on each number of the questionnaire. It is one way of organizing the data needed in the study so that the researchers can interpret it in a visual way. In the study, the answers of t he respondents were tallied and thus, this frequency distribution summarized the gathered data that determined the level of awareness on selected Philippine Independent Films of AB Communication students. After gathering the total responses for each item, the researchers have used the helping Formula in determining the percentage scores of the responses to the questionnaire (www. ivythesis.typepad.com, 2012).This has given the total percentage for the level of awareness on selected Philippine Independent Films and the occurrence of the enumerated traits or messages on the said genre of film. n% = x hundredn- total no. of responsesNN- total no. of respondentsx 100The computation was% =_no. of students who have/ have not watched any Philippine Independent Film Q 1_Total no. of respondentsx 100% =_no. of students who are highly aware/aware/slightly aware/not aware Qs 2, 3_Total no. of respondents16-1819-2122-2425 and aboveThe demographic profile of the respondents was also computed using the Percentage Formula. The bracket for age wasThe pie graph or circle graph was used to show the breakdowns or component parts of whole compressed variables (socrates.bmcc.cuny.edu, 2012).BooksBlade, W. (Ed.) (1998). Polling and the public what every citizen should know. Public Opinion (4th ed., p.25). Washington, D.C. CQ Press. Corrigan, T. & While, P. (2008). The Film Experience. An Introduction (2nd Edition, p.442-445). Bedford St. Martins publishing. Foss, K. & Littlejohn S. (2008). Theories of Human Communication (9th ed., p. 230). Belmont, the States Thomson Wadsworth. Galt, R. & Schoonover, K. (2010). Global Art Cinema New Theories and Histories, 48-53. USA Oxford University Press. Gauntlett, D. (2002). Media, gender and identity. London Anthony Rowe, Ltd. Maslog, C. (2008). Philippine Communication Today, 275, The University of simoleons New Daily Publishers. Nochimson, M. (2010). World on Film, 228,231. United Kingdom Blackwells publishing. ThesisSzabo, C. (2010, May 26). Independent, mainstream and in between how and why indie films have become their own genre. Honors College Theses, 5-6, 24. New York Pace University Internet traffic circle Graphs or Pie Charts. Retrieved September 11, 2012, from http//socrates.bmcc.cuny.edu/cpe/circle_pie.html Gonzales, N. & Libre, B. (2012, August 25). Retrieved September 08, 2012, from http//thelasallian.com/2012/08/25/independent-films-art-for-all/. Manuel, E. & Masinda, R. (2008, July 22). Retrieved September 11,2012, from http//www.slideshare.net/japorto/descriptive-method. Onscreen Asia (2009, March 01) .Retrieved August 05, 2012, from http//www.onscreenasia.com/article/philippine-indie-films-make-headway/4992. The Daily Guardian (2012, September 18). Retrieved August 31,2012, from http//www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news-8/1728-poverty-porn. Thinking Made Easy (2012, August 11). Retrieved Sept 11, 2012, from http//ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2012/08/research-proposal-on1.html