Movie genre's that do well in the indie world?

[azmyth]

I've found that horror does pretty well, but do I always want to do just horror?

It looks like some of the other genre's don't do so well unless they have star power behind them..

comedy, romance.. etc.

What about action?

I've been toying with the idea of making a martial arts film, but because all feature films are such a huge investment, I don't want to do something with no chance of making a return on said investment.

[Dr. Benway]

azmyth, in terms of martial arts movies anything's possible. Give me actors with which I feel an affinity and an engaging story.

Actors: not some 'roid head. Not some wimpy Asian. Bolo? Yes! Only kidding.

Story: ...what's plausible in this world, here and now? Who deserves a good killing? Who's the bottom of the barrel in terms of wrongdoing right this minute? Set your character free, kill them.

[redfalcon]

Seems like there are lots of cheesy action flicks made for direct-to-video.

There's also always a market for the raunchy teen comedy, with lots of boobs, toilet humor, and no story.

Those and horror tend to be the big three for indie stuff.

[azmyth]

All good points.. Dr. Benway, that's what I'm trying to do.. audiences are smarter now, so a movie where "Everybody knows Karate" or where the world revolves around martial arts, won't fly in 2012. It has to have a deeper meaning, and a bigger goal than just the fighting.

Like "Never Back Down" didn't do it for me because it just wasn't believable that an entire town revolves around underground fighting.

[Khaver]

I think a psychological thriller with lots of twists would do good. Good characters and engaging story can be done low budget. You might want to look at what kind of films have been winning the festivals.

[azmyth]

I think a psychological thriller with lots of twists would do good. Good characters and engaging story can be done low budget. You might want to look at what kind of films have been winning the festivals.

I usually don't pay much attention to festivals, just because the people who go to festivals usually aren't the same people buying my dvd from redbox or whereever.

I want to appeal to a mass audience, not just a select group.

Twilight didn't win any festivals, and isn't even that good.. but its making bank! lol.

[1]

horror comedy horror horror horror comedy horror coming-of-age comedy horror comedy horror horror comedy horror

[pro-hobbyist]

For the love of all that is good and holy, not interpersonal dramas.

Comedy works best for me! Horror is almost too easy...

[drapeama]

I think any genre can do, no matter the budget involved. Provided you have something interesting enough to get the viewer to want to watch your feature, it doesn't matter.
The goal is to make something interesting, from a subject that has previously been done. You need to shine out of the rest. If you can't, then it doesn't matter what's the genre you're doing something in.
My 0.02¢

[Janke]

Story - story - story, that's what important, not the genres.

I've seen boring films in all genres.

[vadis]

To echo drapeama and Janke, the only genre that should be avoided is the boring genre.

[drapeama]

To echo drapeama and Janke, the only genre that should be avoided is the boring genre.

That's a good "resumé".

[azmyth]

I like to generally avoid the flowers and puppies, genre.