INDEPENDENTS: A GUIDE FOR THE CREATIVE SPIRIT – director: Chris Brandt

If you’re not a fan of comic books, chances are pretty good you will not know any of the people interviewed in Chris Brandt’s documentary. And even if you are a comic book fan, there’s still a good chance you may not know any of the people in Independents: A Guide for the Creative Spirit, as everyone is pretty much removed from the mainstream industry. But neither reason is a good enough excuse to not watch Brandt’s film, which manages to transcend the medium upon which it is focused—independent comics—becoming a fascinating exploration of the creative process.

Featuring interviews with twenty-four comic book professionals, Independents examines the creative process and creativity, looking to find what drives these people to do what they do. Discussing everything from what motivates someone to be creative, to where ideas come from, to what makes an artist “independent,” Brandt manages to open up a series of discussions that are both informative and inspirational. He also manages to give a historical context to the comic book as an art form, and to the alternative industry that exists outside the mainstream of companies like DC and Marvel.

With its attention on the world of independent comics, Independents succeeds to a large extent by easing in to the subject matter. Brandt wisely starts the film with a somewhat general discussion of creativity as it relates to art, as opposed to a specific dialog about comics. This lays a very solid foundation for a documentary that could essentially be about any form of art that exists outside the mainstream, including music and film. It just so happens that this particular exploration of creativity uses the much-maligned comic book medium as its point of reference, giving the film an air of originality that might not be there if it were about indie musicians.

Comic book fans—especially those who appreciate work outside of the mainstream—will be entertained by Independents, as it features some great moments with a wide variety of incredibly talented creators. But more so than entertaining or informing fans of the medium, Brandt’s film works as a source of inspiration for pretty much anyone who watches it—comic book fan or not. If viewed under the right circumstances, Independents: A Guide for the Creative Spirit is capable of sparking the same type of creativity that it explores.

Independents: A Guide for the Creative Spirit is being self-distributed by Brandt. The DVD is loaded with bonus material, including deleted footage and extended scenes. www.independentsdoc.com