Indie Movie vs Studio Blockbuster: Which Set Is More Fun To Work On?

Posted on: Oct 09, 2025

By Ben Hickson

When I was just starting out in TV and film, my dream was to one day work on a Marvel blockbuster. In order to achieve that goal, I had to work my way through the small indie projects to gain experience. Now that I have worked on both kinds of productions, I realized they both have their own quirks, challenges and rewards.

When talking with others in the industry, it’s always interesting to hear which type of production they enjoy working on more. The truth is, any type of production can be fun, and it just depends on your personality, your goals and what kind of work environment makes you thrive.

Key Insights

Indie productions offer more creative input, hands-on learning, and team closeness, but often come with lower pay and fewer resources.
Studio blockbusters provide higher pay, clear structure, and impressive scale, yet can feel impersonal and creatively limiting.
Many crew members alternate between both worlds to balance financial stability and creative fulfillment.

Browse thousands of jobs and find your next gig! Sign up or login to Staff Me Up and get on-set today!

The Indie Movie Experience

Low-budget independent movies are my personal favorite. On indie sets, everyone knows everyone. You’ll often wear multiple hats, which means you’ll learn a lot and have direct creative input. It feels less like punching a time card, and more like being part of a family pulling together. In my early PA days, I loved getting to help out every department and learn about the whole filmmaking process. Without layers of executives giving notes, there’s room for experimentation. Directors and DPs might try bold shots or unconventional techniques. It’s exciting to watch creativity flow without too many constraints. PAs often get opportunities to step up in ways that would be unheard of on a studio project. If you want to build your skill set quickly, indies are the ideal experience.

The flipside of “scrappy” is “underfunded.” Meals might be basic, hours can be long and resources are limited. You may be rigging lights with duct tape or turning your own car into a location van. Additionally, pay rates are often lower, and sometimes the project’s financial stability is shaky. There’s also less certainty that the film will ever see the light of day. If you thrive on camaraderie, creative problem-solving, and scrappy “let’s make it work” energy, indies are a blast.

The Studio Blockbuster Experience

For some people, however, the independent production process can be taxing and not “worth it.” If that is you, then you might prefer the big studio films. These big-budget projects mean cranes, green screens, massive sets and a craft services table that looks like a buffet. If you like being around cutting-edge technology, A-list celebs, and high production value, this is the place.

More importantly, these blockbusters are majority union jobs that come with solid paychecks, overtime and guaranteed meal breaks. The machine is well-oiled, and you’ll know exactly what’s expected of you. You’ll be surrounded by experienced crew and department heads with impressive résumés. Even if your role is small, the connections you make can open huge doors.

On a studio set, roles are strictly defined. A PA is a PA. A grip is a grip. Don’t expect to be dabbling in multiple departments. When I finally got the chance to work on a big-budget film, I thought I had finally made it. I was mesmerized by the sheer size of the production and the number of people it takes to make some of these incredible films. However, the charm of this quickly faded away when I spent almost an entire week of work just guarding a door to make sure people didn’t walk through it during filming.

While I recognize that the job is important, and essential to make sure the shot isn’t ruined, I felt my skills and experience were totally wasted, and I just wanted to be able to do more to help. With hundreds of people on set, you might never meet the director or producers. It can feel like working for a massive corporation rather than a tight-knit team. Big sets can mean long waits between takes and repeating the same shot dozens of times until it’s perfect. If you love being part of something huge, with structure, stability and spectacle, blockbusters are thrilling. But if you’re looking for hands-on creative growth, they can feel rigid.

Overall, which type of production you prefer comes down to what you value. If you want to grow fast, learn new skills and feel like a core part of the team, then indie films are probably your jam. If you prefer steady paychecks, big budgets and the excitement of watching movie magic on a grand scale, then studio blockbusters will keep you energized.

Many crew members find the sweet spot by bouncing between both. Work a blockbuster for the steady paycheck and résumé credit, then hop on an indie for the passion and camaraderie. Each experience feeds the other, and both make you a stronger, more versatile crew member.

Fun isn’t one size fits all. Some thrive on the chaos of indie filmmaking; others love the scale and spectacle of blockbusters. The real joy of working in this industry is that you don’t have to choose just one path. You can (and should) try both. At the end of the day, the most fun set is the one where you’re learning, contributing and excited to show up in the morning, whether it’s a $50,000 indie passion project or a $200 million studio tentpole.

Key Takeaways

Your ideal production type depends on your personality and professional goals.
Indie films help you grow quickly and gain versatile experience, while studio projects build strong credits and industry connections.
You don’t have to choose one path—working both indie and studio jobs can make you a stronger, more adaptable crew member.