Industry people are watching the independent movement very closely. The industry keeps close tabs on new talent. Independent producers still believe in the magic that creates entertaining films. The aren't tied down because of 'big studio' politics. They are freer to take chances.
Independent producers ARE assessable to the unagented screenwriter, the writer with no credits.
In my opinion, the independent producer is the newcomers' ONLY chance. The major studios are virtually unreachable for the new, unagented writer. Many of the larger studios will not read a script unless it is written by a Writers Guild member. And, you cannot become a Guild member until you accumulate points. The chicken before the egg syndrome.