Go Smaller, Get Bigger There are many benefits to actors booking work in indie film
By Charis Joy Jackson A LOT OF ACTORS AND FILMMAKERS SHUN INDEPENDENT film, especially when it’s a passion project and you’re getting paid in exposure. However, there’s still a place in your career for independent film, and there are reasons you should consider getting involved—even if it is a passion project. Here are three ways you can benefit from acting in an indie film.
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Independent film gives actors more opportunities to have creative input. When I first dreamed of acting and working in film, I had no idea what kind of influence I’d be able to have. But it’s opened doors I never even imagined. For example, I never thought I’d be a producer or write the novelization of a feature film, but working with the Initiative Production Company, I’ve done both and more. Most independent films are
all about collaboration, which means the director is often more interested in seeing what the actor brings to a character and may even give them opportunities to have more creative control. For example, filmmaker Zal Batmanglij (whose indies include “Sound of My Voice” and “The East”) brought that collaborative mentality to Netflix’s “The OA.” He wanted to give one young actor, Ian Alexander, the chance to create a wardrobe piece for
their character. They used this opportunity to create a shirt with an Easter egg so incredibly hard to see that even the director didn’t notice right away. Other actors even use the independent space to write their own films. “Ruby Sparks” is a great example of this. Zoe Kazan starred in the film, and she also wrote the screenplay. She then went on to co-write “Wildlife” with fellow actor Paul Dano.
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Independent film can forge deep friendships. I’ve worked in indie film for over 10 years and continue to collaborate with the same core creatives. These people have become more than just a professional community for me; they’re now lifelong friends.
Carey Mulligan, Ed Oxenbould, and Jake Gyllenhaal in “Wildlife”
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We’ve been in each others’ wedding parties, celebrated achievements, and mourned together. We go through our lives together, which honestly makes it so much more fun to create new films and stories with them.
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Independent film gives you the chance to have bigger roles. One of my favorite aspects of working in indies is when I get to give an up-and-coming actor a larger role to play. I remember one actor whom I had the privilege of teaching who came to work on one of my first feature films. She was part of the main cast; it was a role an aspiring actor could only dream of; but, thanks to indie film, she got the opportunity of a lifetime. While major Hollywood studios are trying to get the most popular actors in their next films, independent flicks are looking for fresh new faces to celebrate. We want the raw talent because we want to help push them to that next level, get them out there, and give them a chance to show the world how great they are. That also means there are going to be more original characters for you to sink your teeth into, giving you an incredible opportunity to tell unique stories. Even popular actors like Daniel Radcliffe from “Harry Potter” left the world of popular movies to do a stint in independent film, making “Swiss Army Man,” “What If,” and “Horns” to give Hollywood an idea of his versatility. This helped the world see him as more than just “the boy who lived.” The next time you see auditions for an indie film, give it a go. You never know how much it could bring to your life. Consider the community of dreamers and creatives that will light up your passion with theirs, giving you more inspiration to keep creating awesome characters.
07.15.21 BACKSTAGE
