What "name" actors are currently working with indie filmmakers?

[shutterspeedfilms]

Eric Roberts, Michael Madsen, Sally Kirkland, Tom Sizemore, Vinnie Jones, Vincent Pastore, Erin Gray and Jay Underwood were some names from a few years ago.

Who else have you seen recently?

[El Director]

Mel Novak, Gary Busey. I haven't seen them, but a producer friend says they'll work with indies for 10K per day. It's too rich for me right now, but something I'm hoping to achieve soon.

[lambert]

A couple of things to keep in mind is many well known actors need to qualify for health care thru sag, so if they are a 1000$ short at thanksgiving they may take a part for little pay they might not have considered six months earlier. If actors are doing a lot of quality theatre work you may be able to get someone very well known to work with you if the writing grabs th attention. A quick perusal of the casts of the decade of mumblecore indies will give you hundreds of known actors willing to work with indies on lower budget films. A friend got a very well known actress that starred in a bunch of blockbusters to do a day for 2k. She was between agents and liked the script. Six months earlier or later and no way she would have done it as cheap or possibly at all.

[lambert]

Wondering if when productions start up again if name actors may be looking for smaller films. Less people to interact with, less travel in some cases. Just curious what others thoughts are on the subject.

[NorBro]

IMO, I think it will depend on what the world will look like. If there's a vaccine or readily available testing, talent may work as much as possible to make any money. But if there isn't, they may only look for projects with bigger studios that may have better safety protocols.

[Jim Feeley]

Michelle Williams and Bill Murray come to mind.

Two articles that look interesting:

From Filmmaker Mag:
13 Ways to Cast A-List Actors in Microbudget Films

From Backstage:
6 Reasons You Should Act in an Indie Film

[lambert]

I wonder if a lot of filmmakers/creatives are looking at how important it is to have name talent. Obviously it’s always been the case with projects of a certain budget is absolutely necessary but what now with revenue recoupment such a question these days. Actors want to act, period. My bet is bottom line dollars may not be as first consideration for many name actors.