It’s hard to dispute that actress Parker Posey is the “Queen of the Indies”: Though she’s been a working film actress for twenty years, Posey’s work has almost entirely been in independent film. However, in the last several years she has also played a number of recurring and guest starring roles on television series, including Louie and New Girl.
In an interview with The New York Times, Posey talks about her history in independent film and how she feels about her recent television work.
Though Posey has been appearing in indie films for two decades, she doesn’t see the process getting any easier for filmmakers. She explains, “It feels like even more of a miracle that it’s getting made. Even if it’s for no money, it’s a little heartbreaking. You walk around going, ‘God, you really need another camera in here — another shot for the scene, I wonder if it’s going to work.’ In another time, we would have more money to make this story. I borrowed clothes. I borrowed jewelry, glasses. I did a little bit of that myself, reaching out to showrooms and stores. ‘We can’t afford $500 for glasses, but we’ll give you a thank you at the end of the movie.’ And they make that work, because New York City is a cultural place that supports independent film and likes to be a part of something that’s creative and smart.”
Posey doesn’t think being labeled an “indie movie actress” hurts her career, especially since she has seen that success translate well for her and others in her category. She says, “You get to work. But a lot of people of my generation, who are part of the independent-film scene, the option is just to be a guest star on TV. That’s it. And you should thank your lucky stars that you’re guest-starring on a TV show. At least you’re working. At least you’re out there.”
In fact, she sees her continued success on the independent film scene as something positive because it plays to her strengths. She points out, “I got lucky. But also, I deserve to get lucky. I’ve been working so hard. I’m seasoned, at this point. I’m a grown woman. I’m not chomping on painkillers and drinking booze. I’m not right for a lot of things. It’s not really my essence to be running down the street with a gun arresting Vince Vaughn or Vincent D’Onofrio and be like, ‘Get in the car.'”
