Actor, writer, and producer Sarah Carter shares her journey in the acting industry, from proving her professor wrong to creating and distributing her own film during the pandemic. They discuss the reality of the profession, the impact of being invited into a writer's room, standing by character choices, getting into the body as an actor, and embracing emotions in acting. They also touch on challenges faced during film production and the importance of creating a safe environment on set.
Creating your own content allows you to cater to your unique voice and vision.
Embrace a spiritual practice and intuitive approach to create a resonant experience for the audience.
Persevere through challenges, prioritize creative autonomy, and invest in personal growth.
Deep dives
The creation of 'In Her Name'
Sarah Carter, along with Aaron Hammond and Sierra Salazar, collaborated to create the film 'In Her Name'. The project started with a weekly gathering to workshop scenes, which eventually evolved into a full-fledged vision. Sarah took on the role of writer, director, and producer, while Aaron and Sierra starred in the film. The process involved shaping the script, selecting the cast, and navigating the challenges of production. Despite facing a shutdown due to the pandemic, they persevered and secured a loan to complete the film.
Sarah's personal and professional journey
Sarah Carter shared her personal and professional journey in the podcast episode. She discussed moments in her career where she felt unfulfilled and even quit the business for a period of time. However, she rediscovered her love for acting and decided to create her own content to cater to her unique voice and vision. She also emphasized the importance of aligning with one's creative expression and finding fulfillment in the process, rather than solely focusing on external success.
The significance of 'In Her Name'
The film 'In Her Name' holds significant personal and creative meaning for Sarah Carter. Through the story and production, she embraced a spiritual practice and intuitive approach to filmmaking, recognizing the power of vulnerability and connection to create a resonant experience for the audience. She also highlighted the importance of fostering a nurturing and collaborative environment on set, prioritizing the well-being and creative freedom of the cast and crew.
Distribution challenges and triumphs
Sarah Carter shared the challenges and triumphs of the distribution process for 'In Her Name'. She acknowledged the financial aspects of the festival circuit and the need to plan and budget for submissions. She also mentioned the significance of having distribution arrangements in place prior to the completion of the film. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring the film to audiences, showcasing the personal and artistic growth she experienced throughout the journey.
Lessons learned and future endeavors
Sarah Carter reflected on the lessons she learned from the creation of 'In Her Name', emphasizing the importance of perseverance, alignment, and creative autonomy. She expressed her desire to continue exploring storytelling in various mediums and collaborating with fellow artists. Additionally, she encouraged actors to embrace their unique journeys and invest in their creative expression, cultivating a balance between artistic fulfillment and personal growth.
Actor, director, writer, and producer Sarah Carter has reached numerous mountaintops in her career. From the start, Sarah had a burning desire to prove her college professor wrong when he started class saying that if you're lucky, maybe one person in here will work professionally. Since then, Sarah has hit the ground running earning film and television credits on Fox's hit series "Shark," "Falling Skies," "Smallville," "Final Destination 2," "The Vow" and many more. In today's episode, Sarah shares what it's like to be welcomed into the writer's room, how she found her way back to the craft after quitting the business, and how she successfully created and distributed her own film in the middle of a global pandemic.