Your new movie Choke
- in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your
character in it?
Choke
is a very interesting story. I read and reread the script countless times
to make sure I had a strong grasp on it. To me, Choke
is about life and
how messy life can be. The characters in Choke
are all dealing with their
own challenges and they all cope in their own unique ways. Some of the
coping methods are strange but life is strange. These characters are
looking for relief in any way they can find it.
My
character is a young girl who comes from a broken home. She has had her
fair share of struggles but yet that does not mute her. If anything, she
talks so much because she’s scared that if she stayed silent, people
would not notice her. When she meets Brandon (Shane Ryan’s character [Shane
Ryan interview - click here])
she sees something in him and latches onto him. He understands her and
makes her feel like she is actually a person speaking because he actually
listens. He sees her and accepts her, which is something she has never
experienced before.
What did you draw
upon to bring your character to life, and how much Sarah Brine can we find
in Jeanie?
Jeanie
is a really interesting person. Personally, I come from a very supportive
family and am very blessed in that aspect. Jeanie has the completely
opposite situation and she was so much fun to play because of that aspect.
I find in conversations; I am usually the one who sits back and listens.
Jeanie, however, needs to talk. She needs to be heard and acknowledged to
feel something.
I
guess I drew from certain experiences in my past and my want/drive to be
an actor. I did not grow up wanting to be an actress, but when I knew that
I did, I felt like I needed to be heard. I think that helped me find
Jeanie.
How did you become involved with the project
in the first place, and to what extent could you identify with its serial
killer theme?
My
amazing manager Sherry Robb and good friend Lisa London got me the
audition. I cannot thank them enough. I had an initial audition, which I
was so sure I completely bombed, but they called me back for a second
audition. I was really lucky to have Chris Spinelli [Chris
Spinelli interview - click here] read the other part
for my audition. He gave me things to work with, which is not always the
case in an audition room. After the callback, my manager called me and
told me I got the role. I was shocked. It was my first audition for a
feature and the first feature I shot.
The
serial killer theme was new for me. Especially to be friends with the
serial killer. However, Shane Ryan gave me a lot to work off of and was
very supportive.
What can you tell us
about Choke's director
Gregory Hatanaka, and what was your collaboration like?
It
was great! Greg is the best! He is so funny, supportive, and down for
anything. Meaning that if I wanted to try something different as Jeanie, I
had total freedom to do so. I had so much fun shooting this film and I
have Greg and the whole cast/crew to thank for that. It was my first time
working with Greg, but since then I have already worked with him on two
other projects and hope to work with him and his crew in the future.
A few words
about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? The
shoot itself was so much fun! We were on the road, filming in so many
different locations, and just having a good time. I think acting should be
fun and if it’s not, you are doing it wrong. This cast and crew
definitely made the set fun. I really looked forward to going to set and
being with everyone. Energies are contagious and the energy on set was
always positive. I really miss being on this set.
Any
future projects you'd like to share? I
have a few projects in the works currently, but they are just being talked
about as of right now. Hopefully I will be shooting some more movies with
the CineRidge Entertainment family later this year. What got you into
acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal education on the
subject?
Honestly,
I fell in love with acting by watching other people act. I was a figure
skater throughout high school. I had a few injuries that took me off the
ice for a year, but during that year I found my love for theatre. So maybe
those injuries were blessings in disguise. I remember I had to take a
theatre course the end of my senior year and one assignment was to go see
a play or musical. I absolutely love musicals so I chose to go see Mamma
Mia! I sat in the very back of a rather large theatre but I absolutely
loved every second. I remember sitting there and just knowing that I had
to act. I still really want to be in the musical Mamma Mia! Maybe someday.
I
attended the New York Film Academy in NY for a week, loved it, so I
applied to the Acting for Film degree program at the New York Film Academy
in LA. I recently graduated early 2020 and am looking to continue studying
at a studio in LA.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior
to Choke?
Choke
is my first feature and my first job outside of school. I was extremely
nervous. It was my first audition outside of school as well. I forgot my
headshot and resume. I felt like a complete mess and totally thought I
bombed the audition.
Before Choke, I had acted in multiple short films. I was still in school while
shooting Choke
and the New York Film Academy is very intensive but it was
all so much fun. Acting is a profession but really, I’m just having fun.
It never feels like work.
How
would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of your techniques to
bring your characters to life? I
love all the acting techniques. Each contains something that is helpful.
My favorite has to be Meisner. The Meisner technique helps get me out of
my head and into the room. You really cannot be in your head with Meisner
because it is all about the other person. Actresses (and indeed
actors) who inspire you?
I
mean of course Meryl Streep. She has a way of making acting look
effortless yet she is always in control.
Jodie
Comer is another favorite. The way she can jump from one type of character
to the next is astounding.
I
grew up watching Disney and I watched Dove Cameron on the show
Liv and Maddie. I think she is an amazing actress. She is one of the reasons I am
acting today. Watching her inspired me to become an actress.
Stanley
Tucci is one of those actors that as soon as I see him on screen, I know
it is going to be good. He completely becomes each and every character. He
takes risks which I really admire. I really want to act beside him one
day.
Tony
Randall was another amazing actor. His comedic timing is impeccable.
Your favourite movies?
My
go-to favorite movie is The Devil Wears Prada. It has Meryl Streep who is
absolutely incredible, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. All
actors I really admire and they all give great performances.
...
and of course, films you really deplore? I
do have a certain style of films that I prefer to watch, but I do not have
any that I hate. The only thing I really do not like watching is bad
acting. Your
website, social media, whatever else?
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My website is
www.sarahbrine.com.
I’m
on Instagram @sarahmbrine and IMDb at www.imdb.me/sarahbrine
Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Thank
you for writing the review and for the interview. This is my first
interview ever, so thank you for that. Thanks
for the interview!
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