Sarah Minnich [Interview]

Today’s guest here at Trainwreck’d Society is one of the finest young talented performers of these modern times. Sarah Minnich has had an incredible first decade of performances thus far, and her future only gets more and more bright with each passing year. Since appearing in the delightfully campy horror film, Spring Break Massacre, Sarah has gone on to have a re-occuring role on the hit series Better Call Saul, and has appeared on other amazing shows such as From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Breaking Bad, Preacher, Godless, and so many more.

As you will read below, Sarah also has some pretty amazing films and TV appearances coming soon, including a lead role in a very intriguing Lifetime film. She has so much to tell us about, so let’s just get right into it! Please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Sarah Minnich!

When did you first realize that you wanted to work in the world of acting? Was it a deep-rooted passion you have always had, or did you just find yourself in this life out of nowhere?

Interestingly enough, I both did know and didn’t know… let me explain. From an early age, I knew I wanted to be in front of the camera. My father is a photographer, and literally from the moment I was born, I was in front of the camera. For the longest time, I had it in my mind that I wanted to be a model. From the age of maybe 12 to roughly 17 I doggedly pursued modeling and was told time and time again that I was too short. Finally, at 17, I signed with an agency just outside of LA that represented both models and actors called Peak Models and Talent. Soon after, they sent me on a low budget feature film audition (or I had self submitted and got an email requesting that I audition… I don’t actually remember the details of how it happened), and somehow I booked one of the leads. After working on that film (Spring Break Massacre), I was hooked. Although 2005 was when my career technically started, it wasn’t until five years later that I actually got serious about pursuing acting.

We are huge fans of the world of horror here at TWS. And one of your earliest roles was in Michael Hoffman Jr.’s brilliant indie horror known as Spring Break Massacre. Being that the world of horror isn’t your primary focus, I am always curious to know how folks enjoy working in the world of horror occasionally? What is it about working in the world of horror that sets itself apart from other genres?

As I mentioned earlier, working on Spring Break Massacre was one of the most fun experiences in acting that I’ve ever had. I was young, gosh I was so naive, we filmed out of state in Illinois, all the cast were literally in this camp/hotel type thing (so it was actually like a big slumber party) … it was ridiculous. I think when you are young and totally not aware of what you are or aren’t supposed to be doing on set, it’s so much more fun; as we age, our experiences are clouded by ego, competition, conformity and 1,000 other terrible adult things. To answer the question though (based on my little experience working on horror), I would say that working on a horror set is like an adventure into the uncharted … it’s like playing with fire without the risk of catching aflame yourself.

You had a small role in the hit series Breaking Bad, which turned into a re-occurring role on the show’s equally amazing prequel series Better Call Saul. I am curious as to what it was like to work within the world created by the mind of someone like Vince Gilligan?

I love those people; the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul shows respectively have been my Acting 101 and Intro to Film classes. Both Vince and Peter are like kids in a candy store when they’re in their element; it’s wonderful to work with and to watch people that love what they do. I have learned a lot watching Rhea Seehorn work, and the two or three times I’ve had the chance to work with Bob Odenkirk have really tested my professionalism. Bob’s the kind of actor that is so on top of his game, that if you don’t rise to the occasion, you die of mortification. Episode 1 for me was like being thrown into a pool having only learned to swim by reading about it … I had to swim.

Scrolling through your credits, I have noticed that you have work in the world of production on a few occasions. I am curious to know if you have had any thoughts on getting behind the camera and into the director’s chair at all? If so, what sort of projects would you like to create?

It’s interesting you ask; last week I was daydreaming about what steps I would need to take to direct something. Obviously, I would start with something small that I had written myself. My mind keeps jumping back to stories I have written about childhood experiences. There’s this one story I wrote years ago called “The Replacement Pig” about an incident that happened with a man my mother was dating after she and my father divorced… but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how to turn this into a screenplay. I’m actually looking at taking a screenwriting class this coming semester. Maybe I’ll have something to show for these aspirations sooner than later.

If you were handed the role of any historical figure from world history, who would you want it to be?

Oh man! Great question. I’d love to play a German immigrant from the 1770’s (which is roughly when my great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents immigrated here (prolly like 5 more greats needed there). Also, I’d be interested in playing Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896). She was a major anti-slavery campaigner whose writing contributed to the American Civil War. Also, in about 20 years, when movies are being made about her, I’d be interested in playing Hilary Clinton actually; what a role that would be.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

Yes! I just did my first TV lead in a feature film called Dying for a Baby directed by Lauro Chartrand, to premiere on Lifetime sometime in the next few months… no spoilers, but I play the bad guy (evil scientist laugh). Also, coming soon, I just played Nicolas Cage’s wife in a feature called Running with the Devil directed by Jason Cabell. The last one I’ll mention here (although there are like 10 things coming out, lol) is a movie called The Wave directed by Gille Klabin, where I play the livid wife of Justin Long’s character.

I don’t have release dates on these yet, but if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, I post updates when I have them:

Instagram @sarah.minnich

Twitter @sarahaminnich

-What was the last thing that made you smile?

My dog, Max … he makes me smile every 5 minutes! Photos on Insta.

Thanks for taking the time to interview me Trainwreck’d Society!

Cheers to filmmaking!