Kristin Minter [Interview]

Hello Folks! Welcome to our last interview of 2018! Can you believe the year is just about over? And as we stated yesterday, we are getting a bit more festive around here. So much so that we have yet another member of the McCallister clan from the beloved holiday film, Home Alone. Although we would rather think of Kristin Minter has an amazing actress who has done some pretty amazing work, one project of which happens to be a beloved holiday gem. Which is true. But, of course, we need to be more festive.

That being said, Minter is indeed an absolutely wonderful actress who had some amazing answers for us. We talk about her time on the legendary television show E.R., her work in our favorite genre of films, the world of horror, and yes, we dig into a Home Alone a little bit, as it is the holidays after all.

So Folks, please enjoy an absolutely wonderful interview with the brilliant Kristin Minter!

What inspired you to get into the world of acting? I know you got into the business at a pretty young age, but what was it that made you personally want to do this work for a living?

I didn’t initially know I wanted to act. I had modeled a bit around the world and then got quite sick. I abruptly quit and decided to audition for Philadelphia College of Arts, which I got into for dance. I actually hated acting class when I went to PCA. I broke my foot and saw a tape of my dancing and decided I wasn’t good enough. I went back to modeling which brought me to LA.

I didn’t know I loved acting until I learned how to act and I was so lucky, I had to learn very quickly. I got work quickly. They say work is the best teacher and when you aren’t working, live so you have something to draw from. I have been doing a lot of living lately!

What was your very first paid gig in the world of acting? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work today?

It was The Outsiders.  I found it very uncomfortable and extremely nerve wracking because I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know to listen and respond. Everything was planned and rigid. I knew if this is what acting felt like no one would want to do it. I soon went to a wrap party with a boyfriend and met Jeff Goldblum. He gave me advice and suggested I go to a Meisner class. I knew immediately while auditioning from that class, it was the right thing for me. I went to 4 classes a week. I loved every second of it!!

You are a member of the now legendary fictional family that once flew away without one member of the family being left behind. That family is the McCallisters. And the film was Home Alone. The film has since become one of the most acclaimed holiday films of all time. I am curious to know how it feels to be a part of something so historic? And what was the set life like on this project? Where you aware at the time that you were a part of something very historic?

It was my second real acting job so I didn’t really know what to expect at the time. Most people don’t think I know how to count. LOL TO BE CLEAR….I count the wrong kid. The set was great, the kids were great. We watched movies in my room. Mac and Kieran were sweet normal kids working on a movie. Corey was teeny tiny and their mom was lovely. When I wrapped, Everyone came to my room including the Culkins to say goodbye. I have photographs to prove it. No one has seen these…lucky I was cleaning stuff out and found them recently! (See above)

Another very historic project you worked on was a solid 8 year run on one of the most popular television series of all time known as E.R. I truly loved your performances as Randi. Sort of the same question as before I suppose, but how was your experience working on such an iconic series?

NERVE WRACKING lol. A lot of pressure with long, one camera, 8 page scenes. ONERS they are called. It is like a choreographed dance. Every character leads you to the next character. A lot of moving parts. My character was a bit comedic and I actually think the pressure helped make me more funny or odd at times. I would work on my scene know my lines back and forth but, had no idea how they would come out. So much happened in every scene and your moment was in the moment. Did you catch my elbow in the live episode, lol. Thats acting. It taught me to act fast. I need to learn to slow down now a bit. When I go to work, I go to work. I don’t think about who will see it or if it is historic. I have to have something to offer the audience. Something that is authentic. I work towards having an experience as that character and that is really my focus. And in the case of E.R., I also had to make sure I fit into my costume. LOL.

You have also given some amazing performances in a genre that we cover a lot here at TWS because we love it so much, which is the world of horror. Especially films like Fire City: End of Days. So, I am curious to know how you enjoy working in the world of horror and thriller projects? What sets these apart from the plethora of other genres you have worked in?

Fire City was so fun. I got to be so ugly and raw. Every time I was mean to the little girl playing my daughter it would make me cry. Then I got to be “together” and then in recovery. It was so much fun to be so hugely different in almost every scene. It was so fun to just let go and who knew I was so mean lol. I am dying to do a real  bloody horror movie. I guess what sets it apart is…. I was free to be HORRORible, looks wise and behaviorally. I really got to be a character and I hope I get to do that more in other genres as well. I did get to play a drug addict on This is Us. That was really fun as well!

If you were handed the opportunity to portray and legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

Hmm, I am not sure…. I think most legendary people are very interesting or they wouldn’t be legendary. The more I know the more I would be intrigued by any of them.  Camille Claudelle? Maybe she isn’t considered legendary? I relate to her expression of pain, disappointment  and her bad choices in men. LOL She just had to express herself in her art. My Aunt is a famous visual artist. I loved visual art as well but I am too hard on myself. I just don’t like my art. I much prefer becoming other people.It is an uncomfortable that I am comfortable with.

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

Things change so quickly. I was getting ready to do a movie I had been working on for 3 years and then it went away. It was very disappointing. I don’t really mention anything until I have seen it and I know what to expect. I have a couple things in the can but haven’t seen the yet.That may change. Right now, I like to try and live in the moment. Life can be difficult and again this moment is all we truly have.

I am in a movie called We are Boats that is written and directed by the great James Bird.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My dogs Oskar and Tank. It has been hard to smile I just lost my lady dog Mimi Gray and White one in the photo.