Movies & TV / Columns
Sarah Alexandra Marks On Her New Film Escape, How She Approached Her Character
Image Credit: Howard J. Ford
The 411 Interview: Sarah Alexandra Marks
Sarah Alexandra Marks is an actor, writer, and director who has been involved in movies and television, according to imdb, since at least 2008. Marks has appeared in such short films as Illegal Activity, Eat Me Out (Of House and Home), C600: Step Back in Time, and Night Rules and the feature films Kill Kane, Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, The Killing Tree, The Ghost Within, and Punch, among others, and the TV shows Real Crime, All About Casey, and The Midnight Hour. Marks has also directed the short film Snowdrop. Mark’s’ latest effort is the action thriller Escape directed by Howard J. Ford and set to hit theaters and Video On Demand on March 15th, 2024 from Saban Films. In this interview Marks talks with this writer about making Escape, working with director Howard J. Ford, and more.
**
Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Escape?
Sarah Alexandra Marks: Howard J. Ford asked me if I would like to be part of some test shots he was doing for the concept of what was eventually to become Escape. I had a great time and got a real sense of Howard’s style and energy. I think I shot for about five minutes in total, I guess you could call this my audition. A few weeks later, a few of us met up for lunch and Howard offered me the lead role. I was overjoyed. By the end of lunch he said we’d be flying to the Canary Islands a few days later to start shooting.
BK: How did you approach your character Karla?
SAM: I always like to create a backstory for my characters, know the ins and outs of their lives. However, when I’m on set I like to let go of that and be present in the moment so it doesn’t feel so contrived. I believe this allows me to bring a naturalistic performance to the screen.
BK: Where was Escape made?
SAM: Escape was shot in the Canary Islands. A beautiful, picturesque place filled with brilliant, golden landscapes and a variety of terrains.
BK: What was it like working with the cast of Escape?
SAM: It was a breeze mixed with a lot of fun. It never really felt like work because we all got along so well and that really is thanks to Howard being the “Captain” of our ship. In our downtime we would all eat together and chat for hours.
BK: What was it like working with Escape director Howard J. Ford?
SAM: Working with Howard was effortless. His energy is infectious. He is someone you really want to work hard for. He puts everything into his filmmaking, which makes you want to give back even more. Even when we encountered problems, you wouldn’t know it, as Howard always manages to keep the magic there and finds a way to carry on regardless.
BK: What was the hardest part of making Escape for you as an actor? What was the easiest?
SAM: The hardest part for me must have been all that running in high heels. Most of the action was across rocky terrain and desert, which made it quite challenging to say the least, although I never once fell all the way to the ground. The easiest part of filming was being around a great team. It was a joy to wake up every morning and be with a lovely group of people who were always ready to seize the day.
BK: Is it right to call Escape an action movie or is it more appropriate to call it a thriller?
SAM: Oh well, it’s absolutely full on with the action. However, it’s also thrilling throughout, too! You can’t go wrong with a bit of both, right!
BK: According to IMDB you’ve worked on a number of genre movies in your career. Do you enjoy making genre movies/do you seek them out?
SAM: You know, I try not to pay too much attention to the genre. I read the script, check out the team and see if it’s a story I’d like to tell and a character I’d like to portray.
BK: According to IMDB you directed a short film called Snowdrop. Is directing something you hope to pursue in the future?
SAM: I thoroughly enjoyed directing my first short film. Snowdrop was a story very close to my heart. The whole process has really made me want to explore directing more.
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
SAM: Spielberg! His films hold a special place in my heart. For me he always brought so much magic to the screen. I could watch his films over and over and they would never grow old on me.
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
SAM: I have a few projects in development at the moment, ones I’ll be able to share with you very soon. I also have a film I shot the back end of last year, River Of Blood, in post-production and a few films being released this year. One of those is Witch and ’The Manor, produced by Lucas A Ferrara.
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Escape?
SAM: I hope they walk away feeling absolutely exhilarated!
BK: Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?
SAM: Anywhere tropical and I’ll be there, though not somewhere too secluded. I still need a little action in my life.
**
A very special thanks to Sarah Alexandra Marks for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
Escape is set to hit theaters and Video On Demand March 15th, 2024 from Saban Films.
Check out Sarah Alexandra Marks’ official Instagram page here and official Spotlight page here!
Check out Sarah Alexandra Marks’ imdb page here!
The Sarah Alexandra Marks headshot courtesy of Sarah Aelxandra Marks. The Escape movie poster courtesy of Saban Films. All other images courtesy of Howard J. Ford.
