Tag: Sara Castro

Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV

Actress Sara Castro Discusses New Film, ‘Christmas Crime Story’, Career

A botched Christmas Eve robbery leads down a destructive path for a police officer reconnecting with his estranged mother, a coming-apart-at-the-seams amateur photographer, his vindictive and murderous fiancee, her secret lover and a strung-out mall Santa…as they all converge in one explosive and deadly night.

“Christmas Crime Story” is a new film starring Eric Close, Adrian Paul, Scott Bailey and Neraida Bega that’s set in Los Angeles during the holiday season. The film revolves around multiple characters whose lives unexpectedly intersect before, during and after a liquor store robbery.

With a cool linear storyline and beautifully shot cinematography combined with engaging characters and systemic plot twists, “Christmas Crime Story” is not your typical happy holiday fare, but for fans of films like “Memento” and “Reservoir Dogs” it just might make the perfect gift.

Sara Castro plays the role of Kasey Edwards, the wife of a mall Santa and mother of a child suffering from cancer. It’s a role somewhat similar to the one the beautiful actress played with conviction in 2013’s “The Shift”. But here, we continue to find Castro’s development as an artist both emotionally engaging and refreshingly relevant.

I recently spoke with Sara Castro about “Christmas Crime Story”, her career and more in this exclusive new interview.

How did you become involved in “Christmas Crime Story”?

I had worked with one of the producers [Vince Lozano] on another film, “Halfway to Hell” and we stayed really good friends. He often said that he’d loved to work with me again and when this part came up he thought of me for the role. I went in for a reading with him and the other decision makers and everything went well. A month later, they called me with the news and we were off and running.

What was it that attracted you to the role

I’m really into unpredictable films and love challenging myself. This was a similar character to what I’ve played in the past but with a completely different backstory.

What can you tell me about your character, Kasey Edwards?

Kasey is a wife and mother who’s overwhelmed by everything that’s going on with her family. Both she and her husband have a lot of personal issues. Their daughter is dying of cancer and Kasey’s relying on her husband to help get them out of financial trouble. It’s a sad ending for her.

Kasey has such an emotional arc to her story. Is there anything you do to prepare for such a role?

I like to write a backstory on the character so I know where she’s coming from. I think you have to give a character some background substance to know where you’re heading. When I write a past it also helps me mold the character and give her colors. So, when I’m on set and do become the character, I’m able to embrace it and include a little bit of Sara in Kasey. 

What kind of a backstory did you write for Kasey?

I believed Kasey got married at a very young age and at some point her husband was a very important person in the world. Then their daughter got sick, he lost his job and it all just crumbled down from there and became a constant struggle.

What was the filming process like?

It was a pretty fast shoot over a two-week span. The diner scene was shot in downtown L.A. at an old diner that was actually closed, and they re-opened it for us.

How has he reaction been to the film?

It’s been great. It was picked up in September for distribution and has been out ever since. It’s a great indication that people are really connecting with it.

Have you ever given thought to getting on the other side of the camera at some point?

I think I’d love to direct one day. It’s another interesting and creative side of the job. It’s definitely something I’d like to pursue in the future.

What are you most looking forward to about this next phase of your career?

I’m looking forward to longevity. As long as there’s longevity and something new coming up I’m happy. The unpredictable and the unknown is also exciting, because it means anything can happen at any moment. Personally, I’d love to travel and be bi-coastal. I have family in Chicago and would enjoy going back and forth. It would give me the opportunity to see them and really be a dream come true.

“Christmas Crime Story” is available now on Blu-Ray, DVD and streaming services.

Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV

Actress Sara Castro Discusses ‘Christmas Eve’, Upcoming Projects
Photo by: Gaylord Hill
Photo by: Gaylord Hill

“A botched robbery leads down a destructive path for a police officer, an amateur photographer and a strung-out mall Santa as they all converge in one explosive and deadly night.”

With a cast that also includes Eric Close (Nashville, Without A Trace), Adrian Paul (Highlander) and Mary-Margaret Humes (Criminal Minds, Dawson’s Creek), Sara Castro’s next project, “Christmas Eve” is sure to be one of the most talked about independent films of 2017. The film reunites the beautiful actress with director Richard Friedman, who worked with Castro on the critically acclaimed “Halfway To Hell”.

In “Christmas Eve”, Castro plays the role of Kasey Edwards, a mother trying to manage her husband’s alcohol recovery while caring for her sick daughter.

Castro has also earned praise herself for her powerful work in the film, “The Shift” aa well as the genre-defying, award-winning horror/sci-fi, “The Dark Tapes”.

Although “Christmas Eve” won’t be released until next year, I recently spoke with Castro about the film and more in this exclusive new interview.

How did “Christmas Eve” come about for you?

I had the pleasure of working with Richard Friedman again on this project. Richard has a lot of experience as a director and is always putting together interesting things. But it wasn’t a role that was just given to me. I liked the fact that I had to work for it and earn it. It makes you want to work even harder so you can show them they made the right decision.

What was it about the script that piqued your interest?

It was having the chance to work with Richard again, the story and the role. The fact that it had such good names attached to it was another factor because you learn so much from them. Eric Close (who plays my husband, Randall) has been in a lot of series and just finished Nashville. It’s always cool getting to work with great people. It validates why you do what you do.

How would you describe the story of “Christmas Eve”?

It’s a story about a robbery that leads down a destructive path for a police officer who’s reconnecting with his estranged mother. That leads to another story about an amateur photographer and his vindictive fiancé. From there, it connects to a strung-out, mall Santa. He’s my character’s husband and is a recovering alcoholic who’s having a hard time keeping a job. My daughter is very sick and needs assistance, so we really need the money. I’m a nervous wreck trying to make sure the stress isn’t getting to him but at the same time I have my own demons.

What else can you tell me about your character, Kasey?

Kasey is the strong one in the family and has been through a lot with her daughter being sick. She’s trying to keep everything together and under control.

Is there a certain way you like to prepare for a role or scene?

I always try to put together a backstory for my character: where she came from and what’s led her to this point in time.

What do you enjoy most about the creative process?

I love the process of discovery and surprising myself as well as giving the director different takes. That’s the most fun and beautiful part of the process. It can be a bit nerve wracking when you just throw yourself into a scene but you’ll always be pleasantly surprised and find things you never expected. The unpredictability makes it fun.

Are there any other projects you’re working on?

I recently attended another of “The Dark Tapes”. Michael McQuown (Director) has told me that he has plans to do a spin off of it. I believe we’ll be shooting that in February.

What are you most looking forward to about the 2017?

I’m really excited for 2017 and with the help of my team feel I’m getting closer and closer to my goals. The momentum is going so well and it’s only going to get better!

Interview, Movies and TV

Actress Sara Castro talks career, upcoming projects

SaraCastroSara Castro is making a difference, both in life and in the entertainment world. Since her arrival to the LA scene, the beautiful actress has sought to become a beacon of hope and positivity in the roles that she plays and in the life that she leads.

Whether it’s portraying a young mother with a belief in miracles in the film, “The Shift” or donating her personal time and energy to various charitable causes, Castro’s mission is to become an inspiration to others as well as lending a hand to those that are less fortunate.

Born and raised in Chicago to Colombian parents, Castro has been performing ever since she was a little girl. And with no less than two new film projects already in the works this year, Castro’s star will only continue to rise.

I recently had the chance to speak with this amazingly talented woman about her life, career and passion as well as her upcoming projects!

Did you always know that you wanted to be an actress?

I’ve always been involved in the arts in some way when I was growing up. Whether it was singing, acting or dancing. I even remember going to the movies a lot when I was growing up and always walking out feeling like I was one of the characters. I’d also make it a point to look around during the movie and see how people were paying attention to the film and how it had moved them. That’s what made me think it would be something cool to do.

What made you decide to make the move to California?

I did plays while I was in school and took some acting classes in college but eventually got a degree in liberal arts and journalism. I did a lot of short and independent films back home as well as anything that involved singing and dancing. But the thing that actually brought me to California was journalism. One day, I decided to make the move by myself.

What was it like suddenly finding yourself alone in California?

It was scary because I had come from a very big family and had always been protected by them. But I knew that I had to take that leap of faith and journalism was a way to get me out of my comfort zone, which was being at home. I’m so happy about that because I don’t know any other way I could have done it. But once I got here, I realized that journalism wasn’t for me and what I needed to do was move to LA in order to do what was next. I’ve been here ever since.

I’d like to ask you about one of your recent projects, “The Shift”. What can you tell me about the film and your role?

It was a wonderful experience. It’s a real heart wrenching movie and a wake-up call. You walk out of it wondering what you would do if you were in that same situation. It’s a story about dying with dignity. A topic that’s been in the news a lot lately and this movie really makes you think about it. I play the role of Carmen, the mother of an eight-year-old girl who’s dying of cancer. Carmen is very religious and believes in miracles, but that presents a struggle with a certain nurse who believes that a patient shouldn’t have to go through pain.

What attracts you to a project or script?

It’s the message and how authentic and real it is. I look for roles that have lots of substance and can challenge me. I love it when people can see me in a character and empathize with it. I want to send out good messages that make people reflect in good ways. Roles like that are very empowering.

What other projects are you working on right now?

I have two films that I’ll be shooting this year. The first is called “Outcall” where I play Francesca. She’s a girl putting herself through law school but at the same time is working as a call girl for the most powerful Madame in LA. One day, the cops go up to her and tell her to cooperate with them to help bring down the Madam or else. It’s a really cool, intense and action oriented plot.

The other film is “The Long Way” which is the story about a guy who drives from a small town in Oregon to LA to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. Along the way, he happens to run into my character, Angie; a real wild child who teaches him a thing or two about life.

Both films are going to be directed by Richard Friedman, who’s a veteran TV and film director. I’ve worked with him a few times in the past and he’s so amazingly talented.

Can you tell me a little about your philanthropy?

Paying it forward is so important to me. I come from a third world country (Columbia) and whenever I go visit, I see how there are less fortunate people there and it really hits home. I love helping kids and other people who need assistance. Autism is another big deal for me as well as helping the homeless.

What excites you the most about the year ahead? What are you most looking forward to?

I look forward to the opportunity of inspiring other women. I come from a single parent home where my mom has always been a pillar for me. She really motivated me throughout my life to work hard and smart and I want to be able to do the same for other women.

Is there a bit of advice you can give to someone who has dreams similar to yours?

Believe in something bigger than yourself and know that there is a powerful force somewhere in the universe that’s guiding you. It will humble and ground you and help guide you. Be persistent, always put in 120% and never let anyone say that you can’t fulfill your dream. For me, what drives me the most me is how wonderful I feel on set and being part of a project that grows into something beautiful.

Visit Sara Castro’s Official Website By Clicking Here!