Rising Stars: Meet Sarah Randall Hunt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Randall Hunt.

Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Thanks so much for sitting down with me! It’s an honor.

I’ve always been a storyteller and performer, from as early as I can remember. Kansas City’s rich arts scene was a perfect backdrop to hone my skills and develop my tastes. I have an aunt that would take me to the Nelson and other art museums, my parents always took me to shows at Starlight and the Music Hall, and my teachers at Shawnee Mission East and directors at Rockhurst encouraged me. One director in particular was a graduate of Emerson College, which is where I eventually wound up for college. It was the perfect fit and set me off on a career in the arts post-college first in New York City and finally to Los Angeles.

I’ve performed in film, television, theatre, and commercials, from touring the USA in theatre productions, improvising in a German accent with Vince Vaughn in a studio film, to befriending fellow KC native, the late Ed Asner… it’s been an amazing ride.

It was in 2013 I fell into producing, and I can now officially say that I’m a grant recipient and award-winning producer with projects that have shown at film festivals around the globe like HollyShorts, LA Film Fest, KC Film Fest, Dances With Films, and more. A recent project, Stupid Cupid, is currently airing on 60-time Emmy award-winning TV channel, NYC Media.

My goal is to spend time between KC, LA, and NYC, making movies and acting until they (or my creaky hips) force me to stop! We’re currently cooking up a feature film we hope to film in KC in the next two years.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If my journey were ice cream, I’d have to say it was rocky road! (laughs) But to continue the analogy, it still has been sweet along the way.

There are still inroads that need to be made to create more opportunities for women in film and television, both in front of and behind the camera. The Geena Davis Institute is a great organization that does research about equity in media and highlights where it needs improvement. Watch their recent documentary on Netflix called “This Changes Everything.” The future, I feel, is bright.

It’s a wild dance to juggle all the things that a career in the arts commands, to keep your heart happy, your inner artist satisfied, your bills paid, and be a functioning friend/family member/person. But I do think my life is all the more rich for the experiences I’ve had.

Regarding producing, I saw a funny quote on Instagram a while back that said, essentially this: ‘people who haven’t made a film have a lot to say about what could be better in a film. If you’ve ever made a film, you understand what a miracle is that they ever get completed.’ That couldn’t be more true!

Producing is an exercise in commitment (and insanity.) Let’s put it this way. You’re organizing the world’s most elaborate potluck, and you have to have certain people there to make it a success. At any moment, the person bringing the protein could back out and you have to figure out where to get a 60 pound turkey with mere moments to throw it in the oven. (Do they even make 60 pound turkeys? Stop asking questions, you’re now 30 seconds late making your appetizer!)

We were really lucky with our recent project to get a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts. But when someone gives you the green light, now you actually have to do the thing. No matter how much you plan, no matter how much money you have, something always goes awry. A belligerent person won’t get out of the shot, you’re losing light, and if you don’t get it you’ll have to come back tomorrow and lose thousands of dollars recreating the same scene. Someone didn’t buy enough muffins for the crew. (Can you tell I’m food-driven? All my analogies are food.) It’s really just intense, time-sensitive project management and creative problem-solving. These bumps have actually taught me not to sweat the small stuff as much and to trust that no matter what, it always works out the way it should.

I don’t think we get anywhere without our struggles; they are what shape us. Success and wins are necessary to celebrate, but the learnings along the way are just as juicy (albeit just a little less elegant.)

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an actress, I absolutely love shape-shifting for characters. Whether it’s an accent, a different time period, or another way of looking at the world, my favorite part about acting is trying on someone else’s life experience different from my own. I’ve been told my essence is quirky nice girl with a dark secret. I’m not afraid to get a little dirt under my nails, I like characters that imperfect. Some favorite credits include Cannes winner Chronic with Tim Roth, Unfinished Business with Vince Vaughn, Black-ish, and more. Film and TV are so much fun, but I will always be a theatre dork at heart.

As a producer, I’m focused on shifting the spotlight on stories from the people we haven’t heard from as much through heart-centered stories with a sense of humor. I grew up watching classic TV shows like I Love Lucy, Get Smart, classic movie musicals. I’ve produced short films, web series, and theatre.

The thing I’m most proud of is bringing my talented friends together and watching them soar. I’ve never been so proud that our little rom com web series, Stupid Cupid, made it to actual television in NYC. If you’d like to check it out, you can also see it on YouTube (links below.)

This has always felt like this is a very spiritual thing to me. It may be naive, but I think we can change the world through the things we watch and consume. I’ve had people come up to me after shows bearing their souls, it’s a very cathartic thing. Acting and producing to me has always been about uncovering truths and human connection.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?

I asked my friend who is a therapist once, “what is the one thing you hear the most?” And she said that people are so hard on themselves. If you can get on your own side, that’s the only thing standing in the way of where you are and what you want. Finding joy, life, overcoming obstacles, everything is about mindset.

Meditation, qigong, walks, journaling… all these things have been tools I’ve added to my belt in the pandemic that helps me be kinder to myself. I hope to keep and add to these as the world continues to open up.

We are our own worst enemy or your best cheerleader, but I have to consciously choose to be on my own side. That’s what I’m laser focused on for 2022.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stupidcupid.us
• Instagram: instagram.com/sarahrandallhunt
• Facebook: Facebook.com/sarahrandallhunt
• Twitter: twitter.com/sarahrandallhun
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLGt2RllDMA7djg4rFJCq2FCn7xXDr3Zb