Sarah Maddocks, British Actress Opens Up on Her Career and Future

Sarah Maddocks is a professionally trained British actress & voice artist and is experienced in film, TV, theatre & radio. Sarah Maddock strained at RADA and Drama Studio London and has acted in crime drama, thriller, sci-fi, action, romantic comedy, and period drama. Sarah Maddocks has recently been confirmed cast in two new US TV series Emergency: LA and Trauma One along with two feature films. She loves playing strong female roles and says the more challenging the role, the more exciting it is to play.

How did you become an actor?
Sarah Maddocks (SM): I am passionate about acting and whenever I experience a great production as a viewer or listener – be it in film, television, theatre, or radio, I become totally absorbed. I love inhabiting different people and telling their stories. I auditioned and was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study at RADA and Drama Studio London. This training has given me a fantastic grounding, as well as teaching me many different acting techniques and methods.

What acting technique do you use?
Sarah Maddocks (SM): I don’t tend to use just one acting technique – I use a variety – it’s an organic process for me and it all depends on the role. I think I have used most techniques at least once! Sense Memory is one technique I particularly like.

What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
SM: One of the biggest wrong impressions people get about acting is that it’s easy – and it’s not. Good actors make it look easy – like a graceful swan apparently gliding across the water, whilst under the water, the legs are paddling away like crazy, but they can’t be seen on the surface. Also, It’s not about acting – it’s reacting – to what other people say, do or simply the situation you find yourself in.

Do you take courses to improve your craft?
SM: Yes – I don’t think you can ever stop learning and exploring new techniques. I think it helps you to grow, both as a person and as an actor. You can also meet some really interesting people in these workshops and form lasting friendships. I have taken many workshops both in the UK and the USA. I highly recommend Crystal Carson and Amy Lyndon in LA.

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What acting books do you read?
SM: I have read many acting books – three I would recommend: An Actor Prepares by Stanislavsky, Meisner On Acting by Sanford Meisner, and I particularly like Michael Caine’s book Acting in Film. I love reading actor autobiographies too – you can learn so much from them.

How do you keep fit as an actor?
SM: I workout and do yoga and swimming. I also do vocal warm-ups. Mentally, I keep stimulated by constantly working on new projects, developing new characters, and meeting new people. New situations and people keep you stimulated and mentally alert. I think it’s important to have a regular exercise routine, working on your voice, body, mind, and soul – we are an instrument after all and we need to be fine-tuned!

How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
SM: I always read the script several times, to understand the story and the characters and do any necessary research. Then it’s all about fleshing out the characters and breathing life into them. I spend time building a backstory for my character & exploring their motivation in each scene.

How do you create a character from a script into a person?
SM: I always create a strong backstory for my character, based on what I know about them from the script. If there is little information in the script, then I create my own backstory. I consider my character’s motives and how they react and interact with the other characters – and I also consider the reactions of the other characters towards my character – and that is where rehearsal with other actors and the director is vital – they give me something to work with – to play with – or against. Basically, it’s all about fleshing out the character – lifting them off the page – giving them reasons why they do what they do, say what they say, and react in the way they do. Often what a character doesn’t say is actually more important than what they do say.

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How do you stay fresh on set?
SM: It depends on the character I am playing. If it’s a very emotional role, sometimes I need to stay in character for longer in-between scenes – sometimes even until the whole day’s shooting is finished. I always make sure I am ready and prepared to go for a take, but emotionally-charged roles often do take slightly longer to prepare for, on set, so I tend to allow for this and spend a little more time on my own, preparing for it. Remaining focussed is vital throughout the filming process.

Describe a memorable character you played?
SM: One of the most memorable characters I played was Pepper in The Ballad of Evil Roy Badfinger. She was a bit psychotic, but with a big heart – so she was rather contradictory, which made her somewhat unpredictable in her reactions. It was exciting to play her because she was such a challenging character.

What do you want most from a director?
SM: A good director will know exactly the right words to use to describe their vision of the role, often without actually “telling” the actor what to do. I like directors who understand how actors work – they will have a good idea of what they want from a performance, and they will also have the confidence to be open to considering new ideas and suggestions. After all, we are all working together to make the best production possible.

What actors do you long to work with?
SM: That is such a difficult question to answer – there are so many I would love to work with! It is so difficult to select just one – I could choose a different actor each day! Today, I will choose Tom Hanks.

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Why?
SM: He is so versatile and talented – and he brings so much to a role. It would be an honor to work with him.

What advice would you give to actors?
SM: Be true to yourself and be kind to others. You can never stop learning.

Briefly write about your career
SM: I trained at RADA and Drama Studio London and am experienced in film, television & theatre. I have acted in a crime drama, thriller, sci-fi, action, romantic comedy, and period drama. For my casting types I am fairly versatile, but I have been cast mainly in professional roles – psychiatrist, detective, doctor, lawyer, police officer, teacher – as well as Mother, lover, and schizophrenic! I love inhabiting different characters and telling their story. The more challenging the role, the more exciting it is to play.

I enjoy playing strong female character roles and have just been cast in two exciting new US TV series Emergency: LA and Trauma One – it’s a great role and she has a dramatic story arc – I’m really looking forward to it! 

Sarah Maddocks Reel

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