Kennedy Martin first caught the performance bug as a little girl in dance class. “Oddly enough, it wasn’t the dancing itself that I loved, but the chance to dress up and step onto the stage,” says Kennedy Martin. “I also did a bit of print modeling as a toddler, but my true love for acting began when I started musical theater at seven years old. Over time, my dreams evolved—from wanting to be a pop star like Hilary Duff, to Broadway aspirations, and finally, to pursuing a career in Film and TV. Acting and performing have been constants in my life for as long as I can remember, and I truly feel like I have the best job in the world!”
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Kennedy Martin (KM): I wouldn’t say I follow a single technique exclusively; instead, I pull from a variety of approaches in my “toolbox” based on what each scene calls for. I believe in staying active in classes to keep my skills sharp, which helps me adapt my approach to the genre, material, and even where I am personally at that time. Right now, I’m studying at Lesly Kahn, where we focus on cultivating the internal thoughts that fuel each line of dialogue. This approach has been especially helpful for me in creating depth and spontaneity in my performances.
How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition?
Kennedy Martin (KM): I got the audition for “Who’s Stalking My Family” through my amazing agents at People Store—I feel so lucky to have such a dedicated team working hard to get me in front of casting directors. This particular audition came from Jeff Hardwick’s office, where I had auditioned a few times before. I’m always grateful for any chance to audition and explore new material! About a week after I sent in my self-tape, casting checked my availability, and just a few days later, I was thrilled to find out I was booked straight from my tape!
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Kennedy Martin (KM): I love diving into a new script by reading it slowly and letting myself get lost in each scene. Going through it this way helps me imagine the surroundings, the feel of the environment, and really grasp why each moment matters in the story. I’ll read the script over and over—each time discovering something new, which keeps things fresh and exciting. For each scene, I like to play with different approaches, testing out how the character might react in subtle, unique ways.
With Sadie, it was all about balancing her teenage confidence (and the occasional eye roll!) with her sweet, searching heart. She’s figuring out who she is and what she wants, so there’s a blend of sass and sincerity that’s so much fun to explore. Every read-through brought new quirks to life and helped shape my choices, making Sadie feel real and relatable.
What drove you to get on the project?
Kennedy Martin (KM): Growing up, I would always watch Lifetime movies at my grandmother’s house, so having the opportunity to act in one is very exciting! Lori Canevaro’s script had so many twists and turns and is so wonderfully written. There are so many possible suspects who could be causing trouble for the Miller family, I love how the script keeps you guessing until the very end!
Did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Kennedy Martin (KM): Yes, absolutely! Even though we each had private holding rooms, we spent most of our time together, running lines and working through scenes. This was incredibly helpful with our quick shooting schedule—it gave us a chance to make discoveries and build chemistry before we even stepped onto the set.
What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Kennedy Martin (KM): What I love most about Jeff Hare is his incredible ability to bring out the best in everyone he works with. His feedback is always so insightful; every note he gives is meaningful and helps bring a new depth to the performance. He also has such an impressive eye for detail, not just with the technical aspects but with each actor’s unique take on their character, which makes each scene feel authentic and impactful. I’d be thrilled to work with him again!
What is next for you?
Kennedy Martin (KM): I have a horror short with CryptTV set to come out this month! Additionally, I produced my first feature film, Blood Yolk, which will be making the festival rounds next year. I also had the chance to act in it, and I’m really proud of how it’s turning out. I can’t wait to share it with audiences and take it to distributors!
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ACTOR INTERVIEWS
