Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Randall Hunt.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m an actress and producer in… where else, but Hollywood!
Originally from Kansas City, I’ve lived all over. KC was a great place to grow up, and I was lucky to have a family that encouraged me to eat barbecue, absorb art, and express myself. I got started singing and dancing, studying classical music until college when I realized I really wanted to be an actor.
I transferred to Emerson College from ASU and lived above Bugsy and Sal at 120 Prince Street in Little Italy. Kid you not, that was their names, and they would smoke cigars and threaten to wipe out any boyfriend that didn’t treat me right when my parents came to town.
After Emerson, I headed to NYC and earned my stripes on stage in the city and touring the country, singing with a band all over the nation, working in commercials, film, and TV. When one year there was a hurricane, earthquake, and I was having trouble getting a commercial agent, I gave LA a trial run and never looked back.
Towards the end of my time in NYC and since moving to LA, I’ve become a creative producer. More on that later. I have built my experience in film and TV out here, currently living with my super handsome boyfriend, Yaro Altunin in a cute 1930’s apartment in the Hills.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Well, since my influencer career took off, I’ve become a multimillionaire and will be retiring to Ibiza in 6 months. It’s been a good run. JUST. KIDDING. Not hating on influencers, you get me, folks, just jealous. Haha! No, life is never smooth, I’d love for you to show me anyone who says otherwise and I’d have a really long chat over coffee with them. The life of an artist is a funny one.
No real job has security, but being an artist really removes the illusion of it. It’s all about the hustle. Living in a big city being an artist means juggling a lot. It was never rejection that bothered me about my chosen profession, it’s all the other stuff that I find hard – alternating between the day job, running to and from places, pushing hard to make ends meet, trying to be everywhere all at once. I wanna break this idea right now of pretending that anyone “woke up having it all.”
Some people have an easier or a harder road, but everyone has some kind of trying journey to get to their successes. I’m so lucky to have a good support system in my friends and my lovely baby sis who lives here in LA too. It’s important to find balance.
As I grow, I’ve been focusing on simplifying… how can I make this easier/less intense/manage my reaction? It takes meditation (or sometimes a glass of rose) to help me do this. Producing has been learning trial by fire, which has been a crazy good education. A lot of life has to be learned by doing, but the hard stuff is what makes you tough and smarter.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the TTTW Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Oh my gosh, I’m so proud of TTTW Productions. Our name is short for Tits to the Wall Productions. Cheeky, huh? The name is inspired by someone who once told me “tits to the wall and kept going.” We focus on honest, fun storytelling bringing into focus women, minorities, and the LGBTQIA community both in front of and behind the camera. We’ve done three shorts now, featured at several festivals across the country.
This February, our upcoming web series, “Stupid Cupid,” got a big grant from the NYC Women’s Fund (the Mayor’s Office and the Film Commissioner’s Office.) We are in preproduction, and hoping to film early Fall 2019, releasing the first episodes Valentine’s Day 2020. It’s about four best friends trying to solve modern love through their new app, but when they try to improve it the app takes on a mind of its own, and the wild ride begins!
Check out www.stupidcupid.us for how to get your story featured on our series and follow us on all socials @stupidcupidus. My favorite part about producing is getting to host a really great party where we get to do what we love and work with our favorite people.
I’m so proud of sitting back and watching my peers kick ass at their specialty. I was frustrated at the lack of strong, funny, relatable female leads on TV and in film. Things are changing for the better, and I want to have a part in making sure our TV’s accurately reflect the world around us.
What sets us apart? I’m a hustler, and I’ll never stop until the job is done. I try to do everything with a warmth and a sense of humor. My love of art drives everything I do, and my goal is to unite people. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll change someone’s day… or even world!
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so –who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
No one is an island. I’ve had so much support along the way. First and foremost, my parents are my rocks. They taught me I could do anything I put my mind to, they sometimes think I’m crazy but always have my back unconditionally. They’ve created a very strong community for us in KC, a team of cheerleaders who come see my shows and check in.
My sister always can bring me back to reality when my brain spins out and makes me giggle. And my love, Yaro, who keeps me focused on the important and laughing in the face of all that’s dumb in the world. Just the luckiest gal in the world to have great circles of friends on both coasts and have a text message group called The Thread that’s there as my cheer squad, email editors, funny gif generator, and lady advice givers.
Susan Shopmaker cast me in my first national commercial and first indie movie. She’s an invaluable resource and lover of actors. I’m so glad to know her. Rachel Tenner took a chance on me for my first studio film. Alexis Koczara and Christine Shevchenko cast me in my first network TV show. Larry Moss gave me a strong foundation and furious passion and drive.
I’m loving working with Deb Aquila out here, she’s got such love for actors. In producing and acting, Gene Gallerano is my hero and collaborator who always is willing to offer advice or a recommendation letter. My team of actors from Shorts is my actor family in NYC, and I’ll always be grateful to Karl Bury for bringing us together. Emerson is a fantastic resource of weirdos and driven awesome people. I’m blown away by the hustle of my manager, Ben Phelps at Emagine Content. Grateful for all the hard work Brittany, Jaime, and Desiree at Lovestone do every darned day to get me out there.
My grandmothers are a huge inspiration to me, and I’m driven by their amazing ability to do anything even in times they had little. And my Aunt Lori I owe a huge debt to for loving me and helping my inner artist blossom. OH! And my cousin is my hero, Jason Forbach. He’s so talented and inspired me to think outside the box with my career choices. Team Stupid Cupid is amazing, and they’re such giving and fun people. All these people help me plow forward to the next thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahrandallhunt.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrandallhunt/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahrandallhunt/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pookie9819?lang=en
- Other: www.stupidcupid.us and @stupidcupidus on all other socials
Image Credit:
Chelsea Donahoo
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
