PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Sarah French has been doing independent horror films for many years now. Sometimes going by the name Scarlet Salem, the star of nearly fifty horror films, including PopHorror favorite Monsterland (2016), Beach Massacre at Kill Devil Hills (2017), Shriek of the Sasquatch! (2011), Killer Biker Chicks (2009) or The Half-Life Horror From Hell or: Irradiated Satan Rocks the World! (2014), took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to sit down with us and tell us what she has been up to.
PopHorror: You’ve got a lot of things coming out soon. Can you tell us a little bit about each one?
Sarah French: Lets see… For starters I did a movie with John Russo, co-writer of Night of the Living Dead, called My Uncle John is a Zombie. That one was a lot of fun! It’s a horror comedy about a zombie, played by John Russo, who’s kept in hiding and becomes famous after the world finds out he can talk. I get to play a detective in the film trying to find out about Russo’s character. We got to shoot in the Evans City Cemetery where they shot the opening of Night of the Living Dead, along with Russ Streiner, George Kosana and other awesome people. How cool is that? We’re expecting a released date sometime later this year! Another one coming out this year is a killer shark film by Mark Polonia called Land Shark.
Yes, I finally worked on a shark film! I play a scientist named Lucinda who becomes the target of a killer after finding out about a plot to inject sharks with human DNA. That one is coming out this June, so be on the lookout! I have a non-horror flick coming out this year called Escape from Ensenada. In short, its an action/suspense film about kidnapping and human trafficking. I have a nice little role in this one playing a sorority girl. I finally got to work with my girl Devanny Pinn, with Brandon Slagle directing. Its set to be released later this year!
A slasher flick I worked on called Beach Massacre at Kill Devil Hills is set to be released soon. Its basically about a group of friends who go to a beach house for the weekend and a fight for life ensues. I also got a really cool opportunity to work a few days on a new Amazon Prime TV show starring Kelsey Grammer called The Last Tycoon. It takes place in old Hollywood in the 1930s, so I got to dress in that period. It was such an honor to work on that show. I also got a chance to work on the new biopic on Lynyrd Skynyrd called Street Survivors. Amazing cast and crew, really looking forward to that one as well.
Last but not least, Joey and I recently wrote a book together called Haunted Journeys: Salem. The book is about our visit to historic Salem, home of the Witch trials. It’s a true account of what we experienced in the paranormal hot spot along with pictures from the trip. We’re going to be writing a series of books about our paranormal experiences in each location. The next book we have planned is about our trip to Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Lots to keep an eye out for!
PopHorror: Over the years, you’ve done a lot of modeling and acting. Which one do you find more challenging?
Sarah French: Modeling and acting go hand in hand. Either way, you’re putting on a show in front of a camera. The difference for me is with modeling, I show up do my thing and go on my way. With film, there’s lots of planning, rehearsing, blocking, and stuff. A lot more, obviously, goes into film. I started in the entertainment industry modeling for various websites, clothing lines, and magazines. If it wasn’t for me starting in that, I don’t know if I’d be where I am today. Modeling in front of the camera gave me the confidence and push that I needed to start working in the film world.
PopHorror: You’re known for working in the horror genre. What is it that attracts you to horror?
Sarah French: As most of you know, I love horror. I’ve been immersed in horror since I was a young girl. The second my mom said I couldn’t watch horror flicks, I knew I was missing out and had to check them out! (laughs) Luckily, my grandma let us kids rent and watch horror flicks. Horror is in my blood and always will be. I think what really attracts me is the mystery of the unknown. Plus I love being scared! Don’t get me wrong, as an actress I’ll work in any genre, as long as it’s a decent script and there’s money behind it. But horror is my #1 and always will be.
PopHorror: What are some highlights of your career so far?
Sarah French: There are a few… First and foremost, if it wasn’t for me getting into acting, I would have never met my sweetheart, Joey Knetter. We met on my first film, Pajama Party Massacre, back in 2007 and obviously hit it off. We’ve now been together going on 9 years and I couldn’t be happier! Also, as I mentioned earlier, working with John Russo was amazing! I mean, he is the co-writer of Night of the Living Dead. Need I say more? I just worked with famous creature designer Jordu Schell on his directorial debut Remote Viewing. Jordu is a great friend and it was an honor to have worked with him on screen and behind the scenes of his new film. Also, last year I got the chance to work on John Carpenter’s newest music videos Distant Dream and Escape from New York.
I was able to work on the production side for this. The weekend I came in to work on it, it was on John’s birthday. I was the first person to wish him a happy birthday! At one point in the filming of his new music videos, John and his son, Cody, busted out the Halloween theme song on the piano. It was so surreal and amazing. We were all being directed by John, now I can say I was directed by John Carpenter….truly awesome! I could go on and on…
I worked with Tyler Mane and Reggie Banister on a Twiztid music video directed by Roy Knyrim, along with Bill Mosley on numerous music videos. I just worked on another horror film called Death House, where I had a killer scene with Sid Haig. I also modeled for Felissa Rose’s new jeans line, Toxic Rose Jeans…. By the way, look them up. They’re kick ass jeans! Being able to work with the people I grew up watching in movies and on TV is out of this world! Plus, you know, just being able to do what I love and make a living out of it is the main highlight.
PopHorror: What would be your dream project?
Sarah French: I would like to make a movie where I got to play the tough, Ripley-style badass woman in charge battling monsters, aliens, and whatever else came my way. There has to be some sort of love interest in it as well. I mean, why not?
PopHorror: What is your favorite horror film?
Sarah French: Let’s see, this is a tough one. I love Halloween 3, Creepshow, Child’s play, Day of the Dead, Night of the Demons, Witchboard, Friday the 13th…I could go on and on. I tend to love the ’80s stuff. But there is a lot of great stuff coming out now. I absolutely love James Wan and all that he does. I’d love to work on one of his projects at some point!
PopHorror: When not working, what are some things you enjoy?
Sarah French: This feels like a dating question! (laughs) I love to travel, relax on the beach, garden, fitness, go to concerts, discover new and cute cafés/restaurants, spend time with friends, visit filming locations, ghost hunt in creepy old cemeteries/locations… you know, the usual!
PopHorror: You’ve traveled to a lot of conventions. What are some of your upcoming appearances?
Sarah French: The only confirmed convention right now is Rock and Shock in Worcester, MA ,but more may be added in the upcoming months.
PopHorror: Anything else you’d like your fans to know?
Sarah French: Keep an eye out in the upcoming months for some of my newest flicks coming out and be sure to visit my Facebook page and website for updates! Also if you want to check out our book Haunted Journeys: Salem, you can find copies on Amazon.
PopHorror: Where can fans find you?
Sarah French: You can find me on my Facebook fan page Sarah French, and my website
PopHorror: Thank you, Sarah, for taking the time to speak with us!
Horror fans, make sure to look her up and give her a follow!
