Sontaan Hopson
She played in Mark Zimmerman’s Dollar Baby Rest Stop as Ellen.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Sontaan Hopson: My name is Sontaan. I’m an Australian actress based in Sydney.
Who am I? Very complex question (laughs) … at my core I’m a ball of energy filled with love ?
I also work at children’s hospitals entertaining the kids & families to help ease their difficult time in hospital, & I write kids meditations and guided stories for my site Little Zen Monsters.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Sontaan Hopson: I was always fascinated with movies & theatre when I was younger, particularly old movies. I remember watching Shakespeare’s A Mid Summer Night’s Dream at Sydney Theatre Company when I was in high school & I was blown away seeing these actors bring this story to life. The ability to help me understand a language that seemed so foreign & sweep me away into another realm was mind boggling… I was hooked.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Rest Stop Dollar Baby film?
Sontaan Hopson: I’ve worked with Director Mark Zimmerman before. We have a lovely working relationship so when we approached me to do this, it was a no brainer.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Sontaan Hopson: I think everyone can relate. We all have a dark and a light side. People are fascinated by human behaviour.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Sontaan Hopson: It definitely wasn’t written for me since Stephen King wrote it and Mark adapted it, but that would be great!
SKSM: You worked with Mark Zimmerman on this film, how was that?
Sontaan Hopson: I’ve worked with him a few times now & it’s always nice to work with someone who you have a great working relationship with. It flows easily and it’s fun. We seem to have great respect for each other & our work.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Sontaan Hopson: Well there were a few times when we were filming on location and the lights kept getting shut down, not by any of the cast or crew… it ended up being a running joke.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Sontaan Hopson: Yes for sure! Actually most of them. We all send random messages now and then. It was a beautiful cast and crew I’m very fortunate to work with such great people.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Sontaan Hopson: I’m actually going to be touring Henry V in a few months around various parts of Australia, then I’ll be filming Equivocal Resolve straight after that, which is the sequel to Equivocal Redemption we shot at the end of last year.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Sontaan Hopson: Absolutely, I love how I will always be surprised with Stephen King. You think you know where the story is headed and then bam you’re totally somewhere else.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Sontaan Hopson: I’m also a stilt walker ?
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Sontaan Hopson: Just make sure you do something you love in life… then you know you’re on the right track.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Sontaan Hopson: Thanks for the interview! ?
