Meet Elena Sanchez | Actress & Stuntwoman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elena Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, how do you think about risk?
I always like to say, “it is better to have tried and failed, than not tried at all.” One of the biggest risks I ever took was deciding to pursue a career in film and television, without knowing anyone in the industry, and with no guarantee that anything would work out. However, I approach risk differently as an actress than I do as a stuntwoman. When I am performing stunts, I have meticulously prepared and planned every move as intentionally as possible, to minimize the level of risk. So I think part of approaching risk-taking successfully is the importance of knowing at what intensity and level to take those risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For the last 15 years, I have been an actress and stuntwoman working in films and television shows. I think what I am most proud of is that I started all the way at the bottom without knowing a single soul in the industry. I worked as an extra for two years, and since then I’ve been lucky to act and do stunts in some of the biggest movies in Hollywood. Sometimes I have to take a step back and realize that I’m actually living things I used to dream of. The biggest lesson I learned is to just keep going, and pivot if something isn’t working. You always have to keep brainstorming. What could you be doing differently? Who could you be learning from? Who could you be reaching out to? And when no one is paying attention, what can you create to showcase your work? The best example of this is, back in 2012, I felt like I couldn’t get any auditions or jobs as an actress, even though I was working consistently as a stuntwoman. So I shot a little music video on my iPhone of me lip synching to “Call Me Maybe,” while creating the setup that I was going to an audition, and then waiting for the call. That video is what got me cast in The Hunger Games. It’s still on my YouTube channel somewhere!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Miami, I’d start us off with a lazy stroll along Lincoln Road to find a brunch spot and do some people watching. Then I’d book us an afternoon treatment at the Tierra Santa Healing House. The next day maybe we’d catch a movie if it’s too hot out, before an early dinner at one of my favorite Brazilian steakhouses in town. And that would leave us enough time to make it to Rosa Sky to catch the sunset! I’m a big sunset lover, always trying to catch a good view. On another night, if it’s calm and clear, I might also bring us a picnic to the beach and watch the stars come up. And if she was there for a whole week, we could cap it off with a day trip down to the Bahamas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could write an entire book on the people who have gotten me to where I am today. First and foremost my family, and especially my dad, who encouraged me to follow my dreams. Josh Maready, my photographer friend, who shot all my first headshots for free, without which I wouldn’t have been able to even get in any doors. Noon Orsatti, who was the first person to hire me as a stuntwoman on a film, through which I got my Screen Actors Guild card. Francis Lawrence and Chad Stahelski, who cast me in The Hunger Games. Miles Doleac, the first director to give me a chance as a leading lady in his movies. And so many more. Also my friends, who have stood by me through thick and thin, laugh with me, cry with me, and are always there for me. Life truly is about experiencing it with the people you love.

Website: https://www.elenasanchez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheElenaSanchez

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TheElenaSanchez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheElenaSanchez

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/TheElenaSanchez

Image Credits
Stephanie Jeg
Ben Cope