An Interview with Sage Mayer, Star of Roswell Delirium

by Mike Haberfelner

June 2023

Films starring Sage Mayer on (re)Search my Trash

Your upcoming movie Roswell Delirium - in a few words, what's it going to be about, and what can you tell us about your character in it?

The movie is set in the United States in an alternate version of the 80s. The US is hit by a wave of nuclear attacks and a lot of people are sick from it even though they are in denial. An intergalactic distress signal from space is received by a young girl who goes on a mission to Area 51. My character is Mickey, who is in the care of his grandparents Betty (Dee Wallace) and Walter (Paul Jerome). Mickey has been exposed to radiation and is very sick. The movie has been called a cross between Close Encounters and Terms of Endearment.

What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Sage Mayer can we find in Mickey?

You will find a sensitive side of myself in Mickey. He loves his family and he is suffering. Getting into the role was not difficult at all for me. I love heavy drama.

Playing the grandson of legendary Dee Wallace - has this informed your performance in any way, and what can you tell us about working with her?

I was very nervous about working with her because I am a big fan of her work and a huge fan of anything ’80s. Dee Wallace is a professional. She comes to the set fully prepared. She works a lot on other projects and yet she knows her lines, her marks, and what is needed of her. She was pretty amazing to watch. We spoke during breaks and she complimented me on my performance asking if I had taken acting classes. When I told her I did, we were both surprised to find out my recent acting teacher was none other than her son-in-law. That was pretty cool.

How did you get involved with the project in the first place?

Well, there was a casting call for a role in the movie and I auditioned. I did not get that role, it went to another actor. A few months later the director, Richard Bakewell, contacted me to ask me if I would accept the role of Mickey and that he wrote it specifically for me. That was a first for me. Of course, I said yes. I also found out that my character’s name was inspired by the 80s pop hit Hey Mickey by Toni Basil. The song was playing while he was writing.

What can you tell us about Roswell Delirium's director Richard Bakewell, and what was your collaboration like?

Richard Bakewell is an actor's director. He makes you feel like you are part of the team. His set is one of the most well-organized sets I have ever worked on, and from where I was standing everything went smoothly. He is especially great with communication and you feel like part of a family. He is so supportive that we ended up being very good friends. He shows up to my premieres of other films and special events. I know he doesn’t have a lot of spare time, he is always traveling or working on other projects with his company LifeForce Pictures, but he makes it happen.

Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere!

Well like I mentioned his set is so professional and so well-organized. Rick is generous to his actors and has a wicked sense of humor. It is a fun set. Everyone knew what they were doing and are top in their fields. From costume to the first assistant director, we were in good hands.

Any future projects you'd like to share?

I have a cool short film coming soon called ZZZ, it’s a Latino horror/fantasy and it was a pretty amazing experience. It is one of the most beautifully designed sets I’ve worked on. I don’t know their budget but WOW, it was magical. The director, Felipe Vargas has been announced to reboot the Leprechaun franchise for Lionsgate, so audiences are in for something pretty special. He is truly a visionary in fantasy and horror.

What got you into acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

I started acting in 2016 as a background actor in Gifted, the movie starring Chris Evans and McKenna Grace. I wanted to be homeschooled and found myself with a lot of extra time. My mom’s friend told her they needed classmates for a few days. I got pulled out for a speaking part by the director and kind of froze. Seriously, I could not speak. That night I told my mom I wanted to take an acting class. Since then I’ve trained in Meisner for two years, improv, comedy, and now I'm training in Shakespeare for the stage production of Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.

Having been acting since a rather young age, have you ever considered any other career path?

I love this business and acting is my first choice. Right now I am doing more writing. I am currently working on a series about a teenage serial killer, it’s a comedy.

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Roswell Delirium?

You can find me in the movie Craving on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi, directed by J. Horton [J. Horton interivew - click here]. It was released earlier this year. That was my first time working on a horror film. That was tons of fun. I would love to do more horror. I was in the HBO film The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and the film Red-Handed which is also currently on Amazon Prime Video.

How would you describe yourself as an actor, and some of your techniques to bring your characters to life?

That’s a great question. I started in comedy. I love comedy. I did a digital series in Chicago about one-half of a twin that was a nightmare. He was always getting into trouble. Somehow down the road in my career I started being cast in more dramatic roles, the kid with a terrible family or the abused kid. I guess comedy and drama are just so close to each other. I research my characters and bring a little bit of me in every performance. I think that is what makes you unique and stand out in an audition. If the casting director sees you as the character and you are believable, you might have a job.

Actors (and indeed actresses) who inspire you?

I wouldn’t say inspired as there are some aspects of many actors that I admire. But the biggest qualities are commitment to the project, character, and staying somewhat humble. I was amazed at Austin Bultler’s performance in Elvis, and the years he spend training and studying that role. When I met him earlier this year it was important to me to tell him that. Some other actors with those qualities would be Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe, Michael Keaton, Chadwick Boseman and Margo Robbie.

Your favourite movies?

My all-time favorite movie is Back to the Future II. I love 80s films. I also love animation like the Spiderman Into the Spiderverse films.

... and of course, films you really deplore?

I try to look at everything as art so when I see a movie, I see hard work and lots of effort. I can take it apart and find joy in it. It could be the cinematography, the sound, and actor, the marketing, or the runtime. Anything.

Your website, social media, whatever else?

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Sage Mayer at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Sage Mayer here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

You can find me on Instagram - @iamsage08 - and my film history and upcoming projects can be found at IMDb.me/Sagem

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

I think you covered it. Thank you so much for having me. I hope everyone checks out Roswell Delirium when it premieres later this summer. The movie also stars Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club), Reggie VelJohnson (Die Hard), Sam Jones (Flash Gordon) and Lisa Welchel (The Facts of Life).

Thanks for the interview!

© by Mike Haberfelner

Legal note: (re)Search my Trash cannot
and shall not be held responsible for
content of sites from a third party.

Thanks for watching !!!