This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with 32-year-old Sarah Moliski, based in Los Angeles. It has been edited for length and clarity.
As an actor on the digital circuit, I usually get cast as the villain. In YouTube giant Dhar Mann’s videos, I was always the mean girl — the evil babysitter, the mean cheerleader, the lesson to be had.
I think it’s due to having blonde hair and a strong personality.
Today, I’ve made a name as a villain in the vertical mini-drama space, an explosively popular format born in China. At this point, it really does come naturally to me. At ReelShort, I’ve won awards and have dedicated fan pages, and I’m proud of that.
In a lot of verticals, the female lead is sweet and innocent, almost like a Disney princess. But if the villain’s not there, there’s no story. We bring the spice, the stunts, and the drama.
Some of the stories are crazy. In “Hillbilly Girlie Marries a Billionaire,” I take a man’s sperm and get myself pregnant with it to prove we had sex. Then, it turns out it was the maid’s husband’s sperm. In “His One and Only Love,” I hire a drunk doctor to give someone an abortion.
There’s a lot of food stuff where I’ll throw food at people.
Being a villain is fun because there are a lot of different layers to them. They’re not just mean-spirited — there’s always a reason. I like adding precursor stories about what hurt me, like having an unrequited crush on my enemies, or that my parents didn’t love me. The mannerisms and physical comedy are like the fun little frosting on top.
But there are so many times when I feel bad — especially if it’s with a greener actor or someone I’m not already friends with — because I’m an emotional person and it’s hard for me to be mean to people.
I’ve also gotten hate online for years, especially when I was on YouTube, but nowadays, most people understand that these are soap operas, and I’ve gotten better about not paying attention to it.
Sometimes, I also feel like I have to overcompensate and be everyone’s best friend on set.
Sometimes I feel drained because there’s already so much prep and memorization — we do 17 to 18 pages a day — and then you also want to be really cool and likeable. That can be exhausting — trying to prove that you aren’t a villain. When I get home, I need to rot on the couch. I have absolutely no energy to socialize.
Pushing for more powerful lead roles for women
Being an aspiring actor in New York, you have to have a subway rat mentality. You have to make money to eat. It’s a kind of grit and determination unique to the city.
I’ve had other jobs in addition to acting, including as a red carpet host, standup comic, and personal assistant to celebrities.
When I let go of achieving superstardom and comparative thinking and embraced the goal of simply making enough money to exist — and having fun while doing it — that’s when I fell into verticals, and it changed everything for me.
I shot my first vertical two years ago after submitting a self-tape online and booking the role of an 18-year-old bully in “Ms. Swan, Teach Me Love.” I wasn’t familiar with mini-dramas at the time, but after seeing new casting opportunities continue to be posted and others achieving success, I decided I wanted to try to become a staple in the space.
Every actor’s biggest dream is consistency. Even today, I’m astonished by the view counts. Even the ones that aren’t doing as well are still getting 20 million views. And the fans are so invested.
Today, myself and others are pushing for stronger female lead roles. I just wrapped my first lead, the best vertical script I’ve ever read. It’s about a twin avenging her sister’s murder. I’d describe the character as a mix of Angelina Jolie in “Tomb Raider” and Rosamund Pike in “Gone Girl.” She’s really fun and complex.
In the future, I would love to help the vertical industry continue to grow. In addition to acting, I work in casting for ReelShort and also created a podcast. I like witnessing how this space is changing so many people’s lives.
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