Gia De Sauvage has just begun her career on screen, but she already has a role model she would like to follow.
“I absolutely adore Gena Rowlands and would love to have a career like hers,” says the newcomer.
Debuts in new TV movie, Nightmare in the Desertthe first of the cable network's fall series. The film is inspired by true events and stars De Sauvage as a young woman, Shae, who returns home with her boyfriend Chris (Tristan J. Watson) after the death of her father. The couple goes on a hike and trouble begins when a man follows them on their trip.
“It felt like a big family,” De Sauvage says of the experience. “We all got along really well and joked that it felt like summer camp.”
De Sauvage also saw it as an exercise in learning more about the different parts of filmmaking. “I learned so much about the technical side of acting.”
While De Sauvage says she enjoyed working on a thriller, there are several genres she hopes to try. Describing herself as a film student, the actress is constantly watching movies. “I love every genre. My all-time favorite movie is The notebook,” he says of one of Rowlands’ latest films.
Speaking of his admiration for the late actress, De Sauvage shares a touching story about watching Rowlands' work. “After she passed away two weeks ago, I looked A woman under the influence for the first time, and that really inspired me and moved me as an artist,” she says. “I just think she brings so much vulnerability and complexity to every role she takes on, and to me, that’s what makes a great artist.”
Looking to the future, De Sauvage hopes to use what he has learned on Nightmare in the Desert as she continues her career. “The director and crew were so kind to me and gave me space to learn,” she says. “I felt completely supported throughout the film.”
De Sauvage hopes to return the favor as she continues to work. “If I can help another actor on a project in the future, I always want to be there for them and give them the space to learn if it’s their first time working on a film,” she begins, adding that she’s grateful to have had that experience from the film’s director Sam Irvin. “Providing a safe space for every other actor on any shoot I do in the future is very important to me.”
Nightmare in the Desert will debut on Sunday, September 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET.