1-Were you always attracted to the horror genre?
As a viewer, yes. As an actress , I started out in theater and showcase around town and I had done various television shows, my agent helped me audition for Disney etc... It was through a friend in the industry I started. I loved it. As an actor you want to work / perform. The horror industry has allowed me to do so. I am very grateful for it. This industry has been extremely good to me I have the utmost gratitude towards it.
2-What would you say is the most challenging aspect of acting in horror films?
I would say for me personally it would be dying. Killing is easy hehe Dying? If you haven't experienced it how do you know you're doing it right? I think to myself how do I make this look real without over dramatizing it.
3-When you prepare for a role and have your vision in your head, how do you make it happen?
I make it happen a lot of ways. The most productive for me is to memorize a script, go over it time and time again, the character usually involves for me from there. Sometimes it is not the same as a production / direction crew has in mind and you have to change it on the spot which can be difficult at times. Luckily that has only happened a couple times mostly though I just go there. It's hard to explain every actor is different there is no right or wrong for each individual as far as preparing a character goes so may not be the best way? But whatever works for the individual.
4-When you watch films, do you still get surprised? Shocked? Scared?
oh yeah! Mostly in horror there have been a few action movies that I have said oh my god! In the industry a lot of times watching a movie I get sidetracked and noticed the camera angle shots etc... kind of ruins it sometimes haha
5-From all your roles, which one would say was the most fun to do?
ugh hard one... I have had a lot of fun with all my characters but the ones that stand out the most is playing Annie in the play Misery. I had fun with a silly character I did for the 48 Hour Film Festival years ago and my latest on Angel of Reckoning. It's fun to play evil. I called them my « therapy roles » but I do love them all.
6-Which performance of yours is your favorite to this day?
I have to say, there are a few that I'm not happy with as far as my performance went but I think all the characters I have performed have been my favorite there's really not any that I do not like this is what I love to do.
7-What is your secret to try to create something fresh everytime you make a new film?
I try to involve myself into the character as much as possible. I'm not afraid to take advice from other people and play with it. I don't think I'm the better or the best or I can't do that and I'm always open for criticism. I remember doing a play in trying to come up with a voice for the character. The director yelled « I don't want that I want Donna ». It has stuck in my head to this day. The saying, I try not to over dramatize or go too far out of the box playing melodrama. I am also very animated so I have to remind myself on camera to downplay! Stage yes! Camera, no! Creating something fresh is usually not a problem due to not playing the same character over and over... different scripts, different characters, you can have a lot of fun with it as well.
8-Favorite aspect of doing horror films? Worst?
My personal favorite is without a doubt the amazing people I have met and worked with who have become like family to me. There's such a great audience for it and the fans have been just amazing on every level. Every set I meet amazing people. The worst? Without a doubt stage blood. God I despise that gooey sticky mess I was around it in the last movie for quite some time it was all over everything... the hair, the clothes... Don't get me wrong, it tasted good but man I hate it and there's not always accessibility to shower and wash it off, no bueno... It's usually in the movie industry in some shape or form so I just suck it up for the times that seemed like eternity and go with it. It looks great on film! I do not like it!! I would pay big money for someone to invent a non sticky stage blood!
9-Is there some roles you never did you would love to try?
Ugh, I have done only a handful of comedy and would love to do more other than that I have enjoyed every role to this day I would love to direct or produce more plays. My dream has always been to produce a play llike La Cage aux Folles. Plays take a lot of time and soul. 7 days a week 5 to 8 hours a day. I wish I had more time in my schedule to do them other than that I'm fortunate to be busy in the film industry.
10-Where do you find your inspiration in acting?
Watching old movies. Yes I'm that person! When you watch good old fashioned movies you just get technique the actors in those movies. You just watch them out and they pull it off . A lot of my inspiration also comes from my friends in the industry. I learn everyday and try to learn more. I've taken every acting classes to do you name it in Las Vegas you pull a little bit from each one and just use it.
11-Some actors find acting therapeutic, others think it's the best place to hide, while others put all their energy into the film. Where do you stand?
I do, I put energy into the film but mostly it's love, I love doing what I do. I get high off it. I miss it when I'm not performing in some way. My adrenaline and compassion are poured directly into it. I can't imagine my life without it!
12-What is your favorite classic horror film? And do you have a GUILTY pleasure one?
hmmm. That's a difficult question! I would have to say the movie Burnt Offerings with Karen Black and Bette Davis. That would be the first horror flick to truly affected me. My guilty pleasure one? I'm not quite sure, I have to say that all of them are, due to every time a new horror movie comes out I have to see it though I have never been able to watch any of the Exorcist or Omen. Those two movies to this day scare the hell out of me! I will not watch them! I need to sleep sometime!
13-What's coming up for you? Any new releases?
I just wrapped up filming Angel of Reckoning in Pennsylvania with Len Kabasinski and his fabulous people! The cast and crew rocked it. Everyone was right on target. Ruth Sprague was amazing as well as Chris Young. .... It couldn't have happened without their help. Amongst everyone else, amazing FX from Monster Mark.....Len Kabasinski really raised the bar on this one...I feel extremely fortunate to have been part of this movie! !!! It's going to be a very dark movie! Also Blood Reunion 3 with Jim DeVault is about Morgan Locke as a vampire and hunters are on his trail. I have the opportunities for more projects, it's just a matter of seeing if I have time to actually make them happen... I hope so!
As a viewer, yes. As an actress , I started out in theater and showcase around town and I had done various television shows, my agent helped me audition for Disney etc... It was through a friend in the industry I started. I loved it. As an actor you want to work / perform. The horror industry has allowed me to do so. I am very grateful for it. This industry has been extremely good to me I have the utmost gratitude towards it.
2-What would you say is the most challenging aspect of acting in horror films?
I would say for me personally it would be dying. Killing is easy hehe Dying? If you haven't experienced it how do you know you're doing it right? I think to myself how do I make this look real without over dramatizing it.
3-When you prepare for a role and have your vision in your head, how do you make it happen?
I make it happen a lot of ways. The most productive for me is to memorize a script, go over it time and time again, the character usually involves for me from there. Sometimes it is not the same as a production / direction crew has in mind and you have to change it on the spot which can be difficult at times. Luckily that has only happened a couple times mostly though I just go there. It's hard to explain every actor is different there is no right or wrong for each individual as far as preparing a character goes so may not be the best way? But whatever works for the individual.
4-When you watch films, do you still get surprised? Shocked? Scared?
oh yeah! Mostly in horror there have been a few action movies that I have said oh my god! In the industry a lot of times watching a movie I get sidetracked and noticed the camera angle shots etc... kind of ruins it sometimes haha
5-From all your roles, which one would say was the most fun to do?
ugh hard one... I have had a lot of fun with all my characters but the ones that stand out the most is playing Annie in the play Misery. I had fun with a silly character I did for the 48 Hour Film Festival years ago and my latest on Angel of Reckoning. It's fun to play evil. I called them my « therapy roles » but I do love them all.
6-Which performance of yours is your favorite to this day?
I have to say, there are a few that I'm not happy with as far as my performance went but I think all the characters I have performed have been my favorite there's really not any that I do not like this is what I love to do.
7-What is your secret to try to create something fresh everytime you make a new film?
I try to involve myself into the character as much as possible. I'm not afraid to take advice from other people and play with it. I don't think I'm the better or the best or I can't do that and I'm always open for criticism. I remember doing a play in trying to come up with a voice for the character. The director yelled « I don't want that I want Donna ». It has stuck in my head to this day. The saying, I try not to over dramatize or go too far out of the box playing melodrama. I am also very animated so I have to remind myself on camera to downplay! Stage yes! Camera, no! Creating something fresh is usually not a problem due to not playing the same character over and over... different scripts, different characters, you can have a lot of fun with it as well.
8-Favorite aspect of doing horror films? Worst?
My personal favorite is without a doubt the amazing people I have met and worked with who have become like family to me. There's such a great audience for it and the fans have been just amazing on every level. Every set I meet amazing people. The worst? Without a doubt stage blood. God I despise that gooey sticky mess I was around it in the last movie for quite some time it was all over everything... the hair, the clothes... Don't get me wrong, it tasted good but man I hate it and there's not always accessibility to shower and wash it off, no bueno... It's usually in the movie industry in some shape or form so I just suck it up for the times that seemed like eternity and go with it. It looks great on film! I do not like it!! I would pay big money for someone to invent a non sticky stage blood!
9-Is there some roles you never did you would love to try?
Ugh, I have done only a handful of comedy and would love to do more other than that I have enjoyed every role to this day I would love to direct or produce more plays. My dream has always been to produce a play llike La Cage aux Folles. Plays take a lot of time and soul. 7 days a week 5 to 8 hours a day. I wish I had more time in my schedule to do them other than that I'm fortunate to be busy in the film industry.
10-Where do you find your inspiration in acting?
Watching old movies. Yes I'm that person! When you watch good old fashioned movies you just get technique the actors in those movies. You just watch them out and they pull it off . A lot of my inspiration also comes from my friends in the industry. I learn everyday and try to learn more. I've taken every acting classes to do you name it in Las Vegas you pull a little bit from each one and just use it.
11-Some actors find acting therapeutic, others think it's the best place to hide, while others put all their energy into the film. Where do you stand?
I do, I put energy into the film but mostly it's love, I love doing what I do. I get high off it. I miss it when I'm not performing in some way. My adrenaline and compassion are poured directly into it. I can't imagine my life without it!
12-What is your favorite classic horror film? And do you have a GUILTY pleasure one?
hmmm. That's a difficult question! I would have to say the movie Burnt Offerings with Karen Black and Bette Davis. That would be the first horror flick to truly affected me. My guilty pleasure one? I'm not quite sure, I have to say that all of them are, due to every time a new horror movie comes out I have to see it though I have never been able to watch any of the Exorcist or Omen. Those two movies to this day scare the hell out of me! I will not watch them! I need to sleep sometime!
13-What's coming up for you? Any new releases?
I just wrapped up filming Angel of Reckoning in Pennsylvania with Len Kabasinski and his fabulous people! The cast and crew rocked it. Everyone was right on target. Ruth Sprague was amazing as well as Chris Young. .... It couldn't have happened without their help. Amongst everyone else, amazing FX from Monster Mark.....Len Kabasinski really raised the bar on this one...I feel extremely fortunate to have been part of this movie! !!! It's going to be a very dark movie! Also Blood Reunion 3 with Jim DeVault is about Morgan Locke as a vampire and hunters are on his trail. I have the opportunities for more projects, it's just a matter of seeing if I have time to actually make them happen... I hope so!