Aimee-Lynn Chadwick [Interview]

Photo by Todd Tyler Photography

Welcome to Day 3 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Annual Month of Horror Showcase! We have a fully loaded month of all things horror for you fine folks! October is our favorite month for this very reason, and we are so excited to share 31 full days of film showcases and interviews with some of the finest folks from the world of horror, just as we have been doing for the last 5 years. What started as a simple 5 day showcase, has now blossomed into a full blown month long event. You’re going to love this! Enjoy!

Oh do we have another wonderful interview for you fine Folks today! We have some wonderful words from another absolutely amazing actress. It’s Aimee-Lynn Chadwick Everyone! Aimee-Lynn has done some incredible work in the world of horror and beyond. I was absolutely ecstatic to talk to her about her work in the Return of the Living Dead franchise specifically. And while we may have different opinions on the the outcome of the films she worked on, she is indeed the expert and was so kind to give us a bit of insight on not just these couple of films, but some of the other amazing work she has done in and out of the world of horror, as well as letting us know what made her want to join the world of performance, as well as her work as a brilliant musician. There is so much to enjoy here, so let’s just jump right into it!

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the amazing actress Aimee-Lynn Chadwick!

What inspired you to get into the world of film and television? Was it an early aspiration to do so, or did you just happen to find yourself in this world one day?

The first memory I have of Films and being drawn to them were Old Black and White movies I use to watch with my mom.  Shirley Temple movies were my LIFE! Watching films like Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm, White Christmas, anything with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in them.  That is really where I knew, even in my young age, THAT was what I was born to do.  It was something that really burned so deeply in me.  Not the “fame part” necessarily, as I have always been a painfully shy and awkward, but I was always drawn to characters, and watching the transformation of an Actor really taking on a role.  Whatever genre that may be.  If someone really dives deep in a role, and brings depth, and vulnerability, and transports me into the story enough to believe they are that character.. THAT is everything for me.  It’s my favorite thing ever.

In 2005 you appeared in the brilliant additions to the Living Dead franchise, with Rave to the Grave and Necropolis. In your obvious expert opinion, what do you believe these two films have added to the franchise? What sets them apart from all the others?

Usually, when this topic is brought up It is presented to me in a “tongue and cheek” sorta way. Let me start by saying, there is nothing “BRILLIANT” about these 2 films, it’s a kitschy genre, and in my humble opinion NOTHING can top the original ROTLD.  With that said, these 2 movies HAD THE POTENTIAL, to be brilliant.  My fellow actors and makeup team, and writers, are all brilliant in their own right.  The problems that were faced on these productions were set against us from the start. Let’s just say, we shot in Romania, and were faced with A LOT of obstacles on our 5 month journey.  We shot both films back to back, out of sequence.  One of our actresses got gravely ill and had to be med-flighted back to the states to save her life.  So we had to recast her for Rave to the Grave.  None of what we already shot made sense anymore, and we were running out of time, and money.  So scripts were botched, story lines were cut, it was a frenzy.  What do I believe these two movies add to the franchise? I think if one looks at them with less of a “judgy-troll eye” , and sees that there were so many things that the actors and director, had NO CONTROL over, you will find the heart of these movies.  You will see that we all gave it what we could with what we had to work with.  I signed on to this project as a ROTLD SUPER FAN! so just the fact I get to say I am part of the franchise family is EVERYTHING to me.

I can only speak for myself, but the time I spent filming these movies will last me forever. I made lifelong friends.  I got to spend time in the most beautiful, magical country. I got to film 2 zombie movies.  I got to work and learn from some of the greatest special effects artists of all time.  It was a life changing experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.  The thing that sets these movies apart, is they are more on the modern side, and maybe they aren’t perfect…but, like I said in the beginning, ROTLD [films] are kitschy! and suppose to be FUN! these aren’t meant to be Oscar-winning movies.  They are meant to take the horror fan away for an hour or so and have them throw tomatoes at us.  So, I think we did our jobs perfect…despite it all being one uphill battle .

Beyond the world of acting, I’ve come to learn that you are an accomplished singer/songwriter as well. Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the world of music? And where can people learn more about your career as a musician?

Music and Acting have always gone hand in hand for me.  I started my career doing local and professional musical theatre. I have been writing poems, and songs since I could write.  So when I got to los angeles I started working at Tower Records and finally got the nerve to start really working on my own music, and collaborating with other people.   Music has always been my sanctuary.  Where acting I get to “be someone else for a bit”, and Create characters, with my music it is like my diary, my therapy.  It has literally kept me sane all my life.  Even if I take a break from making music for a year or two, I always end up diving back in and writing a record full force. I love it so much.  I have been so blessed to get to collaborate and write and perform music with some of the most talented humans ever.

My first Album is called Generation Next, you can find it on ITUNES and SPOTIFY.  I also had a band called Chasing Aimee and a side acoustic project called The Charles Shaw Project. Currently, I am working on a solo project under the stage name FABLE.  More to COME!

While the world of horror is far from being your mainstay in the world of film and television, you have had some great success in the genre. And this being our Month of Horror showcase and all, I am curious to know what it is you enjoy about working in the more frightening world of suspense and horror? What sets it apart from other projects you tend to work on?

I LOVE HORROR! It’s so fun! Halloween is my Christmas. Plus, If anyone has ever done ANYTHING with or for the horror community they will know what I mean when I say, it is the most awesome, supportive, family. I love getting bloody, I love wearing weird contacts and freaking people out on camera.  The art of it is so amazing. I had never been so giddy as I was the day I sat in the makeup chair for 4 hours for my prosthetics for Chromeskull: Laid To Rest 2!  My death scene is SO gnarly and awesome! they had to basically build the side of my head, ear and pig tail and all, just so chromeskull can rip my face off ! It was pretty fun I must say.  I think there is something exciting about working on suspense and horror projects.  I have never been on a set of one where I didn’t have the best time of my life.  If I had to pick something that sets this genre apart I would say it’s the fans, and people you meet from being in one.  It truly is one big creepy, bloody, family.  I love it.

Photo by Michael Scott Photography

What is your favorite scary movie?

My favorite scary movie? yikes! This is a tough one, I think I had like 104 at one point.  But, off the top of my cranium, I will pick a classic…the original 1974 Black Christmas starring Olivia Hussey.  This movie was SO good! A. because , OLIVIA HUSSEY! but , also I found it to remind me of an old italian horror film. Even for me it had a bit of a creepy voyeuristic Hitchcock vibe. I am obsessed with the camera angles from the Killer’s point of view. It is not your average slasher film with really gory kills, or Un gratutious boobie shots…It felt more cinematic to me, and made it SOOO much more creepy and scary for me.  That is just one of my faves, but I honestly have so many!

What are you plans for the upcoming Halloween? Any kind of traditions you try to uphold each year?

This Halloween I haven’t quite decided on what I want to be! I know I will be doing on camera walk-thru’s of some of the awesomest haunts in Salt Lake City with “CROWD SURFING UTAH” (you can find them on youtube) We will do walk throughs and interviews and get people into the halloween spirit all month long! Halloween being my favorite holiday I DO try and celebrate as MUCH as I can each year.  As far as traditions? When I was younger ( I grew up in Massachusetts a.k.a. Witchy capital of the world) and we would always go to Salem each Halloween…Now, I just make sure I attend anything spooky related that is thrown at me , not just during Halloween season but ALL year long!

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

The future holds endless possibilities! Some I can share right now, Some you will have to stay tuned for, but, I’m Wicked excited for a Horror movie I filmed that is now in post production,  called Behind You.  Written and Directed by Matthew Whedon & Andrew Mecham .  It is really creepy. That is all I can divulge at the moment, but I’m anxious to see the final product.  Also, I am continuing to work on a new record, and also, work on my web series which you can catch the first 2 seasons at WWW.TINSELSTOWN.COM

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Family