Anastasia Baranova [Interview]

Welcome to Day 26 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 6 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!

It’s so hard to believe we just 5 days away from completing another Month of Horror series. It has been so great to share these incredible interviews and features with you all. And yet, we still have so much more to share! Today we are featuring one hell of an actress, who appeared in the best zombie tale of the 21st century. No, I’m not talking about The Walking Dead. and quite honestly, FUCK The Walking Dead. But, that’s just getting personal. No, I am talking about the SyFy original series, Z Nation. It’s so damn good, and 1,000 times better than that aforementioned melodramatic bullshit of a show. It’s so great, and our guest is one of the incredible leads of the program. It’s Anastasia Baranova!

Anastasia has done some incredible work on screen both in the horror world and beyond. She has worked on such classic TV hits like Sons of Anarchy and Malcom in the Middle. She is also an accomplished voice over performer working on such projects as A Good Day To Die Hard and one of my personal favorite video games, Evolve. Just so much great work from such an amazing talent. We are so excited to hear what she has to say about her time spent in the world of horror, Z Nation, Veronica Mars, and beyond!

So Folks! Please enjoy some wonderful words from the brilliant Anastasia Baranova!

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What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it an early aspiration you can always remember having since your youth, or did you just find yourself in this world one day?

 Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. That was the defining movie of my childhood. I wanted to be Whitney.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any kind of lessons learned from this project that still affect your work today?

I think my first paid gig was being a hand stand-in for someone on The Guardian, and that’s how I got into the Union. My first on camera part was a tiny spot on Lizzie McGuire. I remember watching Hilary Duff be really sweet and work really hard and started to understand then the responsibility of the lead cast in setting and maintaining a good energy on set. She was a pro even then.

I’ve really enjoyed your work on the SyFy Original series Z Nation. I find it to be a truly original program. So what was it that drew you work on this show that looks like just so much fun to work on? Is it as much fun to work on as it is for us to watch?

It was definitely as much fun to make as it is to watch, in my opinion. I do think it’s a very unique show, and I think that’s what was interesting about it from the beginning to everyone.  

Beyond the world of horror, you made some appearances on a show that is currently my 14 year old daughter’s new favorite show, so it behooves me to ask you about it. That show was the beloved Veronica Mars. So how was your experience working on this now legendary program? Any fun memories from working on this project?

 Veronica Mars was such a cool gig!! Another example of watching a strong, female lead in action. Originally it was only one episode and then they called me back in during season 2. That was the first (and so far only!) time that’s happened, and it was so cool! I loved seeing it get a revival because of the fans- I think it’s a reflection of how well the material connected with the audience, which is what we experienced with Z Nation as well.

In your own personal opinion, what do you believe it is that makes the horror genre special? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Horror fascinates me, though I keep a distance, just because I get scared so easily. I think it makes people feel alive. We’ve evolved so far past hunting and gathering but I think our nervous system is still designed for those high stakes moments- the power of filmmaking takes people there.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Hocus Pocus. (You read that correctly. I am scared and don’t watch horror, and SJP as a witch is as far as I’ll go. However! This year a cinephile friend made me watch Psycho and Rosemary’s Baby, so I now of course understand the brilliance. But I kid you not, I get scared walking the short hallway to my bathroom with no lights on because I just imagine him charging me with a knife.)

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? And fun traditions that you try to stick to every year?

Halloween is my favorite time of year!!!!! Candy and costumes and decorations!!!! I start my autumnal decorations on September 1st, so the pumpkins are out as I write this.

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

I’ve got a quick guest spot on NCIS this year, though I’m not sure when it airs, but look out for that! Otherwise, not sure yet what’s on the horizon.  Feel free to invite your readers to start a petition for me to play someone! Twitter magic and stuff!

What was the last thing that scared the hell out of you?

 This “administration.”

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My middle school friend Noah and his partner Dave, and their work with @classroomofcompassion. They create vigils and memorial art installations in cities and towns of mass shootings, honoring the lives taken by gun violence. Their hashtag is #ihopeyouknowhowlovedyouare and they are a shining example of what’s available in humanity.