Ellie Cornell [Interview]

Welcome to Day 27 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

It wouldn’t be a Month of Horror showcase here at TWS if we didn’t get the Halloween franchise involved! And do we ever! Today we are featuring the lovely and talented actress, Ellie Cornell. Ellie brilliantly portrayed Rachel Carruther in the 4th and 5th installments of this legendary franchise. Ellie also played a huge role in films like House of the Dead II and Room 6, which happened to be directed by our first interview subject of this month, Mr. Michael Hurst! Just another example of brilliant minds coming together to make something wonderful. P.S. Another great example of Cornell working with geniuses in the world of film may be coming very soon, just a head’s up!

So let’s just jump into this fantastic collection of answers we received from the brilliant actress Ellie Cornell. We are honored to have such a legendary presence join our family, and simply can not say enough good things about her. With that, I shall stop saying anything at all, and get right into it! Ladies and gentlemen, Ellie Cornell!

You are by far one of my favorite actresses to take on a role in the legendary Michael Myers saga we all know and love known as Halloween. What was it like to dive into such an established franchise very early in your career as the starring role in Halloween 4?

Thank you, Ron! I was so honored to be a part of this franchise – to go through the casting process and to land the role. I had no idea how well the project would be received when we all got cast – we had big shoes to fill from 1 & 2…to work with Dwight Little, Donald Pleasance, Danielle Harris – we were in such good hands, beginning with a good, smart & scary script. It still amazes me what a large and loyal fan base the Halloween series attract.

And when it comes to reoccurring roles, what was it like to jump back into the role for Halloween 5? Did you feel the urge to do something different with the character? Whatever you did turned out incredible as we all know, but I am curious to know what sort of thought process might have went into re-engaging this character?

I knew before I had even received the script for Halloween 5  that Rachel Carruthers’ days were numbered – it’s just part of the horror genre formula. I had the writers re-do Rachel’s demise to get a little closer to the dignified end I thought she deserved. I just thought it was too bad, in the end – and I know that the late Moustapha Akkad agreed with me, because we talked about it – that it was sad to knock off a good character without a redeeming or logical storyline, but things happen for a reason – it must have been time to move on.  With regard to reappearing as Rachel, I just tried my best to maintain her integrity and smarts that were established with director Dwight Little in H4.

You also appeared in the terrific film Room 6, directed by fellow Month of Horror interviewee Michael Hurst. What was it like working under the guise of a filmmaker like Michael, and being a part of a top notch cast? 

I’ve had the good fortune to work with Mike several times…he’s an intelligent director and maintains an on-set even keel, which is important when work days are long and challenging. He always had a point of view and respected the actors – another feather in his cap! I always learn from other actors, directors, the creative forces behind the scenes. If you want to learn about maintaining laser focus on any set, just hang with a script supervisor for a few hours. Their eye for detail is relentless.

In 2008 you had plans to get behind the camera to direct the anthology thriller Prank, featuring fellow horror legends Heather Langenkemp and Danielle Harris. What made you decide to move from actress and producer, to full blown director? What kicked off this decision, and how did you enjoy it?

Prank never came to fruition, for reasons out of my control. I had a cool script from Tommy Hutson, but it never got to the shooting stage. It was a joy to meet Heather. I don’t have a strong desire to direct a film at this point – I’m having too much fun doing theatre again, studying, and doing the best I can in my auditions.

While you have worked in several other genres, I do have to ask what you believe it is about the horror genre that makes you want to keep returning to it?

I was working closely with a production team that kept asking me to play small roles in the films they were making…so in that respect I was lucky. I got to be a stay at home mom while I continued to work in films. I learn something each and every time I show up to audition, to shoot, to get fitted for wardrobe, whatever it is – I try to be respectful of all the long hours and work that goes into make a movie or TV, regardless of the genre…it’s not for the lazy or faint of heart. We all just need to be kind to one another, everyone’s working hard.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Rosemary’s Baby : a classic

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you trey to uphold each year?

Costumes, costumes, costumes! Did I mention costumes?

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

Keep an eye out for Altar Rock, the incomparable Andrzej Bartowiak directing…working with K.J.Apa, James Remar and Scott Adkins was a blast!

What was the last thing that made you smile? 

Scalloping with my family on the last weekend of summer

Michael A. Simpson [Interview]

Welcome to Day 26 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

When did you first discover your love for the world of film and television? How far back does this passion go for you?

I enjoyed watching movies even as a child. We had a cinema in the town where I grew up. It was a baby sitting service on Saturday afternoons showing a double feature matinee. My mom would drop me and my brother off and we would watch movies while she cleaned house and bought groceries. Many of the movies were horror films.

When I was seven or eight, over dinner after an afternoon at the cinema, I asked my parents how do you make movies. They said they were made in a place called Hollywood, which sounded to me like some far away place like Neverland. I asked if I could make movies. To their eternal credit, they told me I could do anything I wanted to, and yes, if I wanted to make movies when I grew up I could.

I also watched a lot of classic horror films on television. On Friday nights in Atlanta we had the Big Movie Shocker hosted by Bestoink Dooley, a deliciously warped persona created by local actor George Ellis. George was part of the first wave of late-night TV horror hosts, and for my money, one of the best. He guided me through my first experiences with The Mummy, The Wolf Man, Cat People, and many others.  I’d often toss and turn in bed for hours afterward, scared out of my young mind by what I had just watched. As I grew older, that fascination with horror stayed with me.

You were involved with two of my favorite horror sequels of all time, the brilliant Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers & Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland. What was it like jumping on board after the cult success of the first Sleepaway Camp? Was there a bit of pressure when you realized you were building a franchise?

For me, it was more a sense of excitement that pressure. The main goal we had for the sequels was to extend the story arc by developing Angela’s character. I was intrigued by the idea of taking her gender orientation and pushing it out so that by the time of the sequels Angela had gone through a sex change and was now transgendered. For me, that felt very fresh. To my knowledge no one had done that with slasher horror.

We also wanted a different tone than the original. We added self-referential humor to break the tension, which later became sort of the thing to do with slasher horror.

What where some other personal touches that were important for you to have in Unhappy Campers and Teenage Wasteland to truly make it your own? What made this story a Michael A. Simpson visual tale?

The pop culture references became one of the signatures of the sequels. We put “camp” into movies with perverse, dark, campy humor. It’s something you either love or hate, but I liked it.

I was intrigued by the idea of setting a slasher stalking movie in daylight in the woods, instead of at night. It was a challenge in some ways but it was also a great way to set Teenage Wasteland apart from Unhappy Campers.

I also liked the introspective, almost melancholy beat in Wasteland with Angela’s daydream. That was not at all common in slasher horror. It was an idea the editor John Allen came up with. It gave an odd humanity to Angela as a character. John later edited Fast Food for me and then went on to edit for some great directors like Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and Bruce Beresford. A very talented guy.

Although we had a very small budget I wanted the best gore and makeup effects we could afford. We found a young man, Bill Johnson, who was literally creating effects in his parents basement and had no film credits, but he was very creative and had great ideas when he read the script.

I was impressed by what he accomplished for the budget we had. He earned the nickname “Splat” on those two films, which stuck.

Splat went on to provide make up effects and prosthetic design for dozens of films through the years, like Pet Sematary II, Boxing Helena, and RoboCop 3. Recently, he was Make Up Effects Department Head for the remake of Jacob’s Ladder. He’s made quite a name for himself.

The New Beverly Cinema in Beverly Hills screened SC2: Unhappy Campers  and SC3: Teenage Wasteland on Tuesday [Oct 24th, 2017] night in 35mm prints, part of their October Horror showcase. Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who is the owner and head programmer at the Beverly, made the unique decision to have the cinema solely project film prints. “Grindhouse Tuesdays” remain one of their most popular nights with a tremendously loyal following. – Michael A. Simpson.

I thought up the idea for the film while working for Six Flags Over Georgia. I was recently out of college and had a job in the marketing department.

The park had a promotional tie-in with McDonald’s. The regional Ronald McDonald did an in-park appearance one weekend.

At lunch, RD insisted that he eat alone behind a closed door. He said he didn’t want anyone to see him if his make-up wasn’t perfect, and he didn’t want anyone to see him with his gloves off. Later, walking through the park, I asked if it was difficult walking in such big clown shoes. Without missing a beat, he said they’re not big, they’re the perfect size.

That was the moment Bruce Burger was born, a character who had no self-awareness that he was a clown. He was Bruce Burger, not a clown.

I wrote a detailed treatment for the film based on that premise and beat out the scenes and other characters. Bruce Mahler’s character Mike Spencer was based on me. In the movie, Mahler even looks a bit like how I looked when I worked for the park.

I met Bonnie and Terry when they were working for Turner Broadcasting, writing for the Bill Tush Show. This was very early in their careers. So many people referred to them collectively as “Bonnie and Terry Turner” that the first line of their resume read “Bonnie and Terry Turner are not the same person.” That made me laugh.

Along with Jim Varney, they’re two of the funniest people I’ve ever known. I thought they would be perfect for Funland, and my belief was justified. They were amazing to work with.

Their draft of the script was done at a fevered pace, almost like stream of consciousness over the course of just two weeks or so. We had agreed that the three of us would write the script and share credit together, but the draft they turned in was so good I had very little work to do, mostly editing and tweaking a line here and there.

Some of the lines in the movie still make me laugh, like Terry Beaver’s character Carl Dimauro chiding his brother Larry for “coming to work without your tools” when Larry forgets to bring his gun. And Robert Sacchi is still mesmerizing as Bogie.

Funny story. When we finished the script I sent it to the financier of the film, who read it on a beach while on vacation in the Bahamas. He goes back to his hotel room and calls me and the first words out of his mouth were: “Where are the tits?”

He thought he was financing a teen sex comedy and we had turned in a very dark comedy. Since he was the money bags, we had to go back in and insert some generic teen comedy, which I believe hurt the film by taking it away from its more inventive premise: a deranged clown who takes revenge when the mob takes over the amusement park.

Over the years, I’ve thought about doing a director’s cut of Funland and re-editing it to focus more clearly on Bruce Burger. That’s the movie I wanted to make then and it’s the one that I think fans of the film would want to see. I’ve been encouraged to do it and it’s on my to do list if I ever have the time.

The Turners knew Jan Hooks, who had also been on Tush’s show, and I hired Jan for the role of Shelly Willingham in the film. When Jan went to SNL right after Funland, she got Bonnie and Terry hired as staff writers for the show. The rest is history.

The Turners helped create the SNL “Wayne’s World” skits with Mike Myers and then the Wayne’s World movie, which was the Turners’ next film after Funland, then they wrote Coneheads and Tommy Boy. They also created several series including 3rd Rock from the Sun and That ’70s Show, which they created with Mark Brazill, another remarkable comic talent.

Bonnie and Terry walked away from the business around 2006 or so. They are missed. Good humans.

What is it about the horror genre specifically that appeals to you? What do you personally believe sets it apart from other genres?

There’s something very primal and visceral about great horror. Cary Jung believed horror taps into primordial archetypes buried in our collective subconscious. Because of that, I think the emotions of horror are amplified when presented visually. We are literally creating and presenting nightmares for us to confront that are buried deep in all of us.

Also, horror often starts from a point of shared experience that the audience can relate to, like going to a summer camp. So there’s this intrinsic paradox, in that a great horror films are both relatable, yet unrealistic.

And let’s face it, there’s a great release in being scared out of our wits while on the journey we take when watching a movie.

Fans of horror are very loyal. In that way, they remind me of country music fans. I love to hear from the happy campers. I’ve received emails from people who first saw the Sleepaway sequels when they were in their teens and then years later shared them with their own teenage children.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Probably depends on my mood. I love Phantasm (1979). I first saw it with my brother; we were both stoned in a theater in downtown Atlanta that had gone to seed. The place reeked of alcohol and piss. Street people were sleeping around us. So much crime was happening in the theater that the manager refused to dim the lights while the movie played. All of that just added to the weird, other worldly quality of the film.

Also, the remake of The Thing with Kurt Russell holds up well for me. The original Hellraiser also comes to mind.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a favorite. I had the pleasure of working with Kevin McCarthy on Fast Food. He shared some great stories about the making of Snatchers. And the film still seems like a very timely and astute social commentary. Given what’s going on in our country’s current political climate, I sometimes wonder if millions of us have been replaced by pod people.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

No plans. I’m pretty spontaneous when it comes to Halloween.

What does the future hold for you? Any upcoming projects you would like to tell our readers about?

My producer partner Judy Cairo and I are just finishing a film, Candy Jar, which is a comedy directed by Ben Shelton, who is someone who is going to be on everyone’s radar. It will be available for your eyeballs in 2018.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My wife came in and kissed me while I was doing this interview.

Behind the Scenes Photos of Sleepaway Camp 2:

Behind The Scenes Photos of Sleepaway Camp 3:

Behind The Scenes Photos of Funland:

Rusty Nixon [Interview]

Welcome to Day 25 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Welcome back folks! My what a month it has been! And we still have so much more to share with you fine folks! Like today, we are talking with the brilliant writer and director Rusty Nixon. Rusty’s latest film Residue, is an amazing and frightening tale that will seriously freak you the hell out to no end! Same goes for his previous film entitled Candiland. Another absolutely brilliant addition to the world of horror.

Rusty Nixon is quickly rising up the ranks in the world of horror filmmaking, and we are so very fortunate that he was able to share a bit of insight into the world of horror with us today. He gives us such a damn good interview, I feel like we should just get right into it! So without further babbling, let’s get to some words with the wonderful Rusty Nixon! Enjoy!

When did you realize you wanted to be part of the world of film? What inspired you to join the field you are in today?

I was always a very shy kid. But when I was around 11-12 my uncle (who was a huge electronics buff) bought this home VHS video camera. He let me borrow it for a day. It had three huge pieces – I could barely walk with the thing – but without even thinking about it I went around and gathered up about a dozen kids from the neighbourhood and we started going door to door asking people if they had something we could film.

Thinking back I can’t imagine what it was like to have this army of kids knocking on your door wanting to use your backyard to film something. And it wasn’t about being in charge or control it was more like I’d found this giant treasure chest and wanted to share it with as many people as possible. That pure joy I felt by gathering a group of people and working together to tell a story has never left me.

I am intrigued by your latest project entitled Residue. Can you tell us a bit about this film? What inspired you tell this tale?

I had a nightmare a long time ago. I was being pursued by this grotesque demon. Everywhere I went it was there. And because I was in that weird dream state I kept alternating between being myself and being the demon. But when I was the demon I had no idea I was a creature. I was this innocent being who was just trying to help. The monsters in the movie are a living form of your unresolved issues. They’re just trying to give you closure. Even if it means killing you.

Rusty Nixon with legendary actor William B. Davis, of Residue

You and your team have assembled a rather brilliant cast for Residue, if I may add. But I am always curious about this matter: As a writer, did the cast turn out to be close to how you were envisioning in your head as you were writing these characters, or were there exceptions that had to be made based around the many factors we all know that go into actually putting words to screen?

I wrote the original script over fifteen years ago – then reworked sections as we cast the film. I love working with actors on story. I’d have lunches or phone meetings with them and give the screenplay another polish after getting their input. It really helps get me on the same page with them and working with a lower budget – I’ve got to get 9-12 pages shot in a day. So I need the actors to deliver with fewer takes and set ups – but because we both want the same thing we can really help each other.

What is it specifically about the horror genre that you find the most intriguing? What has made you want to work so often in this genre?

I don’t know where my fascination started. Horror films have always had this magical pull on me. When I was a kid I’d walk to the video stores and could spent hours looking at all the horror movies. Other sections would have pictures of people smiling at the camera then you go to the horror section and there’s a rotting hand shooting out from a grave holding a skull and I’d be so instantly intrigued about its story. I’d watch these ultra low budget films like Scarecrows and – if you forgave them for not having the budgets of the big studio films – they could really creep you out.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

I’m a huge fan of the original Dawn of the Dead.  That’s the one that made me want to make movies. And you could really feel the team effort from that film.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to uphold each year?

I love going to Halloween parties. I’m hoping to have a Residue themed party this year. My son’s only 18 months old and I have another one on the way. So I’m really excited to start some new traditions with them as they get older.

What else does the future hold for you? Anything beyond Residue on the horizon that you can tell our readers about?

I have a prequel written for Residue I’m dying to shoot. I have a couple more films on upcoming slates. My first film, Down the Line is coming out soon. That film was made with love, duct tape, and a used-car sized budget. I’m really anxious to see how audiences respond to it.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My son said ‘dada’ pretty recently. I think I’m still smiling from that day.

Check out the trailer for Residue, available on VOD now, courtesy of BD Horror Trailers and Clips:

Ted Alderman [Interview]

Welcome to Day 24 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interviewee for our Month of Horror is a very personal one, as the amazing actor and stuntman Ted Alderman happens to be the man who happened to portray what is, in my humble opinion, one of the best named characters in any film ever made. I am speaking of course of…Sheriff Ronald Trembath in the 2008 Steve Sessions indie horror classic film Torment. That’s right folks, that is also my name! Crazy stuff, right? The film’s creator Steve Sessions, who you may have noticed we have talked a lot about during our MoH, was generous enough to use my name as well as my dear friend and former TWS contributor Ray Wiggington. The two leads of the film are of course, Ray and Laura Wiggington. Long story short, Ray and I were deployed together in Iraq in 2006, where we would spend whatever free time we had watching indie horror flicks that were for some reason, very available at the local PX. We reached out to Steve just to say we enjoyed his work on Malefic, and he was kind enough to ship us a few copies of his other works, and promised to put our names in his next film, which would be Torment! And a friendship was born that continues to this day!

So that is the story. But, let’s not let all of that excitement take away from the fact that we are honored to have Mr. Ted Alderman featured on the site today. He is a brilliant man who works in so many different areas of the world of film and television. He is an expertly training martial arts professional, a stunt man, an electrician, a terrific actor, and more. His credits range from indie horror gems like Torment, to huge projects like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and NCIS: New Orleans. He is a wonderful man, and we are so proud to have him here today! So please enjoy some great words with the amazing Ted Alderman!

How did you come into the world of creativity?

I’ve always had a very creative mind. As a child I used to love to draw and create things.

What drew you to the world of film and television from the very beginning?

As a teenager growing up in 80’s. I was attracted to the Chuck Norris and Ninja movies and told my mom once, I wanted to be the guy getting beat up by the star.

When it comes to your resume, you are all over the map on so many different types of projects. It seems like there isn’t a job in the world of film that you aren’t able to be a part of. One aspect I am very interested in, as it is a former profession of my own that I loved and miss, is that of an electrician. I feel like a lot of people may assume they know what you might do on a show like NCIS: New Orleans or a film like American Ultra, but what does this job actually entail?

It’s about setting up lighting on the sets.  On the ground or 200+ feet in the air. Not to mention the power supplies and cable that goes along with it. Your either supplying ambient lighting or even moon light or fake lighting flashes. Among just about any other lighting you see in film or TV.

Is it a daunting task on such large projects?

Yes it is. You have sometimes, 100 lb power cables you have to string along ground or roofs for thousands of feet. Or being up in a manlift for hours at a time 100+ feet in the air and the wind rocking the basket your in. Fun times. Lol

I understand you recently spent some time in Switzerland working on a film and some other cool activities. So how was your trip?

It was good. Just no air conditioning. Other than that is was very beautiful there!

Anything exciting you can share with our readers?

Not really except I choreographed a fight scene where a group of kids whoop my butt.

In 2008, you appeared in a film that was written and directed by our dear friend and B-Horror mastermind Steve Sessions entitled Torment. I truly loved your performance, and especially loved the name of your character, Sheriff Ronald Trembath, I believe it was? So as we have asked a few guests as of recently, how was your experience working on a Sessions project?

Steve is always a pleasure to work with. Hope to do more in the future.

Writer/Director Steve Sessions, actress Suzi Lorraine as Laura Wiggington, and Ted Alderman as Sheriff Ronald Trembath, on the set of Torment.

How did it differ from other projects you have worked on?

Not much. Steve knows what he wants but also allows the actor to be creative.

While you have worked in several different genres in the world of film, I am compelled to ask what it is you enjoy about working in the world of horror?

I really enjoyed the horror genre. I hope to get back into it. It’s fun and serious at the same time. Usually not so stressful. And a lot of room for creativity.

What do you find to be the most special about this specific genre?

The people are more fun to work with!!

What is your favorite scary movie?

Jeepers Creepers. I love that idea on a monster that has lived throughout history reading up and killing people. A lot of different cultures have some type of mythology monster like that. Not to mention I have meet Jonathan Breck and Victor Salva and there both great guys.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

I really don’t have any plans. Just giving out candy to the kids and checking out the single moms!! Lol

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

Right now my life is at a stand still. Nothing on the books. Just living day to day.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Seeing a koozie at a local store that said “Boobies make me smile”. Lol

Laura Madsen [Interview]

Welcome to Day 23 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interviewee is a person who is simply a damn delightful person! I have had the distinct honor of getting to digitally know Laura Madsen over the last few months, and found myself lucky to get to showcase her amazing work during our Month of Horror series, which came as a total surprise. You see, Laura Madsen is one of these people who simply DOES IT ALL!! I actually first came into contact with Laura through her gig as a publicist, in which she has represented some amazing clients and worked on some even more amazing projects. For example, the recently released Shooting Clerks, directed by our old pal Christopher Downie! And through these conversations, I learned that Laura is not only a bad ass publicist, she is an actress. And a model. And a writer. And the list goes on and on. She is a real chameleon, and we are so excited she was able to take some time out of her insanely hectic schedule to tell us a bit about herself!

So please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Laura Madsen!

When did you first realize you were a creative person, and needed to live in a creative world? Would were some of your earliest inspirations growing up in Jersey?

I was in elementary school when I found that I enjoyed writing, creatively, or about what was on my mind, or even about things I had opinions on.  My writing has been the catalyst for everything that has happened in my career.  Happy people inspire me.  I am always drawn to those who find success in their lives in ways that make them personally happy and who follow their dreams.  There are many success stories for people from New Jersey – Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, David Copperfield, Kevin Smith, Meryl Streep, Ice-T… the list goes on.  I think there’s something in the water.  If they can be successful, then it allows me to believe that so can I.

You wear so many hats in the world of art and entertainment. Including publicity (how I met you!), to writing, to acting, and on and on. With that being said, what guides you? Is there one gig you would consider your primary job? Or do you just sort of take things as they come along?

The next thing I’m passionate about that comes my way in life will guide me.  I have always felt that most people can do more than one thing with their life; have more than one job; more than one passion.  I never felt personally satisfied doing just one thing or being called one thing.  My first and most important job in life is being a mom to my daughter, Manda.  Outside of that, I always look forward to what’s coming next.  I think God has a plan for everyone, and I’m enjoying watching my plan unfold as I take the pre-destined course that’s waiting for me.  I’ve been referred to as a “chameleon”; ever-changing and adapting, doing a multitude of things.  I write, I model, I act, I love being on radio, and I enjoy working with celebrities in all facets of their careers so more light can shine on their talents.  My latest addition to my world has been appearing at comic-cons as a featured guest, and I love it!  It gives me a chance to meet fans who have only met me through online contact.  Who knows what’s next?  I hope I never have just one primary gig.  I don’t have a single primary job right now, and I would never want only one.  I like changing things up so I’m never bored, and my hope is that I continue to adapt to the times and appeal to multiple generations, just like Madonna.  I like to keep changing it up and surprising people.  You never know what I’ll do next! I love the thrill of keeping people on their toes!

In your PR bubble, can you tell us a bit about how it has been to work on and see our new friend Christopher Downie’s Shooting Clerks come to live? As a girl from Jersey, is there a bit of a personal touch to watching all of this magic happen?

I met Christopher Downie in November of 2016 when I was hosting the Q&A for a screening of a previous version of the Kevin Smith biopic film he wrote and directed, Shooting Clerks. I was immediately impressed by his talent, vision, and the star quality of the cast and crew working with him.  I usually work with individual celebrity clients, and I don’t take on too many film production companies or films as clients, but there was something magical about all involved with this movie that motivated me to want to help them instantly.  They have the “it” factor on screen, and off.  Plus, I genuinely like everyone involved in the production, and have always loved the movie Clerks.   I am absolutely exhilarated to see the success of the film for everyone involved.  It’s “Jersey pride”; since I am a Jersey girl, but also, I consider the cast and crew to be my friends, and I love watching my friends succeed.  They have all put their blood, sweat, and tears into this movie, and I’m proud to stand behind them and give them my support.  Watching how the actors portrayed the younger versions of the original Clerks cast with meticulous precision, knowing that Christopher Downie had to recreate the entire interior of the Quick Stop in Scotland for filming, and the care put into the Jersey authenticity, of course appealed to a place in my Jersey heart that I’ve had for a long time.  Working with them has been a match made in – well – Jersey.  Who better to represent a Jersey film than a girl from Jersey?  I never treat anyone I work with impersonally.  If I’m working with someone, I’m working with them with my entire mind and caring presence.

I am excited to have heard about your upcoming performance in  Anadellia Rises. What can you tell us about this project, without giving too much away? What should our readers by excited about?

Anadellia Rises is a tale of good versus evil, and possession.  I’m excited to play a demon, in this film.  I’m usually portrayed as a “good girl”, or a slightly seductive “girl next door” type of character and I can’t wait to show a bit of a bad side that kicks ass (figuratively and literally).  So if anyone wants to see me step out of my usual type cast, this will be a fun movie to watch.

What is it about the horror genre specifically that has made you want join this world?

I’ve only done one film so far in the horror genre, Death at a Barbecue, directed by Larry Rosen.  It wasn’t so much the horror genre that attracted me to the film, but it was the talent and kind of person who Larry is.  I respect him very much as a director.  That said, it was a casual and comfortable environment on set, and that was very enjoyable.  Larry is open to expansion on dialogue and ad-libbing, which makes an actor feel like s/he can personalize the character they become many times.  I also like playing characters that are very different from how I am in real life, that I can sink my teeth into, because of the emotion that I can express on camera.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Horror movies completely scare me – so I don’t watch many, at least not voluntarily.  In years past I was convinced to watch a few due to peer pressure, but the experience has always haunted me and left me with several sleepless nights.  One of my most memorable experiences watching a horror movie was when I saw Nightmare on Elm Street as a teen.  I was sleeping over at a friend’s house and her parents weren’t home.  Right after the movie finished, her phone rang, and both of us were afraid to pick  it up because we thought Freddie Kruger would jump out of the phone, as he did in the movie.  I’d say that probably had a lot to do with me never watching horror movies as a regular rule of thumb, because I don’t like to be scared.  Paying money to watch something that scares me defies my inner logic somewhat; but I don’t mind acting in a horror film.

Do you have any plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to uphold each year?

I’ll probably take my 12 years old daughter, Manda, trick-or-treating in our neighborhood this year, as we do every year.  We also enjoy giving candy out to kids at the door.  We have a tradition of carving pumpkins together and roasting pumpkin seeds, too.

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

I’m excited to be one of the “Chiller Chicks” at Chiller Theatre, a comiccon in New Jersey this October!  There will be three of us working as guests of the comic-con, greeting show-goers as they walk in, taking photos with fans, and signing autographs.  The idea is that we will be very visible, approachable, (and sexy) representatives of Chiller who people can come up to for a meet & greet and get reliable answers to their questions, and information about where to find other celebrities at the show.  I’m so happy to be chosen as one of the pinpoint poster girls for the event.  (Tickets and info:  http://chillertheatre.com/ )

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My puppy, Brisk, falling asleep in my lap.

Robert Rothbard [Interview]

Welcome to Day 20 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interview subject is a man who has been working in the world of film and television in several different realms, and has been behind some pretty incredible projects if I do say so myself. He has worked as a production manager for shows like The Office, CSI: Miami, and Suburgatory. But his greatest work may very well be a film I recently discovered, 2015’s The Painting: The Art of Slaying. The concept of this film alone is something to marvel at, and the film itself fits in just perfectly with the films we have been showcasing this month during our Month of Horror series.

We were fortunate enough to be able to steal a few words from this iconic writer, director, producer, and so much more! So without further rambling, please enjoy some words from the brilliant Robert Rothbard!

When did you first decide you wanted to join the world of film? When did you realize that this was the world you wanted to make your living in?

I was a film Student at Temple University School of Communications and Theatre and when I graduated I went to work on features as well as making my own short films before I ventured into writing and directing features. I’ve never done anything else.  Feel fortunate to be able to say that.

You have worked in just about every aspect of the world of film behind the lens. One gig you have found yourself in a lot would be that of Production Manager. For those of us who consistently on the outside looking in, and aren’t afraid to be honest, what exactly does being a Production Manager entail? And what do you enjoy about this line of work?

A UPM or PM is  essentially the DGA version of a producer.  You make or approve the budget and schedule, hire crew, and oversee the day to day making of the show.  You participate in pretty much every aspect of the show you’re working on, although  it can be less creative than I would like, and I have since moved more towards directing/writing my own projects both in TV and film.

With your 2015 film The Painting: The Art of Slaying, you dug a bit into the world of horror, mixed with comedy (which the best is!). You’ve also working on a few other thriller/suspense/horror projects as well. So what is it about this genre specifically that you enjoy? What sets the world of scaring the shit out of people apart from films that bring out other emotions?

For me emotions are all the same.  Making people feel is my goal. Laughter and fear make good bedfellows. If I get a rise out of the audience, I guess I did my job.  Even in The Painting, I like to always leave the audience with something more.  A message that gives hope — a faith that there’s something bigger and greater out there then just happenstance or evil.  A Grand Creator who is in charge of all cause and effect. I have to work in the direction of the greater good.  I can’t just make any movie.  What would be the point?  It’s got leave you with something.  I will always slip in a redeeming quality in the film.  Sometimes it’s rather heavy handed, sometimes it’s a light touch. Call it a weakness or an asset — nothing I can do about it — it’s who I am.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

My favorite is The Exorcist.  I couldn’t sleep for a month.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

I used to throw eggs at peoples houses and soap up car windows.  These days I put all my energy  into writing good scripts.  Yes even on Halloween….

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

I’ve had two paranormal experiences that I am weaving into a supernatural thriller/horror movie as we speak.  It gets into the future visiting the present and some pretty gruesome stuff.  For the time being my Producing/Writing partner Sally Lamb are calling it Portal.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Good question.  Seeing a good friend at lunch and finding out his daughter is studying to be a film composer. That made me smile!

Debbie Sherman [Interview]

Welcome to Day 19 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

We have a wonderful interview for you Horror fiends today! Today’s interviewee is a woman who will surely be on everyone’s radar very soon, as she is an actress with a raw talent that is being brought out on some pretty amazing projects lately. While her acting credibility goes beyond the measures of the world of horror, she has already managed to make a name for herself in this specific genre. And giving that this is our Month of Horror showcase, we are damned excited that she has.

Debbie Sherman can be seen in the recently released James Franco led psychological thriller entitled The Vault, which is a god damned gem of a film. She can also be found in 2 time Oscar nominee Roland Joffé’s latest film The Forgiven, featuring Forest Whitaker and Eric Bana. And if that isn’t impressive enough, Debbie will have a starring role in the latest addition to the “of the Dead” franchise in Day of the Dead: Bloodline. She is a brilliant working actress who is destined to be a household name before we know it.

So with that in mind, please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Debbie Sherman!

When did you first discover your passion for acting? And when did you know that you wanted to play pretend for a living and bring joy into people’s lives?

I have been a drama queen since the age of 0. I think I was even dramatic in my mother’s womb. I love playing pretend and I especially enjoy getting to know a storyline and it’s background. Learning about different characters and really diving into what makes that person tick is such a rush for me. I enjoy getting to transform into someone else for a time. It is exhilarating. When I have the opportunity to tell meaningful stories and play characters that are parts of narratives that need to be told, well, that’s one of my favorite things.

I have been hearing some good buzz about The Vault, which was released on September 1st. Can you tell us a bit about this project, and what drew you to work on it?

The Vault is a mash of horror and thriller. It is full of twists and turns. It starts out as a bank robbery, but it ends up being so much more than that. It stars James Franco, Taryn Manning, Francesca Eastwood and Jeff Gum. This was was my first role in a film and it was such a fun set to work on!

What should our readers be most excited about seeing in The Vault?

The audience should expect surprises. This film is constantly sending the audience into a state of shock.

What is it about working in the world of horror specifically that you enjoy? What sets it apart from other genres you have worked in?

Horror takes us away from our reality and moves us into a place of the unknown. That is my favorite part of the genre and why I so enjoy working on horror films. There is never a dull moment on horror sets and there is always something to scare you around the corner.

What is your favorite scary movie?

Night of the Living Dead from 1968. Gorge A. Romero pretty much invented all thing zombies in the film industry. Without him and his films, there would be no Day of the Dead, which I filmed last year and will be released soon!

What are your plans for this Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

Trick-or-Treating of course! I have two little girls and I wouldn’t miss taking them trick-or-treating around the block. Check out my social media on Halloween to see what we dress up as this year!

What does the future hold for you? Anything in the works you can tell our readers about?

I have a huge project I am getting ready to film. It is my biggest role yet and I am beyond excited. Stay tuned, I will be releasing details soon!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My daughters. They are the light of my life and while sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out, they always give me the most joy and the biggest smile. This morning while dropping them off at school, they both gave each other a big kiss and hug and said, “I love you. Have a good day”. I love their sisterly bond and this was the last thing that made me smile.

Wesley O’Mary [Interview]

Welcome to Day 18 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Hello Folks! Today’s interviewee for our Month of Horror is a brilliant one to say the least. Wesley C. O’Mary is a lifelong actor. He has been in the business for longer than he can probably entirely remember. And in that time he has  done some incredible work that is incredibly admirable and impressive.

Wesley has also been a major player in what we are calling the “Steve Sessions Universe”. Like our previous interview subject Eric Spudic, Wesley has worked on some wonderful films from the legendary mind of our old friend Steve Sessions. He has appeared in the brilliant films Shriek of the Sasquatch and Aberrations. And he did a damn fine and memorable job in both of them.

As an added bonus, he also happened to have worked as a visual effects artist on a brilliant independent film that actually kicked off this whole event know as Demons! A small world, isn’t it? So ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant and talented Wesley C. O’Mary!

You began your career as an actor at a very young age. What made you decide you wanted to play pretend for a living?