BadRonald Celebrates Women in Horror Month -- Haunted Anna!

Women Girls in Horror Month Celebrates

HAUNTED ANNA: Awesome Teenage Ghost Buster!

Capture from: Girl Possessed by Ghost - Haunted Anna #20

While we’re celebrating Women in Horror Month, let’s not forget the girls of horror. As a fan of horror, and a great supporter of women behind the cameras, I’ve been in awe of the major talents that have burst onto the horror scene. The Soska Twins had a huge indie horror hit with American Mary, and are now directing the hotly anticipated See No Evil 2. Female directors made a big splash at Sundance this year, capturing major awards, including Best Director, won by Ava Duvernay. This win notes the first time a Black woman has won for best directing. Also creating buzz was Ana Lily Amirpour, who directed A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, the first “Iranian vampire western.”

I’d always heard those stories of filmmakers, like Spielberg or Robert Rodriguez, who started making movies in their backyards, as little kids. It’s a nice change to learn that Amirpour had been making movies since she was 12 years old, her first being a horror flick she filmed during a sleepover.

I’ve shared some interviews with girl filmmakers on this blog before, including Emily Hagins, the now 21 year old director, who has made four feature length films (yes, feature length!) since she was 12 years old. Also, I’ve featured a couple chats with PaigeMcKenzie, better known as Sunshine Girl, from the popular YouTube show, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl. McKenzie has been very active in developing her own show, plus a couple movies featuring her Sunshine character, and a stash of other programs which she hosts on her very own YouTube channel, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl Network.

And this is where we found another in the blossoming crop of girl filmmakers – Anna Bishop, otherwise known as Haunted Anna (she’s also known as AJ Bishop, a singer – but more on that later). Haunted Anna is another of the teenage video bloggers, like Sunshine Girl, who have discovered their inner-Scooby Doo, after finding strange goings on in their homes. Anna is the youngest of the teen ghost hunters featured on THOSGN, starting her show when she was just 13 (however, she had been making films, like Ana Lily Amirpour, since she was younger).

BadRonald: How did you come upon the idea/concept for the Haunted Anna videos?  Were they inspired by anything in your life?

Anna: My idea for the Haunted Anna series came from my love of a good mystery, and psychological thrillers. I have been doing short horror videos for years, but never a series with clues and surprises and unexpected twists.  This was an opportunity to expand on something I already loved to do.

Your videos are shown on the Haunting of Sunshine Girl’s YouTube channel.  How did you guys hook up?

I replied to a request from The Haunted Sunshine Network for a story idea and sent a sample of my work. Then I talked out the premise with the Director Nick Hagen and Sunshine and her mom and we agreed on the direction and storyline. 

Capture from: Girl Pulled Off Bed by Ghost - Anna Haunting #13

Are you a spooky movie fan?

I am a HUGE horror movie fan - but not slasher horror – (I like) psychological thrillers.  I love old classics from Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window).  I am a big fan of The Shining. Great example of a thriller with very interesting characters (Jack Nicholson is brilliant) and the anticipation of what might happen just leaves you exhausted! So many moments in that movie: 'REDRUM' and 'Here's Johnny' and the sound of 'Danny' on his big wheel riding through the lodge on and off the carpet...chilling.  I also really love The Bad Seed, The Others, The Conjuring, The Exorcist, and I just watched Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense.  I watched it twice in a row actually.  What a clever movie - the ending shocked me. 

Speaking of The Bad Seed, I see that you did a stage production of The Bad Seed, playing the lead character.  Absolutely one of my all time favorite movies! How was that experience?

Who's the wickedest of them all?

I had never seen The Bad Seed, so before I auditioned for it I watched the original 1956 movie.  What a twisted story!  The main character, young Rhoda Penmark, is a psychopath.  She is very smart and very cold and calculating and manipulative and deliciously evil.  She is willing to kill for what she wants.  And, she has absolutely no remorse.  The movie was nominated for 4 academy awards, it is truly a classic must see.  I was THRILLED to play this role. This role was the highlight of my theater roles to date. I even dyed my hair platinum blond and cut bangs for this role.  I was really into it.  Interestingly, the staged play is VERY different from the movie at the end.  It's even darker and more sinister.  Apparently the filmmakers had to follow the motion picture association 'Hayes Code' that censored movies from 1930-1968, and the staged play ending was not approved.  You must read the play to see the full impact of The Bad Seed!! I don't want to give away the ending!

The Bad Seed

From what I’ve seen, on your music videos, and from your tweets and posts, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you’re a pretty nice, sweet person – right?  How did you manage to get in the head of Rhoda?  She’s such a terrible little girl!

The role of Rhoda Penmark WAS totally out of character for me...but I love being an actress! So this was a great and rewarding challenge for me.  I did a lot of research on psychopaths before the production to prepare.  I learned that psychopathy is a disorder people are born with, and it is often hereditary. They are bold and fearless risk-seekers and they do not understand social norms. With this knowledge I was able to slip into Rhoda's head before the show, and shake her off afterwards.  You don't want to take any of that behavior home from the theater.  I must say my mom accused me of some Rhoda-like behavior during the run of the show.  I might have been trying out some of her manipulative tactics.  But that's the thing with

Capture from: Ghost Doll Spotted in Basement - Haunted Anna #15

performing.  To be convincing you have to fall into your character completely and then let her go. Otherwise you would be a bit unbalanced!

Was it difficult to play bad?

Playing a bad character is really quite fun!!

Now, you’re also an accomplished singer, as well as an actor.  Is there a preference between the two?

That's a tough question.  I love both singing and acting.  I think that's why I started in musical theater.  I know some people are not fans of musical theater and don't like characters breaking into song.  Some theater folks don't consider musicals 'real' theater.  But I like a great musical and a great dramatic performance and a great concert.  It's all entertaining.  And, I think really great singers are also great performers.  You have to believe the lyrics, and that takes a good performance as well as a good song.  So I think I would say I can't decide what I prefer!!

Looking for Ghosts

In the Haunted Anna videos – I enjoy the contrast between your videos and Sunshine’s.  Paige has a very quirky personality and the supporting characters all give her storylines a very Scooby Doo like quality. Sunshine’s storyline starts off as a personal vlog, and then snowballs into some pretty high adventure! Your videos, on the other hand, are pretty much just you (with your mom sometimes making an appearance), and your persona is this “real” girl who is looking for an explanation to the weirdness that is going on around her.  Buuut, things are starting to evolve into some real creepy creepiness. Like black eyed weird creepiness.  What’s it all leading up to? (no spoilers, of course!) Thanks - I was hoping for a real 'girl next door' feeling to the Haunted Anna videos.  Yes things were getting really creepy with Antonina and the mystery of her death...and now… what's next?  I'm not sure.  You will have to stay tuned!!!

Capture from: Ghost Dolls and Orbs; My Dog Sniffs Out a Ghost - Haunted Anna #17

Some of your posts and tweets have mentioned, or hashtagged, things like “girl power”, or have had a teen-centric theme.  You have also done a video on bullying.  Are you driven to put out a positive image for kids and teens?

I am very focused on the impact I might have with young girls and other teens.  I have observed some terrible Middle School bullying and it is really ugly. My video for “This Too Shall Pass” addresses the issue of bullying.  My message is that girls need to support other girls, and you should stay positive and optimistic.  If I have any impact on my peers I want it to be positive and empowering.  I am not a fan of overtly sexy teens and sexy “selfies” and trying to use shock and skin and drug references for attention.

I’ve discussed this same topic with Paige and her mom, as well, about

how today’s teens are portrayed in television and music.  There seems to be an expectation of teen and tweens, in the entertainment industry, that tends to portray them as more mature.  Do you see this? How do you work or deal with these expectations in your career?

Capture from: Ghost in Attic - Anna Haunting #4

It's funny because when you perform a lot, especially with adults, you have to be a bit more mature.  And the entertainment industry definitely makes young girls look really mature.  I'm not a fan of this.  I don't like how rushed everyone is to get through their teens and be more 'mature.'  I want to enjoy being a teen!

It seems as if most TV shows/movies aimed at the younger crowd are about crushing on guys, or “mean girls”, or fashionistas, and even more adult themes.  It’s rare to find a show, like, for instance Bunheads, that seems to portray kids who deal with more typical teen problems. So, it’s good to see portrayals of teens – like with you and Sunshine -- who deal with other things, on their programs, besides the typical love and angst we see everywhere else.  Is this something you considered ahead?  Or just the way you are?

With me you get what you see.  I am a typical normal teen girl.  Unless I am playing a role on stage I try to stay true to myself and my beliefs...it's OK to giggle with girlfriends and paint your nails and play with your little sister.  It's a waste of time to get wrapped up in what's in or out or who is in or out or trying to be someone you are not.

Follow @AnnaJaneBishop on Twitter

From what I’ve seen in your work, you focus on the positive.  Do you, or would you, consider yourself being a role model for other girls and teens?

I would like to think that I would be a good role model for other girls.  I am not perfect, I have ups and downs but try to stay positive, and I am really focused on school (education is #1), family and friends.  It's a good way to be!

You spoke about the other horror shorts you've done.  Are those available to view anywhere?

No, my horror shorts are done with friends, edited at home and not online.  I just do them for fun...but maybe I should start posting them...there are some really great ones!  

What's your process for your show?  Do you come up with an arc for a "season" or develop the storyline with each segment?
My process was a general idea of the storyline for the 'season,' then focusing on each episode moving the story forward...with a little scare in there, or a mystery, or clue, or an unexpected twist.  Sometimes I had an idea for the episode, and sometimes it was a little more impromptu and my mom and I would brainstorm, check out the spaces and angles, and then just film.  Very spontaneous, to keep it fresh and “real.” 

Listen in at ReverbNation

So, tell me more about your singing career?

I started singing, really singing, when I was 8 in a professional musical theater production of The Wizard of Oz.  I caught the performing bug and just kept on going: musical theater, dramatic theater, film work, training in acting, singing (opera/classical, choral and musical theater) and dancing (tap, ballet, contemporary and jazz). Last year I decided to branch out into pop music starting with some cover songs and then doing an original with a local singer songwriter, Brent Rogers (&Kelli Caldwell).  I put up a YouTube channel, a Facebook Page and got on a music site (ReverbNation) and just let it all go out there.  Just recently, Kevin DeClue, an LA based multi-platinum producer, found me. He has teamed up with HollyWood Records, Capital Entertainment, Arista Records etc. I have started to work with him, and I am learning so much! We are working on an original EP (5 songs) to be released in February. Our first song is AMAZING.  It's really exciting!

What music or musicians have you been influenced by?  And who, if dreams ever do come true, would you wanna duet with?

Check out AJ BIshop on YouTube

I like so many musicians, but the common thread is great vocals, melodies and lyrics.  I like older bands like The Beatles.  I love Elton John and really love older jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald.  But I also listen to more current musicians like Norah Jones (love her sound and style), Wilco (90s),The Decemberists (love them-they are from Portland!!), Kimbra (she is so talented), Ellie Goulding (great layered vocals and lyrics) and Lorde (great lyrics and creative unique sound). I also like classic rock.  My dad plays guitar and we are always singing and listening to classic artists like: Neil Young, The Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, etc.   I am not a fan of overly manipulated music, or dance club music.  You know with the recording software anyone can 'sing' these days.  I like authentic voices, and authentic sounds. My new favorite song right now is Indina Menzel singing Let It Go from the movie Frozen!  So my tastes run wide:)!!! This is a total GIRL POWER song too!!

Ella! Elton! Ellie! Johnny Cash -- yes!  Where’d you develop such an eclectic range of music taste?

I am lucky to be surrounded by music. My dad plays guitar (electric, acoustic and banjo) all the time.  He's very into classic rock so we listen to a lot of vocally driven 70s rock. Love Johnny Cash - now that's 50s and 60s - classic songs, and great heart in his music.  I love the At Folsom Prison Album. What passion and grit and raw emotion you hear in that album. Our theme song on the drive to school is Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' - haha!!  Thanks dad!!  And my mom brings in musical theater (which she loves, as do I) and the more soft rock melody centered artists from her past like Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel (I actually really like him - his voice and the PIANO - no making fun of him!), James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkle, Phil Collins and Norah Jones to name a few. We are often sitting in the car at the curb finishing listening to a song with my mom whi is singing all the lyrics.  And then we talk about why a certain phrase was so meaningful.  Yesterday we were talking about 'they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone.' - Billy Joel, Piano Man.  Now

Go LIKE her on FaceBook

obviously I don't drink, but we were talking about how people need other people and they come together (in this case in a bar) to listen to music and 'forget about life for awhile.'  Music can have a huge impact on people.  And I love all the cool images.  True story, last Christmas, at Christmas eve dinner, my dad and I sang a couple songs for the family (we have a huge family) and my 85 year old Grandfather with advanced Parkinsons Disease, who had barely been tracking all night, sat up and started belting out an old irish tune.  The family was stunned.  The music brought him out of his dark place and helped him join in the festivities.  I have never felt so happy.  Now whenever we visit I try to sing to him...anything I'm working on...classical, musical theater, whatever. 

 

That’s an amazing story!  How about in acting?  Who are your influences/idols?  And what actors or directors would you give your left pinky to work with?

In the acting world I am in awe of talented stage actors.  They don't get multiple takes...they are the best performers...in my opinion and they study their craft. Meryl Streep probably stands out as the BEST actress ever.  I also love Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence (she can play so many roles well!). And I'm a new fan of Kristen Bell aka Veronica Mars (she studied musical theater and performed on Broadway BEFORE moving into film!).

I enjoyed your retweet of the Rookie article Kids Won't Listen: "Why I’m sick of articles about teenage girls written by grown-up men."  I had a good chuckle at the title, seeing that I'm a "grown man." But, the article is great, and it makes lots of good points. As a father of two young daughters, I've become very analytical of how young woman and girls are portrayed in entertainment. But, I'm also acutely aware that it's not the GIRLS in the business who need to be analyzed and criticized --It's the producers and creators.  Where the limitations lie, in the portrayals of girls, is in the creative.  I love discovering projects and productions where girls are encouraged to be positive, about themselves, and about the world around them.  I respect that Nick and Mercedes and Paige are doing their best in finding talent like you, to push better images of girls. 
Yes - that was a great article in RookieMag (it's a super Mag for teens)...and SO true.  When I first talked to Mercedes and Paige we talked about 'adorkable.'  And that was what clicked because that's me too.  Sunshine has this adorkable, carefree persona, and I too wanted to really be myself in the Haunted Anna series...curious, open minded, eager and positive.  I never dressed up or put on makeup to film, I did it all in one take and I was open and honest.  Not everyone loved what I did every episode.  It's hard not to be hurt by the YouTube comments (I stopped reading them) - of course it's 'fake' its a web series people!!  Everything on television is 'fake' and you don't see people analyzing every minute and every glance and every word of their scripts!  But I was proud of my work and my creativity and of staying true to myself.  That's the way I am, that's the way I dress, that's the way I talk, and so you get what you see with me. I hope I have helped to portray a better or more real image of a young teen girl!

Capture from: Giggling Heard on Camera - Anna Haunting #11

Susan Bishop, Anna's mom wanted to join in on this topic:                     
I think when we first looked at this project, Anna and I appreciated that Mercedes and Paige were looking for something real and age appropriate.  Anna was just 13, and a young 13 at that, and we wanted her to be herself.  She loves mystery and horror and psychological thrillers, so we took it from there...creating a mystery, finding clues, and moving the story forward.  We did not want to create a character 'Anna,' but a real version of Anna...just haunted.  This is very similar to 'Sunshine.'  She's a great role model.  A really nice genuine young woman, with a funny sense of humor, a bit goofy (which is cool), and no attitude.  Hard to find these days!!  It was super fun being a part of the Sunshine Network, and Anna really appreciates her ongoing connection with the Sunshine cast and crew.  They are great, hard working people. There may be continued collaboration in the future, so stay tuned!!

Is there anything, other than the Haunted Anna videos, that you will be appearing in?

Capture from: Ghost Doll and Orb - Anna Haunting #16

This year my focus is on my transition to High School activities and ACADEMICS, so I am not pursuing outside performing opportunities. I have spent the last 6 years going to rehearsals and performing and I have not been able to do normal teen stuff like sports, clubs, sleepovers, hanging out with my friends, etc.  That said, I am interested in doing my high school musical - Beauty and The Beast (I have never been in a school production!!).  And, I am trying to do some non-performing things.  I was on my HS Cross Country Team this fall.  Our team placed 2nd in the state, and I made Varsity - which was so much fun (I have never done a school team sport either).

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever seen or experienced that wasn’t a ghost?

There's a haunted house up the street...I'm not kidding.  We film it all the time.  Odd stuff is going on there!  Maybe Haunted Anna will need to investigate!

---

Follow Anna at These Links 

Twitter@AnnaJaneBishop

www.youtube.com/user/annajanesmusic
www.reverbnation.com/annajanesmusic
www.facebook.com/AnnaJaneBishop

Haunting of Sunshine Girl Network

BadRonald Exclusive: The Haunted Sunshine Girl Movie

You might already know that the hit YouTube show The Haunting of Sunshine Girl is turning into a feature length movie.  The show is done in a vlog format, with cool beans Sunshine Girl videotaping her encounters with ghosts and weird people with pillow cases on their heads and her Moms and her Uncle Tommy and.. ghosts. 

Lately, however, Sunshine has been fascinated with the paranormal phenomenon of black eyed kids (BEKs), those freaky little creeps that pop up in Japanese movies and out of closets.  Like that one behind you!  I kid... he's still hiding in your closet.  The past few weeks, Sunshine and her Scooby gang have been digging into some BEK sightings, and have suddenly found themselves way deep in some weird shizznet.Sunshine's a smart little egg, so I think she'll be okay.

Meanwhile, she sent me these exclusive photos from the set of her new Haunted Sunshine Girl film. She also gave me a scoop on a new member of the Scooby gang...

Why can't these BEKs haunt the Bahamas?

Looks like the new kid Andrew might not be around long!

Blah! as it were, sir

The news I'm getting is this is gonna be real creepy.  If you've seen The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, you know how fun it can be, and how spooky it gets.  But, this new movie she's making looks downright frightening!  Stay tuned for more exclusives...

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl -- Why Are You Not Watching This!!

A Girl.  Her Bedroom.  Her Camera. A Ghost.

"CAN'T EAT THAT CHEX MIX!"

There are some things in our pop culture lives that we come across, quite by accident, which just make you wonder -- how could I not have known about this before?  Sorta like the original The Office.  Never watched it on BBC America.  Then I heard about it and had to hunt down the DVDs.  Loved it.  And now Ricky Gervais is the best thing that's happened to comedy since Tim Conway!!

So... when I discovered The Haunting of Sunshine Girl -- again, quite by accident (don't ask), I figured I'd better latch on to this one, 'cause it's gonna blow up!  Really... it's good stuff.

There's a crud load of pretty young things all over the Internets, vlogging their miseries and joys, and occasional guitar strummings -- thanks lonelygirl15!  And some of them have become quite famous -- no thanks Biebs!  As usual, much of the stuff is pure nose goblins.  So many people looking for stardom, and none of them with near enough talent to get on the local carpeting store's cable TV commercial.  But then, sometimes you run across something that sticks out.

Sunshine Girl (no real name given) is a 16 year old girl (now 17), who has decided to start a YouTube video blog, to try and convince her Mom, and everyone else who will listen, that she has ghosts in her house.  What follows is a list of video entries, totaling near 300 in a 10 month time frame, where Sunshine encounters a strange neighbor, Creepy Lady, who shows up unexpectedly with foreboding, eerie warnings; strange messages and photos of people with pillow cases over their heads; a Creepy Man who attacks her, while she investigates her estranged father's house; haunted house busting; and a cult-like sacrifice on a rainy, stormy night.

Who dat!

But, let's not jump the gun here!  This is no Blair Witch or Paranormal Activity.  This ain't no creepy, scare the skinnies off you type of ghost story.  It's really all quite unique.  And that can be attributed to two factors.  First, is show creator Nick Hagen (along with Sunshine's Mom) who has crafted an idea about a Gilmore Girls like mother and daughter, who are just so having some paranormal activity around their home unit. The show is primarily spun from the POV of Sunshine and her Flip-style phone.  And what is genius about it isn't all the ghostly activity, but rather the relaxed pacing.  It takes several episodes (all about 2.5 minutes in length, with some a bit longer) before we ever encounter anything remotely strange. And when Sunshine finally does share some of the activity with the viewers, it's all pretty much -- whatevs!  It's like, hey there, I'm Sunshine, blah blah blah... This is my life, and stuff, and oh yeah -- I have ghosts.

This is the second -- and key factor -- that Sunshine isn't your average TV show material.  Yes, she's wonderfully adorable and very cute -- but she's not the latte chugging fashion slave (or a booze guzzling teen mom in the making), who is boy bait for the all the floppy-haired high school Casanovas (or rather, Troy Boltons) who we find on every other teenage show.  No, Sunshine is holding to no one, but herself... and her Mom, who she adores.  She's an individual.  Strong, but flawed.  And with a mind of her own.  When she speaks to the camera (usually held at her own arm's length), she has a geeky, bubbly confidence, and a quick wit, that is endearing not just to the boys, but as well to the girls.  She's like the protagonist in a Judy Blume novel, or that friend of the kid in those 70s After School Specials, who the boy has a secret crush on, but will never tell her, because she has no real interest in anything but having a good time with her friends.  It's terribly refreshing to find a girl on a show that is just fine with who she is, with no need or desire to be defined by anyone else but herself (now, that's "girl power" for you Spice Girls!).

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl is a gem of a show... and yeah -- it's a show.  Part of the experience of watching and enjoying Sunshine Girl is the wild response it gets from some viewers.  Like Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, and the many caught-on-tape shockers, it doesn't announce itself as a fictional piece of work.  It also doesn't announce that it's real, either.  And this, of course, is by design.  Part of the fun of these mockumentaries is the acceptance that they are not real, along with the giddy hidden desire that maybe, just maybe, they are!!  Hell, no one went and saw Avatar and came out all steaming mad, because it looked so damn real, but was all animated.  But, really, for a few good yucks, you should check out some of the, umm... non-fans of Sunshine Girl who work so diligently -- with blogs and other YouTube channels -- to "debunk" the fictional world of Sunshine.

I had the brilliant opportunity to sit and chat with Sunshine and her Mom, to have a behind-the-scenes look at their little show (that I predict will blow up soon enough!!)  We talk about ghosts, h8rs, Cheetos, and how to be a good role model...

Let the Sunshine in

BadRonald – I know there are still a few people out there who have not seen your show.  So, can you give them a tantalizing summery?

Mom – The way we usually explain it is Paranormal Activity meets Gilmore Girls, with a little Easy A thrown in.  It’s a girl who sets out to prove her house is haunted. And decides to record the videos and throw them up on YouTube, and low and behold, people are interested.

BR – You know, I admire how you guys paced the show.  You didn’t jump in, with the early episodes, with ghosts jumping out all over.  It’s like a regular teen girl blog, and “Oh, yeah… I have ghosts…”

Mom – Yeah, we rally wanted it to seem authentic, and very much like people would be watching a friend.  We didn’t want to complicate it.  We just wanted to keep it really simple, and that’s what are formula was.  Nothing about it has been accidental.  It’s all been very specific and on purpose.  We like to call it “unscripted fictional reality.”  It’s not scripted.  It’s all ad-libed.  There’s a story and plot lines, but Sunshine does not have (written) lines.

Sunshine – Nope… I make everything up.

BR – No dialogue is scripted?  It’s all you?

Sunshine – Yes.

Mom – Yup. (to Sunshine) You’re a genius!

She gives her a high-five. Then air-fives me.

Mom -- A Skype high-five!

BR—Ah!  Skype five.  Our timing is off so, I’m swatting at thin air.

Mom – It’s all good.

BR – So, the idea behind this all comes from the show’s creator, Nick Hagen.

Mom—Yes, Nick Hagen. The genius behind the curtain.

Sunshine – He’s Oz.

Mom – He is Oz.  And we were talking about this earlier, that he is totally cool with staying behind the scenes on this.  You know, doesn’t feel like he needs credit for everything.  Although, anyone who knows anything about the show, knows that… you now – it’s a show.  So, he likes to let it be that.

BR—Speaking of that it’s just a show (and not reality), some people have really gotten testy when they figure it out.

Mom—Little bit.

BR—Does that bother you – people who get mad when they discover that it’s fiction – but still need to debunk it?  Or do you see it as part of the whole thing?

Suddenly, Mom moves to the computer on another desk, and lets Sunshine take center stage. She taps away quickly on the keyboard, with Sunshine trying to peek over her shoulder.

Mom—I’m gonna let Sunshine handle that.  I actually have to delete something off the wall that somebody just said that’s… been posted (coincidentally) as we’re talking about this.

The Ghoulmore Girls

Sunshine— Yeah, it’s just part of it.  For me, it’s kinda like, I don’t get too invested in what people say about me, because they don’t know me as well – They think they do, but they don’t.

BR—It’s very easy to be brave and write nasty things – like call you fake – while safely under the anonymity of the Interwebs.

Sunshine— Exactly.

Mom—We actually filter the comments, so Sunshine doesn’t see the really nasty stuff.  She knows it’s out there, but you know – she’s seventeen.  Let’s let her be seventeen a little longer. And honesty, we were shocked that anybody really believed it was real. We understand that very early, like maybe in the first five or so videos… But, since unicorn levitated…?  Really?  Really?

They both have a chuckle at this.

Mom—We never set out for people to think that it was anything other than Paranormal Activity.  It’s the Blair Witch Project.  So, when people started getting really angry about it… You know, we didn’t put it out there that we were actors or any of that.  Nobody would have heard about Blair Witch if they had come out and said “This is just a story…”  So, when it came down to people saying “This is fake,” and “You suck,” “You’re all liars,” -- we say -- hey we’re actors.  We’re playing a part.

BR—So, as actors, what then is next for Sunshine Girl?

Mom—We have a ton of plans.  Halloween is going to be busy for us.  We have more channels. We just launched more channels.  We’ve got Uncle Tommy’s YouTube Confessions.

BR—I saw that.  Good stuff.

[Uncle Tommy is a recurring character from Haunting of Sunshine Girl, and friend of Mom and Sunshine]

Mom—Yeah, it turned out that people really loved Tommy.

Sunshine – I love Tommy!

Mom—We were like – yes! We were thrilled!  So we’ve got lots of big plans.  Maybe, taking Sunshine to new mediums.  Maybe see Sunshine in other forms… that’s all we’ll say about that.

BR—Oh, no secrets revealed to me?

Mom—Just a tease, there.

I hear something...

BR—How about you, Sunshine.  Would you, or are you, thinking of moving outside of Sunshine and maybe taking a try at other projects or possibilities?

Sunshine—College is next year, so that’s exciting.  But, with Sunshine, as far as that goes, we’re gonna keep going with that until people get tired of it.

Mom—“Til their sick of Sunshine.

Sunshine—Yeah, until they’re tired of me – which doesn’t seem to be anytime too soon, thankfully.

BR—And you’ve been at this for nearly a year?

Sunshine—This December it’ll be a year.

BR—So, you’ve got another whole year to do this, and then it’s off to College?

Sunshine—Yes.

BR—A haunted college?  Are there any?

Sunshine—Yeah!  I’ll have to look into that.

Mom—The plan is to keep right on going.  If the audience is liking it, then we’re having a great time.  We love it.  We’re having so much fun.  We love working together.  We’re best friends.  We’re having a blast!

BR --What’s the schedule like on your show – shooting wise.  Do you come up with an idea, and shoot?  Or do you block off a bunch?

Mom – We usually go a couple times a month, and shoot somewhere between 15 to 30 episodes at a time.  It depends on how complicated the scenes are.  Like the sacrifice scene was all in one night.  Kind of a big production – we actually brought in rain towers.  We hired a special FX artist to come in – who was also the stunt guy -- that Sunshine hits with the car [In another episode].  We had a special FX makeup artist who came is, as well, to turn me into the demon.  That was not a mask, but makeup.

BR – Nice!  Real production value!

Sunshine – Yes.

Mom—And that’s where all the money goes to.  The money we get goes right back in, to pay for these people who are willing to come in and use their skills to make it all work.  You know, it’s not easy to get a guy to let your 17 year old daughter hit him with a car.

Sunshine – Yeah… Hadn’t even had my permit for a year.

Mom – Hey Jerry!  How’d you like to have my daughter, who hasn’t been driving yet for a year, hit you with a car?  You cool with that?  He’s like “yeah!”  And we’ll pay you for it!  “Yeah, wohoo!!”

BR – How many times did he get run over?

Mom -- Yeah. Exactly!  We’re really proud that we’ve been able to pay all of our actors and our crew.  That’s a big deal.  That’s where all of our money goes.  You know, people say it’s really cheesy, and over the top.  But, whatever it is – we’re trying to make a good webseries that breaks out and entertains people, and gets people to watch.  We’re not out to say, you know… ghosts are going to hurt you.  Or, that cults are “good.”  We’re not trying to lead any children astray. 

Sunshine – Well… maybe.

Mom – Yeah!  Sunshine was!

BR – That’s one of the qualities I like about Sunshine – that it’s generally good clean fun.

Mom – Yeah BadRonald!  High five!!  Yeah, we really try.  We try at making this as family-friendly as it can be, while still keeping it creepy.  You know… Sunshine here – she won’t even wear a tank top.  I’ve tried.

Sunshine – She does try…

Mom – You know, if I could get her in a bikini – I would!

Sunshine – She does… try…

BR – There was even a time, on one of the trip episodes, where an OMG slipped out.  And you called her on it.

Mom – Mhmm!  There’s a lot of people who watch the show, together, as a family.  And we love that!  We love that moms and daughters are sitting down to watch it together. 

BR – Do you, Sunshine, see yourself as a role model, at all?  I don’t mean that you set out to, or that you have established yourself as one.  But, do you accept the idea that you could be a role model?

Sunshine – Me!  I didn’t expect to be a role model.  But, then, this happens and I’m like “Yeah!  I’m okay with being a role model.”  I’ll be like Lady Ga-Ga.  I’ll be cool like that.  Yeah.

BR – Good.  It’s good to see that, in this market that’s saturated with all the Disney stuff, or Nickelodeon stuff, that you’re doing some good straight forward… you know… girl power stuff.

They both get a nice chuckle at that.

Mom – It’s been a happy accident.  And she’s become a good role model.  She’s brave, and she’s out-going, and she’s… different.  You know, what you see is this girl – Sunshine.  And it’s not fake.  The ghost?  Okay… okay, there’s no ghost in her house – you don’t have to print that if you don’t want to!  Actually – who knows!  There may be a ghost in our house.  There have been a couple EVPs that we did not put in.

Sunshine – It’s been weird, yeah…

Mom – Not gonna lie to ya.  Yeah!  So, it is actually very possible that house is haunted… But, the real people seem so drawn to (The Haunting of Sunshine Girl) is because Sunshine is so genuine.  The relationship that you see on the show is really the relationship that we have.  [Looking to Sunshine and joking]  You know, we’d look at each other and wonder why a camera crew isn’t always following us around!

Sunshine – All the time.

Mom – We’re hilarious!  We should have out own reality show.

Sunshine – We’re so funny, it’s ridiculous.

Mom – And modest.

Sunshine – Yes.  So humble.

Mom – Yeah, humble.  And you can see, we’re both so much alike.

BR – I’m seeing the Gilmore Girls.  You guys are fans?

They both nod their heads delightedly, and pump fists.

Mom – We love Gilmore Girls.  And Veronica Mars.

Sunshine – [sing songy] Veronica Maaaars!  For three. Short. Seasons!

Mom – Our two favorite comments we get a lot is that no mother and daughter has that relationship.  And we’re like, yeah, none.

Sunshine – Yeah… none.

Smile... Oh, uh nevermind

Mom – And the other is that – couldn’t you find actors that look more a like?

To this, they put their heads together to demonstrate the point.

Sunshine – Really.  My mother. 

Mom – I am.

Sunshine – She gave birth to me.

Mom – Yeah… painful, too!

Sunshine – Oh my god.  I wasn’t even that big.  I was 6 pounds.

Mom – But I didn’t have drugs, though.

Sunshine – Well, that’s not my fault you didn’t get there fast enough.  Jeez.

Mom – We tried.

BR – Yeah, see… you guys are so faking it.

Laugh.

BR – What shows do you like now?

Mom – [To Sunshine] Go!

Sunshine – Oh!  NCIS. Nikita. Project Runway.

Mom – That’s just her, because I don’t watch NCIS or  Nikita.

Sunshine – Nikita’s so good!

Mom – We like the new Pan Am.

Sunshine – Pan Am!!

BR – I agree!

Mom – We’re loving Pan Am. We’re still trying to catch up on Friday Night Lights.

Sunshine – We’re so behind.

Mom – We’re busy.  She’s busy.

BR – Chasing ghosts.

Sunshine – Yup.

Howdy Neighbor

BR – So… Cheetos or Cheez-its?

Sunshine – I’m gluten free.  So – Cheetos.  They’re made of corn.  So, Cheez-its, I can’t.  Made with gluten, so… and Cheese Nips – the off brand.  Same thing.  Can’t eat them.

BR – Forget Cheese Nips.  Cheez-its are the way to go.  How about Cheese Doodles?

Sunshine – I’ve never heard of those.  What are those?

Mom – That must be a NY thing.

Sunshine – Oh, NY… I want me some Cheese Doodles!

BR – So, you guys are not Horror fans, I understand?

Mom – No!!  Not the scary stuff!

Sunshine – I’ve watched one horror movie, and it scared the heck out of me.

BR – Just one!

Sunshine – Haunting in Connecticut. “There’s bodies in the wall!  There’s bodies in the wall!”

Mom – No, we don’t watch that stuff -- that scary stuff.

Sunshine – She didn’t even see it.

Mom – I didn’t even see it.  I saw Sixth Sense.  That was scary.

Sunshine – No it wasn’t.

Mom – Yes, it was!

Sunshine – Like, three seconds of it was scary.

Mom – No, it was scary.

Sunshine – I didn’t even finish it.

BR – Because you were scared.

Sunshine – Because I got bored.

Mom – You should’ve finished it. Yeah – really, we wouldn’t have watched our own show!

Sunshine – No!  No no.

BR – Okay -- one thing we don’t know abut you?

Sunshine – One thing you don’t know about me…?  Hmmm… [time killing sing song] I got nuthin’

BR – How about school – what’s you favorite class?

Sunshine – In school, now?  Or favorite class I’ve ever taken?

BR – Ever taken.

Sunshine – Human Biology.

Mom --  Isn’t she weird?

Sunshine – It was so good!  It was amazing. I loved that class.

BR – Did you have to do frogs or anything like that?

Sunshine – We did a sheep’s heart… A cow’s eye…

BR – Wha!

Sunshine – Yeah, it was really gross.  We had to take apart all these animal parts.  We did a cat…

BR – Cat brain?

Sunshine – Yes, I think that might’ve been what it was.  I don’t remember, but  loved that class.

Such a nice lad...

BR – How about Literature.  You like reading?

Sunshine – Love reading.  Reading is super fun.

BR – What books?

Sunshine – Hmm… you see this is where – I like scary books!  I like mysteries, and stories that twist and turn.  Not necessarily like death and gore, but… yeah, I have a huge bookcase full of all my books.

BR – You’re a Jane Austin fan, right?  Is she your favorite?

Sunshine – The movie Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.  But, I love Neil Gaiman.  He’s my favorite author.  He’s amazing.  Probably, Neverwhere is my favorite book.

BR – So, how many viewers does the Haunting of Sunshine Girl have now?

Mom – Over 11,000 subscribers.  And, we also have a lot of viewers who don’t subscribe, but watch.  It’s funny with that, because we think there may be sort of a secret shame for watching the show.  We kinda think there’s a bunch a people who watch, but don’t tell, you know, their friends.  Especially boys.

Sunshine – Yeah…

Mom – Oh, and speaking of boys… we’ve had a lot of trouble with boys hating Nolan [One of the newer teen characters, who helps Sunshine and Mom with some of the mystery and intrigue]. Boys of all age.

Sunshine – Adult men!

Mom – Yeah, so many will say “He sucks…”  When the word they’re really looking for is jealous!  The girls love him, though.

BR – Safe to say, there’ll be more of Nolan.

Mom – Yes, more Nolan.  Also, more Uncle Tommy.  We also have some great stuff coming up for Halloween.  On the 29^th (of October), we’ll have a special live event.

Sunshine – I’m wearing a costume!!

BR – You gonna tell me what it is?

Sunshine – No!  You don’t get to see until you tune in.  Gotta tune in.

Mom --  October 29.  Noon PST to see Sunshine’s Halloween costume.  And…

Sunshine – And live Fan Appreciation Daaaay!

Mom – Sunshine will answer your questions – live.  And!  At the end, when she’s all tired and we log off, there will be a special... very creepy… scary video.

Sunshine – [Ghostly voice] Yup!

Mom – People will be able to write in their questions, whether it be via FaceBook, YouTube or Twitter.  And Sunshine will take the questions and record her answers… Like, Barny asks…

Sunshine – Barny asks, from Jimmiestown, NY – what’s your favorite cereal?  And I say --  whatever it is!

BR – What is it?

Sunshine – Oh!  Corn Chex.  I’m so lame…

BR – Chex Party Mix at Christmas?

Sunshine – Except you can’t eat Chex Mix, ‘cause half of it’s not even gluten free.  Pretzels.  Full of gluten.

BR – How about substituting with something, like bagel bits.  But no –

Sunshine – Yeah, bagel bits.  Gluten, too.  So hard being me.

Mom – I think you have the title of your blog post –

Sunshine – “Can’t Eat That Chex Mix.”

BR – Will there be any cross-over action with your other shows?

Sunshine – Well, two of the three are me, so the other is Uncle Tommy’s.

Mom – I’ve been on Uncle Tommy,  But, we have some stuff planned that we can’t talk about yet, with some other channels.  We’re starting to expand to outside of Sunshine’s universe, too.

BR – Now, Coat Tale Productions – was that previously established, or did that spring from Sunshine Girl?

Mom – When we decided that we were going to do more that Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Nick and I formed Coat Tale Productions.  The idea behind it was that we wanted to do this and bring along all our friends along with us.  Oregon film is a very tight knit group, and we have people who we love to work with.  The reason we have Creepy Lady in our videos is because we love the actress Adrianne, who plays her.

Sunshine – I love Adrianne!

Mom – Originally Nick wrote Creepy Lady as an old woman.  And I was like, “No  You know who’s creepy?  Adrianne.  Adrianne’s creepy.  Let’s put her in!”  Uncle Tommy is a great friend in our lives, so we waited until we could bring him in, in a way that would work and we could keep him around.  So, we saw Coat Tail Productions as more of a family thing.  We formed an LLC and we’re looking to produce in new media.

Sunshine – And… what about your seventeen year old?

Mom – My seventeen year old?

Sunshine – Your seventeen year old producer.  You forgot.

Mom – My seventeen year old is a producer, yes.  She’s the third part of out little production group.  She’s a producer – which is gonna come in handy when she’s applying for colleges.  It’s gonna be like, “Yeah… producer.  What’ve you done?”

BR – “World’s youngest producer – what’up?  What’ve you done?”

Mom – “Four million views on YouTube – ba-da-doosh!”

Sunshine – [soto] “Ba-da-doosh?”

Mom – Yeah, this has been good for her.  She’s learning a ton.  She’s taken to it like a duck on water.  She’s incredibly, incredibly professional. When we were at the creepy house location, with the Creepy Man –

Sunshine – Not be confused with Creepy Lady.

Mom –  (At that location) it was the first time we had a crew, instead of just her and I and Nick. At one point, we were all sorta like goofing off, and we Sunshine here was like “C’mon, let’s get this shot!”  She’s totally in this, making creative decisions.  She helps with the casting.  She’s definitely the one who had final call on casting Maxwell as Nolan – which wasn’t easy, to try and cast a boy who was cute and could keep up with Sunshine –

Sunshine – It’s very hard keeping up with me.  I’m very riveting.

Mom – And could do the ad lib.  Which, is not that easy.  Oh!  And to hold the camera!!

Sunshine – Not easy… Sometimes you get half the face, and other times you can’t even hear them.  They forget that they had the camera, and suddenly [gesturing holding the camera at arm’s length] the hold it out and nobody's there.  No one’s in the shot.

Mom – It’s interesting bringing in other actors, because we’ve been doing this on our own for 8 months.

BR – Pros.

Sunshine – Yeah!

Mom – …At this style.

Sunshine – But, nothing else.  We can’t do anything else.

Mom – I’ve been acting since I was a year old.

Sunshine – I’ve been since I was six.

Mom – So… we’ve been doing this for a while.  She’s done a lot of modeling.

Sunshine – Foot model.

Mom – I’ve done a ton of voice over.  Stuff for Nintendo – I’m the voice of Princess Rosalina, for Mario Cart and Super Mario Galaxy 1&2.  Lot of film – What the Bleep Do We Know. Lots of local stuff – Oregon.

BR – Famous last words?

Mom – Thank you!  You’ve touched on stuff that a lot of other people don’t get to.  So… Please, everyone stick around for October 29^th!! We’ve got some really cool surprises.

Sunshine – Thanks!  Tune in!!

So... go tune into the show at the YouTubes

And... as, Sunshine would sign off with -- blah!