This is the first trailer from a low budget, local made post-apocalyptic action horror hybrid -- Winter's Kill. Made in and around Jamestown, NY. It looks these guys have pulled off something special here.
Someone's in the house. He's watching. He's creeping round, only you can't see him. He's watching you from the walls. He's right behind you now. Looking over your shoulder. He wants the remote control. He's a bad boy. He wants to watch bad movies. Bad bad Ronald...
Monday, April 16, 2012
BadRonald Sez -- I Can't Friggin' Wait For This!
Labels:
Chautauqua,
Jamestown,
local,
low budget,
NY,
post-apocalyptic
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Peephole News: From the Set of Adrian Garcia Bogliano's Here Comes the Devil
FIRST DAY OF PRINCIPAL
PHOTOGRAPHY HAS WRAPPED ON HORROR MASTER ADRIAN GARCIA BOGLIANO’S
‘HERE COMES THE DEVIL’
Adrian Garcia Bogliano on set of Here Comes the Devil |
MPI/Dark Sky Films today announced the first day of principle photography on Adrian Garcia
Bogliano’s latest film, HERE COMES THE DEVIL has been completed in Tijuana. The
film stars Francisco Barreiro (We
Are What We Are) and
rising actress Laura Caro.
Shooting is underway in Tijuana and will take place on locations in the Mexican city and its environs, including ominous caves that figure
prominently in the story. HERE COMES THE DEVIL is a co-production
from MPI’s Dark Sky Films and Bogliano’s Salto de Fe Films. Adrian Garcia
Bogliano is the creator of the international horror sensations Penumbra and Cold Sweat.
HERE COMES THE DEVIL is the first full-length
feature from Salto de Fe Films, which is based in Mexico City. In addition to
the recent Penumbra and Cold Sweat, Garcia Bogliano’s many films
include such independent genre achievement as Rooms for Tourists, 36 Steps, Watch ’em Die and The Accursed.
Cast and crew on Here Comes the Devil |
With HERE COMES THE DEVIL, he moves into a
supernatural realm: A
married couple loses their children while on a family trip near some caves in
Tijuana. The kids eventually reappear without explanation, but it becomes clear
that they are not who they used to be, that something terrifying has changed
them.
The
Spanish-language movie is the most recent addition to MPI/Dark Sky’s solid
slate of original productions, which include the The Innkeepers, Stake Land, Hatchet II and Frankenstein’s Army, which is currently shooting in Prague.
Labels:
adrian garcia bogliano,
dark sky,
here comes the devil,
mpi,
set photos
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
BadRonald Interview with Evalena Marie: Watch Those Eyes!
The first thing you notice about Evalena Marie is her eyes. Wide and bright, and telling a story. They grow big with fear, and then smolder with fire. Just a glimpse from her and your imagination runs wild.
The second thing you notice is that she can kick your ass! Holy crap is this girl rock solid killer!!! She's Joan Jett, all leathered up and raging with hot punk grrl angst. She's Milla Jovovich, sleek and long and battle tested. She's Audry Hepburn sweet and smart. She's Rooney Mara, recondite, and quiet beauty. She's the whole deal.
The second thing you notice is that she can kick your ass! Holy crap is this girl rock solid killer!!! She's Joan Jett, all leathered up and raging with hot punk grrl angst. She's Milla Jovovich, sleek and long and battle tested. She's Audry Hepburn sweet and smart. She's Rooney Mara, recondite, and quiet beauty. She's the whole deal.
Born
and raised in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, Evalena had no aspirations for the acting life. It was while studying architecture in Boston that she happened on fashion photographer Kim Kennedy and became the subject for his
work. Once in front of his camera, she began to fall in love with performing. Her modeling quickly led her to her first acting role in Kevin James Barry's femme fatale feature
Serena and the RATTS. In 2010, she was
awarded BEST ACTRESS at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood for her
role as Desiree in the short film Asleep in Child's Park. Since then, Evalena has been busy acting, producing, and writing. Her most recent
role as Tori in the film adaptation of Steve Niles' (30 Days of Night) graphic
novel Remains is on the Chiller channel.
Evalena has
enjoyed playing many unusual characters, and with several exciting projects in
development for 2012, Evalena is looking forward to even more challenging roles. I know I'm keeping an eye out for her.
BadRonald: You can now be seen in Steve Niles' Remains on Chiller
TV, and you are featured in a number of other genre films this past year, including
Exhumed, with Debbie Rochon. Are you a horror fan? And what is it
about horror you enjoy?
Evalena Marie: I am a horror fan. I am a sci-fi fan. I am an action fan. Fantasy, comedy, drama, romance, I'm just a movie fan period. I love a great story and a fun ride, and I love getting that from a horror film because the characters and the circumstances are usually intense and visceral, and I just happen to really enjoy playing those types of characters in those types of extreme circumstances. I love imaginative people doing their thing, finessing their craft, and the horror genre in an excellent playground for them to dream bigger and really flex their muscles. Everyone gets to work together to create something maybe only previously known in dreams. And of course, if doesn't hurt that I happen to love chainsaws and shotguns and prosthetic skin!
BadRonald: Whatever role you're playing, you have this vulnerability about you. Of course it works well when you play a victim or a troubled soul, but it's most impressive when you're the tough tomboy ass-kicker. Your performance in Serena and the RATTS, reminded me of what was so great in the performances in Le Femme Nikita, Run Lola Run, and the Lisbeth Salander movies. Where does that vulnerability, juxtaposed with guts come from?
Evalena Marie: First of all, wow. Thank you for even mentioning me in the same sentence with those films. That juxtaposition that comes through successfully is the result of a beautiful collaborative partnership between myself and a brilliant director, whether it be a photo shoot or a feature film. It's that relationship between myself and my director that provides me sanctuary to approach and balance on the ledge with knowing I won't fall. It's kind of like being able to fly while Superman is holding you up!
BadRonald: You've now taken a role as producer. What did you see in Serena and the RATTS that attracted you to the role, and how did you use your position as producer to pull it all together?
Evalena Marie: Being a producer kind of just happened, but then again, so did being an actress. I met Kevin James Barry (writer and director of Serena and the RATTS) on my first gig ever, playing a background concentration camp prisoner in Shutter Island just for fun. He was a film student at the time, and thought it would be fun to make a skinheads short since he now had access to all these bald people, and he asked me if I wanted in on it. Now, at the time I was studying architecture and had zero interest in acting, and was actually mortified by being on camera, but I would have agreed to anything to get to see him again, so I said sure! We were waiting for the red line at South Station when he remembered his little script he had on the back burner, Serena. We did some tests where he put me on camera in character, and then he offered me the role. My first role, my dream role. And producing the movie together was just a result of our partnership. I promised him we would finish the movie, and producing the movie alongside him was the best way to ensure I kept that promise. I never expected to fall in love with acting or producing but here I am, not able to imagine my life without it.

BadRonald: Your modeling work stands out, as well. There are a couple pieces that are very striking. The first is a photo I've come across online with you in a punk role, your head is shaved (by the way, you look amazing bald!), and with those big beautiful eyes just sort of staring back into the lens. What's going on in that photo?
Evalena Marie: I know the exact photo you're talking about, it's one of my favorites. I loved being bald, so it's great that it actually worked since I plan to do it again as soon as I can. The photographer Peter Martin and I had ventured out into the streets of Boston that day, spring was just starting to take its first breath of the season, and as we lost the sun that day, we ended up in a dark back alley somewhere in Beacon Hill. I crouched down against that coarse brick wall and just soaked in my environment. The atmosphere is the real star of that photo, it was so thick and undeniable. I just ingested it and made it everything I was for that moment. And that's what you see in the photo.

BadRonald: And the other is the rooftop photos with photographer Jackie Puwalski... there's some wild sci fi action girl costumes going on. You have this feminine strength that breaks through, and it's not just from the sexiness of you and the wardrobe. Many models demure to the camera, to try to seduce the viewer, but your shots are different. There's a lot more going on. You command attention from sheer will and strength, and your state of undress is as much a part of the wardrobe as the clothing. You have a great confidence that comes through in these photos that's very engaging. It seems to come natural to you. How important is it to you to portray strength -- physical and emotional -- in your characters (whether in modeling or acting).
Evalena Marie: I think strength comes in many forms and it is just compelling and engaging no matter how you serve it, so I believe strength is a crucial component for creating a fascinating and captivating character. When I'm in the front of the camera (still or movie), the farthest things from my mind are trying to seduce or be pretty for the camera. I mean, when I look in the mirror, I don't see pretty. I see the same face I see every day; the same doofy, awkward girl I've always seen. So when I'm on set, I'm just having a blast playing pretend. I'm a super hero! Or I'm a monster! Or whatever sounds like fun at the time, just like playing Dungeons and Dragons or writing my stories. I've always loved making new characters, long before I ever took on a role in a movie. So that is still my favorite part.
BadRonald: What, to you, defines strength in a woman?
Evalena Marie: My confidence in my imagination and my willing surrender of inhibition is where my strength in front of the camera comes from. However, strength might just be one of those things that cannot be tamed with a definition. I don't know that it has boundaries and defined edges, I think it may be more of a fluid concept that will be different in every woman. But maybe the common denominator you can anticipate would be confidence. Confidence in whatever form. Maybe she's confident of her sense of humor, and that gives her strength. Maybe she's confident in her kindness, and that gives her strength. I'd like to think that once you achieve true confidence, it cannot be taken away from you (a goal I'm still working to achieve myself!).
BadRonald: What are the films and art and artist that influenced you when you were young. And who and what still make an impact?
Evalena Marie: Most of my early artistic influences are actually musicians. Harry Connick, Jr. is a huge influence. Fiona Apple. Stevie Wonder. Otis Redding. Without them I don't even want to think about how numb I would be to all the beauty that surrounds me. Since falling in love with acting, two of my influences are Gary Oldman and Daniel Day Lewis. Holy cow, if I ever become half the actors they are, I will blow my own mind. My goal is someday to be completely unrecognizable in a role, that my own mother wouldn't even be able to see me. But that's a long road ahead of me. Got a lot of hard work to get to that point, and I cannot wait for the challenges that will help me grow to that level.
The most influential person in my life, however, is not an actor or a filmmaker, but an artist of capturing moments of inconceivable beauty. A photographer named Kim Kennedy. Meeting Kim was a life long gift. In front of Kim's camera, I felt beautiful in front of a lens for the first time. And not because I felt pretty on the outside, but because he had the magical talent of really seeing me, making it safe for me to come out of my shell, and capturing that moment of emergence from deep underground. Not only a huge source of inspiration and drive in my life, he was also a dear friend and creative partner. Last May, he passed away from Lymphoma. With an unmatched zest for life, he loved diving in the ocean, and wanted the Atlantic to be his final resting place. Before we laid him to rest, I made a final promise to him that I would help him take care of his girls so he could enjoy the ride. His best friend Tom Clancy set up a charity in his name, Everybody's Brother, to benefit his beautiful wife Marina and daughter Misha. Anyone reading this can join me in helping him take care of his girls, helping me keep my promise to him, by making any amount of donation to www.everybodysbrother.com. 100% of the donations go straight to Marina and Misha and no donation is too small to make a difference. Thank you, guys.
BadRonald: You've made an impact in horror and genre films. How do you see the role of women in horror and genre films growing, and what would you, as a producer and creator, like to do, or see done?
Evalena Marie: I've had a lot of conversations with my friend and film director Mike Pecci about this actually. We've talked about what we want to see in the modern heroine. As a movie goer, actress, writer and producer, I look forward to seeing and portraying more female characters that are heroic without trying to be men. There's certainly a charm to seeing a masculine chick kicking ass and taking names, but I'm really looking forward to seeing more roles where a woman is kicking ass and taking names as a woman; where the femininity is not only still intact but also remains valuable.
Some behind the scenes footage of Evalena Marie's latest photo shoot!
EVALENA MARIE Oscar Night at the Beverly Hilton from Evalena Website on Vimeo.
If'n you're loving these photos as much as I know you are, here are some links to find out more about Evalena and about the fine work she'd done:
www.evalenamarie.com
www.horroblepictures.com
www.yellowlinephotography.com
www.kerishea.com
Evalena Marie: I am a horror fan. I am a sci-fi fan. I am an action fan. Fantasy, comedy, drama, romance, I'm just a movie fan period. I love a great story and a fun ride, and I love getting that from a horror film because the characters and the circumstances are usually intense and visceral, and I just happen to really enjoy playing those types of characters in those types of extreme circumstances. I love imaginative people doing their thing, finessing their craft, and the horror genre in an excellent playground for them to dream bigger and really flex their muscles. Everyone gets to work together to create something maybe only previously known in dreams. And of course, if doesn't hurt that I happen to love chainsaws and shotguns and prosthetic skin!
BadRonald: Whatever role you're playing, you have this vulnerability about you. Of course it works well when you play a victim or a troubled soul, but it's most impressive when you're the tough tomboy ass-kicker. Your performance in Serena and the RATTS, reminded me of what was so great in the performances in Le Femme Nikita, Run Lola Run, and the Lisbeth Salander movies. Where does that vulnerability, juxtaposed with guts come from?
Evalena Marie: First of all, wow. Thank you for even mentioning me in the same sentence with those films. That juxtaposition that comes through successfully is the result of a beautiful collaborative partnership between myself and a brilliant director, whether it be a photo shoot or a feature film. It's that relationship between myself and my director that provides me sanctuary to approach and balance on the ledge with knowing I won't fall. It's kind of like being able to fly while Superman is holding you up!
BadRonald: You've now taken a role as producer. What did you see in Serena and the RATTS that attracted you to the role, and how did you use your position as producer to pull it all together?
Evalena Marie: Being a producer kind of just happened, but then again, so did being an actress. I met Kevin James Barry (writer and director of Serena and the RATTS) on my first gig ever, playing a background concentration camp prisoner in Shutter Island just for fun. He was a film student at the time, and thought it would be fun to make a skinheads short since he now had access to all these bald people, and he asked me if I wanted in on it. Now, at the time I was studying architecture and had zero interest in acting, and was actually mortified by being on camera, but I would have agreed to anything to get to see him again, so I said sure! We were waiting for the red line at South Station when he remembered his little script he had on the back burner, Serena. We did some tests where he put me on camera in character, and then he offered me the role. My first role, my dream role. And producing the movie together was just a result of our partnership. I promised him we would finish the movie, and producing the movie alongside him was the best way to ensure I kept that promise. I never expected to fall in love with acting or producing but here I am, not able to imagine my life without it.

BadRonald: Your modeling work stands out, as well. There are a couple pieces that are very striking. The first is a photo I've come across online with you in a punk role, your head is shaved (by the way, you look amazing bald!), and with those big beautiful eyes just sort of staring back into the lens. What's going on in that photo?
Evalena Marie: I know the exact photo you're talking about, it's one of my favorites. I loved being bald, so it's great that it actually worked since I plan to do it again as soon as I can. The photographer Peter Martin and I had ventured out into the streets of Boston that day, spring was just starting to take its first breath of the season, and as we lost the sun that day, we ended up in a dark back alley somewhere in Beacon Hill. I crouched down against that coarse brick wall and just soaked in my environment. The atmosphere is the real star of that photo, it was so thick and undeniable. I just ingested it and made it everything I was for that moment. And that's what you see in the photo.

BadRonald: And the other is the rooftop photos with photographer Jackie Puwalski... there's some wild sci fi action girl costumes going on. You have this feminine strength that breaks through, and it's not just from the sexiness of you and the wardrobe. Many models demure to the camera, to try to seduce the viewer, but your shots are different. There's a lot more going on. You command attention from sheer will and strength, and your state of undress is as much a part of the wardrobe as the clothing. You have a great confidence that comes through in these photos that's very engaging. It seems to come natural to you. How important is it to you to portray strength -- physical and emotional -- in your characters (whether in modeling or acting).
Evalena Marie: I think strength comes in many forms and it is just compelling and engaging no matter how you serve it, so I believe strength is a crucial component for creating a fascinating and captivating character. When I'm in the front of the camera (still or movie), the farthest things from my mind are trying to seduce or be pretty for the camera. I mean, when I look in the mirror, I don't see pretty. I see the same face I see every day; the same doofy, awkward girl I've always seen. So when I'm on set, I'm just having a blast playing pretend. I'm a super hero! Or I'm a monster! Or whatever sounds like fun at the time, just like playing Dungeons and Dragons or writing my stories. I've always loved making new characters, long before I ever took on a role in a movie. So that is still my favorite part.
BadRonald: What, to you, defines strength in a woman?
Evalena Marie: My confidence in my imagination and my willing surrender of inhibition is where my strength in front of the camera comes from. However, strength might just be one of those things that cannot be tamed with a definition. I don't know that it has boundaries and defined edges, I think it may be more of a fluid concept that will be different in every woman. But maybe the common denominator you can anticipate would be confidence. Confidence in whatever form. Maybe she's confident of her sense of humor, and that gives her strength. Maybe she's confident in her kindness, and that gives her strength. I'd like to think that once you achieve true confidence, it cannot be taken away from you (a goal I'm still working to achieve myself!).
BadRonald: What are the films and art and artist that influenced you when you were young. And who and what still make an impact?
Evalena Marie: Most of my early artistic influences are actually musicians. Harry Connick, Jr. is a huge influence. Fiona Apple. Stevie Wonder. Otis Redding. Without them I don't even want to think about how numb I would be to all the beauty that surrounds me. Since falling in love with acting, two of my influences are Gary Oldman and Daniel Day Lewis. Holy cow, if I ever become half the actors they are, I will blow my own mind. My goal is someday to be completely unrecognizable in a role, that my own mother wouldn't even be able to see me. But that's a long road ahead of me. Got a lot of hard work to get to that point, and I cannot wait for the challenges that will help me grow to that level.
The most influential person in my life, however, is not an actor or a filmmaker, but an artist of capturing moments of inconceivable beauty. A photographer named Kim Kennedy. Meeting Kim was a life long gift. In front of Kim's camera, I felt beautiful in front of a lens for the first time. And not because I felt pretty on the outside, but because he had the magical talent of really seeing me, making it safe for me to come out of my shell, and capturing that moment of emergence from deep underground. Not only a huge source of inspiration and drive in my life, he was also a dear friend and creative partner. Last May, he passed away from Lymphoma. With an unmatched zest for life, he loved diving in the ocean, and wanted the Atlantic to be his final resting place. Before we laid him to rest, I made a final promise to him that I would help him take care of his girls so he could enjoy the ride. His best friend Tom Clancy set up a charity in his name, Everybody's Brother, to benefit his beautiful wife Marina and daughter Misha. Anyone reading this can join me in helping him take care of his girls, helping me keep my promise to him, by making any amount of donation to www.everybodysbrother.com. 100% of the donations go straight to Marina and Misha and no donation is too small to make a difference. Thank you, guys.

BadRonald: You've made an impact in horror and genre films. How do you see the role of women in horror and genre films growing, and what would you, as a producer and creator, like to do, or see done?
Evalena Marie: I've had a lot of conversations with my friend and film director Mike Pecci about this actually. We've talked about what we want to see in the modern heroine. As a movie goer, actress, writer and producer, I look forward to seeing and portraying more female characters that are heroic without trying to be men. There's certainly a charm to seeing a masculine chick kicking ass and taking names, but I'm really looking forward to seeing more roles where a woman is kicking ass and taking names as a woman; where the femininity is not only still intact but also remains valuable.
A BAD RONALD EXCLUSIVE
Evalena did a huge kindness for me by lending me some exclusive photographs from her latest photo shoot with Daniel Rosenthal. If you thought you were having a good time on Oscar night, check out the wild time Evalena was having at the Beverly Hills Hilton... So nice. So cool. So smokin'.
Photography credit: Daniel Rosenthal
Makeup and hair credit: Keri Anne Shea
Cinematography credit: Kevin James Barry
EVALENA MARIE Oscar Night at the Beverly Hilton from Evalena Website on Vimeo.
www.evalenamarie.com
www.horroblepictures.com
www.yellowlinephotography.com
www.kerishea.com
Friday, March 2, 2012
Dear God No! -- BadRonald Sez Fk Yes!
So long ago I caught the red band trailer for Dear God No! plastered all over FaceBook and various genre blogs. It started out a little something about "sissies and individuals with heart conditions should not watch..." Um... press play, goddamit!!
What followed was an onslaught of retro 70s grindhouse mayhem: bikers posing with the backdrop of a drive-in screen and explosions, limbs ripped in two, Bigfoot attacks on Frenken-nazis (whaaaat!) -- but, wait.... they had me at gun-totting dancers with Nixon masks. Dear. God. Yes.
Dear God No! director James Bickert did me an awful kindness by sending out an advanced screener of his crazy-ass mash up of genres. Holy shit did I have a good time watching this acid freakout! There have been countless films that flash the grindhouse badge, but rarely none have the actual credentials. Even the Tarantino/Rodriguez headlined titular ode -- with all its "lost" reels and roughed up negative antics and CG replicated old skool FX -- failed to really captured the essence of real grindhouse fare. That studio stuff was a little too tongue in cheek, and self gratifying. Where Bickert succeeded was not just in the look of the old grindhousers -- shooting on 16mm Fuji film stock, and using hands on FX -- but also with the mood and feel of the 60s and 70s experimental weirdo flicks.
DGN! wastes no time on pleasantries, fouling the minds of the viewer with the opening scene. An eagle swoops majestically in the clear blue skies, over an open field where the notorious biker gang The Impalers rustle themselves awake after a night of debauchery. Strewn amongst them are bodies of the nuns they've violated and left for dead. Holy shitniks! We're not in your average smiley Hollywood grindhouse rip-off anymore!!! This is the real deal Neal Sedaka! This film does exactly what the narrator of the red band trailer says The Impalers do -- "ravishes and rapes and destroys everything that's decent."
Meanwhile, back at the house in the woods... Nutty scientist and weirdly awkward daughter conduct secret experiments and monstrous studies. When the Impalers come roaring in for a night of raping and pillaging... well, as the movie trailer warns "What happens in this house will freak you out."
Dear God No! hits the grindhouse on the head. It works as a hot blooded ode to the trash flicks of 42nd Street, without wallowing in fanboy worship, as well as as a legit piece of drive-in exploitation. There's even a sappy hippie Last House on the Left song in the closing credits! So, what more can you ask for? You've got nun-violatin', kid-slayin' bikers, rampaging Bigfoots, stiched up Franken-nazis, Trcky-Dick strippers with machine-guns, and Manson Family style abortions. Seriously, Dear God No! rips the heads off all the other grindhouse wannabes, and shits down their puny necks. It's pure bloody rock and roll trash gold! Dear God No! -- fuck yes!
Check out my interview with director James Bickert here.
What followed was an onslaught of retro 70s grindhouse mayhem: bikers posing with the backdrop of a drive-in screen and explosions, limbs ripped in two, Bigfoot attacks on Frenken-nazis (whaaaat!) -- but, wait.... they had me at gun-totting dancers with Nixon masks. Dear. God. Yes.
Dear God No! director James Bickert did me an awful kindness by sending out an advanced screener of his crazy-ass mash up of genres. Holy shit did I have a good time watching this acid freakout! There have been countless films that flash the grindhouse badge, but rarely none have the actual credentials. Even the Tarantino/Rodriguez headlined titular ode -- with all its "lost" reels and roughed up negative antics and CG replicated old skool FX -- failed to really captured the essence of real grindhouse fare. That studio stuff was a little too tongue in cheek, and self gratifying. Where Bickert succeeded was not just in the look of the old grindhousers -- shooting on 16mm Fuji film stock, and using hands on FX -- but also with the mood and feel of the 60s and 70s experimental weirdo flicks.
DGN! wastes no time on pleasantries, fouling the minds of the viewer with the opening scene. An eagle swoops majestically in the clear blue skies, over an open field where the notorious biker gang The Impalers rustle themselves awake after a night of debauchery. Strewn amongst them are bodies of the nuns they've violated and left for dead. Holy shitniks! We're not in your average smiley Hollywood grindhouse rip-off anymore!!! This is the real deal Neal Sedaka! This film does exactly what the narrator of the red band trailer says The Impalers do -- "ravishes and rapes and destroys everything that's decent."

Dear God No! hits the grindhouse on the head. It works as a hot blooded ode to the trash flicks of 42nd Street, without wallowing in fanboy worship, as well as as a legit piece of drive-in exploitation. There's even a sappy hippie Last House on the Left song in the closing credits! So, what more can you ask for? You've got nun-violatin', kid-slayin' bikers, rampaging Bigfoots, stiched up Franken-nazis, Trcky-Dick strippers with machine-guns, and Manson Family style abortions. Seriously, Dear God No! rips the heads off all the other grindhouse wannabes, and shits down their puny necks. It's pure bloody rock and roll trash gold! Dear God No! -- fuck yes!
Check out my interview with director James Bickert here.
Labels:
70s,
acid,
bigfoot,
dear god no,
exploitation cinema,
grindhouse,
james bickert,
nazi,
rock and roll
Thursday, March 1, 2012
BadRonald Sez Let it Bleed!
Women in Horror Month may be over, but my celebration of the efforts and work of women in genre films will continue. And also, the Massive Blood Drive headed up WiHM participants is continuing. Check out this new blood drive promo form the Soska Sisters over at Twisted Twins Production...
I would so give blood for them!
I would so give blood for them!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
BadRonald Celebrates Demi Baumann for Women in Horror Month
The first thing I need to say about My Name is A by Anonymous is that this movie needs a distributor -- now!! I can't say enough good things about it. It's powerful and moving and disturbing. Credit goes to director Shane Ryan for creating a poetic view of troubled youth that doesn't incite fear or distrust, but rather moves the audience more towards contemplation and debate.
The other credit goes to the ensemble of young actresses who all delivered subtle but penetrating performances. Each of the talented young ladies developed their own unique image of misspent youth. Earlier I got to speak with Alex Damiano about the brutal honesty she delivered in her performance. This time I got to speak with Demi Baumann, who plays The Sidekick to Katie Marsh as Alyssa (based on Alyssa Bustamante, the 15 year-old who strangled and stabbed her 9 year-old neighbor to death). It was Demi's performance as the aimless sidekick that demonstrated the disconnect that many teenagers have when their is no guidance or inspiration in their lives. She's the good girl who meets up with the wrong friend. It's Baumann's hardened, emotionless expression that quickly became most unsettling. She shows a lack of concern for her BFF's rebellious and dangerous behavior, but then suddenly a wide, Chesire grin would break across her face. It happened only rarely, but when it did, her pretty smile clearly showed the audience just who these kids really were... kids. Innocent, naive, lost, desperate... kids.
I
grew up around older actors and nothing really shocks or surprises me.
People think I am much older than I am. I did not grow up sheltered from
reality. I haven't seen the film yet – just scenes and trailers. After I
watch it I will have clearer thoughts on it as a whole.
The other credit goes to the ensemble of young actresses who all delivered subtle but penetrating performances. Each of the talented young ladies developed their own unique image of misspent youth. Earlier I got to speak with Alex Damiano about the brutal honesty she delivered in her performance. This time I got to speak with Demi Baumann, who plays The Sidekick to Katie Marsh as Alyssa (based on Alyssa Bustamante, the 15 year-old who strangled and stabbed her 9 year-old neighbor to death). It was Demi's performance as the aimless sidekick that demonstrated the disconnect that many teenagers have when their is no guidance or inspiration in their lives. She's the good girl who meets up with the wrong friend. It's Baumann's hardened, emotionless expression that quickly became most unsettling. She shows a lack of concern for her BFF's rebellious and dangerous behavior, but then suddenly a wide, Chesire grin would break across her face. It happened only rarely, but when it did, her pretty smile clearly showed the audience just who these kids really were... kids. Innocent, naive, lost, desperate... kids.
I
first heard about it through my friend Katie Marsh. She was auditioning
for it, and was working with my mom who is an acting coach. Katie was
cast and asked to film some candid scenes running around and I happened
to be in one of them and Shane saw the footage and asked if I would be
interested in being part of the project.
Were you at all familiar with the story of Alyssa Bustamante?
I wasn't until Katie started studying the videos. Since my role was not that essence of her, I didn't watch many.
Thank
you. Shane gave me the freedom to be this alternate personality as I
felt it. Of course be part of murder is unfathomable and my personality
had a disconnect. His made it more comfortable. The cutting was easier
as I know a few people that do this and I have heard them talk about the
mental pain.
How did this role compare to other acting jobs you've been involved in?
It
is strange that I tend to play really dark characters. I seem to have
this fierce mean look that I attribute to my Russian and Mongolian
features. But I love these types of characters – I am more comfortable
with these types of characters compared to bubble gum perky Disney type
roles. This role was the toughest as it was a lot of improv. It was the
most natural and raw feeling role for sure to date.
I see My Name is "A" as
a true life crime story much less than it is a riveting coming of age
story. The end result (of murder) is the extreme of childhood troubles,
but the other acts of cutting, eating disorders, depression... do you
find these things more common or not. Do you know or know of girls who
act out like Alyssa did?
Here
in Los Angeles you see so much. I have been exposed to all of those
issues. Fortunately I haven't dealt with them personally. I think
watching it around you, it can make you realize that bad path and helps
you stay off of it.
What was most challenging for you in this role? And how did you overcome the challenges to deliver such a great performance?
Again
I would have to say the improv and not breaking character in scenes
with Katie when she gets a bit out of control because it was so against
her true self.
I
have to applaud you and the rest of the cast and crew for making such a
difficult and powerful film. Was the impact of this story evident when
you read for it? I mean, was it clear that this would not be just an
exploitation of a true crime, but something more resonant?
I
never saw a script. Each scene was attacked as an idea and we used our
thoughts and ideas as those characters. We knew after the first scene,
that this was going to be raw and edgy.
You're
fairly young, and some of the emotions and acts in this film may be
beyond your years -- how do you explain this film to others, when they
ask about it?

The
film was shot in a style of a documentary -- this is probably much
different than you were used to. How was it working like this, and how
was it like working with Shane?
Shane
is a really nice guy and an actors director. He lets you explore and
try. The style of filming as a documentary seemed in some ways easier
and much quicker.
Your
IMDB page shows you've been doing a good deal of acting. Will you be
going after bigger roles, with this on your resume? What's next for
you?
Well,
pilot season is about to start so I will be back in the 'game'. I hit a
growth spurt, which is never good for female actors, so it may be slow
until I am 18 and I can play older roles. No one wants to hire a 15 year
old to play 18 which is what I would play now. But I am okay with that,
because I am doing a lot of ballet and modeling now too.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
BadRonald Celebrates Nicole Kruex for Women in Horror Month
Continuing in my WiHM celebration, I hooked up with Nicole Kruex and got her take on what it's like to be a woman in the horror scene. I was pleased to find out that we had so much in common... Like I had, she grew up worshipping the genre idols of the day, while also enjoying the more goody goody child friendly fare Her juxtaposing tastes would later guide her through her burgeoning career in front of the camera... and now behind the camera.
Nicole put her time in on low budget horror and genre gigs, where her body may have been more prominent than her other, developing talents. She had her own understanding that she would pay her dues to get a foothold in the biz... and then, with the knowledge she'd acquired on the job, and the relationships she built in the Minnesota horror and film scene, she started developing projects under Triwar Films and Deadtime Productions.
Nicole Kruex: Certainly!! Acting is my first love and will always be my goal, but stability in acting is fleeting and often unless you have great contacts or are born into the craft, you have to make your own future. One of the best ways to do that is to become a producer/writer. In some ways it seems very narcissistic to be the facilitator to your own future. But then how else are you as a creative able to work your way into bigger and better projects? I love producing, though. I love being on set and standing behind the camera just as much as in front of it. It a great opportunity to learn things from all angles and gives me greater understanding of things I need to do as an actor. Currently I've produced several projects, one I can link to is a 3 min short entitled, 'The Initiation' directed by Mitchel A. Jones (see below). That film was fun.. It unfortunately had to be 3 mins, and feels too fast paced to me? But we are working on a longer cut in our down time. As you can see in the credits, I also edit and run camera, and soon -- Direct!
Check out more on Discursion here.
Nicole put her time in on low budget horror and genre gigs, where her body may have been more prominent than her other, developing talents. She had her own understanding that she would pay her dues to get a foothold in the biz... and then, with the knowledge she'd acquired on the job, and the relationships she built in the Minnesota horror and film scene, she started developing projects under Triwar Films and Deadtime Productions.
BadRonald: You've been featured in a number of films, as an actress, but now you're also producing and
writing?
Nicole Kruex: Certainly!! Acting is my first love and will always be my goal, but stability in acting is fleeting and often unless you have great contacts or are born into the craft, you have to make your own future. One of the best ways to do that is to become a producer/writer. In some ways it seems very narcissistic to be the facilitator to your own future. But then how else are you as a creative able to work your way into bigger and better projects? I love producing, though. I love being on set and standing behind the camera just as much as in front of it. It a great opportunity to learn things from all angles and gives me greater understanding of things I need to do as an actor. Currently I've produced several projects, one I can link to is a 3 min short entitled, 'The Initiation' directed by Mitchel A. Jones (see below). That film was fun.. It unfortunately had to be 3 mins, and feels too fast paced to me? But we are working on a longer cut in our down time. As you can see in the credits, I also edit and run camera, and soon -- Direct!
BadRonald: The role of women in horror is ever changing. What are your views on the role of women in horror? And how do you
envision women excelling in the field?
Nicole Kruex: I hope more women take a business savvy course and more production roles. Acting is the great platform for ego and narcissism and as of late seems less about the craft then about how many films one can pile under their belts and how many half nude pictures they can pile onto facebook. There is nothing wrong with that! But I'd love to see women change the portrayal of what we are in context of a story. Leave the porn to the porn stars and really learn how to act. Demand quality from the productions they attach themselves to and help to raise the bar on what gets produced.
But some are so desperate to just "get a role" we agree to anything from anyone... Instead, enter a $200 flip phone, iMovie editing, and a script written by a boob obsessed 12 year old.
BadRonald: Who are your influences, and what films inspire in you in your work?
Nicole Kruex: Oh gosh, Guy Ritchie, Danny Boyle, Christopher Nolan, J.A. Bayona, Guillermo del Toro, Stanley Kubrick, Roman Polanski, and Neil Marshall are some of my favorite directors. Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Cate Blanchett, Audrey Hepburn, Alan Rickman, Geoffrey Rush... I love horror desperately! But I'm influenced by the incredible careers of those I consider some of the best in the acting business. I've found it difficult to find an influence in acting that is strictly horror... but maybe there is a reason for that. I think the best shoot higher then just horror, but hundreds of them got their start there... look at Jamie Lee Curtis!
As for films, in the horror genre I am most inspired by films with a clever edge or a rawness that translates into something more then "Five teenagers go into the woods". 28 Days Later, The Orphanage, The Descent, The Shining, Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, Poltergeist. Movies with incredible stories and incredible cinematography. Movies that create a world for you to disappear into with details you may not catch on the first or second watch. A lot of films don't reach that pinnacle today because they are too interested in body count, twist endings, found footage, boobs, blood, and gimmicks. Give me Hitchcock and real people over GQ drunken frat boys "actors" and loose porn star "actresses" any day.
BadRonald: You had started your acting career taking parts where your body was exploited more than your creative talents. But then you made the decision to take a vested interest in the business and art of the genre, with writing and producing. How did you balance the two, presenting an image that will attract, while taking control and producing and creating?
Nicole Kruex: Well, the first step for me was picking and choosing roles and films that made sense for who I want to become. I've made mistakes just to get in the game and quickly realized that wasn't who I wanted to be or how I wanted women to be viewed. I have great respect for doing what it takes... but being smart about it. A lot of girls fall into stripping naked for films with no future. The guy with camera, and zero budget, and no plan beyond getting a pile of girls naked and covered in blood idea... problem is if you really want to be Jamie Lee Curtis, you have to look further then that,. You have to work, fight for better roles, and do your research on what is going to push you forward vs. hold you back. For me, that meant seeking out things bigger then myself and learning what I needed to do to get there. The balance comes in deciding what was really sexy and what was just slutty.

BadRonald: I liked the humor and commentary of the "Arrested After a Girl Fight" pics on your FB page. What was that all about?
Nicole Kruex: Honestly? I was having a bad day... but I turned it into a positive thing by finding some humor in my sadness. It became a fun photo shoot.. but in truth, those were real tears.
Nicole Kruex: I hope more women take a business savvy course and more production roles. Acting is the great platform for ego and narcissism and as of late seems less about the craft then about how many films one can pile under their belts and how many half nude pictures they can pile onto facebook. There is nothing wrong with that! But I'd love to see women change the portrayal of what we are in context of a story. Leave the porn to the porn stars and really learn how to act. Demand quality from the productions they attach themselves to and help to raise the bar on what gets produced.
But some are so desperate to just "get a role" we agree to anything from anyone... Instead, enter a $200 flip phone, iMovie editing, and a script written by a boob obsessed 12 year old.
BadRonald: Who are your influences, and what films inspire in you in your work?
Nicole Kruex: Oh gosh, Guy Ritchie, Danny Boyle, Christopher Nolan, J.A. Bayona, Guillermo del Toro, Stanley Kubrick, Roman Polanski, and Neil Marshall are some of my favorite directors. Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Cate Blanchett, Audrey Hepburn, Alan Rickman, Geoffrey Rush... I love horror desperately! But I'm influenced by the incredible careers of those I consider some of the best in the acting business. I've found it difficult to find an influence in acting that is strictly horror... but maybe there is a reason for that. I think the best shoot higher then just horror, but hundreds of them got their start there... look at Jamie Lee Curtis!
As for films, in the horror genre I am most inspired by films with a clever edge or a rawness that translates into something more then "Five teenagers go into the woods". 28 Days Later, The Orphanage, The Descent, The Shining, Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, Poltergeist. Movies with incredible stories and incredible cinematography. Movies that create a world for you to disappear into with details you may not catch on the first or second watch. A lot of films don't reach that pinnacle today because they are too interested in body count, twist endings, found footage, boobs, blood, and gimmicks. Give me Hitchcock and real people over GQ drunken frat boys "actors" and loose porn star "actresses" any day.
BadRonald: You had started your acting career taking parts where your body was exploited more than your creative talents. But then you made the decision to take a vested interest in the business and art of the genre, with writing and producing. How did you balance the two, presenting an image that will attract, while taking control and producing and creating?
Nicole Kruex: Well, the first step for me was picking and choosing roles and films that made sense for who I want to become. I've made mistakes just to get in the game and quickly realized that wasn't who I wanted to be or how I wanted women to be viewed. I have great respect for doing what it takes... but being smart about it. A lot of girls fall into stripping naked for films with no future. The guy with camera, and zero budget, and no plan beyond getting a pile of girls naked and covered in blood idea... problem is if you really want to be Jamie Lee Curtis, you have to look further then that,. You have to work, fight for better roles, and do your research on what is going to push you forward vs. hold you back. For me, that meant seeking out things bigger then myself and learning what I needed to do to get there. The balance comes in deciding what was really sexy and what was just slutty.


Nicole Kruex: Honestly? I was having a bad day... but I turned it into a positive thing by finding some humor in my sadness. It became a fun photo shoot.. but in truth, those were real tears.
BadRonald: Like me, you grew up with horror stars as your idols. Stars like Robert Englund and Doug Bradley. And you loved films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But also, you were equally fascinated with the sweeter side of film, enjoying the films of Shirley Temple, Audry Hepburn
and Great Garbo. I'm the same way in that I really love performers with sort
of duel personalities -- balancing darkness and light. I love Johnny Cash for his soul, but also his
demons. I loved Burl Ives and Andy Griffith for their child friendly
work, but also the twisted turns they gave in movies. Also Jimmy
Stewart. Do you also enjoy those dark shadow you see in the "goody" entertainers?
Nicole Kruex: Absolutely! As an entertainer you can't be just one thing... All actors have just as much light as they do demons, it's those demons that cause the changes in attitude needed to give a realistic performance on camera.
BadRonald: Thank you Nicole. Best of luck on all your projects.
Nicole Kruex: Thank you BadRonald!!

Nicole Kruex: Absolutely! As an entertainer you can't be just one thing... All actors have just as much light as they do demons, it's those demons that cause the changes in attitude needed to give a realistic performance on camera.
BadRonald: Thank you Nicole. Best of luck on all your projects.
Nicole Kruex: Thank you BadRonald!!
Check out more on Discursion here.
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