(re)Search my Trash

<body> <div align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="800" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/square.gif" valign="top">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="592" height="1%" valign="top"> <p align="center"> <a href="../research/resultactorlinks.shtml?Danielle Donahue">Films starring <b>Danielle Donahue</b> on (re)Search my Trash</a><p align="center">  </td> <td width="4" rowspan="3"></td> <td width="100" rowspan="3" background="../stylepix/squareright.gif" valign="top">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="99%"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205" align="left"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/survivalknife-poster.jpg" width="200" height="300"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>Your new movie <i><a href="../movies/survivalknife(2016).shtml">Survival Knife</a></i> - in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your character in it?</b> <p>  <p>The unique thing about <b><a href="../movies/survivalknife(2016).shtml">Survival Knife</a></b> is that it starts where a typical horror movie would end. A serial killer goes on a rampage in the woods and basically kills every person that means anything to this woman (Penny, my character). She kills him, but then the killings start happening again. Is it a copycat killer? Is the killer still alive? It keeps you guessing. <p> <p><b>What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Danielle Donahue can we actually find in Penny?</b><p> <p>When I take on a role, I like to take something about the character that relates to me, push that all the way forward, and push the rest back. It was difficult with Penny because she had a really sad and traumatic situation. I don’t think I could have survived it like she did. She clearly has mental healing to do, but she is at least trying. If it were actually me in the movie, it would be a really short movie: As soon as I woke up in the woods with blood on me… “Nope! Fuck this. I’m done.”<p> <p><b>Your role in <i><a href="../movies/survivalknife(2016).shtml">Survival Knife</a></i> seems to be physically pretty demanding - so how did you prepare for that aspect of the movie? </b><p> </p>  <p>I didn’t really prepare physically for the role. Looking back I probably should have. There is a scene where I’m in the woods and crawling up a hill and a couple days after the shoot I had bruises all over me. I often over-estimate what my body can physically handle. Just because I can do it doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. But I am all about realism and I go all in.<p> <p><b>How did you get involved with the project in the first place?</b><p> <p>I’ve done short films with Mike McKown <i>[<a href="mikemckown(2-16).shtml"><b>Mike McKown</b> interview - click here</a>]</i> and Jim Towns <i>[<a href="jimtowns(1-16).shtml"><b>Jim Towns</b> interview - click here</a>]</i> before. They were tinkering with this concept for a while. Jim wrote this amazing script and Mike was on board to direct, so when they asked me to play the role I was excited. They are both really talented people and just great human beings all around.<p> <p><b>What can you tell us about your director Mike McKown <i>[<a href="mikemckown(2-16).shtml">Mike McKown interview - click here</a>]</i>, and what was your collaboration like? And also talk about your previous collaboration <i>Scorned</i> for a bit?</b><p> <p>I love working with Mike. He has his own vision, but still welcomes ideas. We like the same movies and TV shows, so we always have inside jokes. <b> Scorned</b> was an interesting one. It’s based on this idea I had about a serial killer couple that has comedic elements within a horror/suspense situation. I have an idea for it as a feature and I’ve been meaning to write a script. It has yet to happen, but… Some day!<p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="355" align="left"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/danielledonahue-1.JPG" width="350" height="227"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?</b><p> <p>Even though the movie has serious subject matter, it was fun to shoot. Lots of laughs and goofs. Shooting in the Carrie Furnace was incredible. It had awesome lighting and a unique atmosphere. It was sort of its own character in a way. <p> <p><b>You of course have to talk about your upcoming directorial debut <i>Snowfall</i> for a bit, and how did that come about?</b><p> <p><b>Snowfall </b> is still in preproduction. It is going to be very demanding since a lot of it will be shot by me with no one holding the camera. The solitude setting is two hours away from Pittsburgh and the concept is built around being snowed in. The challenging shoot involves a lot of footage of me in lots of snow. And when it comes to the cold, I am the biggest baby ever. It may take some time to complete, but will be great.<p> <p><b>Any future projects you'd like to share?</b><p> <p>Not at this time but who knows what will happen tomorrow.<p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="255" align="right"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/danielledonahue-2.JPG" width="250" height="250"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>What got you acting to begin with, and did you receive any formal education on the subject?</b><p> <p>I had no formal education and always used to think acting was silly. There was a casting call for a movie (<b><a href="../movies/deadbodyman(2004).shtml">Dead Body Man</a></b>) that was being shot locally back in 2003, so I got in on it. I hated it at first. I just didn’t like pretending to be someone else, but then I started getting more offers and I just rolled with it. I’ve come to learn that even though it wasn’t the type of artistic expression I was used to (drawing, painting, photography, music…) it still was a creative process that had a life of its own. And I’ve truly grown to love the art of filmmaking and the challenges it presents.<p> <p><b>What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to <i><a href="../movies/survivalknife(2016).shtml">Survival Knife</a></i>? </b><p> <p>The first people that I really worked with before <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Robot Monkey Studios"> Robot Monkey</a></i> was <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Polonia Brothers"> Polonia Bros. Entertainment</a></i> (<b>Wildcat</b>, <b><a href="../movies/muckman(2009).shtml">Muckman</a></b>, <b> Jurassic Prey</b>). Both <i><a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Robot Monkey Studios"> Robot Monkey</a></i> and <a href="../research/resultprodlinks.shtml?Polonia Brothers"><i> Polonia Bros.</i></a> productions are exceptionally professional and creative, so I always look forward to opportunities to work with them. Mark Polonia who is often the director always has his shit together and is professional, talented and fun to work with. I usually have to travel 10 hours for a 3 day shoot and it is so worth it because they are such a great bunch of people to be around. <p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205" align="left"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/danielledonahue-3.JPG" width="200" height="300"></td> </tr> </table> <p><b>One can't but notice that many of your films are of the horror variety - purely by incident or is horror a genre especially dear to you, and why (not)?</b><p> <p>I get asked that question a lot! And it is always difficult to answer. Even before I started acting I was always drawn to the darker side of human nature and having it a part of my creative expression. More in an attempt to understand it rather than be part of it. Horror makes you feel something that you normally would not feel in your daily life. It’s like a vacation for your imagination. It’s funny because if you know me in person you would never guess. I find humor in everything. Sometimes to the point where it is borderline annoying.<p> <p><b>How would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of your techniques to bring your characters to life?</b><p> <p>I like to describe myself as an “undefined actress”. I really don’t have any specific technique and me being my biggest critic thinks it shows on camera lol.<p> <p><b>Actresses (and indeed actors) who inspire you?</b><p> <p>I’m very drawn to actors who can just disappear in a role and who have a range. Gary Oldman is someone I always enjoy watching. Cary Elwes is another actor I really respect because he can take on any role no matter the genre. I’m not really drawn to “superstars”. I think the most famous person I’m a fan of is Milla Jovovich. I’ve got a bit of a girl crush on her. <p> <p><b>Your favourite movies?</b><p> </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="205" align="right"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="right"><img border="0" src="../stills/danielledonahue-4.JPG" width="200" height="267"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"><img border="0" src="../stills/phantom5x5.gif" width="5" height="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">  </td> </tr> </table> <p><b><a href="../movies/armyofdarkness(1993).shtml">Army of Darkness</a></b>, <b> Shadow of the Vampire</b>, <b> The Untouchables</b>, <b> The Age of Innocence</b>… I’m kind of all over the place.<p>  <p><b>And of course, films you really deplore?</b><p> <p>That’s a tough question because I really don’t watch movies that I know I won’t be interested in.<p> <p><b>Your website, Facebook, whatever else?</b><p>  <p><b><a href="http://www.danielledonahue.com" target="_blank">www.danielledonahue.com</a></b></p> <p><b><a href="http://facebook.com/donahuedanielle" target="_blank">facebook.com/donahuedanielle</a></b></p> <p>Instagram – <i>danielledonahue</i></p> <p>Twitter – <i>@d2donahue</i></p> <p> <p><b>Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?</b><p> <p>Nope. <p> <p><b>Thanks for the interview!</b><p> <p>Thank YOU. Love your website!<p>  </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="592" valign="top" height="1%">  <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> currentyear = "2010"; </SCRIPT> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript" src="../scripts/endcreditsart.js"></SCRIPT> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> dosworsdonn(); </SCRIPT> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>