|
Eirian with Laurence R. Harvey |
Your upcoming movie The Night Monica Came Back
- in a few words, what is it
about?
It's about a group of teens going on a camping trip where two people die in
mysterious circumstances. 20 years later, the gang meet again as one of those
who were on camp is determined to find out what really happened, and who is
behind the deaths.
How did the project fall together in the first place?
I run Northern Star Acting, and we always want to create awesome opportunities
for our students. I got in touch with Laurence R. Harvey (Human Centipede 2
and 3) and asked him if he would be involved in the project, he said yes and
it wasn't until after then that it was written by some crazy Austrian dude.
Apart from Laurence R. Harvey, who plays Pops, and me playing grown-up
Christine, they are all student actors who
are at the beginning stages of learning their craft. For some, it was their
very first time in front of a camera but you would never think this from
watching the film. They really delivered and were outstanding!
The Night Monica Came Back
stars kids aged 8 to 17 - so why pick of all genres
horror?
I have been criticised for making a horror with kids in but it was a great,
and very valuable experience for them. My decisions will always be based
around what is best for my actors and nothing else. Horror is a very important genre for
actors - they are all very likely to be
cast in a horror film at some point as it's, by far, the most popular genre for
independent films. If we didn't cover horror, they wouldn't be getting the education they need to
prepare them for the real world.
Plus, they really wanted to make a horror and were dead excited about it!
Some might find the idea to cast of all people Laurence R. Harvey, star of Human
Centipede 2 and 3, in a movie starring a bunch of kids controversial - so what
was the idea behind that?
Oh yes, people have had very strong opinions on this. They either think it's
great or are very opposed. Sometimes I wish think people can struggle to see
that actors are just playing roles. The idea behind it was simply that he is an incredible actor who our tribe can
learn a lot from.
I watched Human Centipede 2 before I'd met Laurence and I remember thinking
'What am I watching? This is sick... but wow what an actor!'
What was working with Laurence R. Harvey like, and how did you get him even?
I was in a film called Banjo by Liam Regan which Laurence was in playing the
role of Clyde. Although I never actually shot any scenes with him then, it's
how we ended up connected. He is a really lovely guy. Very funny and ridiculously talented. I am hoping
to work with him again in the future.
You also appear in front of the camera in The Night Monica Came Back
- so do talk about your character for a bit, and what did you
draw upon to bring (grown-up) Christine to life?
I loved my character - she's psychotic, a narcissist
and sooooo much fun to play! The way she sees the world is so different
to anyone else and I loved getting in her head and figuring out what
makes her tick.
Do talk about the rest of the cast as well then!
Ah my amazing tribe J These guys are just so passionate and dedicated.
They are big thinkers and have the best attitudes. They will go far!
Shooting with children - what are the challenges there, and how did you keep
them occupied outside the actual shoot?
Well you know how they say never work with children? Not true in our case.
They were focused, they worked hard and were so professional throughout. I'd
film with them again in a flash!
Do talk about the screenwriter of The Night Monica Came Back, a certain
Michael Haberfelner [who would be me, so yes, I'm fishing for compliments here
;)] [Michael
Haberfelner interview - click here], and why him, and what was your collaboration like?
Michael Haberfelner aka Dr Evil is a total mad man. I'm not sure if he's a
creative genius or slightly insane but I do know that his scripts are
absolutely hilarious!
It's not the first time I have collaborated with Dr Evil of course. Our last
project, Talk of the Dead, directed by Eddie Bammeke
[Eddie Bammeke interview -
click here] and starring Lynn Lowry,
is currently nominated for no less than 13 awards at the San Diego FANtastic
Horror Film Festival, and I can also tell you
that it won't be the last as we are already hatching cunning plans to make
another film called First Impressions Can Kill...
Also on my behalf, you of course have to give a big shout-out to the rest of
your fabulous crew!
This film had two directors - Layla Randle-Conde [Layla
Randle-Conde interview - click here] and Cameron Prudames and they
were both just outstanding from beginning to end. I also want to mention
Jennifer Challinor who was so great with the kids and was a total superstar
behind the scenes.
A few words about your locations, and what was it like filming there?
We filmed on a campsite, in some woods and in a big house. All fantastic
locations... Especially the house on Anglesey which was actually the house I
grew up in so it was so cool to be back there doing this. I even roped a few
of my childhood friends into taking part in the film J
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
On as always, it was full of laughter, positivity and energy! Parts of it were very intense with us racing against time but I honestly
couldn't have wished for a better group of people.
Any idea when the film might be released onto the general public yet?
We are aiming to send it out to festivals in 2017 and then to TV networks so
keep an eye out!
Any future projects beyond The Night Monica Came Back you'd like to
share?
Well, we are back shooting with Lynn Lowry in November as she joins us for
another project, First Impressions Can Kill, which is absolutely hilarious!
Also, Inside Fear, our psychological thriller, is almost complete - YAAAY!!!
You of course have to talk about your comany Northern Star Acting for a bit,
and what do you think sets it apart from other acting schools? And what
inspired you to run an acting school in the first place?
Northern Star Acting is not just another acting class. We are a tribe of
badass actors, ready to take the world by storm! We train in acting but also
in business, mindset and even health & fitness because we firmly believe
that these aspects all play an important role in actors maintaining a long
term career.
Your/your movie's/your company's website, Facebook, whatever else?
Find us on:
www.northernstaracting.co.uk
www.facebook.com/northernstaracting
www.twitter.com/northstaracting
... and news on the film can be found at https://www.facebook.com/thenightmonicacameback
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
 |
Feeling lucky?
Want to
search
any of my partnershops yourself
for more, better results?
(commissions earned) |
The links below
will take you
just there!!!
|
|
 |
YES!!! We are auditioning now for new tribe members to join our acting for
film and television training program and we also offer online training for
budding actors to be able to join us from anywhere in the world. Contact
info@northernstaracting.co.uk for more info!
Thanks for the interview!
My pleasure J
|
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.de
eThaiCD.com
