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Your new movie Love Me
Not - in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us
about your character?
To me,
Love Me
Not
is a story about LOVE, but NOT a love story. (I think I just stole
that from 500 Days of Summer). The film gives
a voice to everyone who was left wondering why? Why did they stop texting? Why
did they stop calling? Why don't they want to see me anymore?
Jenny is
clearly confused and quite frankly had enough of the modern societal norm
of "ghosting". If only you could disappear and all of your
problems will go away... but as we know, 'for every action there is an
equal and opposite reaction', and Jenny is a force to be reckoned with!
With Love Me
Not being about a very (well, more than) awkward St. Valentine's
Day date, to what extent could you identify with that aspect of the movie,
and without wanting to get too personal, any really bad dates of yours
you'd like to talk about?
Ha ha! I've
only been ghosted once. The guy came back months later surprised that I
wanted nothing to do with him. I'm
pretty straightforward when it comes to dating. I'm not big into playing
game and I'm very open about the evolution of the relationship. I even
dated one guy that said I was the "MAN" in the relationship???
As far as BAD
Dates... yikes! I've had so many but the worst was the
"SPANKER". Apparently I said something he didn't like and he
bent me over onto this knee and spanked me... like I was a child... super
awkward and NOT OK.
What did you actually draw
upon to bring your character to life, and how much Vanessa Esperanza can
we find in Jenny?
I love this
question! 100% of Vanessa is in Jenny. Let me explain, before I bring the
fear of God into everyone who is reading this. I brought all of my life
experiences to this character. Jenny just has a little more, such as
kidnapping and murder. I believe all characters, good and bad, feel
like they are GOOD. To me Jenny is the hero, if I didn't think that way
then she would just be an over the top villain. Anyone is
capable of doing ANYTHING in life... even good people. As long as the WHY
is strong enough.
Now how did you get involved with the
project in the first place, and to what extent could you identify with Love
Me Not's horror content?
I was
approached by Michael Coulombe [Michael
Coulombe interview - click here] after he saw my role as Beth Wallace in the
film Shattered directed by Mark Schaefer. Beth deals with the pain of the
loss of her son in a very disturbing way:
https://youtu.be/chqk4VR-_7A - I
was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the 48hr Film Festival for
the role. When Michael
saw it, he said "That's our Jenny."
Do talk about Love
Me Not's director Michael Coulombe, and what was your collaboration
like?
I love Michael!
We were on the same page about Jenny's character immediately! Empowerment!
Jenny as the hero! Strong! Not a victim.
Because of the
style of writing, a four page monologue, we did a walk through of the
whole dinner scene. Then we shot the scene from beginning to end. Michael would
say something and I just knew what he meant. One time he even said,
"Give me the opposite of what you are doing" and it was perfect!
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and
the on-set atmosphere? Magical... is
that too cheesy for a horror film? Everyone and I mean EVERYONE was
beyond amazing to work with. I love projects where everyone is so excited
about the film. People are more focused, positive and really happy to be
on set working.
Any future projects you'd like to share?
I have a romantic comedy coming out called Once Upon a Text, directed by Lupe
Valdez. Basically the
happy ending that Jenny was alway looking for.
What
got you into acting to begin with, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject?
Warning: This
is DARK.
I started
acting in high school because it was a form of escapism. I never wanted
to go home and I wanted a break from being me... When I started,
ACTING was something I needed. Now, ACTING is something I love.
I studied
Theater at Illinois State University and got a B.A. in acting before
moving to LA. In Los Angeles,
I've taken tons of on-camera classes, auditioning classes and improv
classes.
What can you tell us about your
filmwork prior to Love Me Not? I'm
kind of an indie film queen. Working mostly
on comedies, I've recently transitioned into the thriller and horror
genre. I'm even
producing a thriller called A Cold in the Eye, written by Jonathan Rogers
based on a short story by Candice Callins and myself.
How
would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of your techniques to
bring your characters to life?
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I like to stay
in the moment as much as possible. A lot of actors draw on the death of
someone or traumatic past experience to enhance their performance... That
method is not only damaging but it takes you out of the scene. For me, it's
all about the other person, the one you're acting with. Be present.
Actresses (and indeed
actors) who inspire you?
Ruth Gordon,
Charlie Chaplin, Tina Fey, Bill Hader - I'm currently obsessed with the
show Barry! Quite a mix, I
know.
Your favourite movies? Harold and
Maude is hands down my favorite movie! I love dark comedy... It's my all-time favorite genre. ...
and of course, films you really deplore? Pretty in Pink... Dear God what are we teaching our children?
Your website, Facebook, whatever else?
Website: www.vanessaesperanza.me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.esperanza -
Vanessa
Esperanza
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassperanza/
- @sassperanza
TikTok:
@sassperanza
Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? I
think that's it! Thanks for having me and have a great week :) Thanks
for the interview!
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