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Your new movie Bet Dead
Casino - in a few words, what's it about?
Bet Dead Casino is a gritty indie action thriller about a ruthless villain
called Slick Vic, who runs a dark-web fight-to-the-death gambling ring.
After her father is killed, Rose is dragged into his violent world and
forced to survive it, while her fiancé is captured and made to fight. With
tracking chips in their necks and no easy way out, it becomes a brutal
fight for survival.
Now how
did the project fall together in the first place?
It all came together during lockdown, when everything else in the world
had basically come to a standstill. Instead of just sitting around feeling
frustrated, we all decided to use that strange time to do what we love and
actually create something. There were a few changes along the way with
people who were originally involved, so the story evolved as we went, but
that was all part of the process.
A big thing that shaped Bet Dead Casino was the fact that we already had
some great fight choreography filmed and we really didn’t want that to go
to waste. Lockdown also gave us these really unique locations – empty city
streets in Bangkok and wide-open countryside in England – so we used what
was around us. It became a case of being creative with what we had, making
the most of a difficult situation, and turning that energy into a film.
What were your sources of inspiration when writing
Bet Dead Casino?
A big part of the inspiration came from the fact that we already had some
really strong fight scenes filmed, so we needed to build a story around
what we had. That actually became quite freeing creatively, because it
pushed us to think differently and be bold with it.
We knew the kind of films and styles we love – gritty, a bit grindhouse,
edgy, dark, and unapologetically mean at times – so we went for that. At
the same time, we didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously. There’s a
slightly tongue-in-cheek edge to it and bits of dark humour in there too,
which is very much part of our taste. It was about creating something raw
and punchy, using what we had available, and having a bit of fun with the
tone while still keeping it intense.
Do talk about your co-writers Brent Zillwood and Taffy
Edwards, and what was the writing process like?
Brent and Taffy are both incredibly talented and full of great ideas, so
it was genuinely a pleasure going back and forth with them. The whole
process was really collaborative – lots of messages flying around, regular
online face-to-face chats, throwing ideas into the mix, reshaping scenes,
and building the story together. For me personally, it was a huge learning
curve and a great insight into how meticulous you have to be when
developing a project properly. It taught me a lot about the writing
process and what it really takes to bring something like this to life.
What were the challenges of bringing
Bet Dead Casino to the
screen from a producer's point of view, especially given the movie was
shot during Covid lockdowns? Honestly, there were challenges from day one. Shooting during lockdown
meant things were constantly changing, and a lot of it was about learning
to roll with the punches and adapt as we went. That’s a huge part of
filmmaking anyway, but Covid definitely turned the difficulty level up.
There were delays, uncertainty around dates, and lots of moving parts that
made planning really tricky.
One of the biggest challenges was sound – we had some real issues along
the way, and the soundscape ended up being reworked more than once, but
the team did an amazing job in the end. We were also working with a small
budget, limited freedom of movement, and the usual indie film chaos –
things breaking, getting lost, plans changing, people becoming
unavailable. It was tough at times, but it was also a massive learning curve. Looking
back, you realise how much you’ve grown because what felt impossible at
the start becomes second nature by the end. Against the odds, we pulled it
together, and I’m really proud that the film made it to the screen.
You also play one of
the leads in Bet Dead Casino
- so do talk about your character, what did you draw upon to bring her to
life, and did you write Rose with yourself in mind from the get-go?
With Rose, I really approached it from a very honest, personal place –
thinking, “How would I feel if I were thrown into this situation?” We were
in lockdown at the time, and like so many people I’d been through a
really intense period emotionally. There was a lot going on in my personal
life, people I love were dealing with difficult things, and I’d just come
out of a pretty heavy situation myself. So I drew on that when playing
Rose, because she’s suddenly hit with loss, fear and trauma, and then
forced to find strength in a situation she never chose to be in. Without
giving too much away, she’s someone who’s pushed to her limits and has to
fight to survive, and that felt very real to tap into.
Did I write Rose with myself in mind? Not consciously at first, but as the
story developed, it naturally became a character I could connect to on a
very personal level, which helped me bring something honest to the
performance.
Jenny Carnage, on the other hand, was pure character fun. I love getting
into big, bold characters, and I’ve done a lot of stage and performance
work over the years, so once the costume and especially the mask went on,
I was straight in there. She’s larger-than-life, darkly playful, a bit
tongue-in-cheek but also genuinely menacing. It was a chance to lean into
something eccentric and theatrical, which I really enjoyed.
What can you tell us about your dollaboration with you
director Taffy Edwards when filming
Bet Dead Casino?
Working with Taffy was honestly a really great experience. He’s incredibly
creative and has a strong vision for what he wants, but at the same time
he’s very open to ideas and input from the people around him. That
combination makes you feel really involved in the process rather than just
being told what to do.
He’s also got a brilliant eye for detail, but he keeps the atmosphere on
set really relaxed, friendly, and down-to-earth. It genuinely felt like
working with a little family, which makes such a difference when you’re in
intense or challenging filming conditions.
The $64-question, where can
Bet Dead Casino be seen?
At the moment, Bet Dead Casino
is streaming on Tubi, which is brilliant because it reaches such
a huge audience all over the world and it’s free to watch. It’s also
available on Fawesome and it be coming to more streaming platforms soon,
so people in different regions can find it in different places. It’s
really nice to know the film is out there and accessible to audiences
globally. Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception
of Bet Dead Casino?
We’ve actually had really lovely feedback so far, which has been so
encouraging. A lot of people have said they enjoyed it as a fast-paced,
punchy little rollercoaster of a film. It’s not meant to be taken too
seriously, and I think audiences get that once they’re watching it – it’s
just a fun, gritty action thriller with good momentum.
People have been really positive about the fight scenes, the soundtrack,
and the performances, which is great to hear because so much love and hard
work went into all of that. The reviews and ratings have been really
decent too, and honestly, we’re just really happy that it’s out there in
the world and people are enjoying it for what it is – a cool, energetic
indie action film. Any future projects you'd like to share?
Yes, I’ve just been confirmed for a lead role in an upcoming horror
thriller that’ll be filming later this year in England, which I’m really
excited about. It’s a very intense, emotional, and dramatic role, so I’ve
already started preparing for it. I’m also really chuffed about the cast they’ve confirmed so far – there
are some brilliant people involved, and it feels like it’s going to be a
really special project to be part of. It’s a tough, hard-hitting story and
I’m excited to get stuck into playing such a central character. The film
is aiming for a release in 2027, so watch this space.
What got you into acting in the first place, and did you
receive any formal training on the subject?
I’ve loved performing for as long as I can remember. It started with me
dancing around the living room as a little kid, which then turned into
regular dance training, and eventually led me to take a full-time
performing arts course in Cambridge at Glisson Road Studios. From there, I
went on to train with acting coach Jack Walter in both London and New
York, which was an amazing experience.
I’ve always loved becoming a character and stepping into different worlds.
Performance has been a constant in my life, and it’s something that’s
really helped carry me through tough times as well as the good ones. I
spent many years working in stage performance, and now I’m getting more
opportunities in TV and film, which I feel incredibly grateful for.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to
Bet Dead Casino?
I’ve been involved in film and TV work for quite a long time, although in
the earlier years it was more sporadic because I was mostly focused on
dance and stage performance. Film projects would come in between tours and
shows, so it was always something I loved alongside performing live.
Over the years, I’ve worked on a real mix of productions, from bigger
projects like The Prince and Me and Shanghai – where I also worked with
John Cusack – to Bollywood films and indie projects like United Six and
various short films. I was also flown out to Penang, Malaysia, to work on
the TV series The Singapore Grip alongside Charles Dance and other
well-known names. More recently, I’ve worked on projects such as English
Dogs in Bangkok with Byron Gibson and Intercept
with Michael Paré [Michael
Paré ubtervuew - click here].
How would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of
your techniques to bring your characters to life?
I don’t know that I’d put myself in a neat box as an actress, other than
to say I’m very passionate about what I do and I’m always learning. I try
to stay open, like a sponge, and take in everything around me. A big part
of my process is staying relaxed, really listening to the people I’m
working with, and being fully present in the moment.
One of the nicest things about getting a bit older is that I’ve been able
to let go of a lot of my inhibitions. I spent years training and learning
techniques, which was invaluable, but now I feel freer to just trust
myself, take risks, and really go for it. That freedom has been a bit of a
gift and has definitely helped my acting.
In terms of practical techniques, music is a huge help for me in finding
the emotional tone of a character, and I often draw on my own life
experiences to ground things emotionally. I also believe in knowing your
lines inside out. Once that’s second nature, you’re free to be present, to
react truthfully, and to let real impulses and emotions come through in
the moment – just like in dance, when the routine is in your body and you
can finally perform without thinking about the steps.
Actresses (and indeed actors) who inspire you?
There are so many people I admire, it’s hard to narrow it down, but a few
that really stand out for me are Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Colman, Kate
Winslet, Nicole Kidman, and Aimee Lou Wood. I love how fearless and
versatile they all are, and how human and real their performances feel.
Aimee Lou Wood in particular has this brilliant warmth and humour that’s
so natural and disarming.
Your favourite movies?
It really depends on my mood, but I have a big soft spot for the 80s and
90s films I grew up with. There’s something really comforting and magical
about movies like
Back to the Future and
Indiana Jones, I have very fond
memories of watching these kinds of films with my dad, especially the ones
with a bit of adventure or fantasy to them – they’re such great escapism
and always take you somewhere else, which I love. Recently, I’ve been a bit obsessed with Coralie Fargeat’s work – Revenge
and The Substance really blew me away.
Your/your movie's website, social
media, whatever else? Link to Tubi to watch for free:
https://link.tubi.tv/h5aJnGcMa0b
Bet Dead Casino
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/betdeadcasino
Bet Dead Casino
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17ZHuzfBgV/
Leigh Barwell Actress Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/leighbarwell
Anything else you're dying to
mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Thank you so much for the support and for taking the time to check out Bet Dead Casino. It honestly means a lot to us when people watch indie films
and support the work that goes into them. Later this year I’ll be heading
into filming on a new horror thriller that I’m really excited about, and
I’ve got a few other interesting projects in the pipeline too, so it’s a
really exciting time.If you’d like to follow along with what I’m up to,
I’d love for you to come and connect with me online. And if you haven’t
seen Bet Dead Casino
yet, I’d really appreciate you giving it a watch and
sharing it with anyone who might enjoy a fast-paced indie action thriller
(see links above). Thanks so
much for the support – it really does mean the world. Thanks
for the interview! |
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