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Your new movie Stalkers - in a few words, what's it about, and what
can you tell us about your character in it?
My character, Kate, is the lead. She starts the movie as “Tabitha Swann”, a
disenchanted pornstar looking to get out of the biz when she receives a
phonecall from a child services agency in her hometown: The child she had
as a teenager (and was forced by her religious parents to give up for
adoption) is suddenly orphaned by a horrific double murder of her adopted
parents! Kate takes the opportunity to change her life and try to fill the
nagging void within her by going back to her hometown and giving
motherhood a chance. Unfortunately, her hometown is even worse to her the
second time around. I will say no more!!!
What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Olivia Stadler
can we find in Kate?
I don’t think much, Kate is morose with a kind strength. I’m pretty silly
in real life. My boyfriend said at the premiere that he barely recognized me on screen.
How did you get involved with
the project in the first place, what drew you to it?
Paul Thompson [Paul Thompson
interview - click here], the writer/creator/director, reached out to me after seeing
a televised comedy appearance. What initially drew me to it was that he
had the exact same first and last name of my then crush, and I was like,
yeah okay I’ll play a pornstar in your little movie Pauly, but then it
turned out to be a totally different guy and a real, really cool project,
and thank God! (I ended up dating that guy anyway, and he’s in the movie
too… just a little BTS lore!)
To what extent can you identify with Stalkers' approach to
horror, and is that a genre you're at all fond of?
I love horror movies. The tension build and release is the same format of
comedy, my primary genre. I learned so much about horror from this project
and through my friendship with Paul, and have come to love it even more.
Stalkers is a campy sort of thriller/slasher, which is the chicest kind of
horror in my opinion!
What can you tell us about Stalkers' director Paul
Thompson, and what was your collaboration like?
It was Paul’s first time directing a feature and my first time starring in
one. It was a very collaborative learning process for us both and I
learned so much from him. It was his first time as director but he has
been working professionally on massive productions his whole career, so
he’s not new to this. He brought that sort of professionalism to our
Stalkers set. I’ll forever be grateful that he chose me, I never foresaw
myself as a movie star, and for better or for worse this has corrupted me;
I now want to be a movie star. I loved working with Paul, he is an
incredibly patient, empathetic and generous person who has become a dear
friend. We are looking to collaborate more in the future.
A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
Hectic & chaotic, but in the best way. As an indie project working through
Covid-regulations, it felt like a lot of scrambling to make things work,
but then when they did, it was all the more satisfying. I had some of the
greatest laughs on set with Scarlett DiCaro, who behind the scenes felt
more like a sister. God, I felt so alive on that set!!! Let’s make
Stalkers 2!
Any future projects you'd like to share?
I just moved to New York City so I’m focusing on stand-up
for the time being. My debut comedy album Chapstick will be out soon which you can
stream anywhere. What got you into acting in the first place, and did you receive
any formal training on the subject?
I have always secretly wanted to be an actor but never fully pursued it.
I’ve taken some acting courses here and there but nothing too formal or
longterm. I was pursuing stand-up comedy and was plucked from that
environment into this one. I learned everything I know about acting from
working on this film! What can you
tell us about your filmwork prior to
Stalkers? None! Just comedy sketches I would work on with my friends.
How would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of your
techniques to bring your characters to life?
I think I really need to live in the character’s mind and engulf myself in
their experience in order to really “be” them. David Mamet said in his
book that this is unhealthy but whatever.
Actresses (and indeed actors) who inspire you? Jennifer Lawrence, Tilda Swinton, Amy Schumer, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Lena
Dunham, Adam Driver, Kieran Culkin … just off the top of my head! Your
favourite movies?
American Beauty, There Will Be Blood,
The Substance,
Trainwreck, Donnie
Darko, Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale,
A Real Pain, Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind … just off the top of my head! ... and of course, films you
really deplore? Buy me a drink first! Or rather, get me blackout drunk first! I ain't
answering that, buddy!! Your website, social media,
whatever else?
It’s dumb that I don’t have a website, but follow me on Instagram at @ostadz
Thanks for the interview!
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