Interview with Melissa Bacelar Interview by Jeff Woodward

This month, Macabre Cadaver had the opportunity to speak with actress/producer Melissa Bacelar. Melissa starred in such horror films as Eat Your Heart Out, and Pink Eye. Not content with being labeled as a “scream queen”, Melissa has a long list of acting credits, which included a recurring role on the daytime soap One Life to Live, and an appearance on Saturday Night Live. She also works with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to help spread the word about animal abuse.

Macabre Cadaver: You have been busy over the last year, at least four films have been completed, or are in post production. Are there any hobbies you manage to squeeze in between filming/writing?

Melisa Bacelar: I am a DOG NERD! I wouldn’t say it’s a hobby . . . More like an uncontrollable passion. I love dogs, have 8 of them. When I am not working I am with my dogs, protesting puppy stores that sell puppy mill dogs (which are all puppy stores that are not HUMANE!) rescueing dogs, volunteering at rescue groups . . . You get the idea :)

Macabre Cadaver: What made a girl from Jersey leave the Garden State, in pursuit of a career in movies, and horror movies at that?

Melisa Bacelar: It’s funny when people ask me stuff like this. It seems so normal to me? I can’t imagine that anyone doesn’t want to be in horror movies. So I guess the answer to that is that I really couldn’t do anything else. Jersey is cool and I am glad I grew up there. It gave me an attitude and a love for big hair and too much makeup . . . These things come in handy! But in the end . . . I belong in front of a camera with an axe in one hand and a bloody body part in the other.

Macabre Cadaver: Tell us about the Network Studio.

Melisa Bacelar: OK. . .In a nut shell. Actors need to meet people that cast movies and TV shows. Casting directors need to meet actors that they can hire for the projects. I just put them together at a place call The Network Studio. And I recently made these meeting SUPER easy by creating www.TheActorsSource.com Now anyone, anywhere, anytime can post their pictures and videos online and email them directly to major casting people . . . . It’s super cheap, super easy and you get to talk to the people who cast every major Hollywood star! I am kind of a genius . . . a genius with big hair . . .

Macabre Cadaver: You produced and starred in Skinned Alive, a film about a flesh eating prostitute. Did any “johns” get hurt during your research for the part?

Melisa Bacelar: Yes! My research was extensive and being the good Catholic girl that I am I couldn’t actually sleep with these men so I had to kill them . . . . Honestly it was kinda scary how easy it was for me to be really slutty and really violent all at the same time. I barely had to get into character . . . It all came very naturally . . . *typed while smiling sheepishly*

Macabre Cadaver: You work with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). What are your thoughts on Breed Specific Legislation as it pertains to certain terrier type dogs that have been banned in cities around the nation and world?

Melisa Bacelar: I wish that we could ban people. Can we start doing that? I honestly think it is sad that we live in a society where we blame innocent animals for the things that humans do. These dogs are raised by egotistical people who need to have a mean animal by their side. So they take these very strong dogs and instead of training them in a way where they could live in society as loving and devoted companions, they are trained to kill each other. I would like to take these human beings and leave them in a small room with no love or companionship. I want to feed them just enough to keep them alive. Then I want to mutilate their bodies by clipping their ears so they can look as tough as possible. Lastly the only time I will give these people any positive reinforcement is when they kill another person like them . . . . Once I do that I will carelessly let these people escape from their rooms and they will probably kill helpless, undeserving people and then society will want to ban them . . .

It’s just crazy that society allows criminals to walk among us after they have been “rehabilitated”, but they won’t give animals that are TRAINED any chance. I have a pit-bull that I found on a highway facing traffic. He was dirty and hungry. He was abused and beaten and had worms through his whole body. I got out of my car in traffic and coaxed him into my car. I have had him for 3 years and he is the sweetest dog you could ever meet. I have 7 little dogs that bite him and push him around . . . People suck. They don’t want to take responsibility for their mistakes.

Macabre Cadaver: If there is a remake of Sleepaway Camp, would you be willing to play Angela, and give us that “surprise ending”?

Melisa Bacelar: First of all Felissa Rose is DA BOMB!!! I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing her for “The Scream” not too long ago and she is just the coolest chick ever!! I would be honored to play Angela but I think it would be difficult for me to be believable as a 13 year old girl? Who knows aren’t the people on 90210 like 30 and playing highschool? You gotta love Hollywood.

Macabre Cadaver: The horror genre seems to be alive and well, with many Indy production companies keeping the hack and slash coming for us fans. Is there a line you would draw when it comes to certain on-screen depictions of sex/violence in a film you would produce/star in?

Melisa Bacelar: Ya know, that’s kind of a loaded question. I have read scripts I don’t like because the sex and violence is not written well. I have also read horrific, awful, unimaginable sex and violence that is so well written I would go for it. I think if everyone involved understands and loves what they are working on and if they are Good at it . . . The piece will be good. I can’t imagine ever hurting an animal in anyway. I would never be OK with that? Other than that . . . I feel horror is fantasy and it is meant to scare people. So, thats what we are here to do.

Macabre Cadaver: You recently had a role in Creep Creepersin’s Erection. The name itself looks like it was fun to shoot. Can you give a brief synopsis of the film, and about your part in it?

Melisa Bacelar: LOL. Yep. This is a cute little story about a man who has a haunted penis. There is lots of blood, some nudity and funny twists. Creep is an interesting dude and he makes quirky, freaky films. It was fun. I play an office worker who is attracted to the star and when they start to get it on his penis bleeds . . .

Macabre Cadaver: You have made the Comicon circuit in the past. What was it like being surrounded by some of the most creative people in the writing and art industry, and having them drool over your every word?

Melisa Bacelar: Comicon is so much fun. My first year, I could not believe the costumes and swarms of people. Every year is the same. I am just more amazed. It is an interesting mix of fans and the really cool part is that the people who are the artists, and celebrities are fans too. So everyone is having fun and geeking out. It’s really cool.

Macabre Cadaver: Lastly, if you have $5, and Chuck Norris has $5, who has more money?

Melisa Bacelar: Uuuummmm. Is this a trick question? Because I am blonde, and sometimes get confused. But I would say: If I had $5 and Chuck Norris had $5 . . . Chuck Norris would still have more money than me :)

You can find more information about Melissa by visiting www.melissabacelar.com.