Talking With The Dead: 15 Questions With Scarlet Salem by Michael "Dedman13" Jones

Talking With The Dead: 15 Questions With Scarlet Salem

1. In just 3 years in the genre, you have managed to become one of the most recognizable Scream Queens out there today! How does it feel to be considered one of the top genre actresses in the industry today and how did you first get involved in the horror industry?

I first got involved with film in 2007 when I met Jason Stephenson, founder of NFTS Productions. I auditioned for ‘Pajama Party Massacre’ and that’s where it all started! Since then, I have over 20 projects under my belt, 14 of those are on IMDB, and more on the way! It feels so good to do what I’ve loved since I was young! It’s almost like a dream come true! I feel very honored to be considered a Scream Queen!

2. You began your feature film career with the 2007 NFTS Productions film Your Next 3: Pajama Party Massacre directed by Jason Stephenson. With it being your first film, can you tell us how you prepared for your role in the film as Jennifer, and was the experience what you thought it would be?

I was so nervous before we filmed it. I had no clue what to expect or anything! At that time, none of my friends were in the entertainment business, so in a way, I was going in it with very ‘wet feet’! The nice thing about this film was that everyone who worked on it, was super amazing and helpful. Joe Knetter and Elske McCain were big inspirations to me and really taught me the ropes, they’re amazing! I guess the way I prepared was I studied the script for about 2 weeks and got a feel for my character. It was pretty much straight and to the point on what Jason was looking for in Jennifer, so that made it easy. Defiantly was a great experience for my very first project!

3. Let's go to 2008 and stay in the horror genre. Projects you worked on included Tales of the Dead (Dir: Tim Rasmussen, Jr and Merle Johnson) and Trinity (Dir: Merle Johnson). How was the experience of doing your second and third different from your first, and did you find it easier or harder that you had one genre title under your belt?

The more films you do, the better you get… plain and simple. It just becomes easier over time because you know what is expected of you and you know what to expect from them.

4. 2009 has been a banner year in your career as far as exposure and the amount of projects that you worked on. Terror Overload, (Dir: Jason Stephenson, Kevin Myhre and Brant Johnson), Living Arrangements (Dir: Sam Thompson), Unholy Reunion (Dir: Ric McCloud) and Killer Biker Chicks (Dir: Regan Redding) are complete, while Resist Evil Part 3: Don't Stop or We'll Die (Dir: Adam Protextor), Resist Evil Part 1: Dropping Evil (Dir: Adam Protextor), Incest Death Squad (Dir: Cory Udler) and Camp Kill (Dir: Nate Hanley) are in post production and Night on Has Been Mountain (Dir: Tim Rasmussen, Jr) is in filming as we speak. What can you tell us about these projects and how have you been able to juggle all these films at the same time?

Yes, it has been an amazing year for me.. and its not over yet! It’s definitely a lot to juggle, plus doing tons of more projects outside of filming, but I always make it happen! The projects that I’m featured in prominently are the ones I’m most proud of, so far; Terror Overload, Killer Biker Chicks, Resist Evil 3, and Camp Kill to name a few. I mostly do a cameo in; Living Arrangements, Unholy Reunion, Resist Evil 1, and Incest Death Squad. All in all they were a blast to do and I’ve made so many awesome new friends over the last few years!

5. You have just completed Strip Club Slasher, working once again with NFTS Productions and Jason Stephenson. How do you feel this film projects against the current crop of slasher films coming out, and what was the deciding factor in choosing to work on this project?

I’m super stoked about this film coming out! What makes this film great is that it involves a killer masked man, strip club, and lots of hot ladies, a classic formula. Can’t get any better than that! It’s a very old school low budget slasher film. The deciding factor in choosing this film is that all my friends are a part of it and the part I get to play is a solid role. In playing Sara, I get to show many emotions in this one! Not only that, but it’s a killer script, by Joe Knetter, who also plays the killer…and might I add also has a very sexy, sexy ass. I would honestly pretty much work on anything Joe has written. Strip Club Slasher was just so much fun to shoot. There are many locations and many famous genre faces! It’s definitely a film you won’t want to miss!!

6. You have another project coming up later this winter entitled Frozen (Dir: D.W. Kann). I watched the investment trailer for the film, and I feel like from what I have seen that it will have the long lost feeling of the 80's slasher films like April Fool's Day, Happy Birthday to Me and Friday the 13th. There is not much news on this one yet, but what can you tell us about the story and who else is working on the project?

I loved the trailer too, but unfortunately unless they get a budget, the films not being made. It was supposed to be in preproduction last year, but never happened. The film takes place in the 90s and these teenagers are driving to this cabin for the weekend and come across a hitchhiker….. Well, things eventually turn ugly and it gets crazy…. Hopefully the film will happen because the script was amazing!

7. There are a few films not listed on your IMDB. What can you tell us about Afterbirth, Mutilated Movies, Bramburr, Create Your Own Scratch Built Corpse, Clown Museum of the Damned, Klownboy, The Confirmation of Brother Eli, The City and Punk Rock Slasher?

Those films I did cameos in, so I was in them for only a few scenes…. They were all a blast to do! Each film I do whether I play a cameo or am a main character, I always give it my all and make sure to have a fun time, because that’s what its all about! My favorite out of those, that you listed, was AFTERBIRTH because it was my third film and was my very first out of state film I got to work on! It was so much fun! It was pretty much a party every night, can’t go wrong with that!!! Hehe!

8. Your work consists of working in Television, Music Video, Film, Theater, Commercial, Internet and print. Out of all of these, which one do you feel comes to you the easiest, and on the flip side, which do you find the most challenging and exciting?

Honestly I can’t choose between all those, its pretty much equal between them! As long as I’m in front of a camera and am able to express myself and do what the director wants, I’m happy! Plus I love entertaining people, its just so much fun I can’t even explain it! When I can make people get scared, laugh, cry, cringe; that’s when I know that I’ve done my job! It’s all easy to me as long as I can prepare myself for every role and part I’m given. Some days and times are challenging, but that can also be exciting at the same time. When something challenges me, I give it my all and work hard at it and if I cant get it right the first time, I’ll keep going and won’t stop for anything. I have drive! Also, it’s exciting to dive into the unknown…. Sometimes you don’t know where you’ll be filming, different locations, etc…. and that’s exciting cause you don’t know always, what lies ahead of you… or even if you fly out to a location in another state and don’t know the cast, that’s also extremely exciting!

9. Working with several directors over the last couple of years, you have had an opportunity to work with many different styles of direction and seen some very unique visions of the genre. What do you feel you have drawn from each director that has enhanced you career and what do you think that you bring to the table in terms of your talents that brings them back to you for their projects?

The directors I’ve had the honor to work with have all their own uniqueness to them and have helped me as a growing actress! Not all of them have been the nicest per say, but they all have challenged me in different ways that I never knew was possible! Here are some things that I’ve learned about myself that has helped me grow… I can work very well under pressure and in most cases, that’s the best way for me to work. Also, I can handle a hot headed director really well and be able to keep my composure during difficult scenes and sets. I’ve learned to be very prepared and on time; have lines down and get to set when it’s your call time. Honestly, being prepared is the biggest thing I’ve learned if anything. If you’re not prepared for what you need to do, it fucks everything and everyone else up. How bad is it when you have your lines down and the other actor doesn’t, trust me, it sucks bad. Not a pretty sight to say the least, hehe! I look forward to every new director and cast to work with because it helps me grow as an actor and in general, as a person!

10. Let's take a look at the massive convention schedule you have gone through in the last couple of years: Crypticon Horror Convention Minneapolis--October 2007, It Came From Lake Michigan Convention Milwaukee--October 2007, Starfest-Horrorfest Convention Denver--April 2008, Troma's Poultrygeist Premier Minneapolis--March 2008, Wisconsin film festival--October 2007, Film Premier of Pajama Party Massacre Minneapolis--December 2007, The Source Free Comic Book Day with Ghostbustin 911--May 2008, Tromapalooza--Troma Event in Mpls, MN--July 2008, Crypticon Horror Convention Minneapolis--November 2008 and Starfest-Horrorfest Convention Denver--April 2009. Can you explain to everyone what it is like when you go to these conventions to meet your fans and promote your films, and what has been the oddest item a fan has asked you to autograph?

I love attending conventions! It’s seriously so much fun!!! Meeting the fans is amazing! It’s really funny, but a lot of times, people are afraid to come up to me! I know, crazy, huh? They walk by and nervously glance my way and smile. It’s so true! FYI, I’m not a mean person, hehe! It really makes me feel so good when people come up to me and tell me they love my work. It’s such an amazing feeling. I do what I love and get recognition for it, how cool is that! Fortunately, I haven’t had to sign anything too odd YET, but I was asked to kiss some guys on their cheeks for pictures… how cute!!!!

11. Who were some of the women that you admired growing up and watching in the genre?

Some of the women I loved watching and still do are Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Yavonne De Carlo (Lily Munster), Margot Kidder (Amityville), Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm Street), Segourney Weaver (Aliens), and Angelica Houston (Witches and Addams Family), to name a few! I love and admire all women in horror!! Go girls!

12. You have certainly blazed a trail in genre so far! With all of the blood and gore that you have been exposed to, what effect have you done so far that you would say has been your favorite and has there been one so messy yet that you would not do it again?

My favorite gore scene would have to be in ‘Terror Overload’ where I’m sawing a guy in half with a kick ass old chain saw, and was just soaked in ‘blood’ afterwards!! It was insane! On top of that, the blood was very sticky (Karo Syrup) and it was at about 3 in the morning after a long day of shooting, when I finally got covered in blood. It was freezing out and I barely had a top on so I was ice cold! What I like to say in this horror industry…. Its all for ART and entertainment!!! There is NO special effect I wouldn’t do…. It’s the industry, to get all bloody and dirty at some point! Plus, that’s sexy to me, hehe!

13. You have been to school for your acting (North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN for: acting, improvisation and stage presence) as well as AA Criminal Justice (Not Completed yet). Do you feel like taking the acting and theater classes really prepared you for the experience of making a film, and where did your interest in Criminal Justice come from?

The acting classes defiantly helped me to learn some things, but honestly, I’ve learned what I have in the past and now by just doing it! Sometimes school can’t teach you and prepare you for the industry… You just have to do it! Being on set, in front of the camera, working with other people, finding yourself and what you are comfortable with… you can’t always learn that in a classroom, know what I mean? I’m a firm believer in school, just don’t forget to go out there in the real world and try it out for yourself! I’ve always been interested in Criminal Justice! It’s so interesting to me! The criminal mind is so intriguing, so I decided to go to school to work in that field. I’m really close to completing my degree, but my love is in film right now, so maybe I’ll finish the degree in the future. It’s always nice to say you have a degree in something whether you use it now or later.

14. The acting end of your career has flourished and brought you out into the spotlight. Are there any plans on you writing the next great horror script, or may do you plan on getting behind the camera and giving us a look at what is twirling inside that head of yours?

Right now my main focus is in front of the camera…. I’m kind of a ham. I love entertaining people, whether it’s scaring people or making them laugh, its all fun to me! Eventually I do see myself getting behind the camera, but right now I’m very content where I’m at!

15. Thank you for all of the entertainment, and we are all looking forward to your films that are coming out soon! Are there any big projects in the near future that you can tell us about and what would you like to say to your fans out there?

Currently I have a few projects under my belt, but my biggest one yet is to come in 2010! My first large scale project is underway, ‘Hallow Point’, directed by Bobby Ray Acers and written by Joe Knetter. It has a large, all star horror cast and is going to be huge! We’re filming that in Louisiana in January of 2010, so keep your eyes peeled for that one! For more information on me, new projects and updates, you can visit my newly updated website at www.scarletsalem.net !

To my fans and friends: I love you all and thank you for your continuous support! With out you guys, I wouldn’t be here!!!

All photos courtesy of Scarlet Salem