Interview: Raine Brown

Raine Brown: Ascending the Throne with the New Queen of Horror by Brian Kirst

www.myspace.com/rainebrown

In the past several years the magnetic Raine Brown has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the scabrous fields of terror. From a doomed hooker (Satan’s Playground) and a threatened mother (Barricade) to a blood strewn serial killer’s daughter (100 Tears), Brown has imbued all of her characters with precision and depth. With upcoming releases such as Beast and the long desired Angel’s Blade series, Brown seems determined to continue her reign of subtly electric work. The busy Brown recently took a moment to discuss such exciting upcoming projects as Sculpture and ably takes us on a provocative journey of her past work as well. All, hail Queen Brown!!

Brian: Many of your films are physically intense with high emotional components. As a classically trained actress, do you ever find that your films are Shakespearian (in the sense of high drama, revenge scenarios…) in nature?

Raine: That is so funny that you asked that! I recently came to the conclusion that the reason I enjoy working on horror films so much is that they are very theatrical in nature. There are extreme characters in extreme circumstances that require a no-holds-bar- kind of approach and attack. I mean the events that happen in most of my horror films are not everyday events for most people- at least I hope not- and I do think it requires a bit of the theatric and a touch of the dramatic to make them believable.

Brian: A truly interesting thing I found about your character Nina in Barricade was the fact that she was a single mother going through a very disorientating period in her life. Did you do anything special to get into her mind set?

Raine: Nothing specific that I can think of for that role versus others. For each film I like to analyze the details of each character’s life story and their relationships to others and their circumstances past and present. This way the characters are not just me, but I can use something different to bring to the table. I do think that the fact that she was a single mom and having a difficult time in this period of her did add to the depth and realness of the character. Important life events for the character are great to have because they give you a grounding and focus place to start from. They help to give motivation and reasons for actions. If they are not written in, I often have little secret life events that I create to give me something extra to work with.

Brian: Audra in Plasterhead helped discover a whole new kind of dental work. How uncomfortable was it to work with the nasty looking wire prosthetic that covered your mouth?

Raine: Oh wow- ok I was confused by that question for a second- I was like- did I have braces for that character- wait no I didn’t – oh he is talking about the barbed wire. The reason I didn’t make the connection, and I’m giving away a trade secret here, is that the barbed wire was not made of wire at all. The effects people used rope and really made it look like wire, with out the detrimental effects to my pearly whites!! So it really wasn’t uncomfortable at all, or at least as uncomfortable as having rope put in your mouth and being pulled across the floor can be. But I was very impressed on how the effect looked on screen and I am glad you couldn’t figure out the details before I gave them away.

Brian: A lot of your filming seems to be done in extreme circumstances – namely, very cold environments. What items have you found that have become absolutely essential to you when filming a new project? (Long underwear, sweaters, a Shetland pony?)

Raine: Really, have you noticed that! I swear they really like to torture the actors for real- I think they feel it will help with the feeling of horror that they wish to inspire- but hey it helps the atmosphere of the film- then great! No there isn’t anything that I really have found essential. We had these wonderful warm packs for our shoes and hands during the filming of Satan’s Playground. I found that space heaters and cuddly co-stars help too.

Brian: One of your earlier projects, Aunt Rose, sounds as if it may have been one of those physically draining projects. Did you find that to be the case and do you have any specific memories about its creation?

Raine: I really loved working on this film. The writer is an actor too, so he really tried to make well developed and full characters and not just stereotypical caricatures. I really loved playing Toni, she is a totally street-wise, tough, lesbian, rocker girl. She is very much opposite of me in real life, but I found it empowering to be the strong one and try to save my girl- even though it didn’t work out too well- I really like trying to be the hero in a different way. I kinda of modeled her after some of my boyfriends to get that bit of macho energy that I don’t naturally have.

Brian: Despite its harsh subject matter did you find the set of Dark Chamber to be an enjoyable experience? I understand you are part of a very energetic and amusing special feature on the recently released DVD.

Raine: Unfortunately, I only filmed for one day on that project, but would have loved to work more. I do remember the set being very friendly and professional. However, I got totally lost in Long Island on the way home and did not yet own my GPS! That was the most horrible part! Yes, I am on the special features, you will have to see for yourself! :)

Brian: For Darkness Surrounds Roberta you got to travel to Italy to film. Was that the nicest perk you’ve received from a project or does something else take the cake?

Raine: Yes, we filmed in a small little town outside of Naples and it was very exciting. All the people in town knew we were there and they would stop and stare while we were filming on the street and call out things to try to get my attention. It was so different from filming in NYC where people are so used to movies being shot and annoyed that you are taking up space in their world they just ignore you and pretend they don’t notice you filming. I just recently finished a film “Brain Cell”, which we shot in England and I have to say that I truly love it there. So I would say the traveling in general, Germany, Italy, and especially England were pretty awesome.

Brian: You’re involved in an interesting sounding project called Angel’s Blade and its sequel as a character named Faith. Is there anything you can share about working on these bloody films?

Raine: Well I play a normal person- for once- a cop. I shot these films a few years ago- and actually Angel’s Blade is where I met Mr. Joe Zaso for the first time. They have yet to be released but I hope they will come out soon!

Brian: 100 Tears also sounds like an exciting event. Are there any moments that stand out about making that project?

Raine: Yea! It is probably the most crazy clown movie made in a long time! I got the chance to play one of the villains- and not just any killer- but totally deranged, off the wall, no conscience, like father like daughter, pent-up slaughter crazy, serial killer. I totally enjoyed working with Marcus and Joe on this film and it was just a total blast to be able to play such a free character and to go all out and not hold back!!!

Brian: You helped out with the behind the scenes creation of Sculpture. Can you tell us about what you contributed, personally, to that project and if writing is indeed something you want to continue in the future.

Raine: Well I didn’t write the film, but the director and writer were very open to letting me give my opinions on the direction and intentions of the character. I appreciated their respect and it helped to give me more connection to the character and have a say in where it goes. However, on Sculpture, I did do all my wardrobe. I really love to do that. I not only find it as another creative outlet, but it also helps to define the character for me in another way. I am not sure about writing a script, I am taking baby steps. I am working on developing a few films with writers that are based on an idea that I have. Maybe someday I will write something, but for now I am very excited with the idea of getting projects developed that I really helped to form and come from my point of view. But I did form my own company RaineY DaZe Creations, to have an outlet for other such creative film and theatre endeavors besides acting, but we will see where it goes in the future.

Brian: Over the past few years you’ve done an amazing number of roles. Is there one character or project that sticks out in your mind as a particular favorite? Also, is there anything upcoming that you feel is especially worthy of a mention? And thanks for doing this – you’ve truly dried up all the ‘raine’ on my parade!!!

Raine: OH- well- like I have never heard that one before :)!!! Thank you for the opportunity, and you did ask some very new and interesting questions. Wow, that is always a hard question. I really try to find something in each character that makes me really want to play them and keep them interesting and real for me. It is like they become friends of mine and I do love something about them all. So no favorites. Each one holds a special place in my heart. And the most recent films to be on the look out for are “Beast”, “Sculpture”, and “Brain Cell”. I will be filming a few more this year, some are untitled and some are still in development but watch out for “Don’t Look in the Basement”, “Stronger then Death”, and “Game Over”. I always up date on my MySpace www.myspace.com/rainebrown, and my website will be completely revamped pretty soon, so watch out for that too! Thanks again!!

Note: A documentary of the making of Sculpture will be shown at Horror Society’s ‘Women in Horror’ festival on April 25th at the Portage Theater.