Brenna Lee Roth: Horror’s Latest Rebel Without A Cause. By Brian Kirst
www.myspace.com/brennaleeroth
Brenna Lee Roth is bold and beautiful – and that ain’t no soap opera, its a cold hard fact. With appearances in everything from Poultrygeist to Horrorween to Frat House Massacre, Roth is busier than the Road Runner (and twice as memorable), but she recently took some time out of her hectic schedule to answer some meaty, blood strewn questions for Horror Society.
Brian: Who were your first performing influences – Pam Grier shaking it up as Foxy Brown – Lita Ford’s raucous roar on ‘Back to the Cave’ – Velma from the Scooby Doo cartoons?
Brenna: I don’t really remember. I went to College to be a Cinematographer, it just turned out that I was better in front of the camera. Although when I was little I really liked Natalie Wood (Rebel Without a Cause, Meteor) People told me I looked like Barbara Steele when I was a teenager, I started watching some of her films and studying her work. I knew when I was 19 that I wanted to do horror films like her.
Brian: What have your experience been like on some of the higher budgeted projects such as Zack and Miri and Spider-Man 3?
Brenna: Better pay check. Better food. Better directing. In short, that’s about it. When you have more money for camera/lighting equipment it looks a lot better. When you have money to pay real actors you get good work out of them.
Brian: What have been the most memorable moments of your massacres – IE – The Horror Convention Massacre and Frat House Massacre?
Brenna: Wow. Those are only 2! Ha-ha. I’ve done so many small indie horror films I can’t ever remember some of the names. I do remember on set of Horror Convention Massacre that after we wrapped my death scene we all went down to the lobby to drink at the bar. The power went out in the hotel so we all went out into the parking lot and partied all night. It was great being able to watch the sun come up with a bunch of great horror fans.
Brian: You seem to play tough a lot such as a police officer in Fist of the Vampire and a road gang leader in The Road. How does this fit in with your own personality – and do you prefer these roles are would you like to play delicate and sweet one day?
Brenna: I am a tough girl. I’m not one of these skinny little girls that you can knock over. I have a lot of mussel on me. I like it that way. I like knowing that I could kick a guy’s ass if I needed to. It’s an easy role for me to play. I would like the challenge of being the nice little girl though. I always enjoy a good challenge.
Brian: Can you tell us about your character Vi in Killer Biker Chicks? (That title alone makes me scared to cut down alleys!)
Brenna: First of all, I don’t know why I was the only one who had to learn how to ride good. I gotta say it was fun. I crashed 3 bikes learning. I love riding now, I go out every day it’s nice. In the film VI is a tough chick that is dating an ex-con (Trent Hagga) he gets out of jail and we are together. He hits VI and makes her mad, and then the Killer Biker Chicks show her how to get back at him. Then VI becomes one of the girls.
Brian: Can you tell us about your experiences playing Gang Leader in The Road?
Brenna: Oh, “The Road” was amazing. Every time I begin to describe the set I almost cry. Everything was so intense. You could tell that everyone on set knew this is what it will look like when the world is ending. And then being on set all day every day and not seeing any of the real world just really got to people. I saw some of the long time old school grips crying. I can see why this film already had people talking Oscar for best film of the year.
Brian: What would your dream project be – a comedy, a drama about a kung fu fisting female pirate on the run from the mob? Tell all!
Brenna: I love doing Comedy. I don’t think I really have a dream role. I would like to play a super hero or some comic book character.
Brian: Lastly, any words of advice (IE: Never bloody a chicken on hallowed ground) or future projects that you’d like to tell us about? And thanks – this has been keener than a butcher’s knife in the back, mame!!
Brenna: If you want to know how to get your start in film seriously check out the Troma website. When they start filming again they will post ads for people to come help. That’s how I got started and I am thankful. www.troma.com
