Scarlet Salem is one of the hottest and sought out scream queens in the independent film industry. Hailing from Minnesota, Scarlet has added 20 horror credits to her resume since 2007. Whiling modeling on the side, and doing her own horror column, she can be found in a bunch of new titles coming out in 2011. I was eager to conduct this interview because her star is on the rise and I really anticipated a great interview. As you will read, Scarlet turns out to be a really nice and interesting person. So, read on for the interview with horror vixen Scarlet Salem.
You have been acting consistently since 2007. Almost all of your work in film has been in the horror field. What attracts you to this genre more than any other?
Scarlet: The thing that attracts me the most is that I’m a huge horror fan. I’ve been watching horror movies since I can remember. I love being scared and the feeling you get watching a horror film. It’s unlike any other genre. 99 times out of a 100 if I’m going to pop in a DVD…it’s going to be a horror film. To be able to work in a field I love is amazing.
I’ve been keeping an eye on Hallow Pointe for a little while now. Coincidentally, you’re part of the principal cast in this upcoming horror film. Can you tell us about your role in the film, and is Kane Hodder as intimidating in real life as he is in his films?
Scarlet: Yes, I play Leah. I’m a young woman staying at the bed and breakfast with my boyfriend. All hell breaks loose there…and…well…I can’t really say much more. It’s a great script and a great part. I’m very excited to start filming that one. They just attached a new director, Thomas Churchill so I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.
I’m attached to a couple of films with Kane, but haven’t had the chance to work with him yet. I’ve hung out with him a few times at different conventions and he’s a total sweetheart. If you’ve never met him in person, then yes, he’s intimidating. But after meeting him, you quickly realize he’s as sweet as they come. Although you have moments looking at him where you can totally see him freaking out and brutally killing a motherfucker.
Speaking of Kane Hodder, you have worked with a lot of icons in independent horror. Scream Queen Campfire, which you appear in as well, is full of a bunch of real Scream Queens. What was it like working with these women? How do you feel about potentially filling their spot in the genre one day?
Scarlet: Scream Queen Campfire is still in pre-production, so I haven’t had the chance to work with these amazing women yet. Like I’ve said before, I grew up watching them in movies and on TV, so it’s an honor to be able to be a part of it all. I don’t feel like I’ll be filling their spots in, I just feel like I’ll be adding on to the Scream Queen legacy, I guess I could say.
I haven’t seen Killer Biker Chicks, but I have heard of it and looked at the IMDB page when I saw you listed in the credits. You’re credited as “Mike The Mechanic.” I think this needs some explanation!
Scarlet: Haha, yeah, I thought it was a funny name too. You are the first person to ask me that in an interview, so congrats! When I read the script and saw the director wanted me to play ‘Mike the Mechanic’ I was like, it must be short for something. Either way I didn’t mind, I was just happy to be a part of this production. When I got on set, I asked the director where he got the name from, and he told me the character is named after a band. So, I guess that’s the gist of it, haha.
You have a column in Shock Horror Magazine. Can you tell us a little bit about that and, more importantly, where fans can find it?
Scarlet: Thanks for asking. The creator, Dean Boor, used to write reviews for the magazine Gorezone. He did a write up for one of my films, ‘Terror Overload’, and I’m guessing that’s where he heard of me. Not long after Dean did the write up, he contacted me and asked me if he could interview me for his new magazine, Shock Horror. I was like, hell yeah! So after the interview, he asked me if i wanted to have my own Scream Queen Column in the magazine and I gladly accepted. I feel very honored to be a part of this great magazine. In my column, I talk about my films, what it’s like being a scream queen, on set visits, conventions, etc. It’s great! I’ve been in every issue and we’re currently on #3, so pick up past issues and the soon to be #4. You can pick up the issues by visiting the website at www.shockhorrormagazine.com.
Besides acting and writing, you also model. One of your biggest accomplishments, to me at least, was being Tromette of the Month in December 2007. What do YOU feel is your biggest modeling accomplishment so far?
Scarlet: It’s hard to say because the modeling I do is mainly for my portfolio. Yeah, I’ve done t-shirt modeling and different promoting, but honestly they’re all an accomplishment in their own way.
I read that you stayed in the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. What was it like staying at the inn where one of the most infamous “unsolved” mass murders took place?
Scarlet: That place was amazing! I’ve been fascinated with that murder mystery since I first read about it. The whole story is so unreal! Especially since the murders were so gruesome. The house itself is straight out of the late 1800’s when the murders took place. The owners of the B&B made sure to keep it as authentic as possible. For those who are into the Lizzy Borden case and ghost hunting, I highly suggest you go there. Plus the cemetery that the whole family is buried in, is only a few blocks from the house, so it’s perfect! If you want to hear more about my visit there with pictures, you can just visit my website which has my blog on it. You can read more there!
Picture this. You’re in the middle of the dark woods. Someone is obviously following you. As the cliché goes, you turn around to suspect a noise – and when you turn around someone is in front of you. What horror villain would you want to see in front of you that you feel you could take on and live?
Scarlet: Hmmmm…. Defiantly not Jason Vorhees, he’d totally get me, haha! I would have to say Chucky. Just because I would kick him so hard he’d go flying across the trees and brush, which would give me a good running chance! Then I’d look for a thick tree branch so if he caught up to me again, I’d bash him in the head with it, haha!
What does 2011 have in store for you? What are your plans for this year?
Answer: I have a ton of plans this year! For starters, my upcoming film, ‘Shreik of the Sasquach’will be released early summer and will be ready for screening. I have some new films in the works coming up. Also, Joe Knetter and I will be hitting the convention circuit full circle. It’s going to be a good year! If you want to keep up to date with me, you can visit my website, I update it regularly. www.scarletsalem.net
Shriek of the Sasquatch is getting quite a lot of press lately. I was able to view the trailer online and it does capture the feel of a 1970s horror film. I know I will definitely be checking that out when it is released. There are a lot of links that I want to summarize here real quick: Her Official Site, IMDB Page, Column for Shock Horror, and Her Personal Blog. Scarlet is a real scream queen because she lives, breathes, models, writes and experiences horror. I’m sure one day she’ll conquer all mediums of horror entertainment. Thank you Scarlet for this awesome interview. I wish you continued success in the industry.
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