Deneen Melody is one of the hardest working actresses in the independent horror genre right now. Since she starred in a short film, 9 to 5, in 2008, she has booked over 21 films, most of them being horror related. A lot of the titles, as you’ll read below, you are probably very familiar with. Deneen is currently on set, but took the time out of her busy schedule to in an interview for HorrorSociety. Give it a good read, she really put a lot of effort into bringing fans into her world.
I first spoke with you when I asked you what your favorite scary movie was for that article I featured celebrities in. Have you seen Scream 4 yet? If so, what did you think of it?
Deneen: To be honest, I haven’t seen it yet, but only because I have been so busy working on projects! The past few months have been very busy, so, unfortunately, there hasn’t been much time to go to the movies. I mean, I didn’t even get to see Sucker Punch and I have been waiting FOREVER to see that one. (I am a huge Abbie Cornish fan. She is fantastic and her character in the film looks awesome. She has a sword!! Really, how is that NOT awesome?) But, back to Scream 4, I have heard mixed reviews…both from inside the indie horror world and from people who just like movies…so I am curious to watch it. I’ll probably have to wait till it is out on dvd, though.
After we chatted on twitter, I wrote up an article for a new horror film called Witches Playground, which you just happen to be in! I talked to the producer of the film, who said it’s not done filming yet. Without giving away too much detail, can you tell me about your involvement in the film?
Deneen: And thank you for doing that article! I’m not too sure what I can and cannot say at this point, just because a lot of it has been secret. However, I can tell you that I play a crazy fun character, will be one of the witches, and that I MAY have a pretty awesome scene with a pretty awesome actor (TBA)…but aside from that, I will remain hush-hush. We do have a wonderful cast and it is an honor to have the chance to act with such icons like Leslie Easterbrook and Eileen Dietz. Bobby is fantastic, too, and someone I am very excited to work with. He has put so much into the development of each of his projects, so all his hard work will definitely pay off.
You will make an appearance in Vivid, which one site claimed to be the most anticipated indie film of 2011. Do you think the film will live up to this hype?
Deneen: Oh, definitely. VIVid is a very intelligent film, and I think audiences will like and respect that. So many indie films, especially in the horror genre, tend to be all blood and gore…all this slasher stuff. Of course, that is perfectly fine and hey, we all enjoy a good slasher here and there, but something like VIVid is a little more unique. I love working with Brandon Slagle and Devanny Pinn for this reason. They bring their films to an entirely different level. I think this is why they are finding success and will continue that, because they don’t dumb anything down for anyone. In VIVid, the characters are all so different and each one has something really messed up about them…they suffer from various realities that some people tend to ignore. (Song of the Shattered was the same way. It deals with what I call “true horror”…the horrific events that happen in every day life.) The story is also a twisted and disturbing take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. For example, my character is somewhat reminiscent of Alice. As an actress, she wants to be herself, but the entertainment industry wants her to be something else…to fit an ideal she honestly cannot fit. So, she is damaged by that, and her experience in the “dream-world” reflects on all those harsh realities in a bizarre way. Each character is like that, so I believe the audience will be able to find something they personally relate to.
Another one of your films, III Slices of Life, was picked up for distribution and will be available on DVD this July. It is currently OnDemand, but I can’t find it! Any ideas of where I should look or do I have to call up my cable provider and yell at them?
Deneen: Aw, poo! Well, I do know it is only showing on certain providers at this time (we hope to get the bigger ones soon!), and you can find all that information at the official website: here. (Although, I recommend that you still call up your cable provider and tell them you want to see this film!) You can also pre-order the DVD on Amazon, which is super awesome. If you are a horror fan, there is something in the anthology for everyone: Blood, gore, comedy, drama, monsters, ghosts, stressed out pregnant women…you get the idea. III Slices of Life was directed by Anthony G. Sumner, written by Anthony, Eric Richter (who also shot the film), and horror legend Alan Rowe Kelly, and composed by Gene Hodsdon. I do have to admit that I am extremely proud of this film and love it dearly. Anthony and the TinyCore crew really gave me my first big opportunity by casting me, so I am extremely thankful to them. They are a fantastic group to work with and I’ve done many projects with them…and will continue to do so. It is rare to come across a group that you are able to both work AND have fun with. Aside from the crew, the film also has a talented cast with standout performances by several of the actors. Check out more information on the official website and be sure to pre-order the DVD before June 7th!
Upcoming horror film Psycho Street is going to have a ton of independent stars in it – You, Raine Brown, Tiffany Shepis, Kelsey Zukowski, and ShawnC Phillips. That’s a pretty remarkable cast, but I can’t find anything about the plot aside from the fact that it is horror-comedy. Can you share any information with us about what we can look forward too?
Deneen: Psycho Street, like III Slices of Life, is a horror anthology and a collaboration between many filmmakers, actors, and artists in the independent horror community. Each segment is quite different: One is a horror comedy, one is more of a dramatic thriller, one is an occult gorefest, and the wrap around is total camp. My segment, Lewis, is the third and final segment in the anthology, and was directed by Anthony Sumner. It is about a young mother in the 1970’s, Amanda, who discovers her husband cheating on her and returns to her hometown after seeking advice from her priest. However, there is something very dark and unsettling about the town, and she starts to sense an evil presence through the many townsfolk. Needless to say, after lots of eerie flashbacks and bizarre meetings, it ends much like my segment in Slices…with lots of blood and gore. (Sorry, cannot say more than that!) To be honest, I do not know the current status of the film, but I would say keep your eyes and ears open!
Currently, you’re working on a film called Rose White. I think we just put up exclusive stills yesterday. Is Rose White more of a fantasy film? Is it more horror, or is it a good combination of both? I think you said on facebook one time that it is a twisted fairy tale type film.
Deneen: While it does have some horror elements, Rose White isn’t your typical horror flick. It is actually a fantasy thriller/crime drama, with the fantasy aspect being the driving force behind it all. The best way to explain it is to think of Pan’s Labyrinth meets The Wire. There are prostitutes, drug dealers, grunge, sex, and all this really gritty stuff…but one of the characters, Lilly (played by myself), sees everything as though she lives in a dark and beautiful fantasy world. She has a whimsical sense about her that plays through out the film, even when all the audience sees is the raw reality. Her delusional state is disturbing, especially when you see what her sister (played by the beautiful Erin Breen) goes through, but sort of ethereal at the same time.
I have always been a huge fantasy nerd, so I wanted to create an independent film that really touched upon that genre in a unique way. There is a major creep factor and plenty of blood, however, so horror fans should be happy! Major kudos to the directors, Daniel Kuhlman and Brian Kilborn, for really being able to bring out all parts of the story, and thank you to TinyCore Pictures for all their help. The film also stars Tom Lodewyck, Daniel Kuhlman, Anthony Fleming, Valerie Meachum, David Goodloe, Thurston Hill, Sheri Savage, Marla Seidell, Stephanie Andrews, Sean Bolger, Jay DeLaRosa, Ann Marie Boska, and Brooke Lodewyck. Be sure to check out our Facebook page for news and updates! Rose White Facebook Link
Now for my random questions: If you were cast in a SyFy channel movie, would you rather have to fight off a giant snake or giant shark?
Deneen: Awwww, I wouldn’t want to fight either! Not because I am scared, but, because I like both sharks AND snakes. But, since I must answer, I suppose I would say a shark, that way I could have a super awesome magic defensive pirate ship and pretend to be a pirate. So, yeah, the giant shark. I just couldn’t really trust a giant snake anyway. They are sneaky and manipulative…and can be in the water AND on land. And in trees. And everywhere. Creepy snakes.
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, name 3 items you wouldn’t leave your house without.
Deneen: My Chinchilla, my Lord of the Ring dvds, and my Legolas Greenleaf standee…in case I get lonely. Harharhar. Normally I would bring my sword, but I wouldn’t want to fight the zombies out of respect to the undead and my friends at the Zombie Rights Campaign.
If you had to cast Mitch Wells in a horror film, what would his role be?
Deneen: Uh, that is easy….I’d cast him as Mitch Wells. :)
Hopefully, we can chat in the future because Deneen mentioned the Zombie Rights Campaign. They covered an article of mine when I went behind the scenes and was an extra in a new horror-mockumentary called Zombie Bohemia. I’m so confused whether they’re serious or it’s a big joke! There are ways you can keep up to date on this kind and talented actress. Visit her website, check her IMDB Page, or friend her on Facebook.
Thank you for your time, Deneen.
As Executive producer of the Horror anthology "PSYCHO STREET" we are gearing for a July premiere and hope to have it submitted to many conventions and festivals after the premiere….with all of the Indie talent assembled, we already have National distribution interest….of course, Mitch, I will keep you posted as news happens with "PSYCHO STREET"…and as always, thanks for your incredible support and interest.