If you’ve seen any indie horror film within the past two years, then you probably know who Shawn C Phillips is. He was the average guy, doing film reviews on his youtube channel [here], when suddenly he was thrown into the horror genre limelight. Now, Shawn is on his way to becoming one of the genre’s most sought after Scream Kings, with 5+ films coming out this year alone. Shawn cleverly mixes some comedic value into any performance, despite being in a genre so known for dealing with death and blood. So, read my interview with him below. Shawn talks about some of his upcoming films, his youtube channel, and more.
I’ve talked extensively with Cameron McCasland on The Lashman. So, let’s start there! Can you tell me a little bit about your role in the film?
I play the role of Bobby Douglas who goes a summer trip to a cabin in the woods with a group of his sister’s friends who don’t really like him very much and while they are camping, something out there comes to get them. I can’t talk that much about what happens in the film since its pretty much ‘hush hush’ at the moment, but I can say it’s going to end up being a really awesome 80s style slasher film and will not disappoint and I had a great time working on the film.
I’ve also talked extensively with Jonathan Moody on Scream Queen Campfire. It’s jammed packed with real life horror scream queens. Would you consider yourself a scream king?
That is what I really am working towards. I love the horror genre and have been a fan since I was a kid. I have died and screamed in a number of horror films so I guess I’m an up and coming scream king.
Another film you’ll appear in, Idiot Gore, has a woman as a killer. How do you think female killers stack up against male killers?
Well, I’m very excited that the killer is a female. I think their have been so many male killers in horror films and the females always end up being the victims. I really love to see things changed up and love films with the female character being the one you’re running from.
The Melon Heads. Are you one of the cannon fodder cast members or are you one of the melon heads?
I kind of start that film off. I play a movie reviewer who is sent a VHS tape to review and on the tape is a murder. So, I put the video up onto youtube and get a message from a viewer that is the Melon Head on the tape. The Melon Heads are a legend in Ohio so me and my friends, played by Kaylee William and Desiree Saetia, try and find the truth behind the tape. It was fun playing the part because it was kind of like another version of myself because for fun I review DVDs on youtube and have gained a following from that.
I actually live about 15 minutes from where Mary Horror was filmed. I was never able to make any of the extras casting calls. What was your experience like on set of this film?
That was a fun, but freezing shoot. Me and M.J Kelley played 2 grave diggers in the film and have some really funny and scary scenes in the movie. The first night we filmed it was cold but not terrible, but day 2 was so freezing we had to go to a Walmart and get anything winter we could find and everything was gone except for ladies hats, gloves and scarves. So in the film that is what we are wearing.
You’ve been cast in Manson Rising. Adrienne Barbeau and Tony Todd will also appear in the film. How do you feel working with such amazing horror legends in the future?
It’s always exciting and kind of surreal to get to work with people that you have been a fan of and followed for years. Just recently, I got to work with my all time favorite character Richard Rihele.
When you were younger, did you ever dream you’d make a career out of running from killers…and ya know, Zombie Babies?
I don’t think I would have ever guessed I would be working on films. I mean even back in the 2007 I never would have thought I would be getting to do the things I’m doing now. I’ve just been so lucky to have found what I love to do and be able to pursue this career.
What do you think people see in you when casting for a new movie? Why do you think you are in such high demand?
That is kind of tough to answer. But I think it’s because people can see that acting is something that I’m very serious and persistent about and this is not something that I want to do for a year or 2 and then quit. I hope they can see that this is something that means everything to me and I put a lot of work and effort into everything that I do.
Tell the readers at HorrorSociety something awesome about yourself others may not know:
Some people might not know that doing my DVD reviews online is what got me my first 2 acting jobs. The guys at Synthetic = cinema found my DVD reviews posted on a big cartoon website and then came across my youtube channel and got in touch with me to be in their films Banshee!!! and Assault of the Sasquatch. And ever since those films back in 2008 I have kept acting ever since.
[Click here] to view Shawn’s IMDB page, and make sure you like his star-meter. You can also follow him on twitter [here] and view his official website [here]. From banshees, to zombie babies, to melon heads…Shawn’s seen it all. I can’t wait to see which film he ends up in next!
Thank you for your time, Shawn.
