Ruby LaRocca is a horror actress from New Jersey (See, South Park was right. New Jersey is taking over the world…) Not only is she an actress, but she knows almost every job behind the scenes and has demonstrated them expertly. It’s always refreshing to see an actress who knows her way around a film crew. But, for the most part, this interview focuses on her acting career. It contains her opinions and anecdotes on some of her previous films, all of them having been released fairly recently. Also, in Ruby’s interview you will read about how she began in this business…and some things you might not want to know, keywords including “vomit” and “anal rape scene.” Either way, I applaud Ruby for her candid answers. Read all of them below!
Interestingly enough, it looks like you started acting by making bit parts in softcore porn films (most of which I’ve seen on Showtime or HBO, by the way). What lead you to these kind of roles so early?
Actually I got my start with Factory 2000 productions which at the time consisted mainly of William Hellfire, Joey Smack, and Misty Mundae. We clicked and became friends fast. Factory 2000’s motto was, “Old fashion sex and violence in a shiny VHS package.” We shot on super VHS, loved old horror and exploitation movies, and we had fun! It never felt like soft-core because we’d add so much blood and death we thought, “who could get off to this?” It was almost like an inside joke to us. With each movie we would try to come up with something more disgusting then the last. One time Joe, who was the cinematographer, was also in a scene and had to vomit in it. The concoction he made for vomit was so vile it made him actually throw up in the scene, which was hilarious to us. We did the majority of our film making in Ringwood, NJ and did the horror convention Chiller Theatre bi-annually.
Misty and I started getting offers for roles for another local production company, Seduction Cinema, who at the time primarily did soft-core spoofs of Hollywood blockbusters. Again, it was a blast making all those movies. We’d spend a week in the woods chasing each other with swords and getting paid for it. It was awesome! People started paying attention I guess for multiple reasons, and from there my career took off. I always wanted to go back and do more horror related stuff and we did when William Hellfire and I got back together to make The Devil’s Bloody Playthings. (Which is still one of my proudest roles. The movie is awesome thanks to Bill and everyone should own it!) So, to simplify my answer, I didn’t seek out to be in soft-core movies, it just kind of happened, and were fun, and I made so many friends, like Darian Caine, and I wouldn’t be where I am now if not for them. I am proud to say I was in Lustful Addiction and I always will be. (Wow, I’m long-winded!)
One film that you’ve starred in, The Super, is such a simple, but unique concept for a horror film. What else about the film convinced you to join the cast?
I would like to say that as an actress you should never need convincing to take a role. I always know immediately. The first time I talked to Brian Weaver on the phone there wasn’t a doubt in my mind I wanted to be in the movie. I heard that Beatrice Dalle doesn’t read scripts, she meets the film makers and decides from there. I can see how that could work, not that I do that entirely but you have to have good chemistry with the people you are working for, and who am I to question Beatrice Dalle’s methods, she is amazing. Also Brandon Slagle, who is a friend of mine, was already involved in the production and I trust his judgment 100%!
Zombie Babies! From what I’ve seen, it looks like such a campy, silly film. What was it like fighting against aborted fetuses?
HOT!
I love horror films that push barriers, and I think that Zombiechrist is one of those films. Can you tell us about your experience with this film?
BillZeBubb is the man! He is the Viking metal god of underground film making. He is extremely smart and people completely underestimate him. I’ve never known another film maker with such a brilliant business plan and down plays it to the point where he comes off as a party animal, fun time film maker who doesn’t give a shit and wants to piss people off. Part of that might be true but I won’t say what. He is a sweetheart true, and he loves to push people’s buttons. All the while making funny movies, PAYING THE ACTRESSES, and being a rock star. The perfect combination. He’s my cupcake of film makers, and my Viking.
Recently I watched the trailer for another one of your films, The Bunnyman. The trailer looks crazy, and I mean that in a good way. It’s so hard to pick you out because everyone is wearing a mask. How can people who watch the film pick you out from the crowd?
Jimmy ScreamerClauz is a brilliant film maker, and an insane one, and unlike anyone else. When we were shooting this he said to me, “this is either going to turn out really awesome, or be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.” Obviously by the trailer you can see it is the smartest thing he has ever done. It supersedes in creativity anything I have ever been involved in. My mom called while we where shooting an anal rape scene with worms and blood and a fake ass and hole. I explained to her what we were doing and why I couldn’t make it to dinner that night. Brandon Wunder, the DP, kept rolling and the video of my mom’s response is on youtube. She said, “Not nice Ruby, not nice.” It was hilarious. Oh, and I play the bunnyman’s (Brandon Slagle) girlfriend, the main female role.
Adam Ahlbrandt is one of horror’s most up and coming directors who you worked with on a film called The Cemetery. I can’t seem to find any plot outline for this film online. Care to fill us in on what the film is about and your involvement with this project?
Unfortunately I had to turn down my lead part in this film because my father died, but I show up in the last scene as a surprise.
Belated by Valentine’s Lover is a short horror film that you wrote and directed. What was it like working behind the scenes instead of in front of the camera?
I have always worked both in front of and behind the camera. I have down everything from PA, line producer, art director, set decorator, executive producer, assistant camera (16mm), sound, lighting, and now directing. My favorite behind the camera things are anything art department related, camera assisting, and now directing. Directing is definitely the most stressful though. Luckily I had a great team (Chainsaw Kiss Productions) backing me up, and my DP Brandon Wunder was incredible and I couldn’t have done it without him. AND, my movie was accepted into the Viscera Tour Festival so it will be playing all over the world! I put all dates and festivals it is playing at on my website as I find out, so you have to keep checking back. Right now there are two festivals next month it is playing at.
Where can readers learn more about you and where can fans look forward to seeing you next in 2011?
I have a personal blog on my website RubyLaRocca.net, a blog on KillerReviews.com, and of course facebook. Just FYI 99% of my facebook status updates are song lyrics, don’t read too deeply into them, I love rock and roll! The other 1% are updates on movie projects. I will be doing several conventions like Horrorfind in September, Cinema Wasteland, and Chiller Theatre. As far as movies look out for Slaughter Daughter starring Nicola Fiore. I play the innocent role of Apple. Nicola is a force to be reckoned with. We plan to work with each other a lot in the future, but those projects are top secret! The only info I can leak is that Monica Puller is also involved. Triple threat! And it’s going to blow everyone away…
Ruby capped off the interview with some links, so let me reiterate them for the readers. You can find her Facebook [here], her killerreviews blog [here], her personal blog [here], and her official website [here] While looking over your website, make sure to check for updates on where you can see Belated by Valentines Lover in theatres, including an upcoming showings in LA and OK. And make sure to look out for Miss LaRocca in Slaughter Daughter, and Scream Queen Campfire which is currently in preproduction.
Thank you for your time, Ruby.
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