Deadly Beauty: Horror’s Scream Queens and Rising Talent: Mariah Johnson
“Mariah Lander Johnson born June 4th 1984 in Fort Worth, Texas. She’s an actor, make-up artist, and choreographer. She studied dance since the age of three with the Schaffenburg Academy of Ballet, then moved to Virginia and became a member of the Shenandoah Civic Dance Company, where she performed many principle roles. She also pursued theater acting throughout high school. At age 18 she started working in horror films in central Virginia and has worked on over 100 projects. Some of her horror film credits include Alucard (2008), Skeleton Key (2006), The Lovecraft Chronicles (2010), Dr. Ella Mental’s Mad Lab Picture Show (2012), and Plan 9 (2013).
As a natural artist she found a love of make-up and the special effects industry. She owns and operates her own company called Bio Duck FX creating anything from beauty make-up to creature and gore effects. She has directed three short films and continues to expand her work within the arts and film industry.”*
Location: Charlottesville, VA
How did you get into the industry?
My whole life I have always been involved in the arts, mainly through acting and dancing on a stage. When I turned 18 I was told of a local horror film company in my area that was doing the true book version of Bram Stokers Dracula re-titled “Alucard”. I have always had a love for the mystery of the macabre and a fascination with being scared. When I auditioned I got the role of Lucy Westenra and it changed my life forever. I fell in love with the horror world and although I enjoy acting, I found my true passion from being on horror film sets. The art of practical make-up FXs! My first job working as an FX artist was on a film titled Freshman Psych. I was acting and working as makeup crew. Right then and there I knew this was the path for me. Since then I have started my own FX company called Bio Duck FX and worked on over 50 projects on the east coast! I feel very fortunate to find something I am truly passionate about and to be a part of the horror community.
2. What Scream Queen inspired you most?
Elsa Lanchester. She had this amazing presences on screen that was completely captivating without hardly saying a word. She was so expressive and haunting.
3. What are the next couple projects you are working on?
I play a horror host named Dr. Ella Mental. I have already hosted a double feature of Night of the Living Dead and The Satanic Rites of Dracula available on Flickshpere.com and am hosting horror web series on Youtube called Bath Salts. I have an amazing Sci-fi serial film I will be in and working FXs on this winter which I can’t mention the title of yet.
Also the remake of Ed Wood’s “Plan 9 From Outer Space” simply title “Plan 9” is coming out soon in which my company Bio Duck FX was the lead team on the movie, and I designed and created all the practical effects.
Official Website
IMDB Page
Official Facebook Page
*Bio courtesy of Mariah Johnson
