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Scream Queens vs. The Horror Genre Actress

ScreamQueenArticle1What is a scream queen?

Since at least the early 1970s the term has been tossed around the horror community. Janet Leigh is regarded as one of the first scream queens, despite only appearing in five titles including Psycho and The Fog. Her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, is widely recognized as the most popular scream queen of all time for her heavy involvement in the Halloween franchise. And let’s not forget the trifecta of Michelle Bauer, Linnea Quigley, and Brinke Stevens who carried the indie horror genre on their shoulders through the 80s and 90s.

How does the horror community define a scream queen?

Is it the beautiful girl who represents a gothic, vampiric look? Is it the woman who runs naked through a swamp while being chased by zombie hillbillies? Or is it the actress who works predominantly in the horror genre? The actress with the largest resume? In the year 2014, how do we define a scream queen? With a fresh crop of talented young starlets ready to take our industry by storm, where do we draw the line between a scream queen and a genre actress?

ScreamQUeenArticle2Do horror vixens like Ashley Williams, Chanel Ryan, and Monica Keena count as scream queens?

This debate came to a forefront in 2008 with the broadcast of VH1’s “Scream Queens,” a reality show that lasted two seasons where budding actresses competed for a breakout role in Saw 6 and Saw 7. The concept was fraudulent from the start, with actual horror stars being turned away in favor of unknown performers. Despite the title of ‘scream queen,’ the two winners have not appeared in a single horror film post reality show fame. Although, several finalists have started mini-careers in this genre.

Having worked in the horror scene/film industry part time for about three years now, several people have mentioned that I throw around the term scream queen too generously. Another contributor at HorrorSociety was also chastised for some of the women he used in his Deadly Beauty column. I can’t speak for my coworker, but this is how I define a scream queen:

It all boils down to respect.

ScreamQUeenArticle3It’s true that work ethic and passion are void from many aspiring actors; these emotions replaced by greed and hunger for instant fame. A scream queen respects her fans, respects the genre, and pays her dues to both. Women like Debbie Rochon, Deanna Demko, and Melantha Blackthorne happily conquer any difficult role because they enjoy the challenge. Though you may believe movie making is about glitz and glamour, I once had to cover an actress in fake blood and stick her in cold, wet grass for about a half hour at 2:30am. It’s not an easy job, and scream queens suffer for the art of it all.

A scream queen doesn’t have to have an extensive resume filled with dozens of acting credits ranging from “Waitress #1” to “Topless Victim in Car” to “Sydney Prescott.” Another trait of a queen is sometimes knowing the difference between quantity over quality. I, like a lot of you, get the urge to get on set just to be around like-minded individuals and do our dream job; however, a true scream queen will deny a role if she is uninterested or underwhelmed. See Heather Langenkamp for example. She has had a relatively quiet career post Elm Street, but is still popular and regarded as a scream queen.

Again, respect is the biggest characteristic that warrants a scream queen. It doesn’t matter if she is a writer, director, horror host, or actress – a scream queen demands and dishes respect. Leading a life and career by example and a dedication to our favorite genre is only a bonus. Sometimes creating a legacy is much more important than being a hot topic. Where horror actresses take on role after role in the bloodiest genre because they like it, scream queens embrace the genre because they love it, because it is their greatest form of self-expression.

It all boils down to respect. Not who has the biggest fan base. Not who appeared in the most straight-to-DVD titles. Not who has the greatest set of knockers. Humility, passion, dedication, and a physical appeal to movie viewers is what makes a scream queen. Remember, anyone can follow, but few can be queen.

Michael DeFellipo

(Senior Editor)

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