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Interview with Elissa Dowling Scream Queen

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” I kept intentionally adjusting my boobs while the DP was trying to pull focus so I was appropriately nicknamed “Tits McGee”, Elissa Dowling talking about her time on set of the up coming indie slasher The Axeman at Cutter’s Creek.

Elissa Dowling is an indie horror force to be reckoned with, she’s starred in over 80 films in the past 7 years! That’s impressive for any actors resume. Her fans adore her and she’s earned the rightful title of being an indie scream queen.

II recently, got the honor of talking with the gore-gous and down to earth actress about her career, how she started out and most importantly about her up coming indie slasher film The Axeman at Cutter’s Creek. A film that promises us to be a blood bath of good old fashion 80′s style horror with a modern day twist coming from the twisted mind of Joston Theney who not only pinned the film, but directed and acted in it!

1. Before we get into what this film is about, what kind of horror films did you grow up loving?

Elissa Dowling: As a kid, my dad got me into “The Twilight Zone”. We also watched lots of monster movies like “Godzilla”, “Swamp Thing”, “The Fly”, as well as some of the classics like “Frankenstein” with Karloff and “Dracula” with Lugosi. My best friends growing up were a pair of twins and a group of triplets (separate families). Probably because I’m an only child, you always want what you can’t have, right? Anyway, both groups of friends and I would always watch Freddy movies on our Friday night sleepovers.

2. Did you grow up wanting to be a horror scream queen?

Elissa Dowling: Nope, but I’m pretty happy it worked out that way. If I didn’t get all the screaming out on screen, I’d end up taking it out on oncoming traffic and that never goes over well. I remember, in college, I was sitting around with my friend Russell who has since past on. We were watching “Death Factory” with the lovely Tiffany Shepis on the cover. Anyway, I looked over at him and said, “I want to be in a horror movie” not really giving it much thought. Who knew I’d end up being in over 80?

3. What do you think makes a great horror film?

Elissa Dowling: I prefer films where I can identify with the villain. For me, there needs to be a part of the character the viewer sympathizes with, despite his or her evil shortcomings. I’m mostly into indies that break new ground, even if they’re controversial.

4. Okay, let’s start talking about this film Axeman at Cutter’s Creek — what is it that got you excited about this film?

Elissa Dowling: Well, there’s a man with an ax and he’s mighty large! Come on, who doesn’t love a good slasher flick? I guess Granny maybe…

5. There’s such an amazing cast in this film it had to be awesome being on set everyday?

Elissa Dowling: It was easy walking in. I already worked with practically the entire cast on other projects and managed not to piss anyone off, so that’s always good. Jamie and I worked together on several Lions Gate straight to DVDs, Tiffany and I on “Live Evil”, “Gnome Killer 2″ and “Thirsty”, Erin and I on “The Theater Bizarre”, J. Scott and I on “Deathracers”, Brinke and I on “Psychosomatika” and Arielle and I on a teaser for Mike Mendez’s “Overkill”. So it made it really easy already being friends with everybody. Plus we got to shoot in Big Bear which is such a beautiful, magical place to be creative. The last time I shot there was with “Bloody Bloody Bible Camp”.

6: Can you tell us anything about your character Stacey in the film?

Elissa Dowling: Stacy is pretty rough around the edges. She’s an athlete and she’s very competitive. She’s also kind of a gold digger. Stacy is the type that probably would have tried to pick on me in high school so I probably would have punched her in the face. I will say, in her defense, that somewhere deep down inside, she has a kind heart. Especially when it comes to Cassidy.

7. Since the Axe-Man at Cutter’s Creek is an homage to 80 style slashers, is there a lot of hot girls, AKA yourself running half naked away from the Axe-Man?

Elissa Dowling: I run around wearing nothing but a men’s button down dress shirt, so that’s pretty hot, I guess. But for the majority of the film, I’m wearing a tight fitted polo shirt and exposing some serious cleavage. It was my first time ever in a Polo shirt because I’m not a prep and I obviously don’t play polo. I kept intentionally adjusting my boobs while the DP was trying to pull focus so I was appropriately nicknamed “Tits McGee”.

8. The Axe-Man promises to be a bloody ride of madness, how much blood really did you spill in the making of this film?

Elissa Dowling: Yes, a good amount of blood was spilled. Hacking people up can get a little messy.

9. Now serious questions from here on out, I’m going to put you on the spot, what was it like to work with director and writer Joston Theney?

Elissa Dowling: I love Joston and I’m not just suckin’ up because he’s the director. We’ve become ridiculously close since this film, he’s a great friend, someone I can always count on if I’m ever in a tight spot. The Joston on set whom I nicknamed “The Machine” just doesn’t stop. He wears 50 hats at once, he works round the clock and never runs out of energy. You will never see Joston get snappy and lose his patience on set, he is a real professional. He kept a genuine smile on his face the whole time and I don’t think he slept the entire shoot!

10. The Axe-Man I read is going to be showing some scenes at HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati in March, what can the fans expect to see? And will you be there?

Elissa Dowling: Yes, I will be. I have no idea what Joston is choosing to show but whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be bad ass.

11. If you are I’m jealous, I want to go, but is there anything that I left out about the Axe-Man of Cutter’s Creek that you want to talk about?

Elissa Dowling: Only that the film had a lot of heart. You guys don’t really get to see that side. Some sets are cold, people just phone it in, everyone is there to complete the gig, and move on. But not this one, this one really mattered to everyone involved. We grew very close as a set family.

12. My last and final question, I swear, is there any new projects or anything that you want to tell the mass of fans that are reading this right now?

Elissa Dowling: Lets talk about “The Mangled” since it’s a project we’re both attached to, Mr. director! I’m really excited to be working with such an amazing cast. Check us out on imdb!

The Axeman at Cutter’s Creek will be coming to a theater near you later this year, you can find out more about the film on it’s respective Facebook Fan page and be sure to also check out their Imdb page to see the amazing cast.

I want to thank Elissa Dowling for taking the time to do this interview with me. She rocks!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/AxemanAtCuttersCreek

 

slashernwoods

Director, Writer, self proclaimed lover of all things horror

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