The Independent Film Corner: Elske McCain

Elske McCain (no relation to the other McCain) is a scream queen that’s currently rising in the independent horror scene. She has recently made appearances in "Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead" and the Lloyd Kaufman documentary, "Tromatized: Meet Lloyd Kaufman." Today, this actress is here to talk about two of her latest films, "Gimmie Skelter" and "Splatter Movie: The Director’s Cut."




Tell my readers about yourself for those you don't know you?

Well, I am an actress/filmmaker originally from Arizona. I went to a "Toxic Avenger" screening in 2004 where I met the legendary Lloyd Kaufman. After meeting him, I decided I wanted to make movies.

You're truly one of the up and coming scream queens in the horror genre after I saw you in both "Gimme Skelter" and "Splatter Movie." What made you want to become an actress in this genre and what horror films inspired you to work on these low budget films?

After I became Tromette of the Month, I had so many people asking about what movies I was working on, that I realized that might a good idea. Dee Wallace also said some things to me that made me feel like I should be in films. As far as actual movies go, some of my favorites are "Fright Night," "Halloween," "Friday the 13th" and the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series. I always had a fondness for vampires too.

You have not one but two films currently out on DVD. Let's start with "Gimme Skelter", since that film has the wider distribution. Tell my readers about "Gimme Skelter" about and the character you play in the film.

"Gimme Skelter" is the story of a small town in New Mexico that is taken over by a guy who claims to be the son of Charles Manson. He has a new cult and they decide one fateful evening to make Daddy proud. My character is named Erika Trudell, and she is the mistress of the mayor who is played by Gunnar Hansen.

One of the things that attracted me to this film was the fact that I enjoyed Scott Phillips's last film "The Stink of Flesh." Tell me, what was he like to work with?

Scott was always very cool and friendly. He was so busy during the actual shoot that I didn't get to hang out with him that much, but over the years I have gotten to know him better and he is a really talented guy.

Also, I noticed that in that film that you had the chance to work with Gunner Hansen (aka Leatherface from the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre") for a scene. Tell me what was he like work with and what was your reaction when you knew that you would work with him.

Gunnar Hansen is a really nice man. It was my first big scene in a real movie and he made sure we practiced. When Scott offered me the role and I found out I was going to be working with Leatherface, let's just say I was extremely excited! It was a dream come true for someone like me who grew up watching these films.

Before I move on to your other film "Splatter Movie," were any fun stories that you want to share from your time on the set there?

There was one night when we were filming at the antique gas station. I didn't have scenes, but just wanted to hang out because it was such an awesome location. It was night time and right in the middle of a scene, a hillbilly redneck guy who lived nearby stuck his gun over the fence and threatened to shoot our lights out if we didn't turn them off! So we ran away, while producer/actor Billy Garberina had to go over there and talk to the guy to calm him down.

Now onto "Splatter Movie," a film I really enjoyed a lot. Tell my readers about that film and the character that you played in the film?.

"Splatter Movie" is a "movie within a movie" that is generally a spoof of the current independent horror scene. I play "Elsie" who is basically a sexy actress who stays half naked and makes out with chicks throughout the movie.

One of the things that I really liked about "Splatter Movie" was the fact it was part slasher film, part mockumentary. Tell me what drew you to a film like this?

Well I had hung out with Amy a couple of times at conventions. I thought she was really cool, so when she offered me the role, I thought it would not only be a great opportunity to work on a fun movie, but working with a female director as well. Not to mention that the script was hilarious, and some of my other favorite films are "movie within a movie" spoofs like "Terror Firmer" and "Scream."

Amy Lynn Best is a very talented actress and director, as I've seen her in films like "A Feast of Flesh" and "Severe Injuries" before watching this film. Tell me what was it to work with someone who is multi-talented as she is?

It was a great learning experience. I definitely look up to her as one of my role models. She is one of the strongest female presences in this genre.

One of the things that I enjoyed about that movie was your death scene. What preparation does an actress like you do through when filming one of those death scenes?

Death scenes are probably the hardest, because nobody really knows how you are going to act when you actually die. Not to give too much away, but I just thought of other films where I had seen other people die in a similar manner.

Which one was the more fun to work, this one or "Gimme Skelter" and why?

The main difference between them is that I spent 2 weeks in New Mexico to film "Gimme Skelter," and 2 days in Pennsylvania to shoot "Splatter Movie." I had great moments on both movies, so I can't really choose between them.

One of the films that I'm looking forward to next year is a film that you star in called "Jessicka Rabid." Tell my readers about that film and when we should expect that film to come out?

"Jessicka Rabid" is a movie that me and my good friend Matthew Reel came up with early in 2007. It's the story of a mentally handicapped woman who is abused by her dysfunctional family. We shot the movie last year, I am going to submit it to a few festivals and ultimately try to get distribution. The directors cut was just recently finalized, so we will be sending out a few screener copies very soon.

Recently, I had a chance to see a rough cut of the film "Tromatized, Meet Lloyd Kaufman", which you also appear in. For those who don't know what the film is, the film is about the career of the one of the greatest independent directors and true artists out there, Lloyd Kaufman. Tell me how has Lloyd Kaufman influenced you as an actress.

Lloyd Kaufman definitely pushed me in the right direction. Thanks to the Tromadance Film Festival, he gave me and Matt an opportunity to showcase our short films, which led to us making even more movies.

Also, are there any other projects you are currently working on that you want to share that my readers might be interested in?

I recently shot "Killer Biker Chicks" which is an exploitation style film in the tradition of Russ Meyer. We had a great ensemble cast full of beautiful women, so I am sure there will be some happy people out there. Also, it isn't really a "horror" film, so I was excited to try something outside of the genre.

Finally, I've been asking all the people that I've interviewed this month about the state of the horror genre. Tell me your opinion about the state of this genre that we all love.

Two things that are really sticking out to me in the current trends of horror movies are remakes and PG 13. I think it sucks that nobody has any original ideas anymore, so they insist on remaking my favorites. If nothing else I guess when a remake comes out, it usually means that the original film will receive extra special treatment on dvd. Another thing that I do not like are all these PG13 horror films coming out lately. I like my horror naked and bloody, so the lack of these elements in current horror is truly disappointing.

I want to thank Elske McCain for taking time out of her busy schedule, for this interview. "Gimme Skelter" is available in stores from Halo-8 Entertainment and "Splatter Movie: The Director’s Cut" is available from Happy Cloud Pictures on their official website at http://www.happycloudpictures.com

You can also visit her official website at: http://www.elskemccain.com/

You can read my reviews on the films I’ve mentioned during this interview by just clicking on the film’s title.

Gimme Skelter

Splatter Movie: The Director’s Cut

Tromatized: Meet Lloyd Kaufman

Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead

On the next edition of The Independent Film Corner, I will be talking to director Dav Kaufman, on his latest film “13 Hours in a Warehouse”.

Until then, I’m Anthony Thurber and have a good day.