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Your new movie Frankenstein: Day of the Beast
- in a few
words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your character in
the film?
It's
an old style Hammer House
type of movie that is a period piece that deals
with the "relationship" between Elizabeth and the monster.
How did you initially get involved in the
film?
I was contacted and offered a smaller role but when I read the script I
loved the new take on Elizabeth and I asked to audition for that role.
What do you think sets Frankenstein: Day of the
Beast apart from earlier Frankenstein-adaptations?
Several
things, Obviously the character of Elizabeth. She is not the timid throw
away character that all the other stories have in common. Then we have the
talents of Ricardo Islas [Ricardo
Islas interview - click here], the very talented director and writer of this
film. Then the amazing cast and crew that brought it all together.
What
inspired your interpretation of your character, what did you draw upon?
I approach every character I play the same way. Being a psychology major I
like to figure out exactly who the character is and how they would think.
When it came to this character the time period really became important.
Ricardo and I had talked at lengths about what kind of person she should
be. He wanted her strong but at the same time women in that time period
did not present themselves in that way. After reading the book, watching
all the other interpretations of the character, knowing what Ricardo
wanted, and my other research I felt I had a much greater understanding of
who she was and how to play her. What
do you think about the representation of Elizabeth in Mary W.Shelley's
original Frankenstein,
and how closely have you followed her depiction of the character? I
think it was typical representation of how women were viewed in 1818,
weak, vulnerable, promise off in marriage,
which obviously worked great for the times. Mary Shelley created an
amazing story with amazing characters, but after almost 200 years it's time
to give Elizabeth a back bone without losing her femininity.
So our depiction of the character is very different.
Over
the years, there have been quite a few interpretations of Elizabeth,
though usually as a mere supporting character. Any favourites among the
women who have played your character so far?
Even
though she was a vulnerable character it worked great in the original 1931
James Whale film [click
here]. Mae Clarke did an amazing job.
Let's leave the present behind for
the time being and head forward into your past: How did you get into
acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the
subject?
Ever
since I can remember I loved performing. There are home movies of me at
three years singing and dancing around the living room with a microphone.
I used to watch horror, superhero, and comedy films over and over until I
would memorize the entire dialogue of the movie. One of my all time
favorites was and still is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Then from kindergarten on through college I was in all the productions and
plays often landing the lead roles and ending with the lead in my college
play Getting Out. I started to move into film while I received
formal training from college professors and some very famous people. What can you tell us about your very first
experiences on a movie set and your very first time in front of a camera?
I
remember being very aware of everything that was going on. I payed close
attention to everything everyone said and was very prepared for my scenes.
I also remember I hated standing around doing nothing so I tried to help
the crew as much as I could if they needed it. I was very comfortable on a
film set but at the same time I tried to stay as professional as I could.
I loved the atmosphere and knew I was right where I was supposed to be.
Let's
talk about a few films and your roles in them from your past, present and
future: A Voice from the Graves? I
play a teenage runaway hooker in this. First film I costarred with names
like Linnea Quigley, Robert Z'Dar, Joe Estevez, and Mickey Rooney.
Working
Title/Not Another B Movie?
I
played a timid PA to a mean over-bearing film maker played by Larry
Thomas.
Chasing Hollywood?
A documentary consisting of
interviews of actors on independent film sets and how they made it to
Hollywood or are working towards it. Many names in this one also like,
Reggie Bannister, Joe Estevez, Antonio Fargas, David Faustino, Larry
Thomas, Bruce Vilanch and many more.
Sister
Mary? A comedy about a serial
killing Nun killing band members otherwise known as The Ex Choir Boys. I
play Detective Emma Shark. I loved working with Ant, Judy Tenuta, and
Bruce Vilanch on this one.
Post Mortem, America 2021?
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Post Mortem, America 2021 |
I play a hit woman Suzy, A cyber punk psycho. This film is a neo-western
action thriller that is a throwback to the Grindhouse films of yesteryear.
Set in the not too distant future where the end of the world is imminent,
murder and death is commonplace, and the dead walk the Earth! I costar
with Linnea Quigley. This is the second film we have been in together. She
was so great to work with! Divorced
Dudes? This is a dramatic, romantic
comedy about three guys who go through breaks-ups, divorces and
separations and ultimately launch a reality romance television show. My
character is Medina.
Grave Robbers from Outer Space?
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Grave Robbers from Outer Space |
I
play Officer Jamie in this retelling of Ed Wood's Plan
9 from Outer Space [Ed Wood
bio - click here].
You
have also been involved with the somewhat crazy Isle
of the Damned, right?
Yes,
here's the funny story on that. The film was already in the can and being
put on DVD when the director of the film seen a comedy skit I had done
about impersonating the Italian actress in the film doing an interview. He
liked it so much he added it to the special features on the DVD. The skit
can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMichelleShields?
feature=mhee#p/u/11/5qE30aSCenc
Besides these movies you
have also made many an appearance in big budget pictures, most notably The
Dark Knight. How does work on the set of a blockbuster differ from
work on an indie film?
I have been on 3 big budget sets and everything moves very slow. It's a lot
of "hurry up and wait". Indie films have a lot less money or
none at all so they have to make every take count on their time. Any other films you'd like to
talk about, any future projects?
A lot of things happening but I'll
mention a couple.
- I will be costarring in Night of
the Living Dead (2012). It is a re-imagining of George A. Romero's Night
of the Living Dead by the talented writer and director Matt Cloude. It
will pay homage to the timeless classic while expanding upon its storyline
to explore more of the night when the dead began to rise.
- I will be starring in Daniel Taylor's awesome 80s style slasher film Fat
Chance.
- I will be starring in Zack Daggy's Dark Worlds: The Movie. I will be the slasher Allison Smith.
Not only Frankenstein: Day of the Beast
but quite a few of your films are of the horror
variety. Coincidence, or is horror a genre especially dear to you?
Yes,
I love horror films! I've been watching them since I could crawl. I also
love when dark humor and horror are combined! However I do love all
genres. I love doing comedies as well as drama. It all depends on the
project and role for me.
You
are also a model for Comic Book Divas, right. What can you tell us
about that aspect of your career?
I am
an original core member/model of Comic Book Divas. I have been featured in
several of their comic books, A Life Behind The Mask, Fangs,
WANTED: Red Riding, to mention a few. Actresses (or indeed
actors) who inspire you?
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So many... I'll just mention a few but not in any specific order, Fairuza
Balk, Madeline Kahn, Mae West [Mae
West bio - click here]. I love actresses that do their own thing
and are interesting to watch. I'm not a fan of cookie cutters.
Your favourite movies?
Again, to many to list. Here are a few. Return of The
Living Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, May, anything
Batman... lots of
comedy and horror really :) ...
and of course, films you really deplore? The Notebook,
The Last Kiss, and other chick flicks, lol! How can
everyone keep up with your current and new projects?
I'm mostly on FaceBook, it's the
best way to see what’s going on with me, but also check out my Youtube
channel and IMDB.
www.facebook.com/MichelleShieldsActress
www.youtube.com/theMichelleShields
www.imdb.com/name/nm2512598/
Thanks for
the interview! My
pleasure! Thank you for your interest :)
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