THE PRICE OF HORROR: Talking With Up-And-Coming Horror Actress Heather Price
by Owen Keehnen

Heather Price has been given the honor of being the first official Scream Queen of the new decade (January 2010) by the popular website. She's earned her title. Though she's always been a longtime fan of watching horror, she only stepped in front of the camera last year when she played Cathy, the maniacally insane sister of the lead character in 'C.R.Y,: The Video Diary of Calvin Ray Young'. Since then she has played Kitty, the country hit-woman in 'Mountain Mafia', a lusty lass named Babe in 'Lesferatu' (and will soon be seen in the sequel as well, 'Lesferatu: Killdo 2'). In the interim she has also appeared (in 2 roles) in 'Red River' with Tucky Williams as well as 'Saucer Sex From Beyond'. It was fun getting to know Heather in this exclusive racksandrazors.com interview.


 

 

Heather, did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2010?

I don't actually make official New Year's resolutions. I think mine actually happen all year. I am constantly thinking about things that I'd like to improve or change about my life. Right now I think they'd be to save more money and take more time to relax (like that's gonna happen lol).

Tell me about your film debut as Cathy Young in David Gooslin's 'Cry: The Video Diary of Calvin Ray Young'. How did that role come about?

That's actually a long, but funny story that I will probably never live down. It actually started at the Fright Night Film Fest in Louisville, Kentucky in 2008. I was attending the festival as a horror fan and had seen on the website that one of the featured films was produced by someone near my hometown. I am from a very small town and, since there was a fairly good chance that I knew the producer, I thought it'd be cool to find out who it was. I went to his table but he wasn't there. I was chatting with the other people at the table when this guy came bouncing over and immediately I knew it was my old friend, David "Goose" Gooslin, from college that I hadn't seen in years! I blurted out, "You made a movie?", and now the exclamation haunts me. We caught up a little and I gave him my e-mail. When October rolled around, I got in touch with him to see if he had any fun Halloween stuff going on. Goose said he had the perfect part for me as the psychotic sister of the serial killer Calvin Ray Young in the feature that he was filming. Two weeks later, I am tied to a wheelchair for 2 hours, screaming about killing everyone within a 10 mile radius, making my acting debut. After that, I was hooked.

I also want to hear about your role in the upcoming horror film 'Red River' with Tucky Williams. Give me a little teaser that is going to make it irresistible to all the racksandrazors.com fans.

I actually have two roles in Red River, as a murder victim and a snake handling religious fanatic. I scream. I get my eyeballs pulled out. I handle snakes and talk in tongues. What's not to love?

I see too that you are going to be a guest at the Dark Woods Horror Convention. Tell me a little about your hopes and plans for that event.

I am actually fortunate enough to be both a guest at that event and to be helping with the organization of the event. This is the first event of its kind in eastern Kentucky. Many of the independent filmmakers and actors in the Lexington/Louisville areas have family ties to, or are originally from, this area. It's very exciting that we can bring something that is so important to us back to the area. There will be many horror celebrities such as Michael Berryman and my friend and Scream Queen mentor, Tiffany Shepis, plus television personalities, wrestlers, local celebrities and even a freak show. Fun for everyone! Personally, I will be promoting several of my available and upcoming films, including C.R.Y., Killdo, Mountain Mafia, Red River, and many other projects, as well as Infernal Dreams and Deadpit.com. Of course, my favorite part is going to be the Scream Contest! Plus I plan on re-enacting my favorite publicity stunt gone wrong by dropping a few Madagascar hissing cockroaches down my shirt!

Do you have any other upcoming projects you want the racksandrazors readers to know about?

I have some very cool projects coming up including 3 television pilots and my first opportunity to move behind the camera and become a producer with Just Us League Films and 148 Productions. These, however, are in the early development stages and I can't discuss them too much further. Just stay tuned to my website, www.heathermprice.com for all the breaking news and details.
One project that I definitely want to mention though is 'Lesferatu'. The name says it all. 'Lesferatu: Lesbian Chainsaw Vampires'. It's a sci-fi vampire fantasy film and I play one of the main vampires. There is currently a calendar in production with the lovely ladies of Lesferatu to promote the film and we'll start shooting in spring.

Congrats on being chosen the first Scream Queen of the new decade (SQ of January 2010) from ScreamQueen.com. How did that title come about?

Thank you. I actually had no idea that I had gotten than honor until you asked me that question. An SQ actually has to be nominated for that, so I want to thank all the people that support me and nominated me for that award, and to the people at ScreamQueen.com for selecting me.

So as an "official" member of the scream queen sorority imagine you are in charge of hazing other girls into the group. What are some of the things you would have the women go through to ensure that they are SQ material?

Oh, I would be pure evil to them. I'd have a Scream Queen boot camp that puts the reality show to shame. I'd probably make a lot of ladies cry. Obviously, they'd have to be able to express the vocal talent, but they'd also have to prove that they can show the innocence in the beginning and then come out with the edge to pull off looking like a complete badass in the end. They'd have to really prove they could be the total package. I'd definitely scare the crap out of them about 100 times a day and break them down mentally so they could show all the emotions. Plus they'd be forced to endure hours upon hours of viewing some of the best and worst that the horror film genre has to offer.

Vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, creatures, aliens, telemarketers...what does it for you horror wise Heather and why?

No! Not telemarketers! Seriously, I totally love EVERYTHING horror and paranormal related. I love vampires because they are so tempting and sensual. I have passed many hours having the slow vs. fast zombie debate (you all know what I am talking about!). I fully believe in aliens, chupacabra and the Loch Ness monster. I even ghost hunt as a hobby when I have the time. I have just been fascinated with it all from a very early age and it's deeply ingrained in me. I could go on all day...

What was the first movie to scare the shit out of you?

I am with half the world probably when I say 'Poltergeist'. I was three years old and was totally scarred for life.

And what was the last horror movie you saw that really annoyed you?

That would have to be 'Cloverfield'. All this "shaky cam" style filmmaking that everyone has jumped to makes me motion sick. How can people enjoy your film if they get a migraine and are nauseous? I doubt that's the reaction for which they had hoped. When I hear a film is shot that way, I completely avoid it.

Okay, we're pulling into the Heather Price Drive In. What three horror flicks are on the triple bill for tonight and what goodies are they going to be serving up at the concession stand?

Wow! Only 3? Well, if I only get 3, then I am going to go with the classics, 'Psycho', 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre', and 'Halloween'. I love the movies that build suspense and started the genre. Then we need lots of popcorn, nachos, Fun Dip and ice cream!

And your favorite horror flick death scene?

There are so many but I am a big fan of the ones you don't see coming. I think one of the best was the scene from 'Final Destination' where the girl says "You can all just drop dead" and then steps in front of a bus. I sat for 10 minutes going did that really just happen?

What's the best Halloween costume you ever had?

I have a whole closet full of ones I have worn over the years. I think the best was when I went as Angela from 'Night of the Demons'. I bought an old wedding dress and veil and dyed it all black and then had this crazy, dark makeup. It definitely got me noticed.

What scares you in real life?

Clowns, puppets, dolls, cute, fuzzy things and anything pink.