Journalist/Actress Interview:

That’s Ms. Pretty Scary to You: Talking With Horror Journalist and Web-Mistress Heidi Martinuzzi

Owen: Your Pretty/Scary site (www.pretty-scary.net) is great.  How did that come about?

Heidi: Well, Amy Lynn Best (www.amylynnbest.com) and Jennifer Whildin (www.sassydevil.com) and I were sick of horror websites that only featured hot women, and then, only actresses. The forums on these sites were always filled with really stupid men who couldn't put two sentences together, and always had the same old fights "Alien Vs. Predator Sucked! No, It Ruled!" So we got together and made a website that promoted women who wouldn't ordinarily get interviewed, i.e. artists, directors, writers, etc., and also a place where women could get reviews of their work from like-minded females. It's a whole sisterhood thing. I know that sounds lame, but women really do get intimidated by how mean and rude men are. In July 2004 we launched Pretty/Scary, and it's been a year now, and we're going strong. We've gotten interviews from some really big named Hollywood actresses, and some unknown indie directors and writers, and a bunch of new filmmakers just starting out. I have learned so much about women in horror, and I think everyone who visits the site does, too.

Owen: Do you have a pretty clear idea where you want to take the site?

Heidi: We've decided to hold the first annual Pretty/Scary awards this year at the Genghis Con convention in Pennsylvania. www.ghengisconpa.com We’ll be honoring a film written, directed, or produced by a woman, and have the filmmakers come down to receive an award. It's something we've wanted to do for a while. I'd also like to give an award to a woman who has worked hard to overcome stereotypes in the industry. There has been some talk of a magazine, and a TV show, but no plans yet. I definitely plan on writing a book about female horror film directors, which I have started, and I would love to make a Pretty/Scary compilation of horror film by women. We'll see!

Owen: Do you find it ironic that the horror genre, which is often seen as exploitative of women, actually offers greater opportunities for women when it comes to directing and scripting?  Or do you disagree.

Heidi: I totally disagree. Women rarely get directing gigs unless they're making an indie project on their own. Out of about 1000 horror films I love, I can think of only 4 or 5 mainstream horror directors who are female: Kathryn Bigelow, Mary Lambert, Antonia Bird (if you can count Ravenous as a horror film), Mary Harron (American Psycho is her only horror film), and Ana Clavell, who just started directing, are the only ones off the top of my head. There are a few others... The new Aeon Flux film, though not horror, is directed by a woman.

Producing though, offers tons of positions for women. Many horror films, including Scream, Cabin Fever, and the entire Serial Killers series (Dahmer, Gacy, Ed Gein) are all produced by women. So were Terminator 2 and 3. Since producing is very much about "taking care of everything" it's a role that is not only socially acceptable to women, but that comes naturally easy to women. Lets face it; a producer is like a big mommy who makes sure everything runs smoothly. Definitely something non-threatening for women to attempt, especially in the eyes of others. Writing is a more passive aspect of filmmaking too, though the most important. A few women in the industry really have me applauding; Jace Anderson for instance, who wrote Mortuary and Toolbox Murders for Tobe Hooper, and lets not forget Crocodile II: Deathroll. Brinke Stevens has turned from just actress to actress/writer on several projects, including Dr. Horror's Erotic House of Idiots, and Wild Spirit. Most women, however, just write, direct, and star in their own projects when they want to break through the barrier, something almost impossible to accomplish in Hollywood. Women like Stephanie Beaton, Stephanie Aldridge, Amy Lynn Best, Denice Duff, and Darla Enlow have all taken matters into their own hands.

Owen: Did you ever expect to be thrust into the position of a noted horror expert, reviewer, and essayist?

Heidi: No. I thought I was going to be a physical anthropologist, which is what I have a degree in. You know, forensics and bones, and all that. Then I was going to be a cop, and then I was going to be a mortgage broker... Horror films were just a hobby. Who knew you could make a hobby into a job! Except for all those sports people. I guess they qualify. It was actually a dream to become a horror reviewer, rather than an expectation. I feel very lucky to be so deeply entrenched in something I love so much.

Owen: So when you were a "wee Heidi" was there some event or memory that you look back on today and say, "Oh yeah, that kid was destined for a career on the horror forefront"?

Heidi: Well, when I was 3 and I loved watching horror films, (I remember Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2 was the first horror film I saw in a theater) and my favorite show was "Elvira's Movie Macabre", which I never missed, I should have had an inkling. Actually, the truth is, my parents are foreign and the idea of censorship is completely ridiculous to them. My mother grew up watching people burn to death in the streets of World War II Frankfurt. I suppose she thought that if she turned out okay, my watching "Piranha" was no big deal. I tend to agree with her. People should let kids watch horror films. It's just a fucking movie.

Owen: As someone who interacts with people on the creative as well as the appreciative side of the horror scene what do you think are some of the primary characteristics that distinguish horror fans from most other folk?

Heidi: Horror fans are lucky because they get to interact with their heroes. You can go to a convention and meet Tom Savini and Bruce Campbell... You try finding Julia Roberts at a Romantic Comedy Festival and see if she even gives a shit that people want to talk to her. Because horror is like a big family, there’s a family element. And because of indie films, anyone can become a horror icon if they really really want it. Not like any other genre of film, where only the lucky few in Hollywood get to do that.

Owen: What other projects do you have pending?

Heidi: Well, like I said, the book about female horror film directors, a 2006 Women in Independent Horror calendar from Pretty/Scary, the awards ceremony at Genghis Con, and perhaps a compilation DVD of horror films by women. Other pending projects include: pay my rent, vacuum, go to AA meetings, quit smoking, find a new therapist, finish that patchwork quilt I started in 7th grade, and add to my Glass Unicorn Collection.

Owen: Were there any perks to being named a Tromette of the Month?

Heidi: Other than being naked on the Internet? Not really. It's just an honor to be recognized as a hot sleazy woman by the master of crappy films himself, Uncle Lloyd. No prize money, no role in a film, no money or car. It's not that great, actually, now that I think about it.

Owen: So as a "Goddess of Gore and More" what are your favorite horror flicks?

Heidi: I adore Dead Alive AKA Braindead by Peter Jackson. I used to love Army of Darkness, but I have watched it too many times now so I can't enjoy it on the same level anymore. I like horror with a little comedy in it. Except Halloween. Halloween always has, and always will, scare the living shit out of me. I watch a lot of indie films, and I'll Bury You Tomorrow by Alan Rowe Kelley (www.illburyyoutomorrow.com) is just genius. So is Yimeng Jin's 17th Man (www.the17thman.com).

Owen: What's something that makes you scream in real life?

Heidi: My ex. Ha! No, how about, good sex? Okay okay.... I get scared of dark alleys, being mugged, rape, spiders, snakes (especially snakes), alcoholism, failure, old age, poverty, and insignificance. Those are the things that make me scream and toss and turn at night. Those are the really scary things in life. I'll take Freddy Krueger over all of them, any day.