Actress Interview:

Happy Birthday Melissa: Talking With Melissa Bacelar

Hey Melissa, can you start us off at www.racksandrazors.com with a visual and describe the room where you are answering these questions?

A visual huh. Well, I am in the middle of moving and I have an obsession with pillows and candles. So right now I am sitting in an office with tons of new pillows that I just bought and candle sticks everywhere. My bedroom is being painted so I am storing my new stuff in the computer area. I also have my two cocker spaniels by my feet and my little white bunny. My bunny loves to jump all over my dogs while they try to sleep!! I have a big comfy leather chair and a hand painted desk.

You started at Troma right out of college...that must have been an experience. Did you have any preconceived notions or idea of the "Troma Product" when you got that part in 'Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV'?

Well, I have always been a huge fan. But I wasn't quite sure what to expect and the first day I shot my call time was 6am. I took that really seriously so I actually arrived on the set at 6. I found the address and the house looked abandoned. It was super dark but the door was opened. I walked in and immediately tripped on a rolled up carpet. Someone yelled and in about 30 seconds people started waking up and crawling out of the rolled up carpets that were everywhere. Then from somewhere a box of donuts appeared and the crew was literally fighting over the food. It was great. It was literally a movie. I was totally confused. But not really that surprised. At that point the only other set I had been on was for a major soap opera. And you rarely found people rolled up in carpets on that set!

Looking back on it do you recall the first bit of direction you were given in that - your first movie?

Oh my God yes! The set was freezing and Lloyd Kaufman made it very clear that cold girls in tube tops make for good cinema. That was pretty funny but the first actual direction was a nightmare...My first line (which I said to James Gunn!!) was something like, "You're just a shriveled up old guy who can't get it up." I decided to say it as if my character was disgusted. Lloyd wanted me to say it with no emotion but having my voice go up, sort of like a question, on the word UP. I was pretty used to being directed with emotion and I seriously had to say that line 20 times. Finally I just imitated Lloyd and he was happy. But that was sort of hard for me. I couldn't justify the line reading. I had to sort of kick myself and remember it was Troma and it didn't have to make sense!!

Now that you've had more experience what do you think is the most unique thing about the way Troma does business?

Well, Lloyd is obviously brilliant. But the thing about Troma is that no matter how tired, hungry and overworked everyone is. It's a total family when you are on the set. Everybody really respects each other and the art of filmmaking. No matter what someone's job is on the set everyone their knows it's important. Even the guy that brings the box of donuts. It's really cool. There is no attitude or pretentiousness! (is that a word?)

I see on your resume you are also a writer and have two sitcom ideas in development -- how has being in front of the camera made you a better writer and vice versa?

It's really funny because people have always told me to write and I have always insisted that I am not a writer. Finally about 6 months ago an idea was presented to me by an actor that I am friends with. I liked it, so I sat down and started to write. In about two days I had a full script. I have pitched it to a major network and they like it! I am not sure what is going to happen at this point. But I think that is pretty damn good. I think acting has made me realize that the best scripts are the ones that everyone can relate to. So when I write I do it the same way that I talk. Sort of like this interview. I am all over the place but in the end it comes together. Plus reading the amount of good and bad scripts that I have I sort of know what works.

Tell me about the acting studio you have founded called The Network Studio. What makes it an especially unique and great place to study the craft?

Well the fact is that it's not about learning how to act. It's all about learning how to book a job. I think sometimes actors worry to much about their craft. It's important to have the basics but in all honesty if you are a great actor but can't understand the techniques and technicalities behind booking a job and being on a set...You are F*cked. Sort of like my Troma experience. I had to let go of what I thought was right and just listen to the director. It's not about being a good actor it's about giving the people who can hire you what they want!! That's why at The Network we hire Casting Directors to teach the actors. Who better to teach you how to book then the people who do the hiring!

Tell me a little bit about your work as Vicky in the surreal vampire (is that redundant?) opus 'Strange Things Happen at Sundown' (2003).

LOL. Surreal + vampire...sort of. Ummm. Vicky was fun and brutal. There was one scene where I had to writhe around on a nasty mattress in my underwear for 4 minutes while gurgling on chocolate syrup. (The worst part was the syrup.) Then I had to lie on a nasty bathroom floor, in my underwear, and have toilet water poured on my head.... Actually, it was really fun and the movie looks fantastic. So all the inconvenient underwear stuff was worth it. Plus we filmed the whole thing in a music studio and on day we were shooting Liza Minnelli was recording there. I pretty much have no shame so I had no problem walking around, wet, half naked and bloody.... So, I ran into Liza on the way to the bathroom and her face was priceless...

Do you have any other projects or career developments you would care to let the www.racksandrazors.com readers know about?

I would love to tell everyone about the project I am working on right now but I am sworn to secrecy!!! Which sux. I have a really cool TV shows that I am producing in development. I also have my pilot I am waiting to hear on and a couple other things. I am ready to get back to some horror stuff though. The secret thing is more Sci Fi...That's all I can say about it!!

What does it for you horror wise Melissa - vampires, zombies, witches, creatures, aliens, mummies, werewolves, psychos, mad scientists, telemarketers, mimes? What genre frightens you more than anything and why?

I have a love hate relationship with any good psychological thriller. The mummies and vampires are damn cool and I like em. But the supernatural, other realm, afterlife stuff gets to me. Oh and the telemarketers...They are the best. I can't help but take everyone of those opportunities to my full advantage. I found that if you pretend that you are really old and you can't hear them. It drives them crazy.

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

A bottle of Pinot Grigio and a bag of Ruffles w/ french onion dip! As far as the movies.... 'Slither', 'Rosemary's Baby', 'The Shining'

What makes you go psycho in real life?

Growing up in NY I need things now. I moved to LA about 3 years ago and the people here are so F*cking slow. I seriously can't take it. I can't stand it when people are doing a job and they act like they are doing you a favor when you are their customer. Bad Drivers...Cheapness and anyone who is cruel to animals in anyway. That is a biggie. I will seriously stop my car and take an animal away from someone who is abusing it. I do it all the time. If I see any animal being neglected and kept outside I will knock on the door and offer to buy the animal from the owners. 90% of the time they say yes and then I find the animal a better home....

What frightens you in real life?

Not much...I try to face my fears as often as possible. I have learned that most things that we fear are in our minds and the more we worry about these things the more likely they are to actually happen. With that said.... Sharks scare the F*ck out of me. Even right now in my computer room with all my candles and pillows I can think about the rows of teeth in a Great Whites mouth and freak out. (It's all in my Mind!)