APRIL BILLINGSLEY: KICKING IT WITH ANDRE THE BUTHER'S AMAZONIAN DEVIL BUSTER by Brian Kirst

The determined, confident April Billingsley is my kind of gal. She's fun, inventive and got to kick devil's emissary butt as the lead in the keen 'Andre the Butcher' . It doesn't hurt that Andre was played by the infamous Ron Jeremy and that Billingsley faced him down wearing a cheerleader's outfit and an off kilter grin. Billingsley, now auditioning and developing her own projects, will next appear in 'Andre' director Phil Cruz's as of yet untitled upcoming flick. Of course, you can always keep up to date with this talented, cart wheeling lass at www.aprilbillingsley.com . That is, after she wins your bloody, comprised soul in the charming interview that follows.

 

  Brian: Who/what were your first performance influences - A showing of Snow White in the first grade - Heather Locklear riling up the party on 'Melrose Place' - Sue Storm?

April: I think that the first time I thought, "Hey, I wanna be in movies" was probably when I saw the childlike empress in 'The Never Ending Story'. I thought she was so beautiful. Today I really admire the works of actors like Meryl Streep and Robin Williams.

Brian: Speaking of Streep-like abilities, is there a particular effect that you aim to achieve with each performance?

April: I don't really think too much about the end result as much as I think about whom the character I'm playing is, how they are unique and what makes them tick. Every character is different. I always want the audience to enjoy my performance though.

Brian: You've had some pretty heavy movie experiences. How does it feel to play a drug addict's girlfriend ('Marvin') or to portray a ritual murder victim ('Chosen')?

April: I felt like a drug addict. I felt like a victim. I think for any role I've drawn on my own life experience. I may not have been a drug addict, but I think we all know on some level how it feels to be addicted to something and need it, or to love someone who is. As far as being a murder victim, that's just fun. I'm good at being scared and screaming it seems. Bottom line is that no matter what role I'm playing I try to live in the moment as I'm acting so that I react and feel like my character.

Brian: Cool. When you first read the script of 'Dead Meat' (which ultimately became 'Andre the Butcher') did you immediately scratch your head and think "What the hell?" or did you automatically see its potential as a horror with comedic elements?

April: Oh my, gosh, this is a good question! I loved it! I read it and thought, "Brilliant! This will so get distribution." Then I just had to convince the director to cast me, which of course, he did. The director, Phil Cruz and I are still good friends.

Brian: Referencing friends, how closely did you bond with your fellow cheerleaders in 'Andre the Butcher'?

April: Oh, you know, she's my girlfriend now. (Editor- IE: Heather Joy Budner who played 'Cookie', Billingsley's Sapphic playmate in 'Andre'.) LOL, I'm just kidding. I think anytime you do a film your fellow cast and crew really become your family. So we got pretty close I suppose.

Brian: Were there any impromptu cheerleading training sessions to get everyone up to speed?

April: We didn't really do much actual cheering. The main thing for me was getting the fighting stuff down. I trained for a few months before the film to get up to speed and back in shape.

Brian: You did do a lot of combat and running around in 'Andre'. What was the most physically draining aspect of the shoot for you?

April: I would have to say all the running around and combat was fun! I think the crew had it a lot rougher than me! It kept raining in the middle of the day so they had to keep moving all those really big heavy lights a lot more than usual. Plus it was really hot and they were working really long hours. I did my best to keep them in good spirits when I was around.

Brian: All right - it's the question that begs to be asked. What was it like to work with Ron Jeremy as 'Andre'? I understand he was only the set for a few days.

April: He was really respectful! I guess it makes sense. You wouldn't make it in porn unless you were respectful. LOL. He's a very nice, very horny guy. He kept trying to get the girls on the set to flash him. A few of them did.

Brian: Oh, the powers of persuasion! - If you could create the perfect project for yourself (including character and plotline) what would that production entail?

April: I can and am creating a project for myself as we speak. Let see, though- if I could create a project with a really big budget I'd definitely be a superhero. I'd be the bad-ass super chick that saved the world from an evil threat or something like that.... Ooo, I just had a thought. I could be Wonder Woman in the movie!

Brian: I'd buy that! - Lastly, any upcoming projects or words of wisdom (IE: When combating an emissary of Satan, make sure your male hero counterpart has consumed plenty of water) that you'd like to leave us with? And thanks for doing this! It's been swell!

April: I'll be acting in Phil's next film, currently untitled, and also in a project of my own, also untitled. I'm out in LA auditioning right now, so maybe I'll book something else too! Check my website for updates, www.aprilbillingsley.com . And girls, if you ever run into Ron Jeremy and he wants to give you a back massage, let him. Thanks!