(SCREAM) QUEEN VICTORIA; CHATTING WITH VICTORIA DE MARE by Owen Keehnen

Victoria De Mare (pronounced like 'd-Mar') is one extremely busy actress. Since the shapely member of 3 ballet companies, but just is still a performer and a dancer in many different styles every month relocated to Hollywood from the Northeast in 2002 she has been cast in over 25 features. Right out of the gate she made Roger Corman's 'Slaughter Studios' which paved the way for a such films as 'Chainsaw Cheerleaders', 'Mutant Rat Invasion', 'Strangers Online' with Linnea Quigley and Monique Parent, 'Psychon Invaders' with Ford Austin', 'Stolen Moments of September' (also with Monique Parent), 'Amazing Grace Loving Gram Parsons (which she also produced), 'Dinocroc', the dunesday opus 'Azira: Blood on the Sand' in which Victoria plays Cienega...and some serious fur flies in her film 'Werewolf in a Women's Prison'. She's also costarring in 'Horrorween' with everyone from Jenna Jameson to Dom DeLuise and Donald Trump to William Shatner. Victoria has also completed 'Anna Nicole' (starring Willa Ford) in which her 34-21-34 measurments allowed her to be perfectly cast as a Playboy Bunny. She is a published poet, Scream Queen for November 2007, and a college graduate. This enterprising young woman even has her own website www.screamqueendemare.com (where you can learn more about her and even hear a great clip of her scream!) and a 2008 calendar! Is it any wonder that an exclusive www.racksandrazors.com interview would be next?


 
Victoria, can you start us off with a visual and describe the room where you are answering these questions?

I am sitting in my favorite large, cherry red armchair in my favorite room in my home where I do all my work be it business as well as creative. It is of average size, very bright, warm and quiet, where I keep all of my most precious and valuable belongings all around me. Photos and such adorn the walls of that which keeps me most inspired in my career such as some of my most favorite performers. And, my kitty cat, Romeo, is curled up sleeping at my feet against my out stretched legs.

Early on in your career you played a waitress in Roger Corman's 'Slaughter Studios' (2002). How did that bit of casting come about?

Well, that was actually a very stressful casting situation. A role was actually written in the screenplay with me in mind to play for that feature and I was referred to audition for the project by the writers, one of which who was originally slated to direct. I nailed the audition, but was unfortunately not cast in the role due to the fact that the producer's ex-girlfriend wanted to play the role. So, I was then offered the smaller role, which I took after an agonizingly long waiting period, and was made to be even smaller after the final cut was complete. At the premiere when it screened in Hollywood for approximately a month, the director, who ended being another director and not my colleague who was originally slated to direct, came up to me and told me that he thought I was great and actually apologized for what had happened and for not using me more. Such is this business, though. I had a rude awakening to it very early on.

What about the legendary director/producer impresses/impressed you the most?

The fact that he did it his way-the whole way! He kind of embodies what low-budget, b-movie film making is all about. Despite my utter disappointment with the final casting, I was completely thrilled to have worked on and been a part of that production. It was the last film shot at his legendary Venice Studios where so many greats had worked before me. I saw then my future as very optimistic.

I want to hear more about your role as Sarah in 'Werewolf in a Women's Prison'. And is the film as campy as the title?

Sarah Ragdale is a pretty, young, all-American girl happily on vacation with her boyfriend who under extreme circumstances and absolute terror is faced with the ultimate challenge of survival. She is determined to not only convince the prison that she is not crazy and that werewolves do indeed exist, but to survive the torture and the curse and be released. She stops at nothing trying to prove herself even when the doom of her fate seems eminent. She is truly not the monster she is becoming and let's go in the end knowing that she fought it as hard and as long as she could. Yes, this film is as absolutely campy, sexy, and hilarious as it sounds, and I believe it will soon be known as one of this generation's cult classics!

If you were sent to prison in real life what do you think would be the charge?

Wow! Ahh, no comment...

Can you give me a plot teaser about 'Azira: Blood from the Sand' (2005) that will make it irresistible to racks and razors readers?

The blood of a virgin(me) is split above the tomb of an ancient witch(Julie Strain) with a vengeance who rises up from the sand and possesses the virgin who then reeks havoc on all her band members, who are out in the desert filming their first music video, taking them out one by one with drumsticks, etc.!

'Chainsaw Cheerleaders', 'Mutant Rat Invasion', 'Welcome to Hotel Horrible', and 'Psychon Invaders' are just a few more of your intriguing film titles. How about giving us a one-sentence or so tag line for each?

Wow, that is actually very difficult to do, which is ridiculous, I guess, but I think that they all already kind of "say it all" in the their titles, don't you think?!? I am working on 'Chainshaw Cheerleaders' with producer Jackie Napoli(Dorm of the Dead) in which I am actually playing one of the vampire killers who is terrorizing and killing the cheerleaders. This project is still currently in pre-production. 'Mutant Rat Invasion' is another Jeff Leroy masterpiece, which pretty much in my opinion says it all right there! The rats that co-starred with me in 'Werewolf In A Women's Prison' are starring in their second feature with Mr. Leroy, so I know they are as excited as am I! 'Welcome to Hotel Horrible' directed by Richard Coale has currently been changed to 'Hotel of Blood', which is even more fitting. "Everyone dies!" I believe is the current tag line for this one. Production was just completed this week. And, 'Psychon Invaders', a hilarious sci-fi masterpiece directed by Jeff Leroy, has been released in Japan under the title 'Aliens Attack' with the tag line "They Are Everywhere!"

Let's talk 'Horrorween'. What the hell - that cast Jenna Jamison, Debbie Rochon, yourself of course, Charlie Callas, Flavor Flav, Kathy Garver, Lloyd Kaufman, Dom DeLuise, Tom Savini, William Shatner, Donald Trump, Alice Cooper, Chuck McCann, George Clinton, etc...what the heck is it about and how are you involved in the proceedings?

Yes, Ed Meyer has assembled quite a cast, most of which of the big names are cameo appearances. I'm not really at liberty to disclose much information about this one just yet as it is currently filming in Los Angeles now. You'll just have to stay tuned!

You're also making a film version of 'Anna Nicole' starring Willa Ford. Tell me a bit more about that project and your involvement?

It is basically the story of Anna Nicole Smith's rise and fall in Hollywood leading up to her unfortunate death. Willa Ford does a very good job portraying her essence as seen by the general public. I play one of the Playboy Bunnies living at the mansion when she was there. It was a great project to work on, especially as the only redhead bunny! It is currently in post-production now and I am looking forward to its release.

Were you a fan and do you have a theory?

I was a fan of the Guess modeling she did. Those ads were timeless. She made me and I believe every girl who saw those ads want to be a "guess girl". Unfortunately, the business of Hollywood is very ruthless and cold at times and the pressure can become unbearable. I was very sad to hear of her sudden death due to an overdose, especially since she had just had a baby. It's tragic to think that that little girl will never know her mother.

As a self-proclaimed, media sanctioned, and website official Scream Queen (11-07) what qualifications or accomplishments do you think qualify you for the title?

Well, I didn't proclaim myself initially as a Scream Queen, the media did, so I just followed suit. I was ecstatic about the title knowing that I would be joining a long list of legendary and admired women in the horror genre of film. Now that I am Scream Queen of the Month on ScreamQueen.com, that sincerely is the icing on the cake for me. I feel I have indeed accomplished a respected stature in the low-budget horror movie world and that thus my career really begins now as I progress onto the next level in Hollywood.

Did you have a chance to chat with Linnea Quigley or Monique Parent when you two worked together in 'Strangers Online' (2007)? Did you ask for any Scream Queen or career tips from the veterans?

No, I did not chat with Linnea or Monique on that film which was actually made in 2001. We didn't have any scenes or work together on that project. I did have the pleasure of working on another film just recently with Monique though called 'Stolen Moments of September'. She is a lovely professional and a joy to work with. And, no, I don't ask other performers for "career tips". I prefer to make my own path.

And if someone were to come to you for advice about getting into the business what would you tell them?

If someone were to ask me for advice about getting into this business I would tell them to think very long and hard about what is motivating them to do so. To absolutely know why you are doing what you are doing. Do it because you were born a performing artist and you can't and wouldn't do anything else with or without the significant financial gains. And, be prepared to dedicate your entire life to it because it just may take that whole time to see the rewards of your efforts. Never forget that it is a business down to the very end of every point first besides the beauty of the art that lies underneath.

We're pulling into the Victoria De Mare Drive In.

EXCELLENT!!!

a. What three horror flicks are on the triple bill for tonight?

Well, you'd see clips of my killing scenes from 'Azira: Blood from the Sand' as you were getting situated and waiting for the screenings to begin. Then, the following three films would play: 'Shadows', 'Psychon Invaders', 'Werewolf In A Women's Prison'

b. What goodies are they going to be serving at the concession stand?

Warm, soft Chocolate Chip cookies, Chocolate covered Strawberries, Mini-Eclairs, and Pink Champagne!

c. And what will absolutely not be tolerated among patrons?

Boo-ing.

Do you have any other upcoming projects you would like the www.racksandrazors.com readers to know about?

Yes, 'Stolen Moments of September', 'Deadly Beloved', 'Bio Slime', 'Amazing Grace, Loving Gram Parsons', and 'The Video Diary of Adam Greeley and Nicki Valetti.'

What makes you scream in real life?

Bats, spiders, and sharks!

What scares you in real life?

Airplanes.