Horror movies &stuff Interviews: Cerina Vincent
Things are definitely looking up for young actress Cerina Vincent. Once done with her role in Eli Roth's flesh-eating virus romp "Cabin Fever"...Cerina hit a string of Direct-to-dvd B horror films, one of which debuts on SCI-FI Saturday September 9th called "Sasquatch Mountain".
But now she's slowly easing back into the spotlight again, with an upcoming comedy called "Everybody Wants To Be Italian" and a role in the upcoming "House on Haunted Hill" sequel "Return to House on Haunted Hill". In this interview, she talks her present, past, and future films. As well as her desire not to just stick to scream queen status.
MR. H:You were born in Las Vegas Nevada, did you also grow up there??
Cerina:Yes. I was born AND raised in Vegas. I moved to LA right after high school.
MR. H:Many people who visit Vegas are taken by it, you know the lights, the scenery, the shows, everything. Since it's home to you, are you still in awe whenever you visit home and hit that part of town, or is it just *meh* no big deal I've seen it all before?
Cerina:Good Question! Vegas is not as interesting to me as it is to the rest of the world, but its where I grew up. Flashing lights, slot machines in 7-11's, and seeing shows for homecoming and proms was "normal" to me. However, now that I've been away some years, I realize it isn't quite "normal."
MR. H:So this "Sasquatch Mountain" flick marks yet another female lead role for you..you play Erin in the movie. Tell us a little bit about your character in the film?
Cerina:Erin is young woman who has packed up her life and is on the road to a fresh start. Leaving a distructive relationship, only to find herself in an even more distructive situation. Getting in a car crash, being held hostage, and running into big foot, wasn't exactly on her agenda for a "fresh start" so I think she feels very alone, and very confused.
MR. H:How was the transition in this horror film from "Cabin Fever", to "Seven Mummies", to "It Waits", to now "Devil On The Mountain"? Flesh eating virus, legendary native american creature, mummy, and now another legend...bigfoot??
Cerina:Each fim is significantly different. There is really no way to compare them. Even though those are all in the horror/sci-fi genere, every character I play is new and different, each of those films differ in budget, with different producers, and have a different plan for the film...So, to answer your question..I dont really feel a "transition." I have gotten more comfortable screaming, running through the woods, and dealing with fake blood, but really, each film is a completely new experience.
MR. H:In a hypothetical real life situation, which of the three would freak you out the most..the virus, the mummy, the creature, or the sasquatch?
Cerina:Another good question...they are all pretty creepy, but I'm gonna go with the virus.
MR. H:Do you like horror films, I mean generally are you the type of person who digs the gory stuff or do you tend to not watch movies from that genre very often?
Cerina:I was never really a horror buff...I get scared way too easily! I watch more horror films now...because I have to for work, but still...I need the lights on and someone to hold onto during the scary parts.
MR. H:What was it like working with Lance Henriksen on "Sasquatch Mountain"?
Cerina:Lance was awesome! He was so down to earth, so wise, such a fantastic actor...it was an honor and a pleasure.
MR. H:Have any of the monsters you've worked with in these films really gotten to you, even though they're people in costume? I mean have you looked at some of them during any chase scenes and had to keep reminding yourself it's just a stunt guy in a get up because you were so freaked out?
Cerina:The creature in IT WAITS creeped me out a couple times. There was a scene we did where he was laying on top of me...it was pretty freaky. And the dog from CABIN FEVER was a problem. It was trained to attack and kill...so we were all pretty nervous.
MR. H:Do you have any will or desire to become a scream queen ala Jamie Lee Curtis or Neve Campbell?
Cerina:I dont really have a "desire" to be just a scream queen...I have the desire to keep working on cool films, playing interesting roles. I LOVE comedy, I love drama, so no...I dont just want to be a screamer. However, I'm not complaining, it is a ton of fun, and I adore the horror fans!
MR. H:Of all the horror films you've done so far, what do you think has been the best female lead character you've played up to this point?
Cerina:Hmmm. I dont know. I guess it would be between Cabin Fever and It Waits. And it's not horror, but I adore the character I play in a romantic comedy I just finished called EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE ITALIAN!
MR. H:You've worked with directors Nick Quested (7 Mummies), Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), and Steven R. Monroe (It Waits and Sasquatch Mountain). What's the differences that you've noticed in directing styles between the three?
Cerina:The differences are huge. They really can not be compaired to one another. They have each had different careers in the biz...and so they approach thing differently. For example, Steven has a ton of experience with the technical side as well as understands actors...because his dad was a camera man and his mother was a theatre actor. Nick had only directed music videos (I think)....and Eli...well, Eli is just Eli.
MR. H:I noticed alot of the roles you've taken on aren't the norm for an Italian actor. As an Italian American actress, and an Italian American in General, how important is it to you to step outside the box as far as the roles you choose and not fall into anything too stereotypical?
Cerina:I am not quite sure what is "normal" for an italian actor....but it is VERY important to me to try to step out of the box of being stereotyped. I have a HUGE italian family that do NOT enjoy seeing me run around the woods screaming with my shirt off. (However it is the italian blood that game me the T&A that people want in horror films). Anyway, we can not always "choose" everything we want in this biz. I'm just greatful to be doing what I love to do. I did just finish an adorable comedy called EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE ITALIAN. The family will love it, as well as the rest of the world...(we hope).
MR. H:What's next for you as far as film projects go, and specfically as far as horror film projects go?
Cerina:Well, I start shooting RETURN TO HOUSE ON A HAUNTED HILL with warner bros./silver pictures in 4 days. So, that will be a pretty cool horror film. And like I said before....EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE ITALIAN is going to be awesome! I was also in ONE PART SUGAR, another comedy, where I play Danny DeVito's wife. After Return to House....I'm doing a very cool drama with Steven Monroe that I'm very excited about. And well...I just plan to continue doing a lot of comedy and cool dramatic roles...not just horror.
End.
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