Horror movies &stuff Interviews: Chelan Simmons
She started off her career in front of the camera as a model, and has now stretched that out to becoming an up and coming actress. She landed her break out role in New Line Cinema's February horror release "Final Destination 3", as the peppy and very good looking Ashley Freund, and now things are really taking off for Chelan Simmons. She's currently starring in the ABC Family drama "Kyle XY", and has parts in the recently released "John Tucker Must Die" and the upcoming horror film "Wind Chill" (2007). Now she talks to us about a variety of things, including what it was like watching herself die in a tanning session gone horribly wrong in "FD 3".
MR. H:You're a model along with being an actress, which do you enjoy more, and is it tough juggling both careers? If things got too hectic would you give up one to pursue the other, if so which one?
Chelan:I did modeling mostlt when i was younger, I loved it. I think now I'm too short for it. However I would love to model for Magazines such as Maxim or FHM, or do campaign adds for clothing stores...that would be fun!
MR. H:Your big break movie was of course "Final Destination 3". When did you get the call for that film, and how excited were you about the opportunity to be in that particular movie?
Chelan:I was actually in the Mall when I got the call. I had auditioned twice for that part...I really wanted the role, so yes i was very excited. I have done a lot of B horror movies, and i was pumped to be in one with a huge budget...it was like "YES FINALLY I get to show everyone what i can do!!"
MR. H:Did you have to read for the part of Ashley Freund, and did you truly think you'd get the part, or was it just I'll throw my hat in there and see what happens?
Chelan:Yes i read for it twice. I thought that I could definatly do the part, but you never know with an American production company coming to Canada. Whenever I really really want a part, it usually goes to an American actress.
MR. H:Had you seen any of the "Final Destination" movies prior to taking the role in the third movie?
Chelan:Yes I had seen them both! I really can't watch anything scary, for example HARRY POTTER gives me nightmares...haha stupid I know. My 6 year old nephew could watch them over and over, he thinks it's weird that I can't!! So yes it's safe to say they scared the heck out of me! But the begining death scenes were shot so well, it kept me wanting to see more!
MR. H:When "FD 3" came out did you sneak into a theater "incognito" and watch it along with an audience? Or did you get to see the final product with the rest of the cast pre-release? If so was it creepy watching yourself in the tanning bed scene based on how graphic your demise was?
Chelan:Yes we got to see it first at the premiere and the first time I saw it, I couldn't breathe...I actually scared my self with my death scene haha! I admit yes I did go to the theatre's a couple times here in Vancouver...I just wanted to see the real audiences reactions...no one recognized me once the movie was over however.
MR. H:Your next horror picture is "Wind Chill" which comes out next year sometime. Tell everyone a little bit about that film.
Chelan:I really don't think I can say too much! However I can say it's a great script...it'll keep everyone on their toes. My role is smaller but it's very important to the script. And Emily Blunt was such a sweetheart, I loved working with her!
MR. H:What's the breakdown of your character in "WindChill?"
Chelan:I can't say I would give it all away!
MR. H:Do you get really bloody in the film or was it pretty much a clean shoot for you?
Chelan:You'll have to see! I don't think anything will be as bloody as FD3, we had burn makeup from head to toe...literally...I couldn't get it off for weeks!
MR. H:Is "Wind Chill" a perfect mix of horror and thriller or does it lean more in the direction of one in particular?
Chelan:It's a bunch of things, it's a mystery, thriller, horror...does that even make sense lol?!
MR. H:If you could compare "Wind Chill" to one old horror movie in terms of scare factor and suspense what film would it be?
Chelan:I can't really compare it, I'm so not a horror/thriller buff.
MR. H:Do you want to continue doing strictly horror movies, you know..sort of rise to scream queen status in a few years, or do you want to do other projects also? If persay you turned around one day and BOOM..you're in a horror magazine or film magazine on a fan or editor list of up and coming "Scream Queens"..would you embrace that situation or shy away from it?
Chelan:I would love to be known as a Scream Queen...that would be awesome...I love screaming...everytime I do it on set, there's always someone who falls over scared...it's pretty funny....the crew at the end of the day always have ear plugs in. I currently have a re-occuring role in Kyle XY on ABC and ABC Family (I'm in 8 of 10 episodes) and I start, tonight actually, another ABC show called "Men in Trees". I'm pretty excited about both shows. Kyle XY has been recieved very well in the U.S. and we are hopeful a second season is coming.
MR. H:Do you like doing horror movies and the whole scene that comes along with them, or is it just "Well I have to pay the bills", and you're more interested in another genre of film? If you kept getting horror scripts over and over again would you eventually begin turning them down, or as long as the script was good from your point of view, would you go with it?
Chelan:I love doing Horror Movies. My biggest passion is comedic roles. But when I can mix them both together, that really excites me! It's funny I get so excited to get all bloody, and messed up...I love thinking about what i can do to really scare the audience...but once a scary movie comes on TV my brain starts thinking that it's all real...even though I know it's not!
MR. H:Are you afraid of possibly falling into the typecasting realm as the obligatory hot blonde or typical blonde girl? Do you want to eventually get some serious more well rounded roles?
Chelan:I really like playing the typical blonde roles, because they are usually so far from my character in real life. And I love doing comedy...but of course as an actor, I would love to play a more serious roles. It's hard to break out of the blond roles for sure...I think once it doesn't work for me anymore, or I get sick of them...I'll just dye my hair, and see what happens.
MR. H:So far..what film have you had the most fun working on, and what film has been the least fun to work on?
Chelan:I loved working on "Final Destination 3", but right now I'm working on a comedy called "Good Luck Chuck"...and it's a lot of fun. Dane Cook is hilarious. I don't think I've been on a set that I didn't enjoy.
MR. H:Do you get noticed alot now by random people on the street as the girl from the tanning salon in 'FD 3"?
Chelan:I get looks, like people are trying to figure out how they know me, but I haven't been approached yet.
MR. H:Would you like to direct and or write a film one day?
Chelan:I'm currently working on a horror script and am very excited on where it might lead. I don't think directing is in my future, at least not now, it seems too stressful!
MR. H:What's been the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome so far as a serious actress?
Chelan:Living in Canada. I love working here, it's so nice to work and then go home at the end of the night. But it seems that networks always want the lead of their films to be from the USA. Canada's great for supporting leads, and recurring roles...but the big roles are always cast in America. Even if your're a canadian but you audition in LA, they take you more seriously it seems.
MR. H:We have to throw this one in there: It's currently all the rage on the internet, and the buzz around it oddly enough is huge. So with that being said..will you..Chelan Simmons see "Snakes on a Plane" at the movies this summer?
Chelan:I will because I have some friends in that movie! I auditoned for a role, but my schedule wouldn't have worked with that film. Yes I can't wait!
End.
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