After seeing the trailer of the film 'Bitch Slap', hell even after
hearing the title of the movie --- you would assume that the film would get a
backlash from multiple organizations such as women's rights groups... Christian organizations...
and I'm sure a lot more. Have you seen this at all since production started?
Do you think groups such asthose could hurt the
film?
If Bitch Slap were that kind of movie, I would’t
be in it. However, Bitch Slap is all about empowering women. We are all strong, confident, independent
women in the film as well as in real life. My character in the film has a whole monologue about being empowered through being
considered sexually desirable and how I use men to get what I want. And I can tell you, there wasn’t
a second on set that I didn’t feel in control. We are not the ones being exploited I’ll tell
you that.
Honestly we haven’t had any backlash from anyone. People
get it. They know it is very tongue and cheek, and that we do not take ourselves seriously. We’ve
got amazing responses from all kinds of people from all over the world. This film may not be for everyone and that’s
OK, but the people who like it, LOVE it.
Tell
me about the film and the character you play.
Bitch Slap
is a thinking mans exploitation film. It is paying loving homage to the 50-70’s ‘B’ exploitation
films but taking it into the 21st century. It is very stylized with special effects like ‘Sin
City’ meets ‘300’. My character Trixie is a down-on-her-luck-stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold.
She is the bait of the operation. ‘She can get whatever she wants with nothing more then a wink and a well timed bend
over’. That’s a little quote from the movie.
What sort of training did you have to go through to complete the film?
My character doesn’t have many fight scenes; I leave that up to the other girls. But, I do get physical
in other ways. I have two great dance scenes, which I did train for. It goes back to what I was saying before, I don’t
think I have ever felt sexier then when I was up on the stage dancing in my 7 inch platform shoes to Prince. It
was very empowering.
What did you expect going
into production of the movie, and what are your thoughts now that it's complete?
Bitch Slap was my 1st acting job. So I really didn’t know
what to except. I had read the script and loved it, met Rick Jacobson (director), Eric Gruendemann (producer),
and Brian Peck (associate producer) and knew I was in good hands. I guess I just went in with a clean fresh
slate. I was so excited to be there and to be one of the leads of an amazing movie like this one. Now, looking back on our
days on set, I am so proud of what we accomplished and how hard everyone worked. It truly was an incredible learning experience
for me.
Did
you guys run into any complications while filming?
The
shoot actually ran very smoothly. Other then some weather issues like sand storms we had a really great shoot. The desert
can be very unpredictable sometimes; I guess we got very lucky.
Did any of you have to go through any uncomfortable sequences in the film? Whether it's
an action sequence or a more personal scene... and how did you overcome it?
I think every project you do as an actor should challenge you in some way. This film definitely had its tests for
me. Whether it was my ability to reach inside myself and pull out a great performance or my endurance through the elements…
It comes down to believing in yourself, hard work, and never giving up no matter what.
What was the vibe like on set?
It was great! You could tell everyone was there because they wanted to be and not for a paycheck at the end of the
day. That was a huge relief, you don't see that much in Hollywood. And personally, I made such great
friends with Erin and America. They are both truly talented and amazing people who deserve all the success they will receive
from this. I learned so much from them and really got a chance to bond.
What locations did you guys film at?
The
shoot was almost six weeks in total. Two weeks on a green screen stage, and four in the Mohave Desert.
Did any of you suffer any injuries while on the set?
Well other then twisting my ankles a million times running in the sand in
my 4-inch heels, not really. Not for me at least. Erin and America might have a few good stories form fight scenes that got
really intense.
Let's talk about a release
date, something many people are talking about online... when's it coming out... and where will it be played?
And I hope to see a Blu-Ray release soon!
For that
answer you will have to stay turned to the website bitchslapmovie.com. We were at the Cannes Film Festival in May and the response for the movie was
off the charts. I am so pleased with how we were embraced over there. We are having our Official World Premiere of the
Toronto International Film Festival on September 14th. I can’t say anything official yet but
I do want to say thank you for everyone for being so patient and supportive of us. I promise we will have good news soon!
