A: Did you just call me Ms. Johnson? (Laughs) I’m not that formal, but thank you. Starina is fine, although my friends will occasionally call me Miss Star, but that’s about as formal as I get. I think most people don’t even realize I have a last name.

          I got started making movies when I first moved to Tennessee. I came here to help out a friend and soon realized there wasn’t a lot of paying live theatre gigs in Nashville…Somehow the lack of live theatre propelled me into commercial, print, and film work. Before I moved here the only films I had been in were SIUC student films. Now it seems film is my focus.

          A: Mine or my boobs? My role was Andrea (which is Jonathan’s side pony tail wearing babysitter). My boobs were featured as the screen image on the television Jonathan smashes with a baseball bat. The boobs would be upset if I didn’t mention them, and there is nothing worse than upset boobs.

          A: It’s not gay porn…Seriously. Though I’m sure a lot of “hand shakes” occurred upon seeing Matt naked with that blow up doll. (Winks) A lot of people seem to think that just because a movie has topics of sex and some nudity it should garner the XXX status. It’s bizarre how nudity affects people. I honestly find the flaccid penis outbreak in Walk Hard more offensive than anything Watch Out has to offer…Why? Because the nudity in Watch Out makes sense. Gratuitous nudity pisses me off. Don’t just show someone naked without their being a reason…PLEASE…It just gives the censors and conservatives something to bitch about, when, in reality, there are more important things to be concerned with.

          A: I know everyone says weather, but I have to agree. Actually, it was more of what the weather caused to happen that was difficult. I despise being cold (I think everyone woman does until menopause starts to hit), and the fake blood was left in the car…overnight…in Kansas…I’m shivering now just thinking about it. Luckily I was wrapped in brown butcher paper so no one noticed my shivering. If anything it added to my character since Jeff Dylan Graham and I were suppose to be a squirming mass at the end.

          A: To be honest, I think in regards to film you never know. Film has so many variables. You have to really trust your director and editor…then add in an audience and who the hell ever knows how they’ll react to anything. (Laughs) I do think the moment I saw the first trailer I thought, “yes”. It is the shot of the train car floors…I love that shot.

          A: A Measure of the Sin is vastly different from any other movie I’ve made. First of all it’s 16 mm, which is so beautiful and rich. Modern filmmaking just can’t compare. Some of you horror fans might know Jeff Wedding (the director) from Gracie: The Diary of a Coma Patient, which won best cinematography at Eerie a few years back.

          We started off making Measure as a short film based on a short story by Kristy Nielsen (which is one of three trilogy-like short stories). Jeff actually pseudo stalked Kristy trying to get in touch with her about making this movie. In the middle of filmmaking Jeff decided he wanted to make it a feature (which is why we’re still shooting). This movie is beautiful; everyone who’s seen the footage has flipped. Plus the story is outstanding. Kristy is a brilliant storyteller. And for those of you who could care less about any of that all the girls appear naked at some point…thought that would get your attention. (Smiles slyly)

          A: Women’s imprisonment in more ways than one…I’ll let you think about that. I’m actually finishing up a lot of projects this year. Filming on Measure should wrap up, plus we started filming a horror movie called The Harps last year that should be wrapping soon (production was halted due to the seasons, then the unfortunate death of BJ Brown—he was a wonderful man). BJ and I both have an obsession with the Civil War, and he had a lot of memorabilia at his house I salivated over. You can hear me scream in The Harps (I actually have a fantastic horror movie scream thank you very much). I’ve always got irons on the fire.

          A: I’m going to take up gambling. I envision Annie Duke and I at the World Series of Poker—face off style. Just kidding, though I am an accidental good poker player. Unfortunately I also have a short attention span and once I figure out peoples tell I get bored. Figuring out people is what makes the game fun for me (I guess it’s the actress in me). I’m not good with the whole “goal” thing. I’m kinda a moment-to-moment gal really. I might be in LA. I might be in New York…hell, knowing me I could be in Tibet. But wherever I am I’ll still be performing. That much I know.

          A: All of them. To me life is about learning, and there is always something to learn from everyone even if it’s just what “not” to do. Some favorites would be Lynch (I’m slightly obsessed with his work), The Coen Brothers, The Deagol Brothers (who aren’t actually brothers), Eastwood, Park Chan-wook, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, P.T. Anderson, an infinite number of dead directors…Yeah, the list goes on and on. I’d also like to work with Steve again. He’s fun to work with and his sets have such a laid back vibe.

          Oh, for those horror fans who don’t know the Deagol Brothers you MUST see Make-Out with Violence…I’m not kidding…Drop whatever you are doing and FIND THIS MOVIE! It’s poignant, funny, charming, and has a killer soundtrack. Best take on a zombie movie I’ve ever seen (minus Zombie Strippers of course, and perhaps Shawn of the Dead).

          A: I look more at the character I might be playing than the films per say. I love characters. I love figuring out what makes them tick then bringing them to life. If a character interests me chances are I’ll take the role. I do like dark movies with weird topics. Cult movies are always fun. To see my reel you’d think I was strictly a comedic actress, but I’m actually more dramatic.

          A: (Laughs) Yeah…More life style modeling than anything else. I also do a lot of side projects for photographer friends. I did really want to be in FHM’s “It’s Your Ex Girlfriend” spread, but that was mainly because I had a killer story to tell for the interview. Most of those girls say ridiculous things like “he didn’t bring me flowers” or “he never opened the car door” ya know, bullshit like that. I had a real story complete with a best friends wedding, a corset being cut off with a dull rusty knife, large quantities of alcohol, and a killer left hook…I’m still here FHM if you want me…

          A: Live theatre with movies being a close second. Not a moment of hesitation on that one, huh? I think all actors who start off in live theatre never get over their love of it. It’s the difference of being a musician and being in the studio recording or being in front of a crowd performing…You just can’t compare the two.

          A:I had a dog for most of my childhood named Spuds after Spuds MacKenzie in the Bud Light ads…I didn’t name her, my cousin Kyle did-and yes, much like the real Spuds, she was a she. I also have a turtle named Destin (after Destin Florida where I got him… I’m not that original with pet names). I also hate ice. If I want water in my drink I’ll order a water thank you very much.

          A: I am horrible about watching movies. I try to make time to sit down and watch them, I really do, but there are just not enough hours in the day. I wanted to see 1408 with Cusack, but Netflicks sent me the wrong movie. Recently I did make time for Zombie Strippers…I can’t believe no one had thought of that before. I mean you can’t get any better than a zombie movie with strippers in it. England is too funny in it!

          I tend to like ghost horror movies the best. I’d love to be in one of those. I also like campy horror films…Think Rabid Grannies or 976 Evil. In college we’d rent some really bad horror movie and make drinking games out of them. I also love old horror movies. To this day I still think the original The Fly is better than the remake if only to hear the “Help me! Help Me” line at the end before Vincent Price splats him! The human head on the fly body…Brilliant.

          A:You are very welcome.

         

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