Brinke Stevens June --- 2010
Brinke s a true legend in horror and b-move cinema. She has been starring in low budget movies for close to 30 years, and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Some of Brinke's many films include Slumber Party Massacre, Grandmother's House, Haunting Fear, Teenage Exorcist, Sole Survivor, Dead Clowns, Delta Delta Die, and many more
Thank You for participating in our interview. I’m ecstatic to have a genre legend such as yourself be part of my little site. I realize you have done many interviews over your career, many of which I have read, so I apologize in advance for any repetitive questions. Although anyone don’t you tell us about yourself!
When, how and why did you get into the business?
It was a total accident. In 1980, I arrived in Los Angeles (from San
Diego CA), armed with a Master's Degree in Oceanography. I just wanted a
quiet little lab somewhere to explore communication with dolphins.
Instead, I wandered past an open door one day (a casting office, as it
turns out), and was immediately hired as an actress. One thing led to
another. I eventually gave up my dream of marine biology and embraced
being a "Scream Queen".
Diego CA), armed with a Master's Degree in Oceanography. I just wanted a
quiet little lab somewhere to explore communication with dolphins.
Instead, I wandered past an open door one day (a casting office, as it
turns out), and was immediately hired as an actress. One thing led to
another. I eventually gave up my dream of marine biology and embraced
being a "Scream Queen".
You're highly regarded as one of the greatest b-movie stars working today, and a trailblazer for future b-movie starlets. Who are some of your favorite b-movie stars that came after or before you?
It was always fun to work with Linnea Quigley and Michelle Bauer
("Sorority Babes", "Nightmare Sisters"). More recently, I've done
numerous projects with Debbie Rochon ("Witchouse 3") and Tiffany Shepis
("Delta Delta Die!"). Both are wonderful young women and excellent
actresses.
("Sorority Babes", "Nightmare Sisters"). More recently, I've done
numerous projects with Debbie Rochon ("Witchouse 3") and Tiffany Shepis
("Delta Delta Die!"). Both are wonderful young women and excellent
actresses.
You’ve appeared in well over 100 different movies over your career, most of which where low-budget horror movies. Do you ever get tired of making these types of movies, or wish you would have gotten more roles in mainstream movies?
At first, I landed many small roles in big films, like "Body Double",
"Three Amigos", "Spinal Tap", "Naked Gun", and so on. After I starred in
my first low-budget horror movie ("Slumber Party Massacre", 1981), I
began to get more and more offers in that genre. By 1990, I'd done so
many B-movies that I was hopelessly typecast and unable to get hired for
any mainstream jobs. Considering that I never set out to become an
actress at all, I do feel fulfilled as a horror icon, rather than an
A-list celebrity.
"Three Amigos", "Spinal Tap", "Naked Gun", and so on. After I starred in
my first low-budget horror movie ("Slumber Party Massacre", 1981), I
began to get more and more offers in that genre. By 1990, I'd done so
many B-movies that I was hopelessly typecast and unable to get hired for
any mainstream jobs. Considering that I never set out to become an
actress at all, I do feel fulfilled as a horror icon, rather than an
A-list celebrity.
Your Wikipedia page states that you where once a member of MENSA, is that true, and if so, why did you leave the group?
In college, I joined a lot of groups including MENSA, which requires a
certain IQ-level to qualify. I never really went to the meetings though,
and eventually I just let my membership lapse.
certain IQ-level to qualify. I never really went to the meetings though,
and eventually I just let my membership lapse.
Who have been your favorite actors, actresses or filmmakers that you have worked with? Any you would like to, but have yet to work with?
I really enjoyed working with Fred Olen Ray and Dave DeCoteau in the
early days. More recently, I've dealt with so many amazing young
filmmakers: Joe Castro, Anthony Spadaccini, Seth Landau, Jon Keeyes,
Edward Plumb, and many more. As for people I haven't yet worked with,
I'd love to be in a Rob Zombie movie. I'd also like to co-star with
Christopher Walken in a horror film.
early days. More recently, I've dealt with so many amazing young
filmmakers: Joe Castro, Anthony Spadaccini, Seth Landau, Jon Keeyes,
Edward Plumb, and many more. As for people I haven't yet worked with,
I'd love to be in a Rob Zombie movie. I'd also like to co-star with
Christopher Walken in a horror film.
Many of your movies, Slumber Party in particular, are often spoofed, satired or ripped off, Can you tell us what the better and worst one you have seen are?
I adore spoofs and satires! My top favorite is "The Naked Monster" (a
Ted Newsom production), a hysterically funny homage to those B&W monster
films of the 1950s. I play a sexy scientist in it.
Ted Newsom production), a hysterically funny homage to those B&W monster
films of the 1950s. I play a sexy scientist in it.
Can you tell us some of the best and worst experience you have had during the making of your films?
Typically, film-sets are difficult -- or at the very least, boring. I
like it when I am pleasantly challenged. I remember a scene in "November
Son", when I had to wade into a scummy swamp to tussle with a
not-so-dead corpse. In "Haunting Fear", I enjoyed waking up in a coffin,
clawing my way out, and killing a few people who desperately deserved
it. In "Victoria's Shadow", it was fun to shoot in a cemetery after dark
(without permits) and narrowly escape the arrival of police cars. It's
the little off-beat moments like that which stick in your favorite
memories.
By far, the most abusive experience was three years ago, on a
movie-shoot in the Midwest. I was certain it would kill me for real; we
had a few 24-hr shooting days in a row, with no sleep and no food.
Safety and comfort must come first... and it's unbelievable to me when
ambitious young filmmakers forget all about that.
like it when I am pleasantly challenged. I remember a scene in "November
Son", when I had to wade into a scummy swamp to tussle with a
not-so-dead corpse. In "Haunting Fear", I enjoyed waking up in a coffin,
clawing my way out, and killing a few people who desperately deserved
it. In "Victoria's Shadow", it was fun to shoot in a cemetery after dark
(without permits) and narrowly escape the arrival of police cars. It's
the little off-beat moments like that which stick in your favorite
memories.
By far, the most abusive experience was three years ago, on a
movie-shoot in the Midwest. I was certain it would kill me for real; we
had a few 24-hr shooting days in a row, with no sleep and no food.
Safety and comfort must come first... and it's unbelievable to me when
ambitious young filmmakers forget all about that.
You also do a lot of conventions. Any bad or great experience there that you wouldn’t mind sharing?
I've been attending conventions since 1973, first as a young fan. Then
in the mid-1970s, I got involved with running the San Diego Comic Con
masquerade for several years. In the early '80s, I was probably the
first actress to ever sit behind a table and sell her own autographed
photos. The most outrageous thing I ever did at a convention was to
appear almost-naked on stage and get "clothes" airbrushed on my body; I
think that was at a Mar-Con in the mid-'90s. Needless to say, the
auditorium was packed!
in the mid-1970s, I got involved with running the San Diego Comic Con
masquerade for several years. In the early '80s, I was probably the
first actress to ever sit behind a table and sell her own autographed
photos. The most outrageous thing I ever did at a convention was to
appear almost-naked on stage and get "clothes" airbrushed on my body; I
think that was at a Mar-Con in the mid-'90s. Needless to say, the
auditorium was packed!
I’ve read in some other interviews that you believe Fred Olen Ray’s “Haunting Fear” is your best acting performance. Does one stick out as being the worst?
I always endeavor to do my best, so I can't say that I have any "worst"
performances. While I do think "Haunting Fear" is perhaps my best movie,
I also have a soft spot for "Grandmother's House". It's creepy horror in
broad daylight. I hardly speak any words in it, yet it's one of my most
unsettling roles. It was nicely directed by Peter Rader, who also wrote
the screenplay for "Waterworld". If you haven't seen it, it's definitely
worth a look.
performances. While I do think "Haunting Fear" is perhaps my best movie,
I also have a soft spot for "Grandmother's House". It's creepy horror in
broad daylight. I hardly speak any words in it, yet it's one of my most
unsettling roles. It was nicely directed by Peter Rader, who also wrote
the screenplay for "Waterworld". If you haven't seen it, it's definitely
worth a look.
And finally, do you have any future project or appearances that you think our viewers may enjoy?
Coming soon: I play a serial killer's mother in "The Ritual" and its
sequel, "Post Mortem" (Fleet Street Films). "Demon Divas" (Happy Cloud
Pictures) is a horror-comedy that co-stars Debbie Rochon, Amy Lynn Best,
Lillith Stabbs, and Robyn Griggs. I have a serious role in"Summer of
Massacre", not to be confused with the comedy"Cesar & Otto's Summer Camp
Massacre", which I'm also in.
sequel, "Post Mortem" (Fleet Street Films). "Demon Divas" (Happy Cloud
Pictures) is a horror-comedy that co-stars Debbie Rochon, Amy Lynn Best,
Lillith Stabbs, and Robyn Griggs. I have a serious role in"Summer of
Massacre", not to be confused with the comedy"Cesar & Otto's Summer Camp
Massacre", which I'm also in.
On behalf of all my viewers I would like to thank you for your many years of loyalty to these genre we all love. We grew up on your movies and hope you will stay around so that our kids can do the same.
Thanks so much!