PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I recently finished a huge Women in Horror Month series, so I thought it was time to switch it up a little. This time, I’m interviewing the beautiful and incredibly talented Jessica Cameron. She decided to let me ask some tough and personal questions that she’s never answered before, and I’m honored to be the one to do so. So if you want to know all the gritty and juicy details… check it all out down below!
PopHorror – Thanks again for doing this, Jessica! So, has anyone tried to get you to sleep with them in order for you to get a chance to work with them?
Jessica Cameron – Sadly, there have been more than a few in the business who try to get you to go out with them to “discuss the role,” or “review the script.” For the most part, anything that happens after 5 pm is not work, it’s otherwise motivated. That’s a rule I live by… anything work-related happens during typical work hours, even in Hollywood. Anytime someone wants to meet me after 5 pm, I politely decline and suggest another time during the day. If they insist a second time, then I stop wasting my time. To date, this has never led to me being excluded from any real projects. Over time, you realize that these people typically don’t end up making the film they are “wanting to discuss,” if those films ever even exist at all.
PopHorror – I figured as much. You received a lot of backlash when you made Truth or Dare [read our review of the film here]. Can you tell us about what happened?
Jessica Cameron – Being in the film industry is a complicated thing. (laughs) Basically, there was someone – I don’t want to call that person a filmmaker, but a person is accurate enough – who claimed I stole my first film from them. Keep in mind that this false claim was made before a proper synopsis of my film was even released and before it was shot, let alone seen. It was made to Indiegogo while we were running a crowd funding campaign. This person was given 10 days upon making that false claim to take legal action – which was never taken. At which point, Indiegogo accepted that we had not done anything wrong, because if we had, legal action would have been taken, and allowed us to extend the campaign to cover the time we missed. It was my first film, and dealing with this kind of unprofessionalism was certainly an eye opening experience. But jealousy runs rampant in the business, and I believe that was the root of this negativity. I will never understand why some waste their time on lies and creating drama. Making movies is more then a full time job, and if that’s your goal, you shouldn’t have time for such things.
PopHorror – Jealousy is very common in this industry. Did that situation have a negative impact on you?
Jessica Cameron – It didn’t have a negative impact on me, but it did open my eyes. I saw some people believe the lies without even giving it a second thought. Unless you have some serious psychic capabilities, you can’t possibly know the story or plot of my film when it has not been shared nor shot. Common sense. Also, maybe wait until you see the film before you make such fake allegations. Most people saw it for what it was… a lie, and not even a well-constructed one.
It was the first time, though, that I saw people really being mean towards me online, which was shocking at the time. I remember seeing a woman, whose husband was friends with the person who made the false allegations, publicly tear apart my appearance. Which didn’t bother me any. As an actor, I am very comfortable in my body, if you don’t like it, then that’s your problem. But it really made me feel sympathetic to her young daughter who was stuck in that mean-spirited environment. That being said, I think this whole situation involved only a few people, many of whom have apologized in the last few years for their involvement, so it wasn’t really a big deal at the time or since. More like a mild annoyance.
PopHorror – I’m glad it was a good life lesson, but didn’t ruin your passion and love for filmmaking. What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned so far in the industry?
Jessica – There are so many! (laughs) Getting cast is often out of your control as an actor. Sure, you have to do your work as an actor, memorize your lines, work through your character, sense memory, all that stuff. But after that, it’s out of your control. There are so many other factors that go into being cast. I have lost roles because more successful actresses were offered the part. I have lost roles due to schedule conflicts, contract negotiations, even once – that I know of – because I looked like the Producer’s ex. So, you do your best and walk out of the audition room proud and move on with your day.
PopHorror – That’s true. It’s all a learning process. Are there people in the business you’ll never work with again? If so, why?
Jessica Cameron – Absolutely. To some degree, the film world is not unlike every other industry – we all choose who we want to work with and avoid working with those we don’t like. Anyone who I have witnessed sexually harassing anyone or me is an obvious NO. Anyone who I have witnessed put someone in harm’s way is also a NO. One producer who got upset with me when I would mention/promote any other film I was involved with and called me names is a NO. Basically, anyone who I know is unprofessional for me is a NO. I love acting, but professionalism matters. And it’s not just about treating me with a level of professionalism, but everyone on set. There’s even one filmmaker who has posted some really negative statements about animals online, which I disagree with. That is someone I don’t need to spend time with or work with. The list could go on…
PopHorror – I’m glad you take a stand on this. It’s important that women and people in general understand that they don’t have to say YES to a job. There will always be more opportunities. Do you prefer acting or directing?
Jessica Cameron – Acting is my first love. It’s also just so much fun, and for someone like me who prefers a pretty boring personal life getting to be dramatic on screen really keeps me sane. (laughs) But I love directing for so many other reasons, not the least of which is the ability to tell stories that no one is telling, or hiring amazingly talented people who I feel don’t get enough work. So, I love both for very different reasons.
PopHorror – That makes sense, and you’re great at both. You did amazing in The Song of Solomon [read our review of the film here]. How did that role come about for you?
Jessica Cameron – I had heard Biro speak at a convention about a project he was working on, and the level of detail he had included blew me away. I had been wanting to act in an exorcism film for awhile, so I asked him if I could audition. He was on the fence, as I did not look the part, but I convinced him to let me audition anyway. We did it via Skype, since at the time, he was in Florida and I was in LA. He liked what I did, and the rest is history.
PopHorror – You definitely proved you can change your look completely and shock people with that role. What’s your ultimate goal or dream destination in the film industry?
Jessica Cameron – I have so many goals that would love to accomplish. I would love to branch out into TV. I want to make a fucked up fairy tale. I want to direct in another country. I want to act in a bad lifetime movie. (laughs) I want to play more roles where my hair is drastically different, and people don’t recognize me. I want to work with more people who are as passionate as they are talented. Most importantly, I want to continue to wake up every day and be as happy as I am now, chasing these dreams day in and day out.
Simple, right?
PopHorror – I hope you do all of that, especially the lifetime movie! (laughs) Is there any specific role you’d ever turn down due to your own personal preferences or ethics?
Jessica Cameron – I could never do anything where I hurt an animal. I just couldn’t do it. I also couldn’t do anything where I was required to actually perform a sex act, like a Lars Von Trier film. I just think that is a disgrace to actors and the art of acting. We don’t have to really commit murder to play a murderer, so why would we have to actually have sex to portray it in a film?
Everything else I can think of is fair game. (laughs)
PopHorror – Totally understandable. I couldn’t do the animal thing, either. I can’t even watch it! Thanks for being open and honest with this interview, Jessica. It’s refreshing, and it’s always an honor to chat with you!
