PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’m a huge fan of Tory Jones and recently I watched his latest film, Phantom Fun World. My favorite character in the film is Collins, played wonderfully by Spooky Madison. This film introduced me to this immensly talented actor/writer/filmmaker and I’ve been a fan ever since. Recently I took the time to chat with Spooky Madison on what made them want to pursue acting, therir career thus far and what the future holds. Read on for the interview!
PopHorror: What made you want to pursue acting? Who are your biggest acting influences?
Spooky Madison: I grew up in the theater, my grandfather was a part of the Licking County Players in Newark Ohio for as long as I could remember, and some of my very first acting influences were local names: people I grew up with and admired. Especially my Grandpa. As I grew older, my love for movies and tv grew more and more and I transitioned out of the theater and on to the screen. Today, my biggest acting influences are legends Toni Collette, Sally Fields, Sandra Bullock, and Nicole Kidman.
PopHorror: Those are some awesome influences. I love Toni Collette. How did you get your start in acting?
Spooky Madison: After theater, in my late teens/early 20s, I wasn’t sure how to break into the business. I began direct messaging filmmakers and comedians I liked and eventually, they started writing back, offering me small roles in films.
PopHorror: In Wolf Hollow (read our review here), you got to work with some pretty big names, including Lynn Lowry, Felissa Rose, and Hannah Fierman. What was the experience like shooting that film?
Spooky Madison: I grew up obsessed with supernatural stuff, so being able to turn into a wolf was very fun.
PopHorror: In Phantom Fun-World, your character Collins has some pretty intense scenes. How did you prepare for the role and bring yourself to such an emotional place?
Spooky Madison: Phantom was actually my very first horror film, EVER. I was lucky enough to have a director like Tory Jones who is a very visual thinker. He told me to study certain performances (Scout Taylor-Compton in Rob Zombie’s Halloween) and study the techniques on how to bring forth an authentic performance. And now to this day, all of my characters have a tiny bit of Scout’s influence.
PopHorror: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer/director. What drew you to writing and directing and can we expect a feature from you anytime soon?
Spooky Madison: Believe it or not, I started out as a writer. Before theater, before screen acting, I was bundled up in my room writing fan fiction to my favorite shows like Buffy, Xena, Charmed. Honestly, because of that style of descriptive and novel-like writing, my scripts tend to be very detailed. And luckily that hasn’t bitten me in the ass yet! As for a feature, yes! I have 3 feature scripts in the works.
PopHorror: That’s amazing. I’m very much looking forward to those getting made. You recently wrote, directed, and starred in the short film Cold Feet. Where did the idea for the short come from and what was it like pulling triple duty?
Spooky Madison: The idea for Cold Feet was random. I had a slow day at work and I wrote it within like 15 minutes. It went through a few changes throughout pre-production but it remained very simple. Pulling triple duty was hard. I’ll never downplay how difficult it is to direct and act in something you have written yourself. Rabbit Season, my short after Cold Feet is the last of those. I will either focus on acting or directing individually from now on in order to give 100% to the acting or crew role.
PopHorror: You brought up your next short film Rabbit Season. What can you tell us about the project?
Spooky Madison: Rabbit Season is a manic and beautiful lullaby. An ode to our childhood fears, our need for adventure, and the hurdles we face when we finally leave home.
PopHorror: Soon you’ll be re-teaming with Tory Jones for the latest film in The Wicked One franchise. How does it feel to be joining a franchise that’s so beloved in indie circles?
Spooky Madison: I have actually decided not to watch Tory’s Wicked One(s) franchise in order to separate myself from that era of the story. Because this is a Reboot, I want to come in fresh, with no influence from the former version.
PopHorror: That makes sense. Out of all the characters you’ve played, which is your favorite?
Spooky Madison: My most recent character, Becca Turzo from Fiber Burn, produced by StreetRat Studios and directed by Dusty Austen is by far the most complex and beautiful character I have ever played. I will probably never get the chance to play a character like that in the indie world, ever again.
PopHorror: Out of all your upcoming projects, which are you looking forward to the most?
Spooky Madison: Besides Boy From Below, I’m very excited about An Awfully Strange Night (projected to be filmed in late 2024) and an unnamed project also produced by StreetRat Studios (Fiber Burn) that I can’t talk about because its a secret.
PopHorror: If you could play any role in any horror film, what would it be?
Spooky Madison: If I could go back, I would convince Ari Aster to let me play Peter in Hereditary. It wouldn’t be the first time I convinced a production to gender-swap a character based on my audition.
PopHorror: I think you would have killed in that role! Are there any projects that have coming up that you would like our readers to know about?
Spooky Madison: Fiber Burn needs to be talked about. Everything was so hush-hush and secretive but damn that movie is going to sneak up on people. You can check out the IMDB for Fiber Burn or follow Street Rat Studios on Instagram to keep updated!
PopHorror: I’m going to end things with a fun little question. What are your favorite scary movies?
Spooky Madison: Scream, Silent Hill, Evil Dead (2013), and Jennifer’s Body.
PopHorror: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. We look forward to seeing your future projects.
Spooky Madison: Thank you so much, I hope to talk again soon once these projects are released so we can gush about all the gore!
