PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In celebration of Women in Horror Month, I had a blast speaking with Julie Anne Prescott about her countless upcoming film projects and her love for indie horror. Discussing everything from her start as a spokesmodel for Troma Entertainment to the time she was an extra in Rock of Ages starring Tom Cruise and Julianne Hough, this Scream Queen has much to tell. Following a short hiatus from film, Julie recently returned to the indie horror scene, becoming one busy actress who shows no sign of slowing down.
PopHorror: Hi, Julie! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.
Julie Anne Prescott: Of course!
PopHorror: So, to start, when did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in film?
Julie Anne Prescott: I would say probably around 2005 and 2006 while I was doing burlesque shows, pin-up modeling and working as a spokesmodel at conventions. I just kept getting more theatrical with my work, and I decided to take the next step and get into film!
PopHorror: Has horror always been your preferred genre to work?
Julie Anne Prescott: Yes, it always has been. Horror has been my genre for anything creative I’ve done since way back in elementary school when I wrote my own short stories.
PopHorror: It sounds like you’ve been a fan of horror for a very long time!
Julie Anne Prescott: Yeah, (laughs) pretty much.
PopHorror: How did you get your start in the film industry?
Julie Anne Prescott: I got started with the help of Troma, actually. I was spokesmodel for them at conventions in Orlando, Florida, at the time, and I went in to audition for a horror anthology called Slices, which ended up being my first film. I had no acting experience. But Lloyd Kaufman vouched for me, letting the casting department know that I was always good with Troma’s convention table, and that I’m dependable with a good personality. I believe you can still get Slices on DVD today!
PopHorror: I’ll have to check that one out! How did you become a spokesmodel for Troma?
Julie Anne Prescott: I connected with them when I saw a casting call for Tromettes! And I had been a fan of theirs for such a long time. So, I sent in my information and drove out there. I grew up in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, so it wasn’t a far drive for me to go to Orlando and work their table at conventions.
PopHorror: That’s awesome that you had that opportunity! I’m aware that you made a very small appearance in the 2012 rock musical Rock of Ages starring big names like Tom Cruise and Russell Brand.
Julie Anne Prescott: Oh, God! (laughs) When I lived in Florida, I did a lot of extra work, dramatizations and commercial stuff. And the scene I’m in is very, very brief. I was at the top of the staircase with Russell Brand for one of the musical numbers. So, I was a background extra for that, and they almost sent me home because of my tattoos and blue hair. Women in the ’80s just didn’t have that much body art. So, they put me in a turtleneck, but my blue hair still stuck out. So they kept having to move me around. I ended up at the top of the staircase by accident. Since I was already talking with the actors who were up there, they just decided to keep me rather than put someone else there and keep moving people around the more notable talent.
PopHorror: That still had to be a great experience! What was it like working on such a big production?
Julie Anne Prescott: It was really crazy and very surreal. Because, again, I was at the top of that staircase, and I got to talk to Russell Brand and observe a lot of the actors come in and do their roles. I also got to see a lot of stand-in work that was new to me. Because in indie horror, we’re always on set. We usually do our own stunts. So, to see body doubles and see how that element of movie magic works was great! Also, to see such a big director like Adam Shankman come out on set was just surreal. Just the magnitude of such an elaborate production with so many people really made me feel like I were in that time period! It was a huge and incredible experience with hundreds and hundreds of people on big sets, whereas with indie horror, we’re more of a family-sized group working really hard together.
PopHorror: So, speaking of indie horror, I’ve noticed that you’ve been very busy! You’re appearing in several upcoming indie films. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Clownado by Todd Sheets among your upcoming projects?
Julie Anne Prescott: I was supposed to be in Clownado. Unfortunately, there was a last minute scheduling conflict while I was filming Troma’s upcoming film, Shakespeare’s Shitstorm, in New York. I do plan to work with them in the future, and I’ve been trying to do everything I can to help support them because I’m a huge fan. So, I was originally supposed to be in that one for a cameo. It’s going to be an incredible film. I’m looking forward to seeing it as a fan, even though I didn’t get the chance to work with them on it. Obviously, I know about the film, and it’s going to be absolutely insane!
PopHorror: I remember the poster artwork catching my attention when I first heard about the film! And they’ve been talking about this for awhile now.
Julie Anne Prescott: Oh, it’s crazy! And they worked very hard on the project! The team is just fantastic, and they have wonderful actors involved. And, obviously, Todd is just fantastic! I loved working on Shitstorm, but I was upset that the scheduling conflict happened. Being so busy and with so much happening at once, some things got shuffled around for which I am grateful. But at the same time, it’s disappointing when situations cause something to fall through, you miss a flight or something crazy happens… like a shitstorm! (laughs)
PopHorror: (laughs) When do you think we’ll see a release of Clownado?
Julie Anne Prescott: Unless I’m mistaken, I think they have a little more work they’re doing on it. I don’t have all the details, because they took a break for the holidays, and they’re working behind the scenes. But I believe they’re looking to release it very soon this year.
PopHorror: I’m looking forward to checking it out! And speaking of Shakespeare’s Shitstorm, I remember the news of this exploding all over the web… pun intended (both laugh). What can you tell me about your experience on set, the film and your role?
Julie Anne Prescott: I can tell you that I had never worked on a Troma film with Lloyd Kaufman being the director before. And, especially for Troma, this is one of their grandest endeavors. I mean, it is a very huge film, and it has so much going on. Every single millisecond of this film is going to intrigue and offend. It’s going to get under people’s skin. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s based loosely – as loosely as Troma gets – on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. I’ve never been involved with a film that was as open with posting behind the scenes stuff online. They wanted us to constantly be filming, taking photos and posting to social media. They wanted people to be a part of the filming experience.
Anyone who wants to see what Shakespeare’s Shitstorm is about without totally giving it away can go on Instagram, follow Lloyd Kaufman and hashtag Shakespeare’s Shitstorm. You’ll see people bathing in shit. People getting washed away in shit. People throwing up. Just every kind of mutated bodily fluid gone wrong that you can possibly conjure up and then some. The story is about a group of people who are trying to get through this literal shitstorm. And there’s so much shit! (laughs) And then you have William Shakespeare giving a narration throughout the film, in case you need to feel a little more classy after a couple of scenes. (both laugh)
PopHorror: I interviewed Nadia White (revisit interview here) awhile back from the set of Shakespeare’s Shitstorm and she mentioned an eating contest scene in which Lloyd Kaufman said was the most disgusting thing he’s ever filmed. Were there any moments to where you were trying to hold back vomiting? I mean, were some of the puking scenes real? (laughs)
Julie Anne Prescott: (laughs) Well, I’m sure that you can imagine that there were some things in there that very many people would not put forth into reality. But I’m going to go ahead and say that some of the things you think might be real are quite possibly real. And, again, almost every single moment of that movie, the actors were covered in something. (laughs) And some of it may or may not be real!
PopHorror: (laughs) I’m really looking forward to this one! What was it like working with Lloyd as a director for the first time?
Julie Anne Prescott: It was really insane and it was a huge honor! He knows what he is doing, but he is very to the point. But he’s also one of the kindest people I have ever worked with. I appreciate that he doesn’t mess around. He doesn’t want to waste time, and he wants things the way they should be and answers for the way things are. And he wants the production to run properly. But even when he’s giving directions, he may yell it or speak sternly, but he will immediately put in praise and reassurance for what everyone is doing. Even when you’re working, you feel appreciated, but you keep things moving along. Lloyd cares very much about his projects, but he also knows what he is doing and you feel both of those things when you work with him.
PopHorror: He has been at this for a long time, and it sounds like he has great qualities for a leader, which is what you need, for sure. When do you think we’ll see a release for Shitstorm?
Julie Anne Prescott: I know they’re still working on some things, but I feel like it’s going to be late this year. I keep getting surprised by the amount of details and cameos put into that one as well. They’re taking their time with it by putting in endless amounts of crazy shit. I have been a fan of Troma for a long time, and I’ve seen so much of their work. But I think this one is going to pretty much top everything else they’ve done. It’s definitely far out there!
PopHorror: I can’t wait to see it! So, another project that you’re involved with is Heidi Moore’s Kill Dolly Kill, which is the sequel to Dolly Deadly. What can you tell me about the film and your role?
Julie Anne Prescott: They are, I believe, about 90 percent done with editing, and it should be done fairly soon. It’s completely different from the original. This one is a drag queen serial killer musical. It’s very lively with musical numbers and a very colorful cast as well as wardrobe and sets. I play Judge Flowers and, without giving away too much, I am basically trying to put Dolly Deadly away. I appear to be moral, ethical and very much against what Dolly Deadly does… although I am wearing lingerie with my judge’s robe. (laughs) So, again, we have very classic Troma influence. And I get covered in some bodily fluids in that one, too! I can’t get away from it! (laughs)
PopHorror: That seems to be the standard when you sign on with Troma or anything affiliated with them. (laughs)
Julie Anne Prescott: Oh, you’re going to get puke, blood, shit, food or something on you. And you’ll always have at least one scene to where you’re telling everyone that they won’t look you in the eye for at least an hour after they watch it. (laughs) But that’s how those films go, and that’s what makes them fun. One thing I love about horror is getting an emotional and physical reaction from what I’m watching. It’s a release. And with these movies, it’s like that, but in a different way. It’s the “Oh my God” reaction. And it gives you a laugh!
PopHorror: Oh, they have the over the top, what the fuck shock value to them, which I love! (laughs)
Julie Anne Prescott: Oh, definitely! That’s exactly how I would put it. The way that they put this one together is going to make it really special to a lot of people. They’re going to love it. Just from what I’ve seen already, it’s so good! It really is. It even has a John Waters vibe to where it’s playful, yet mean spirited. And you have all these crazy characters and you don’t know who to root for, because they’re all so fucked up!
PopHorror: That sounds like another one to place on my to watch list! I know you also are involved with the feature Christmas Party Massacre, which I don’t think I’ve heard too much about, to be honest. What can you tell me about the film and your role?
Julie Anne Prescott: We actually just filmed not too long ago. It’s a production company out of Bakersfield, California. As you can imagine, the movie centers around a Christmas party, people start showing up and people start dying. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can say that my character was very different from the characters I’m use to playing. Which was good! A lot of the roles I take on are victims who are killed off. So, to have a stronger character is fun. I really had a good time filming this project. They are all very kind and talented people to work with, and I enjoyed being part of such a laid back production. It felt like being at a Christmas party without being at a Christmas party. So, it had a nice work family kind of vibe to it. Eileen Dietz, who is part of Clownado, was also part of this cast. And she is just fantastic every time I see her.
PopHorror: That sounds like it was a fun holiday horror experience! And yet another one you have coming up is Death Care. What can you tell me about this one?
Julie Anne Prescott: Death Care is the same production company that is currently behind the editing process of Kill Dolly Kill. This one is about a group of home healthcare nurses who are offing people for various reasons. I play one of the head nurses. One of the things that I’m excited about with this one is that I get to have some discussion over my heart condition. A condition that I actually have, which is called mitral valve prolapse. So, they’re going to utilize this scar that I have from open heart surgery, which many people probably haven’t really noticed. So, I get to have this real-life element be a part of my character and really address that subject matter, which I’ve never gotten to do before. And that was something that was written into the role that I really appreciate.
PopHorror: That sounds like an exciting one to look out for! I also am aware that you’re cast in a film called Bad Ass Angels and Demons. What can you tell me about this film?
Julie Anne Prescott: That is one that is currently filming. It’s an epic story of good versus evil, which they have to shoot in segments. The director, Albert Pyun, is very open with his working environment in dealing with dementia. He has been a legendary director over the years and, with this one, he is proving how strong he is to persevere while being open with what it takes, challenges of having to stop something or get additional help. So, it’s taking a little bit longer than what he is use to, but from all the updates I have been seeing, everyone is coming together to help make this film as good as it can be. And from the behind the scenes of what I have seen, it is going to blow people away. It looks like it is going to be a visually stunning, exquisite film.
PopHorror: I look forward to seeing more about that one throughout development! So, was there anything in particular that sparked your involvement with these films one after another?
Julie Anne Prescott: When I lived in Florida, I was more in the loop of what was going on in that area. But when I moved to L.A. – which can be very overwhelming – I needed to start my life over and get reestablished with a job and a place to live. So, my focus shifted a bit. And then I moved to Vegas. After getting settled here, I couldn’t find anyone involved in the filmmaking scene at first. But all of a sudden, it seemed like there was a huge boom out here. Once I got connected with Kill Dolly Kill, I reconnected with people who may have thought that I had left the film scene and was no longer interested, which was partly true due to taking a break to focus on life changes and family. But things fell into place and I decided that it was a good time to get back into acting.
It has gotten very busy out here! There are several great artists out here constantly working, creating and bringing people together. Heidi Moore is one of them. And Dai Greene is out here. And there’s also the Mahal brothers, Drew Marvick and John Ward. I’ve been very lucky with referrals and auditions, and I hope that it continues through next year and onwards. It’s one of my favorite things to do. It’s such a release and something that I’ve really loved and enjoyed since I first began.
PopHorror: It makes sense having moved and re-established yourself, but I’m glad you found your way back and you’re seeing so much success! Are there any other upcoming projects that you would like to talk about?
Julie Anne Prescott: I have a couple of other projects such as Witch House, which is still filming. I’m really proud of that one, and I get to work with Andrea Collins, who is a very good friend of mine. Her and I are also making our own film next summer. It’s going to be a short, which spawned from a conversation we were having one day. Andrea will be writing the majority of it, but I gave her a bunch of key points that came to mind. The concept behind this story focuses around typecasting women in horror by age and what happens when they reach their mid-30s. It basically is a horror comedy that highlights some of the extremes that we would take to find our place in something that we love. We plan for it to have a Death Becomes Her vibe, and I think it will be relatable to women of all ages, whether they want to get into the horror industry or have been in the scene for awhile. But it’s in very early stages right now.
PopHorror: That sounds fun and exciting! I look forward to seeing all of these great projects, and I’m very glad you found your way back into the indie horror scene! Thank you for your time, Julie.
Julie Anne Prescott: Of course! Thank you for the opportunity!
During our conversation, it became clear that Julie holds the same passion for horror as any die hard genre fan. With appearances in so many features that have been making noise in the indie horror community, it’s clear that she will be around for quite awhile. And seeing such passion matched with dedication, we at PopHorror wouldn’t have it any other way!
