PopHorror Let's Get Scared
First appearing on my radar in Shawn Burkett’s creature feature, Don’t Fuck in the Woods (read our review here), Nadia White’s name reemerged along with news of Troma Entertainment’s upcoming feature, Shakespeare’s Shitstorm. Anyone who has seen Troma’s film Poultry in Motion: Truth is Stranger Than Chicken (2008), which documents the making of the production company’s cult hit Poultrygeist (read my review here), knows how hectic a Troma film set and schedule can be. PopHorror was lucky enough to have Nadia take a quick break away from filming her upcoming film to speak about Don’t Fuck in the Woods and give us an inside look at Shakespeare’s Shitstorm from Troma’s current filming location.
PopHorror: Hi, Nadia! Thank you for speaking with me! You have been involved in the entertainment industry for a little while now. Have you always wanted to pursue a career in film?
Nadia White: You know, it’s kind of odd. Of course, I started doing and still do the adult entertainment stuff. I never really thought about acting until four or five years ago. There was a local B-horror scene where I was living at the time, and a friend asked me if I wanted to do something for a project. It was just a short, but it was fun! He kept putting me in stuff, and then I started responding to casting calls. But no, I never really thought about it. It’s something that just kind of happened, and here we are today!
PopHorror: You have appeared in several comedic horror films. Have you always been a fan of this genre?
Nadia White: Oh, one hundred percent! I wouldn’t say I’m a nerd, but I’m a creature of habit when it comes to the entertainment that I watch, and it’s usually horror, comedy or documentary. I watch other stuff, but those are my go-to types of films.
PopHorror: Speaking of comedic horror, you had a part in Concept Media’s Don’t Fuck in the Woods, directed by Shawn Burkett. How did you become involved with that production?
Nadia White: One of my friends was originally supposed to be in it, but had to back out. And then I contacted Shawn about a possible role, and it went from there. I may or may not be making a return in the upcoming sequel, but that is to be determined.
PopHorror: I’m glad it worked out! What was your favorite part in filming that project?
Nadia White: We had a very difficult time completing Don’t Fuck in the Woods for several reasons, including a 3AM hornet attack. But honestly, my favorite part of that project was meeting everyone. We had a great group, and I’m still very good friends with a lot of people from that film. For the actual filming, the outside locations were great! We went to a pretty little creek where we did an homage to Fast Times at Ridgemont High with me coming out of the water.
PopHorror: You all did seem to have good chemistry that translated well on screen.
Nadia White: Oh, yeah. We had to film it over the course of several summers, so we got to know each other pretty well. We had fun, and it felt like we were just hanging out going on a legit camping trip. We also had the premiere for Don’t Fuck in the Woods not far from where I am right at this moment, here in New York!
PopHorror: That’s awesome! You mentioned a hornet attack, and I’ve heard there was a major struggle with poison ivy. What would you say was the biggest challenge filming Don’t Fuck in the Woods?
Nadia White: There was a lot of poison ivy and a lot of rain. Then we had the hornet attack and several casting issues. (laughs) So, I think the biggest challenge was working against nature and trying to get everything done within the time window we had available. I don’t live in Ohio, but everyone else does. But then we ran into work schedules conflicting with filming schedules. So, it was just trying to get everything done efficiently, and that was a struggle. We really didn’t have any big issues with the equipment or the special effects.
PopHorror: I could see how all that could be frustrating, but at least there weren’t any big technological issues. What was it like working with Shawn?
Nadia White: I love Shawn! He’s good! He knows what he wants and what shots he needs to get to carry out the message to the viewer.
PopHorror: That’s great to hear! I know you have also been known to work with Troma Entertainment, and you’re currently working on their upcoming film, Shakespeare’s Shitstorm. What is it like working with Lloyd Kaufman and the Troma team on this new project?
Nadia White: You know, I was here for pre-production, and I’ve been here for several weeks of filming. It’s stressful, but it really has been one of the best experiences of my life. It’s so heartwarming to have so many people from across the world come together, and to do it at their own expense! It’s truly a labor of love and we are the Troma team. It’s family. There are people I have met through Troma who have become the most cornerstones of my life! And I wouldn’t have the relationship I now have if it wasn’t for Troma. I wouldn’t have gotten to go to Cannes, and I wouldn’t have gotten to travel as much. Everything in my life has just become so much better since I became involved with Troma.
PopHorror: That sounds like a great experience! What can you tell me about Shakespeare’s Shitstorm and the role that you play?
Nadia White: I play one of the bad girls who are essentially the female cretins from Nuke ‘Em High. We are here to influence the revenge plot that’s in the film. I’ll be honest. I have not read The Tempest, which is what the film is adapted from. But from my knowledge, the film is mirroring it pretty good. There’s a lot that’s going on and, of course, being a Troma film, there are several subplots throughout the thing. Addressing social justice warriors is a big part of it as well, and there’s also a big fight against Big Pharma.
PopHorror: That sounds exciting! How far into production are you with Shitstorm?
Nadia White: We have about 10 days of shooting left to do. We’re ahead of schedule, and we have a bunch of extra content. They’re roughly chopping it as it’s going, and everything I have seen so far is amazing! I think this film will elate many people, but it will also upset many, which is kind of Troma’s MO.
PopHorror: I would expect nothing less! (laughs) I think it’s safe to say that it will be controversial?
Nadia White: It’s a shitstorm! Literally!
PopHorror: (laughs) I’m honestly very excited to see this one! So far, what has been your favorite part of production for this literal and figurative shitstorm?
Nadia White: My favorite part has been one of my scenes, which Lloyd has dubbed the grossest thing he has ever filmed. And that says a lot. He said that, aside from seeing his children being born, it was the grossest thing he has ever witnessed.
PopHorror: That does mean something coming from Lloyd. (laughs) So far, what would you say has been the biggest challenge?
Nadia White: To be honest, everything has been going pretty smooth. We haven’t had anything tragic happen, but there’s still time for that. For me, personally, just enduring the whole thing is a challenge. It’s very long, I’m away from home, and I miss my animals. But other than that, it’s all been going pretty well! Everyone is working together, all the interns have picked up their specific jobs very quickly, no one has cried yet. We’re good! I’m going to be sad when it’s over, but I’ll be happy to go home.
PopHorror: I have heard that Troma productions can be a little rough at times, but that’s great to hear that everything is going so smoothly! Do you have any idea when we might see a release for Shitstorm?
Nadia White: It will hopefully be wrapped up by the end of the year, so let’s cross our fingers for a 2019 release! But this film won’t disappoint in any sense of the word. The cinematography is great, the video quality is great. We have a great special effects team who has been absolutely beautiful in a grotesque way. And there has been lots and lots of shit and fake cum, which I helped make.
PopHorror: You helped make all of that? (laughs) So, what is it all made out of?
Nadia White: The shit is made out of tapioca starch, water, cornstarch, brownie mix, cocoa powder, corn oatmeal… and I think that’s it. Oh, and chocolate syrup. The fake seamen is tapioca starch and water.
PopHorror: That’s quite a recipe! How has Lloyd been on this project? Has he been holding things together pretty well?
Nadia White: Yeah! (laughs) Lloyd’s been in a dress most of the time.
PopHorror: He’s been in a dress?
Nadia White: Yeah, he plays his sister as well as himself. So, he’s been dressed like a woman most of the time, and that’s been great. I can’t unsee him like that. I wish he would dress like that all of the time.
PopHorror: I mean, that should surprise me, but it’s Troma and it’s Lloyd, so, it really doesn’t. (laughs) Are there any other projects that you would like to talk about?
Nadia White: I’m finishing up another feature that I have a lead for, and I just got cast for a nurse project for next year. There’s also other things that I have read for, but I’m still waiting to hear back. I just take things as they come, really. Most of the time, I take on projects when someone approaches me about them or if I happen to see something that’s cool and I want to become involved.
PopHorror: You’re upcoming work with Shakespeare’s Shitstorm sounds like a must-see, for sure! And who knows. We just may see you return to the woods in Shawn Burkett’s creature feature followup! Thank you, Nadia, for making time to speak with me.
Nadia White: You are very welcome!
With Shakespeare’s Shitstorm nearing the end of completion and the possibility of an appearance in Don’t Fuck in the Woods 2, we are sure to see Nadia continue to grace the screen in at least one of these comedic horrors. For now, fans can check out her adult horror podcast, After Dark with Nadia White and Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD available on all major podcast platforms. Co-hosted with Doug Sakmann as Sgt. Kabukiman, this variety show podcast features guests from the adult industry, indie film, music and competitive eating and more! Because content is not suitable for all audiences and ages, viewer discretion is strongly advised. Also available is Nadia’s competitive eating web series, Eating Out with Nadia White, which can be found on YouTube. This unexpected side of the fun-loving actress makes it easy to see how Troma Entertainment is such a perfect match for her acting endeavors. We hope to see Nadia continue to appear in these outrageous, over-the-top comedic horror films that we all know and love!
