PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made is a new horror feature that you’ll definitely want to sink your teeth into. I recently got to interview the lead actress for the film, Nicole Tompkins. We chatted about her career, how she got the role in Antrum, favorite scenes, and more. She is a total peach and I expect that we will continue to see great things from her. As of November 12th, Antrum is now available on VOD and DVD, so make sure to check it out and stay tuned for our review.
Synopsis –
A young boy and girl enter the forest to dig a hole to hell. Said to be a cursed film from the late 1970s, Antrum examines the horrifying power of storytelling.
PopHorror – Hi Nicole, thanks for talking with me. What’s your favorite thing about being an actress?
Nicole Tompkins – Hi! Acting has been a passion of mine from an early age and I have always been drawn to the power of storytelling. The opportunity to act in compelling stories means I get to live many lives in one life; I’m constantly learning and evolving because of it! There is nothing quite like the joy of seeing how others connect and emotionally invest in stories that you had the opportunity to help shape and bring to life.
PopHorror – That’s a great way to look at it. What was the first film you ever worked on?
Nicole Tompkins – The first film I ever worked on was an indie comedy/drama called Opening Night with director Jack Henry Robbins. It was a delightful experience and definitely quite the introduction into movie making. I was surrounded by incredibly talented people and we even were taken to a production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Actor’s Gang owned by Jack’s dad, Tim Robbins, as inspiration during rehearsals as that Shakespeare piece plays a relevant role in the film! I was starry-eyed at the creativity and talent I found myself surrounded by!
PopHorror – Sounds amazing. You’ve worked both in films and tv shows, do you prefer one over the other?
Nicole Tompkins – Both Film and TV both have special places in my heart as an actress and an entertainment lover but as far as the actual shooting experience I think many people would agree that the people you are working with have a greater impact on your experience than the platform on which the final piece is delivered. I think both film and TV have their upsides but my preference is for projects with compelling stories and passionate people whether they are enjoyed on the silver or “small” screen!
PopHorror – Good answer. How did the role of Oralee come about for you in Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made?
Nicole Tompkins – Like many actor’s stories I was sent an audition and when I got the material it really clicked for me. I felt like I had something to say and something to bring to the role and apparently, the director’s felt the same because here we are! The director’s David Amito and Michael Lacini had such a strong vision very early on and I really understood and loved what they were going for when I got the script.
PopHorror – That’s always a plus! What is your character like?
Nicole Tompkins – Oralee is very smart, very creative, and has an intense love for her brother and a desire to do well by him. From an outside perspective, it is easy to see why Oralee could be perceived as incredibly manipulative, but it is also clear that all of her choices regardless of their consequences are made with good intentions fueled by love.
PopHorror – Can you tell us what the film is about in your own words?
Nicole Tompkins – While on its surface Antrum explores the story of a pair of siblings digging a hole to hell in an attempt to rescue the soul of their dog, Antrum’s “cursed” nature brings into close consideration the power of belief and the role of faith and fear in shaping our perception of reality.
PopHorror – Love it. Do you have any favorite scenes?
Nicole Tompkins – I have so many favorite scenes! There is a particular scene that takes place in the tent near the end of the film where Oralee is confronted with the weight and impact of the story she has weaved and it was an incredibly powerful day on set with such a strong performance by Rowen Smythe who plays Nathan as well as direction by David and Michael. We were a team that felt very in sync and I think the filmmakers definitely caught some magic in a bottle.
PopHorror – Out of all the projects you’ve worked on so far, what has been your
favorite or most memorable?
Nicole Tompkins – Well, while we are on the subject, Antrum was definitely one of the most memorable projects from the standpoint of the craziness that went down to make this film happen! Our onset experience was pretty intense. We had a very very small crew (like very small) and Nathan and I were both kids at the time! It was 21 days in a forest with two kids and we came out of that place scratched up, tired, and very proud knowing we had made something that was going to be really interesting. I cannot wait to see what David and Michael do next but I fully believe they will continue to take the industry by storm. Rowan Smythe is already rocking it! He was incredible at 8 years old and has a long career ahead of him.
PopHorror – I love your positivity and passion! Any other upcoming projects you’d like to talk about?
Nicole Tompkins – I have several very exciting upcoming projects that will pique the interest of horror and genre fans alike but alas, they have not yet been announced so stay tuned. You can always follow me on social to keep up to date on projects, or just generally see pretty things in my life as I am quite the photography lover. @nikileetompkins. Thanks for chatting!
