Interview with Actress Arianne Martin of Red Victoria
The Dhampir was lucky enough to score an interview with the lovely and talented Arianne Martin, most familiar to indie horror fans as the title character in the fantastic film Red Victoria (read review).
Read on to found out more about Arianne and her role in Red Victoria!
The Dhampir: Good morning! How are you today?
Arianne Martin: I’m doing fantastic…considering it’s Monday.
Dhampir: So you’ve been in this great little film by Anthony Brownrigg, called Red Victoria. It’s generated quite a buzz! How did you get involved with the project?
Arianne: Well, a friend of mine knew Tony [Brownrigg - read interview] was looking for someone with “interesting” eyes for his Freeborn trailer. We ended up shooting in the rain and it turned out fantastic. About two weeks after we met, he had the script for Red Victoria ready to go. He offered me the role and the rest is history!
Dhampir: I’ve seen the picture on the DVD extras that Tony was shown of you and your eyes are amazing! How did he present the character and the role to you?
Arianne: Haha…well, he sort of called me up and said, “Wanna be in a movie I wrote?” I read the script and couldn’t believe how perfect it was. I believe it was one of those roles I was meant to play.
Dhampir: So, in playing the title role, what were some of the challenges of being Victoria?
Arianne: Victoria started out to be very much a sort of Freddy Krueger type character.
You were never supposed to see her in human form. We even had her eyes blacked out. But as Tony and I started to develop the character, she sort of took on a life of her own. As weird as it sounds, she came very easy to me. Haha…I’ll never tell my mother that!
Dhampir: Victoria is very proper and devious. Where are the lines drawn between where Arianne ends and Victoria begins?
Arianne: Victoria and I are very different in reality. We are similar in the way that we are both passionate about what we do. However, where she is smooth and evil, I am slightly clumsy and very honest. Though my husband might like to differ…
Dhampir: You’ve also described yourself as a “dork.” How is that?
Arianne: Haha! Haven’t you met me?! I’m one of those people who trip in front of everyone, or laugh loudly at their own jokes. And I’m ok with that. At least I’m the one laughing right?
Dhampir: I did indeed, twice now, and I found you to be charming, intelligent, gracious and attractive, not what most people think of when picturing a dork.
Arianne: Well, thank you.
Dhampir: You’re very welcome! Victoria kills off quite a few people, however, she has very little on-screen violence. How do you feel about being the antagonist who isn’t seen doing any killing?
Arianne: As a character, I think that makes Victoria all the more threatening. How do you defeat or destroy something you know nothing about? She is unpredictable. As an actress, it made my life a hell of a lot easier. No heavy lifting.
Dhampir: Let’s talk about the make-up…there were two different looks Victoria has, the one we originally are introduced to, then a slightly different one which lasts throughout most of the film. Can you tell us about them?
Arianne: Victoria’s signature look (which you see through out the whole film) was done by Tony. He developed a very skin friendly water based makeup that I was very grateful for since I was in it most of the time. The very first scene was a whole different story. It was done by the famous “Evil” John Mayes. He did an excellent job. However, that was not skin friendly by any means! It took about a week to get all of that makeup off. I still have nightmares about it.
Dhampir: That bad?
Arianne: Not exaggerating. But it looked great, and that’s all that matters. It comes with the job. Not to mention having real pig intestines stuffed in my gown. That topped the cake. The sound effects are mine though. Haha. For those who haven’t seen the out takes, sorry for the inside joke.
Dhampir: I find that in the outtakes that one is my favorite! Tony telling you to stop laughing and you explaining that it’s “My noises for the guts!”
Arianne: Yep! It was such a fun shoot. We laughed a lot.
Dhampir: I understand that there were some FX props that other crew wouldn’t even touch, but handed to you instead?
Arianne: Yes! There was a huge bucket full of all kinds of nasty things! I don’t remember seeing Tony stick his hands in there…or Ed [Landers, read interview]! I’ve got a stomach of steel!
Dhampir: Ed did relay that his death scene had enough nasty stuff in it for him!
Arianne: I’ve got a small ant that can play “my heart bleeds for you” on a tiny violin. Haha! Ok, I’ll stop with the funnies. No, we all got our fair share. It’s what makes it fun!
Dhampir: There is a part in Red Vic where Victoria changes from the “Zombie Muse” look to the “Arianne” look, with a nice foot to face shot! Wow! Anyways, why did you decide to “change” her and was it that she became more normal, or did Jim become darker?
Arianne: I think that answer is definitely up to the viewer. The truth is what you chose to believe, right?
Dhampir: I seem to get that answer a lot! I always make sure to ask my victims….er….interviewees, how fan appreciation has been and how people have been reacting to you since the film? Reviews and such as well.
Arianne: Haha…artist love that answer! Oh, it’s been great. I’m very proud and grateful to have been a part of if. I’ve made some great friends because of this movie. And it’s opening doors for everyone involved. I’ve never met a cooler fan base…that is slowly growing.
Dhampir: Tony has alluded to a sequel, are you at liberty to discuss that, after all it is a trilogy?
Arianne: Hmm…I am under a very strict confidentiality agreement. That, and Tony won’t tell me much!
Dhampir: You also have a production company of your own in partnership with your husband called Striped Socks. What types of films can we expect from you?
Arianne: Yes, we do! The film we are working on right now is called The Other Side of Paradise [http://www.TheOtherSideOfParadiseMovie.com]. We start shooting in a couple of weeks. This film is in a completely different genre. It’s very much a drama/comedy. More along the lines of SideWays, or Little Miss Sunshine. I play the lead character, Rose.
Dhampir: Without going into too much detail, can you tell us what it’s about?
Arianne: Sure! It’s a story about a girl named Rose, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery on the way to her first solo gallery opening. Along the way she picks up Alex (John Elliott) the newly single friend she’s’ always had feelings for, and her misfit younger brother Jamie (Frank Mosley), who recently was released from prison. On the road trip, the trio encounter off-the-wall characters and hilarious cameos that chew up the Texas countryside. In the end, the three must come to grips with their own issues of trust, abandonment, love and, ultimately, hope.
Dhampir: Looking at your IMDB page, you’ve got nine films under your belt, with two announced there, plus Other Side of Paradise and also a film recently announced by Mel House [read interview] called Walking Distance. Seems like you’ve been busy!
Arianne: It’s nice being busy. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
Dhampir: I have a vested interest in Walking Distance, so let’s discuss that a little. It’s written and directed by Mel House. A member of the “Texas Blood” what’s your role in it?
Arianne: Yes, I love Mel! I worked with him on The Flesh Keeper. They originally offered me to play one of the main characters in Walking Distance, unfortunately the shoot dates are exactly the same as Paradise. Because we were both so disappointed, we’ve worked it out where I’ll get to have a small cameo. It’s a great script and will be an exciting film to be in. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Dhampir: So aside from those two films, what else can we expect to see from you?
Arianne: Haha…Whew! Well, I’ve got a few films in post production already, so those should be coming out in the fall. As for what I’ll be shooting in the future…I’ll keep you posted. You can always visit my website for updates on projects [http://www.ArianneMartin.com]
Dhampir: Well, I’d again, like to thank you, I know that I have enjoyed talking to you, I’m certain that the fans here at Fatally-Yours.com are enjoying it as well! Because We do these interviews “For the Love of Horror!” Any final thoughts, shout outs? Anything?
Arianne: Just to say thanks to everyone who has helped make this film what it is! You guys are the reason we do what we do!
Dhampir: Last question, almost an afterthought. Is there anyone in the “Texas Blood” you want to work with? There’s [Stacy] Davidson [read interview], [Tony] Brownrigg [read interview], [Mel] House [read interview], [Patrick] Keith [read interview], Parrish Randall [read interview], [Josh] Vargas [read interview], [Robert] Luke [read interview] and others I’m sure?
Arianne: I can say I’ve worked with almost every one of them! (In some way, shape or form) And I would work with them again. They all do such great work! Texas has a lot of talented people!
Dhampir: Well, again, Thank you for your time, We really appreciate it!
Arianne: Thank you! It was my pleasure.
Watch Arianne Martin in the Red Victoria Trailer:
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