Interview with Filmmaker Amy Lynn Best
Written by Michael Varrati
This interview is part of Fatally-Yours’ Women in Horror interview series. We’ll be featuring interviews with women in the horror industry the whole month of February (and a bit of March)! Get a complete list of Women in Horror interviews here!
When thinking of indie horror icon Amy Lynn Best, the term “triple threat” comes to mind.
She is, after all, an actor, producer, and director.
…but then I remember this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes Best’s involvement with the genre, and it seems like boardroom terminology no longer applies to an individual like her.
In addition to all her various screen credits, Best is also the co-owner of Happy Cloud Pictures, which she helps run with her husband, the award-winning writer and director Mike Watt, and their business partner Bill Homan. Since 2001’s The Resurrection Game, the Happy Cloud team has produced five feature films, a handful of shorts, and worked with an impressive array of genre mainstays (Debbie Rochon and Lloyd Kaufman, to name a few) and Best has been front and center through them all, helping to bring each unique vision to life.
In my time as a member of the horror community, I’ve had the unique pleasure of getting to know Amy Lynn Best, not just as a phenomenal woman whom I deeply respect, but also as a dear friend. I’ve always been impressed by her dedication to the genre and her diligent work ethic, which has ultimately led to some of the more enjoyable and fun moments in independent horror. That’s why, when we here at Fatally-Yours set out to celebrate Women in Horror month by profiling the best and brightest in the genre, I knew Amy Lynn Best was more than deserving, and I consider it a pleasure and a privilege to have had the chance to sit down and conduct the following interview with this outstanding high priestess of terror.
So, without further adieu, I give you the incomparable Amy Lynn Best.
Michael Varrati: How did you first become involved in the horror genre? Were you always a fan?
Amy Lynn Best: I’ve been a fan of horror for as long as I can remember. Horror was always fun and scary and thrilling to me. I became involved by making The Resurrection Game and seeking out other filmmakers.
Michael Varrati: On a similar track as the first question, what does horror mean to you personally?
Amy Lynn Best: Horror is something that causes a reaction, usually fear. To me there are many different types of horror- thrillers, slashers, monsters, comedies and so on. I love watching a movie that scares me as I’m watching it, because then I can forget the real horrors of life. Horror is an escape. It’s a fun, wonderful, purging escape.
Michael Varrati: You’ve been making films since The Resurrection Game was released in 2001, although it is my understanding that work on the film began well before that. Looking back, do you think your approach to the way you make movies now is different than that first feature? How do you feel you’ve grown?
Amy Lynn Best: I feel a lot more confident now when we begin work on a feature. I know where to start, what to do and how to break things down. And I’m more realistic now. I know how difficult it is to make a movie, let alone sell it. I feel that I’ve grown a lot as a filmmaker, working on The Resurrection Game really prepared us for the worst case scenarios. I don’t’ panic now when something goes wrong. That’s not to say I don’t get insanely stressed, I just know that it’s not the end of the world if something doesn’t work right the first time. There’s always a solution.
Michael Varrati: In 2003, you stepped behind the camera and directed your first movie, Severe Injuries, in which you also starred. Having filled both the roles of actor and director, is there one you prefer over the other? Also, how does it feel to direct oneself?
Amy Lynn Best: Directing and producing are two totally different jobs, it’s hard to compare them. And I don’t feel like I’ve really even had a chance to do just one of those jobs at a time, so it’s really difficult to decide which I’d prefer. Someday I’d like the chance to see if I prefer one over the other. Directing yourself is interesting. I’m lucky I have Mike [Watt] and others around whom I can rely on if I can’t see what my performance looks like from the other side of the camera.
Michael Varrati: Speaking of directing, it seems the horror genre has very few women in the director’s chair. In fact, I can only really think of you and Mary Harron (who directed American Psycho) off the top of my head. Is there something about the horror genre that you feel promotes the notion that it is something of an “old boys club” or that it is strictly a genre for men by men?
Amy Lynn Best: There are quite a few more women directors nowadays in the independent horror genre. A few years back I worked with Devi Snively and Jane Rose on a short. It was great to work with other women who know what it’s like to be in an “old boy’s club”. I think that a few years back the perception was that the horror genre was mainly for men, but these days more and more women are showing their love and support for horror and getting behind the movies and behind the camera.
Michael Varrati: The previous question speaks to a larger question of inherent sexism in the world of horror. Some critics of the genre feel it promotes the victimization of women, and in many cases, sexually objectifies them. Do you agree, or would you say that by making the female the protagonist (the oft referred to “final girl”) horror actually serves as a way to break the gender barrier?
Amy Lynn Best: I believe that many movies used to promote the victimization, or at least submission, of women. Not just horror movies. And I don’t know if I necessarily believe making the female the protagonist was a way of breaking the gender barrier and making women more involved with the horror genre. There are arguments for this, such as women horror fans finally having someone to connect with instead of just rolling their eyes at the women waiting for the man to rescue her. This has certainly helped women become more involved in the horror genre, but I don’t think this was the only reason. I think that one major reason was women seeing and talking to other women who loved horror and realizing it wasn’t weird or strange, or meant there was something wrong with them. There were others like them…and that made it okay.
Michael Varrati: You’ve worked with a lot of prominent “scream queens” and women in horror, who do you most admire or look up to in the genre? Is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet that you’d really like to?
Amy Lynn Best: There are many women in the genre that I admire, and I won’t go into my whole “scream queen” diatribe here. But I will always mention how wonderful it is to work with Debbie Rochon. She is an extremely talented, beautiful, supportive, and professional woman and a great friend. Another woman it was wonderful to work with was Brinke Stevens. I’ve been watching her films for years and it was thrilling to have her on one of our sets. Actually, I’ve been extremely lucky to work with so many wonderful and talented women, and if I keep listing them I’ll be here all day. As far as who I’d still like to work with, there are a few, but I’ll keep that for another time.
Michael Varrati: Alright, we’ve been serious long enough…let’s get down to some fun questions. Here’s a scenario question: You’re the “final girl” and you get to lock horns with any of the great horror movie villains. Who’d it be and why? Also, would you fight to just survive…or are you out to draw blood?
Amy Lynn Best: Well, I’d join Freddy, kill Jason to survive, beat the hell out of Michael and fall in bed with Dracula.
Michael Varrati: Of all the movies you’ve worked on, whether it be as an actor, director, or both, do you have a personal favorite? If so, which one and why?
Amy Lynn Best: Each of my movies was the best and worst as I was working on them. I think the most fun and least pressure was Splatter Movie: The Director’s Cut. The location was great, the cast and crew were fantastic, and the script lent itself to a lot of interpreting and screw-ups. Another great one was Demon Divas and the Lanes of Damnation. Aside from the intensity and stress of the shoot it was wonderful to have all of those great women to work with…and the guys were pretty good also.
Michael Varrati: During long film shoots, people can notoriously get slap-happy (I know I do) and silliness always tends to ensue, resulting in off camera shenanigans. What’s the most outrageous or embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on-set?
Amy Lynn Best: On-set was never really the problem, it’s more after I wrap for the day that I dissolve into absurdity. On-set I’m usually worried about getting the shot done and getting the actor wrapped for the day. Though, I have been known to get the line flubbing giggles, often, for hours and hours…and hours.
Michael Varrati: When you’re not being a beloved B-movie icon, what do you like to do with your time? In other words, outside of horror, what interests you?
Amy Lynn Best: I love animals. Right now we have 3 cats, 4 dogs, and 2 horses. They keep me pretty busy. I also love to read and watch movies…and not always horror. I recently went back to school for my degree, so that’s been taking a bit of time.
Michael Varrati: Are you working on any new projects? If so, anything you can tell us about?
Amy Lynn Best: We always have something coming up. Right now there are at least 4 finished screenplays in the works. The next one we’re planning is a straight comedy. I wanted to do something that would focus on acting and character more than effects. It’s going to be pretty interesting and I’m really excited about it.
Michael Varrati: Another scenario question: I happen to know that you’re a fan of musicals, and it seems as of late a lot of popular horror and cult films are finding new life as musicals on and off-Broadway, including The Toxic Avenger Musical and Evil Dead: The Musical, as well as a revival of the famed flop Carrie: The Musical. With this in mind, the question is…if you were given the chance to take any horror film and turn it into a romping musical show, what would it be?
Amy Lynn Best: I think Nightmare on Elm Street would make a cool musical. Freddy would be a great tragic opera villain. And Johnny Depp would have to reprise his role.
Michael Varrati: In interviews like this, everyone’s always asking actors and directors what their favorite horror movie of all time is, but I think that’s played out, so I want to reverse it: What’s your least favorite horror flick of all time? Also, can you say something nice about it?
Amy Lynn Best: Jeez, there are so many. I can say that I hated American Werewolf in Paris…and the nicest thing I can think of right now is that it was based on a really great movie. I’m sure I could say more, but I’d have to watch it again and I really don’t want to.
Michael Varrati: Finally, in the spirit of Women in Horror month, what advice would you give to young women looking to go into the horror genre, whether it be as an actor, director, or otherwise?
Amy Lynn Best: Advice that I always like to give is to learn all that you can, take some classes, work with others, and don’t ever assume you know it all. Keep learning and keep doing what you want to do, and don’t let anyone tell you not to.
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