GWG EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH HORROR ICON FELISSA ROSE
Actress, producer and beloved horror icon Felissa Rose first made her film debut as Angela Baker in Robert Kiltzik's cult classic film Sleepaway Camp (1983) making her a bonafide slasher icon ever since. Felissa has since acted in countless films in and out of the horror genre including Victor Crowley and will be starring in the upcoming highly anticipated sequel to Terrifier. As a producer she has done music videos for Slayer and continues to produce horror films for Vernon Wells. As a beloved scream queen and indie darling – Felissa is without a doubt a fan favourite at every convention with her infectious smile, genuine kindness and passion for the horror genre. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to catch up with her at the last Shock Stock in London, Ontario. Check it out!
GWG: Thank you so much for being here to chat with us here at Shock Stock.
FELISSA: Thank you for having me.
GWG: You started out acting at such a young age with a role that would go on to not only start your career in film but change the horror slasher genre - did you have any idea of what you were getting yourself into with Sleepaway Camp?
FELISSA: Oh my gosh (laughs) NO! I just talking about how interesting a role it was for a really young girl. I was 12 when I auditioned and 13 when I made the movie and there’s a lot in that character even though she doesn’t speak much but I didn’t know at the time. I certainly didn’t know we would still be talking about it years later so I’m super grateful for the part. I always said it gave me a life - my husband was a huge fan and just being at the conventions in general has really been amazing.
GWG: Sleepaway set the tone for teen camp slasher films and is a massive cult classic. What was it like working on that set for your first film? Was it as fun as it looked?
FELISSA: It was more fun! We were all really young and best friends and we are still really close. It was a good family environment and actually felt like we were actually going to sleep away camp.
GWG: How long was it?
FELISSA: It was about six weeks. It was pretty much just like going to camp.
GWG: You returned to camp in 2008 to take on the role of Angela Baker again for the last instalment of the series- how did it feel like becoming Angela again?
FELISSA: It felt amazing. First of all anytime you are portraying a character for a role its like a child of yours because you nurture it, create it, you hopefully love it as well but now I was an adult so I could live out what I wanted to do as a child. I partied! (laughs)
GWG: You are a professionally trained and educated actor that has worked in almost a hundred films what has been the most important thing you've learned on or off set during your career?
FELISSA: Gratitude. I’m really, really thankful for the films I have worked on and sets I’ve been on. The actors, directors I’ve worked with...it’s all brought me a lot of joy.
GWG: You have had your hand at the pulse of both horror and punk rock as an actor as well as a producer- what makes these two genres and worlds collide so well?
FELISSA: The passion, the love for what we are all doing. It is loyalty and creativity unlike anything else.
GWG: Any upcoming projects you can tell us to look out for?
FELISSA: Yes but there’s a lot that I can’t talk which bums me out but soon enough it will all be coming out. Kane Hodder and I have a project called “Night Four” that is coming out soon. Working with director/writer Damien Churchill. There’s a lot that is happening and more conventions because I love meeting fans and talking with them all…giving out hugs!
For upcoming appearance dates, film releases and all things Felissa check out www.felissarose.com
