Hail
To The Queen - Interview With Brinke Stevens
In today's horror cinema genre, there are
many women shooting for the title of Scream Queen. But currently,
only one such actress can claim to truly capture the title:
Brinke Stevens.
Over the past 20 years, Brinke Stevens has certainly made
her own unforgettable mark on the film industry, from lower
budget horror films, like The Witching (she played a black sabbath
member) to all-time cult classics, like This Is Spinal Tap (she
played one of the girlfriends). Brinke Stevens has appeared
in more than 80 films, written several screenplays, penned tales
for publications like Weird Tales, and all this after graduating
from Scripps Institute of Oceanography with a Masters Degree
in Marine Biology.
Brinke has also cultivated a successful modeling career, appearing
on the pages of Oui, Penthouse, Playboy and Leg Show, in addition
to horror magazines like Scream Queens Illustrated and Femme
Fatales. What with writing, acting and modeling (and plenty
of other things) Brinke has an extremely busy schedule, but
TooSquare still managed to catch up with her on the Net and
pick her vary active brain about movies, modeling and upcoming
projects.
Where are you currently living? Do you have lots of fans
and/or are you recognized a lot?
I've lived in Los Angeles since 1980, though I work all over
the country and have loyal fans everywhere. I do get recognized
in book and comic shops, but I'm not familiar enough to mainstream
audiences to be pestered for autographs in restaurants, thank
goodness!
What got you started in the film industry? Do you love it
or is it more of a job?
In 1980, I was looking for a science job and happened to walk
by a movie casting office. They immediately hired me as an extra
in All The Marbles, and I decided to seriously pursue an acting
career after that bit of fun. I will never tire of it ... for
me, it's like Halloween every day.
How do you feel the B-movie industry compares to major Hollywood
films?
I prefer the B-movie industry for several reasons: more creativity
and
faster shooting schedules. It's never boring!
You've appeared in several big-budget Hollywood flicks,
including The Naked Gun, Three Amigos and Body Double, yet you're
usually uncredited. Why is this? Does this bother you?
I do get credited in some early major films, like Body Double.
Sometimes I was hired as an "extra" who was bumped up to a "featured
extra" role, but still remained anonymous.
With more than 80 movies under your belt, you've been hanging
in Hollywood circles for a long time. Do you call any big Hollywood
folk friends?
I enjoy warm friendships with a lot of genre celebs, like Doug
Bradley,
Billy Mumy, Stuart Gordon and Bruce Campbell, to name a few.
I'm always so flattered when they seek me out at conventions
and give me a big hug.
You're featured fairly regularly in Femme Fatales magazine.
Do you have a personal affiliation with the magazine?
I was their West Coast correspondent for many years, sometimes
contributing three articles per issue. It's been a good working
relationship, and I really like all the cool folks in their
office. I'll be on the cover of Femme Fatales' January 2002
issue, with a story I wrote about Witchouse 3 (I played the
witch).
How was your time off (your sabbatical)? What were you doing?
Any cool projects? Why did you start filming again?
I've had an insanely busy schedule for 21 years now. The only
slow year was 1999, when I only worked one day as an actor.
I stayed home, wrote a book and three screenplays, and pursued
my hobbies, like stained glass and mosaic tile. It was quite
refreshing, literally. I got back into action in 2000, when
I shot 11 movies. I've done maybe eight so far in 2001.
Do you like being the reigning scream queen?
It's gratifying to be the last reigning SQ, since Linnea, Michelle
and
Monique have since moved on to other things. I'm pleased at
the career
longevity I've had for so many years ... it suggests I've been
effective at what I've wanted most to do.
Did you have fun doing the bondage photo shoot with Ward
Boult?
I'm not big into bondage personally -- I don't like the feeling
of
giving up control. But any shoot with Ward Boult is a fabulous
time! He's a genius and a great guy. Modeling just came naturally
for me, and the camera seems to like me...
Are you still interested in marine biology?
I left the field when I moved to L.A. in 1980. But I've remained
in touch with all my scientist friends, so I stay informed about
what's happening in the world of marine mammals. I've sometimes
toyed with the idea of getting back into dolphin research, but
I'm having too much fun in horror films.
Were you interested in horror as a kid?
I loved it as a kid! Still do...
How is the current convention stuff going? Are you having
a good time?
For a long time, I've done a lot of conventions -- sometimes
two or
three a month. For 2002, I'm drastically cutting back my touring
schedule again, to work more on my writing.
What is it like being made into a comic book character (Brinke
of
Eternity)?
I'd grown up reading Wonder Woman, Vampirella and Modesty Blaise.
Then, I married a comic artist (Dave Stevens) and posed for
a lot of
artists. I'd always wanted to produce my own book, and ultimately
put out six issues of Brinke of Eternity/Brinke of Destruction.
It was great to finally accomplish my goal, but I discovered
it was far too much labor for too little profit.
Have you been approached to do porno films? What is your
stance on
pornography?
I never watch it, and I wouldn't consider doing it. Not a moral
issue,
but a matter of taste -- it's just not my cup of tea. I bet
I'd be good at it though...
What do you do with your time off?
That's a joke, right? I work 24/7.
You appeared as Vampirella in 1973, what was that like,
how is the
convention scene different now?
I was still in school then and attended comic conventions for
fun. It
was a big deal to win first place for my sexy, skimpy Vampi
costume -- I'm sure that helped lead me into my new acting career
by giving me confidence in public.
How is the screenplay writing going? Have you had any major
projects or
movies of your own lately?
I've sold four scripts, and I have four more in circulation
right now,
hoping to sell them soon. I'm co-producing a script I wrote,
Buried Nightmares. I'm also attached to two projects as a director;
we're still trying to secure the financing on those.
What are you currently working on?
I've launched a new career as a travel writer. I fly to exotic
locals
to cover interesting events, like this month's Gourmet Food
& Wine Festival in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. So magazine journalism
and travel is claiming a major share of my time now.
Have you had any bad fan experiences? What was the worst?
My fans either love me or are terrified of me (they've seen
my
movies!). Only one bad incident that I can recall, when a misguided
Christian verbally attacked me for being a Satanist (I'm not)
just because I've done horror films.
Do you know about or support any of the pay galleries on
the Net that sell nude photos of you?
Hmmm... sometimes I sell my photos to dealers, who are authorized
to
re-sell them on the Web. Since I own most of the rights to my
photographs, any bootleg photos of me for sale are quite illegal.
I've had to bust dealers at stores and conventions before, and
it ain't pretty.
I read that you recently took a nasty spill on the set of
Witchouse 3. Have you ever incurred any really serious injuries
while making a film?
I was wearing white contact lenses and missed a stair step in
the dark.
I was on crutches for a while, and after five months, it still
hurts a lot. I also got a leg injury when I fell on (the set
of) Grandmother's House -- a lot of running in that movie. It
is definitely important to stay alert and be careful, since
safety isn't often a consideration on B-movie sets.
What are some of your favorite films to watch?
Mostly, I watch horror, suspense and sci-fi movies. My "classic"
favorites are the Evil Dead series, Phantom of the Paradise,
Buckaroo
Banzai, Legend of Hell House and The Last Days of Man on Earth.
I loved the recent House on Haunted Hill, even though the critics
savaged it. Going way back, I also adore Gene Tierney's Laura
and Jennifer Jones in Portrait of Jenny.
Any words for your fans out there?
Real Time is now available on video, and Witchouse 3 should
be out any
day now. Also look for The Frightening (directed by Dave DeCoteau)
and
Prison of the Dead 2 (from Full Moon). Next year, I'll be filming
Death Island, co-starring and directed by Tom Savini. Right
now, I'm in negotiations to produce Sim Siren: Chloe, an anime
script I co-wrote and would voice the title character.
www.brinke.com
PO Box 8900
Universal City, CA 91618
Nick Razer
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Images courtesy of Jean MacFal at
www.wildmaidens.com