MTH: It’s very cinematic! In 2019, you starred in the film “In Bed with a Killer” which also was directed by Colin Lawrence who you worked with on “Jetset LA”. Would you talk about that experience and how did you like playing the character of Heather who was a spunky little badass?
Rachel: Colin (Lawrence), who I am so grateful for, he had given me an early draft of the script. A girl comes to this town and there are shop owners that are dying. Who’s the killer? Is it the guy she’s seeing? Because he’s so sweet he said, “I want my friend Rachel to be in this movie!” So, he wrote this role for me based on how I act around my friends. So, that’s why I’m kind of like perky, silly, and a little quirky. This is not something I get cast in by strangers just because it’s a side of me that comes out after I get to know people more.
He ended up writing the role of Heather for me and I was stoked because it was the biggest project I’d ever worked on until that point. We shot in Gutherie, Oklahoma. Small town, USA. Beautiful. Very little people there. It was the perfect shooting location. It was hotter than Haiti’s outside but it was such a wonderful experience. Colin’s really great to work with and people were really taken by my role as Heather. People really liked this character and I am really proud of that. The reviews would often make note of what I had done and the fun that Heather brought to a relatively standard thriller.
MTH: We felt that too when we watched it. You brought an added color to the movie that wasn’t seen from the other characters that aren’t normally in these types of movies.
Rachel: I hope they delve into that more because it’s fun.
MTH: We really enjoyed it! Do you have any projects upcoming? We know with the pandemic there’s not a lot going on but if you have anything you’d like to talk about and promote.
Rachel: I just want to say EVERYONE NEEDS TO VOTE. I just want to say that right now! Beyond that, I’m in another horror movie. It’s called Heart of the Home. It got distribution and I think it is supposed to come out in January. I have several features that are supposed to come out soon but I will say that I’m really proud of this movie that you guys may have heard of called Wrightwood. It’s a short film that’s currently on the festival circuit that I made with you two and another gentleman named Skyler Caleb. It turns that classic cabin in the woods film on its head and it’s super fun.
The one audience we got to hear watch it loved it so much and I’m really proud of it. We have a feature treatment of that in case anyone’s like, “Hey, let’s make a feature of this!” We’re ready to go. So, I hope that does find legs as well. I’m really proud of that project.
MTH: Seeing it at the Idyllwild Film Festival back in March right before the Covid19 pandemic shut everything down with an audience you could tell how thick the tension was. It was like biting into something that’s soft and then finding it crunchy inside. We got laughter where we wanted it and then all of a sudden it was like, “Oh, this is taking a turn.”
Rachel: They were so engaged I think. I think it’s one of the most interesting things I’ve worked on just because it is all the same dialog for the majority of the script and that’s challenging as an actor but also how do you keep it interesting as an editor, the DP, or the other people in the scene. I just think we did a great job and I’m really happy with that.
MTH: As much as we love horror films it was a great experience not only to make one but to do it with friends that we love and that are equally as passionate about the filmmaking process. Also, to do something that up until now I haven’t seen done in the genre. I haven’t seen it done, period. So, we’re really excited to see when we can move forward and get more audiences to see it. It scares me still! I watch it and I’m like, “Oh, sh*t!” and we were there! (laughter)
Rachel: It’s haunting.
MTH: It’s definitely haunting and what also will keep it alive is everything’s not tied up in a little bow. It invites questions and for people to keep watching it again and again to catch things.
Rachel: Definitely. I had several friends after I posted the trailer be like, “Wait, what happens?!” and I say, “You’re going to have to wait to find out.” and they’re like, “Damn it!” (laughter)
MTH: This is our traditional last question. What is your favorite scary movie?
Rachel: I do really like Aliens and the reason I like Aliens is because Sigourney Weaver is such a badass and she’s unexpected. She’s the heroine, you’re not really thinking that she’s going to be so badass in the beginning. She’s very inspirational to me. I want to be half the woman she is all the time. If I could be as good as Ripley in just my day-to-day life then I’m killing it. That movie got me really scared and got me into this whole final girl idea and I based my Death Day character off of her and I have since watched a lot more horror movies and I do really like the Scream franchise.
MTH: Awesome! I love that answer. Ripley is incredible. Rachel, thank you so much for joining us virtually! This was such fun!
Rachel: You enjoy your evening! Thank you guys so much!
Watch The After Party and Jetset LA here on marriedtohorror.com and follow Rachel Amanda Bryant on Instagram @rachelamandabryant. Also, you can check out her funny “20 seconds of Bad Jokes” videos!
Great interview. Rachel seems like such a nice person. I hope you get to make WRIGHTWOOD into a feature. Best of luck!
Rachel is GREAT! We hope to one day make Wrightwood a feature as well. Lots of ideas stirring…