Heather Dorff Interview Growing up, were you a fan of horror movies? If so, which ones were your favourites? So this fact tends to piss off horror fans, but no, I wasn’t a huge fan of horror films growing up. Mainly because I found most horror movies didn’t ‘scare’ me enough as I thought they should. It wasn’t until I started actually acting in horror films that I began to grow an appreciation for them and the people who make them. Horror is not an easy genre to decide to dive into like people would think. Anyone can make a film of any genre, but horror fans can be hard to impress. The film has to be successful at doing a great many things: making people think, laugh, jump, scream, “no don’t go up those damn stairs,” and be genuinely disturbed at one point or another, among other things. Other genre films can get away with not even doing half as many things and still be considered ‘good.’ Horror fans want it all and they will stick with you through the long haul if you can impress them – and that’s probably the main reason I like acting in them as much as I do. Horror fans are the most dedicated group there is and I love them for it. They keep the indie horror genre alive. When did you know you wanted to be an actress (i.e., work in the industry)? For as long as I can remember. Films have always had a massive effect on me and my way of thinking, feeling, and my perceptions of the world. I always hoped that I would have a chance to instill the same amazing and life-changing experiences I have had watching films onto others. Acting is a scary but liberating experience. You have to think outside the box and push yourself into places you didn’t think you were able to go. I was a shy child growing up and I’d even say a tad anti-social due to being a bit awkward around people (probably because I was a computer/console gamer by 5). Acting has evolved me as a person more than I could even verbalize. I HAD to become outgoing, willing to take risks, and connect with people on a whole new level. I thought it would be ‘fun’ to be an actress. Turns out it is in fact fun but also a lot of hard work and exhausting at times, both physically and emotionally. When you put your heart into a film you risk getting it crushed. When it’s a success though, it’s the most rewarding experience out there. Besides acting, you’ve been a producer, writer, and held other behind-the-scenes positions. Anything else in the movie biz that you’d like to try? Right now, no. I’m extremely happy with the roles I have taken on and find them most rewarding and what I am ‘good’ at. Directing has been thrown out there here and there but I don’t think I’m ready for it. When I take on something, I do it because I know I can give it 110 % and will be good at it. I still feel I need to learn a world of knowledge before I could take on a role of directing. If I decided to do it I would want to do it for the right film, one that I cared a great deal about, and would need to know I could make it amazing for my cast/crew and fans.
17