January 2010
Emily Haack
Rounding out our series of interviews with the folks at Wicked Pixel Cinema we complete the cycle with Actress Emily Haack. In the year 2000, a film opened that shattered boundaries and set a new bar within the film industry, particularly the independent horror community . The film in question was of course Eric Stanze's Scrapbook, starring Emily Haack in her debut performance. Most who saw the film were inevitably left with indelible images seared into their subconscious. Detailing one woman's nightmare at the hands of a serial killer the film dared to go places most filmmakers wouldn't dream of. The film was controversial then and is still a sore spot for some who feel it went too far in its depiction of depravity.
Since then Emily has gone on to star in eleven more films, the last of which, Ratline is soon to be released. Emily was kind enough to join Eric Stanze and Jason Christ to spend a few moments in the boxx discussing her work and the world of independent film.
- As an actress you are constantly faced with different challenges. What is the single toughest task you have been required to do and what made it hard for you?
That's a difficult question to answer because every project has its own unique challenges. There are always different levels of emotional, physical, environmental, and spiritual challenges that we are faced with on a shoot. Of course, the role of Clara in Scrapbook sticks out in my mind as my toughest emotional/spiritual task. Where I had to go in my mind to be able to perform was frightening. Ratline & Savage Harvest 2 were extremely tough environmentally & physically. The winters here in the Midwest can be brutal...and the exterior shoots were very challenging on both movies. But I loved every minute of it! Didn't I? - Why acting Emily? What is it about performing that calls you and provides you with the strength to take the risk of exposing yourself physically and emotionally, in the first place?
From as far back as I can remember I have always liked to perform. Whether it was making my parents sit & watch my made-up dances to Michael Jackson or being on stage in high school plays, I have always liked the feeling.Also, I think that I am someone who needs to be constantly challenging herself and when I am given a role, I like to see how far I can push myself in that role. I have been through a lot of traumatic events in my life, both self-inflicted and out-of-my control events, and I try and use those emotions I have collected and experienced to help my performance. - You have stated that you always try to push yourself and the boundaries of your craft. Have you ever had a break occur in the wall between the character you are portraying and your real self? And if it hasn't, what will/would you do should it happen?
Interesting question! But yes, a 'break in the wall' has occurred. It was during the first rape scene we shot on the first shooting day of Scrapbook. I had complete trust in Tommy and the crew, so I knew they wouldn't hurt me, but when Eric started shooting and Tommy got into character and we began what we were supposed to do, my mind went to a place that I hadn't been to in a long time. Having experienced what I did when I was 16 years old, I took myself there and I let myself go. I didn't know that I was going to go that far deep into my subconscious, though. I don't recall shooting that scene... I remember Tommy starting to get physical with me when Eric said Action, but the next thing I remember is being comforted by Tommy & the crew after Eric yelled Cut! It was pretty wild. But it was a catharsis and almost an exorcism of certain demons I had stored away. - Are you influenced by foreign film? I say this because you share an edge with European stars such as Beatrice Dalle and Charlotte Rampling. If so, whose work inspires you?
I do love foreign film, especially French and Japanese. Delicatessen and Battle Royale are two of my favorite foreign films. I love how the Japanese directors go no holds barred in their movies! No subject is taboo! The French have such beautiful cinematography and can have such an ethereal film atmosphere. - Like several of us at KillingBoxx, you are heavily tattooed & pierced. Do you feel these personal expressions of art limit the amount and/or type of work you can get, or is it irrelevant in the independent community, in which you usually work?
I go through periods where I feel limited in the type of roles that I can get because of my tattoos. I'm not initially thought of as the innocent, girl-next-door, damsel-in-distress type! I get cast as the badass or the victim-turned-victor, which is fun and challenging for sure. I also think, in the independent film community that being heavily tattooed/pierced is irrelevant. I haven't had any problems... my character just wears a long-sleeved shirt if the director wants them not to be seen as much. - Several of the parts you've taken portray characters that are very badly abused and the films are of a dark, horrific nature. Would you consider this a kind of "niche" in which you prefer to remain or would you like to try your hand at comedy or some other type of film or part?
I do love doing the darker films. They let me get my ya-ya's out! There is definitely something to be said for playing a dark, badass, fucked-up chick. I do love those roles!But I would love to do a comedy. A straight-up comedy, not necessarily a horror-based one. I think that would be so much fun! Hopefully someday I will get to... - Is acting your passion or will we be seeing a Wicked Pixel film directed by Emily Haack at some point?
Acting is my passion, yes. I have no desire to direct! I did that when I was in film school and let's just say, it's not my calling! I'm not bossy enough to be a director! [I think some would disagree however!] :) - When studying for your part in Scrapbook, what kind of research or preparations did you do to find the emotions needed for such a heavy piece of work, and did you help develop any of the more brutal scenes?
I drew from my own experiences for my role as Clara. I drew from the fear, anger, terror, sadness, and rage that I have felt in my life and I let them go wild. I didn't do any preparation per se; I just went with what I was feeling at the moment. I mean, I knew what the scenes were and what needed to be accomplished, but I tried not to rehearse my emotional responses too much.As far as helping develop any scenes, the only one that I helped on was the final scene between Tommy & me where I "seduce" him into letting me handcuff him to the cot. [sucker!] Other than that, it was mostly Tommy & Eric. - What do you think are the biggest mistakes young actresses can/do make as they try to break into the business?
I'm not sure if I'm the right person to answer that question! I don't know that I have broken into the business... but there is something that I have learned during my journey: when dealing with fans, fellow actors, directors, & the press humility is a good trait to have but you also need to be able to exude self-confidence. Even if you don't have it, you need to act like you do!However, there is a fine line between self-confidence and arrogance... - You have several films behind you now. As you look back on some of your past roles, are there any you have done that you wish you could go back and do differently or not at all?
I don't like to harbor regret, because one needs to learn from all mistakes one makes. However, when I watch myself in our movies, I always see things I do in a role that I wish I had done differently or tweaked a bit more. And even though I Spit on Your Corpse, I Piss on Your Grave isn't the gleaming star on my record, I still had a good time making the movie and I learned a lot during that shoot. - The arts are a tough way to make a living and often require much more sacrifice than other professions. If you were pursuing a career outside of acting, what luxuries that you deny yourself would you be indulging in right now?
Well, in my case, I do have a career outside of acting. I have a job at an animal hospital and am currently in Vet Tech school. I need to do those things for a variety of reasons, the main one being that I have this scientific, animal-loving side of me that needs to be nourished as much as my artistic side does. So I do both!I have the utmost respect for people like Eric Stanze, Jason Christ, & Jim Wayer who dedicate themselves solely to the art of filmmaking. They have more courage than I do in that arena! But acting in the movies is such an important part of my life, that I can't imagine not being able to do it.And as far as luxuries... what are those? :) - As Wicked Pixel continues to grow, are their other jobs involved in creating an independent film that would you like to do, outside of acting?
I do love acting the most and I hope to be able to continue that for a long time. There are other aspects of film creation that I like though, such as editing, photography, and production design. I hope to be able to edit again someday. I love doing that. I edited one of the trailers for our movie The Undertow and I think it turned out quite well! - Our last question Wild Card 13: You decide to run for political office. With your background and personality, what office do you think you're most suited? What office would you most like to fill? And why?
I would never run for political office! Too many skeletons in my closet!But, if I had to, I'd probably go for President. Go big or go home, right?
KillingBoxx Note: If you are already a fan of Emily's work I hope you have enjoyed her comments. If you are not yet familiar with the films in her resume I strongly recommend you acquaint yourself with the very talented and driven artists that make up Wicked Pixel Cinema. Thank you Emily for taking the time to share your thoughts!
