Ellen Boscov is a multitalented artist. She has experience in several disciplines. Her latest addition to her resume is the horror/comedy movie Sleep. Walk. Kill. She takes on the role of an overbearing mother stuck in the basement of her sons house while the sleeping zombie apocalypse is taking place. What a great role she played. I had the chance to askher a few questions. Her interview can be seen below.
Interview
Q. You have so much experience in the field of show business. With that being said, which aspect of it is your favorite?
A. It’s about communication and connection for me. When I’m acting in film, I want to pick up on the writer/director’s vision and help them to realize it. When I’m writing, I want to work with actors and musicians who will do that for me, and I certainly have! Acting on stage has the added plus of feeling connected to the audience. Nothing is better than getting a laugh. Working in film and theater helps me to feel like I am part of something greater than myself – we dream together!
Q. Horror/comedy is a difficult sub-genre to sell. It has to have the perfect mix of both to make it work. Do you think this genre is difficult to find success in?
A. I think comic films in general are harder to make well. And they are needed! If the goal is to make a horror/comedy that is both funny and scary, I think that is particularly difficult to make because comedy often gives the audience an emotional distance from the horror.
Q. How did you end up with the role of Mom in this film?
A. Samantha Russell (who played Ady) was helping to cast a Philly Fringe theater show. I showed up for that audition. I did my audition and then joked around with a little improv about different roles I could play. One of them was an overbearing Jewish mom (I’m a Jewish mom). I got the role in the Fringe show. Then Samantha remembered me when she helped cast Sleep. Walk. Kill and asked me to read for Justin Miller. I had fun at that audition because Samantha and Justin are both awesome–I knew I wanted to act in the film. I was very glad to get the role.
Q. What got my attention about this film is the new spin on an old idea. Zombie walkers killing everything in their path. This takes the average person and turns them into sleepwalking killers. What were your initial thoughts on this plot?
A. I like that he film is a psychological nightmare. I saw it as a coming-of-age story but not about a boy growing up. It is about Edgar, a man who didn’t grow up yet. He must face all his anxieties, make decisions, and take a leadership role to finally become a real grownup. I felt like Edgar’s fears were the energy that turned people into Zombies – like we were living in his nightmare. I really enjoyed that – I feel very drawn to dreams and nightmares. I love that Justin seemed to be working from his subconscious. I don’t know that he was – but that’s what it felt like to me. And I loved that he saw the humor in all the characters' fears and vulnerabilities. I agree with you that it is relatable to the average person – the Zombie within. Justin also tapped into some deep scary painful rage.
Q. How do you learn and grow as an actor?
A. Sleep. Walk. Kill. was my first role in a film (other than a couple of lines in a film when I was in my 20s). It was shot three years ago. I had so much fun in that role that I’ve acted in 15 films and 3 TV shows since. Actors work quickly in indie films and TV. My improv experience helps me work quickly. And I’m working all the time. But post-production takes a long time so most of my work isn’t out yet – there’s a lot more to come! Before the shoot for Sleep. Walk. Kill. My acting training and experience were in the theater. Fortunately, the role of Mom/Zombie is very theatrical. I found my background extremely helpful in developing and performing the character. After performing that role, I studied film acting so I could also perform more subtle roles. And I ended up getting some tips that help me polish larger-than-life roles for film, too. Those pro-tips are priceless. But I’ve found the best way for me to grow as an actor in film is to keep working, study what I do, and figure out how I can improve in the next film. I often film myself at home trying out different approaches. I love learning and there is always more I can learn.
Q. What is your favorite horror film?
A. I don’t know – Here are some favorites: Psycho (Hitchcock). The Shining. I’m a big fan of Jack Nicholson. Comedy/horror Young Frankenstein (Mel Brooks)– it is hysterical and doesn’t aim to be scary.
Q. What is your favorite non horror film?
A. I don’t have a favorite film. Films that made a big lasting impression that come to mind today (some of these I haven’t seen since I was a child). 9 to 5, Harold and Maude (Colin Higgins), Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks), Take the money and Run (Woody Allen), Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola), The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski), Big (Penny Marshall)
Polyester, Female Trouble, Hairspray (John Waters), Edward Scissorhands (Tim Burton)
Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson), The wizard of Oz with Judy Garland (Victor Fleming)
Bringing Up Baby with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant (Howard Hawks), I’m a fan of the Marx brothers and Charlie Chaplin, BROS (is a great and important recent Romcom -go see it)
Q. How much professional training have you done in acting?
A. Lots of acting training: BFA in acting from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I took every improv course Philly Improv Theater had to offer. Years of Movement and storytelling improv with Body Tales in Oakland CA, Group Motion movement improv in Philadelphia, Film Acting private coaching with various teachers for over 2 years.
Q. If you could have done any role in a movie which would it be and why?
A. I like to explore different styles of acting (Broad comedy to hyper-realism and everything in between) so I’ll name a few. And if I really love the part, it’s because the actor in it is genius– I don’t wish I could do that role, but some roles that appeal to me.
Ruth Gordon in Harold and Maude – Maude is quirky, unique, wise, and weird. I appreciate that in the film she was loved for who she is inside.
Which leads me to this -someone in the US needs to cast an older woman who isn’t commercially beautiful (and never was) in a romantic lead that isn’t about loving an older woman who isn’t commercially beautiful. I want that role The African Queen comes to mind because the interaction between the leads is so intimate, deep, and unique. I appreciate beautiful actors and think they are important, too – but I think people need to know they are attractive even if they don’t have the movie star looks, and older women particularly need to know this.
This isn’t a movie but - Witchy-Poo in HR Puffinstuff -- what could be more fun than performing a role like that?!
Q. What challenges did you have playing this particular role in Sleep. Walk. Kill.?
A. Very long hours in a cold basement could be challenging. Fortunately, I loved the people I was working with and that helps so much.
Q. What approach do you use when it is time to get into character?
A. Creating a character: I define the main objective of the character. I do journal improv and writing as the character. I try to get at the emotional truth of every character using personal substitution and imagery. As the Zombie Demon I have plenty of rage I can access easily – I just need to think of people as my dolls or toys rather than real people to act it out.
If I have an accent in the film, I use it all the time when I shoot (even when I’m not in front of the camera). I did that in Sleep. Walk. Kill. I don’t really have Mom’s accent.
Q. Your role in the movie Sleep. Walk. Kill. is very dynamic. Is it difficult to switch gears from "overbearing" mother, to voice of reason, and end up as a sleepwalking killer?
A. I didn’t find it difficult. Switching gears is what made that role so juicy and fun to perform – I adored that the character had so many sides.
Q. I spoke with director Justin Miller and unfortunately there will not be a sequel to Sleep. Walk. Kill. If there were, would you come back to play your role or another?
A. I would LOVE to play Mom again. I’d LOVE a chance to do a sequel with Justin. Maybe as the character as Edgar matures, he can look back at his mother through more sympathetic eyes. Part of growing up is individuating from your parents – sometimes that means metaphorically killing them to find yourself. I think that was the stage Edgar played out in Sleep. Walk. Kill. But what if Edgar is pulled into another nightmare where his mom comes back as a Zombie and ends up working with him to save others or something … loved that Mom had many sides – it would be cool to see even more sides to her. Anyway, that’s just me dreaming. I’m curious to see what Justin comes up with next – I know he is working on more films. I’d be thrilled to work with him and the rest of that cast and crew again. I bonded with those wonderful talented fun people.
I have to thank Ellen for her time. I know life gets busy and I do appreciate her answering these questions. I wish her nothing but the best in her career and look forward to seeing her on the screen again.
Comments