Those of us who watch horror films enjoy them of course, but that about the folks who make them? Well, we know of one horror actress who's a horror film fan as well. In fact, she's a...
One of the newest (and youngest)
of the group of actresses who work in today’s B-horror genre
films and have earned the sobriquet of "Scream Queen,"
Stephanie Beaton has 
carved out an interesting career in
action- and horror-packed cinematic thrills. Her acting (and
screaming) career began in 1995 when she landed a leading roll in
the derivative psycho-killer flick Unnaturally
Born Killer. Stephanie portrayed a model who
was held prisoner by the titular madman. The low-budget effort
was nominated for a B-Movie Theater Award the following year.
Since then, the gray-eyed, redheaded beauty blossomed as a
"Scream Queen" in Teen Witches
(1995), Witchcraft IX: Bitter Flesh
(1997), The Zombie Ninja (1997),
A Mid Cyber's Night Dream (1997), Witchcraft
X: Mistress Of The Craft (1998), and will
soon begin work on a vampire film, Blood Kiss.
Stephanie has also worked in network television, music videos,
and is an accomplished model. But what sets Stephanie apart from
many others who work in the business is her genuine regard and
fondness for horror films, particularly classic and cult horror
films, just the kind we like here at HORROR-WOOD. In fact,
Stephanie said some nice things about this humble webzine in
particular and classic movie horror in general, which led to the
following interview:
HORROR-WOOD: How did you begin doing horror films? You already had a liking for horror films before you began your career. Did you have a desire to work in the horror genre when you first went into acting?
STEPHANIE BEATON: Actually yes, I did always want to do a horror film or two. Especially since I have always been a huge fan of horror and gore, since I was four. My first job was a music video, then came my first horror film, Unnaturally Born Killer. I went in, did my reading, screamed my scream, and the rest is history! I have been famous for my scream ever since.
HW: Your first horror film, Unnatural Born Killer (1995), is an obvious play on the title of the recent Woody Harrelson serial killer film. It's also about a serial killer who abducts you. Did this help establish you as a horror-film actress?
SB: Unnaturally Born Killer did start it for me to obtain a title as a "Scream Queen!" But it wasn't until I started working on the several other horror films that my name became known.
HW. What do you like best about working in horror-fantasy films? Do you find they give you sufficient scope as an actress, or do they limit you somewhat in terms of character development?
SB: Well the adrenaline rush is
FANTASTIC!!! When I'm acting, I completely become 
that character, whether horror or not.
But since it is a horror film, it is unreal! It's like it’s
really happening to me. And the creatures or whatever (killers)
are real. You can loose your mind for about 30 seconds!
That’s what I like about horror. It's brings fantasy to
life. Yes, it can limit my character. Even though I love doing
them, I want to branch out into a more dramatic, heart-felt
roles.
HW. Some of your films also concern magic and witchcraft. Do you enjoy this subgenre of the horror film?
SB: Yes, I do. I find them fascinating.
HW: In terms of horror, which of the films you've worked in come closest to the horror films you enjoyed in the past?
SB: The film The Zombie Ninja, reminds me of Night of the Living Dead.
HW: Please tell us about your love for horror films. What horror films first impressed you? Did any certain film inspire you to become a horror film fan?
SB: Oh God, I could go on and on about this. I loved the film Dracula, House of Wax, Jack the Ripper, Phantasm, Carrie, all the Steven King films, and of course the original Halloween and Friday the 13th. But there are so many little films that I loved that many people never heard of or don't remember. I used to play all the time like I was one of the characters in these and being chased.
HW: In relative terms, the films you do now are the equivalent of the "B"-horror films of the past. Although they were low-budget, many of them were crafted with care and professionalism. Do you find this to be the same with the films you perform in today?
SB: Some yes, some no, I mean, I agree with you, the classic horror were THE BEST!!! Today, things just get cheesy! Some of my films have been really good, with great special effects, etc.. Others, I would rather forget!
HW: Are others in the films you perform in also horror film fans--the directors, writers, cinematographers?
SB: Definitely!!!!
HW: Of course, you have an affinity for the "B"-horror films of today. But, as a horror fan, how do they compare with the horror films of the past?
SB: Well like I said before, I think they are getting cheesy! The classics are the best, even the ones made in the 70's, 80's were good. But today, to find something that actually makes your skin crawl, just doesn't happen anymore.
HW: In
terms of classic and cult horror films, how do you like the
Universal series? The Hammer series? Which actors from these two
series do you like best?
SB: I like both of them!!!! Its a very hard decision!!!!
HW: If you could step into a time machine, is there a certain horror role and/or film you'd like the chance to act in? Any horror stars from the past you'd like to work with?
SB: I would of loved to work with Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, and what was that actor’s name who always played Dracula??? I brain is fried tonight from studying scripts...
HW: Bela Lugosi.
SB: I would have LOVED to have played in a Dracula film.
HW: What is that you like about the classic horror films? For example, what do you find most appealing about films like the Universal "Frankenstein" or "Mummy" series?
SB: Well at that time, there was more suspense, more to the imagination. They were better, but then again, they were all new to the people and people were shocked and wanted to see more. So there is nothing like the first time.... In today’s remakes, they’re more graphic now and I think less is more.
HW: In your films, you're a heroine who can take care of herself, even against the supernatural. In the classic horror films, most of the heroines were of the "scream and faint" type. Do you find that a bit demeaning? Do you think those classic horror films would have been improved if the heroines had a bit more "fight" rather than "faint" in them?
SB: Well a little. It gives women a name that I really don't care for, the helpless girl, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want the classics changed in anyway! That’s what makes it good! The girl always gets rescued. Today, it seems that in every horror film, the girl kicks ass and the guy is the wimp. That’s not a bad thing, especially coming from a girl, but I actually like it when the man rescues the woman....
HW: Do you find that fans you meet like classic horror as well as modern horror?
SB: Oh yes, especially the ones at the conventions!!!
HW: You have an active fan club.
Are you also active in conventions and other fan
gatherings?
SB: Yes I am. I may possibly do the next one in Las Vegas in July. Although I will be doing the comic book convention in San Diego on the Fourth of July weekend.
HW: Do you plan to keep your foot in horror films even as you branch out into other types of roles and films?
SB: I'd like to. But I want to branch out into some more serious, dramatic roles. I did when I played with Heather Locklear in Shattered Mind and Through The Looking Glass, both were NBC films. And also, I played a detective, Det. Lutz that is, in both Witchcraft 9 and 10....And of course, the many music videos... but I do want to branch out.
HW: What's next for Stephanie Beaton? Where may we see you next? Is your upcoming vampire film Blood Kiss more of a traditional horror film than most of those you've done?
SB: Well one of the projects I will be shooting in Texas this summer is a film made from a comic book called WYND. I play Rachel, who becomes Rayhne, goddess of water. I play a super action hero. There will be dolls, T-shirts, posters, games, and, of course, the comic book that is already out and has been for a while now. It’s made by Rage Comics. They're finally bringing the characters to life! I possibly maybe doing a couple of wrestling matches, not mud wrestling, professional wrestling in which one I will be a ring announcer and the other, which will air on pay-per-view, a guest commentator! Now, Blood Kiss will be shot this spring. Nightmare Productions is putting that out. It is a vampire film with a surprise ending. Sort of a spoof off the classics, but it has an air all its own. It's a very good film. Suspenseful....
HW: For those fans who wish to get into horror filmmaking, do you have any advice?
SB: Be REAL and work hard. Don't sell yourself short to make a quick buck on the foreign market.. Don't settle for just anything. Make it big and go that extra mile to make it real and good. No cheese!!!! Go back to the basics.... We all like it when the murder is not really seen!!!!
Many thanks, Stephanie! I know we'll be looking for Blood Kiss when it's released...and we'll certainly follow your career with great interest. (Incidentally, those interested in learning more about Stephanie Beaton should surf on over to her webpage, where you might wish to join her growing fan club. The photos on this page came from her website, where other great photos await.)
