/jan12/chemicalpeels.jpg
Dread caught up today with Deadheads actress Natalie Victoria, who gave us the lowdown on the currently shooting survival horror feature Chemical Peel, in which she stars, as well as providing us with a quartet of exclusive production stills and teaser art from the Hank Braxtan-directed production. Read on!
Described as a cross between Cabin Fever and The Mist, Chemical Peel is presently filming in Los Angeles and revolves around a group of girls trapped in a remote cabin as an unknown danger lurks outside. In addition to Victoria, the flick stars newcomers Arielle Brachfeld, Stephanie Greco, Lacy Fisher and Leigh Davis with Lonye Perrine rounding out the female ensemble cast. 17 Road Films is producing.
Speaking with Victoria (who appears as love interest “Ellie Masterson” in the Pierce Bros.’ festival darling zombedy Deadheads), the actress told us of her attraction to Chemical Peel, “Oh well, I love horror as you know, so of course I was eagerly looking for my next horror project (after Deadheads). That being said, Chemical Peel is quite a treasure for me, and I am incredibly lucky to have been generously given the opportunity to actually develop the story from the start with the producer and director (Hank Braxtan) and his equally talented fiancée, Arielle Brachfeld.”
As for that development process, “The three of us share a passion for film, good stories and horror,” said Victoria, “and we just gathered around a kitchen table one day and came up with the entire story from top to finish. Once we had the story and characters, we added the creative screenwriting talents of Dan Sinclair to put it all on paper and to bring it to life via script. Dan added a lot and really did a fantastic job. When the script was in place, production soon followed several months later. I guess I was drawn to the idea of Chemical Peel because it’s realistic and scary. I wanted to be a part of a film that audiences would be both entertained and terrified by, and since so many talented filmmakers have done an awesome job with home-invasion style movies, we wanted to do something different but just as relatable.”
“For me, Chemical Peel is quite a departure from my previous comedic romps on screen, so I of course jumped at the challenge to be able to show some dramatic range,” Victoria continued. “But I have to say horror fans are going to love how gory I get in Chemical Peel compared to my character in Deadheads.” (Note: The latter is slated for a first quarter 2012 US release through Freestyle Digital Media.)
In regard to Victoria’s character in Chemical Peel, “I am playing the role of ‘Rae’, who is the protagonist in the film,” revealed the actress. “She is a former wild-child who now suffers from depression that was caused from a traumatic childhood event. Chemical Peel opens up several years after that event with a bachelorette party which reunites her with some old friends as well as old enemies. When you first meet her, it’s obvious she is wrestling with her inner demons as well as those around her. However, when outside events start to happen around the girls which leave them trapped in the cabin, she has to fight to find a way to survive and make right on what she wronged in her past.”
Victoria paused for effect.
“But the question is, is it already too late? Queue dramatic music!” she laughed. “No really, it’s pretty cool how the film unfolds, and I can’t wait for audiences to see it. Currently we are filming, and we are scheduled to wrap mid-February and begin post-production immediately after.”
For more be sure to ‘like’ Chemical Peel on Facebook, and check out Natalie Victoria at her official and brand-new website!