Silver-scream star, Melissa Bacelar

Posted on 24 June, 2007 by GabbyGoff

Melissa Bacelar is the hostess of the website that you are currently on, The Underground Horror Movie Network (or more affectionaly coined, "UHMN"). And I'm probably telling you nothing new when I mention that she has starred in such films as "Eat your heart out" and "Strange things happen at sundown". But did you know that she has created The Network Studio, a revolutionary idea that is helping newcomers to the acting business present themselves in the best manner possible and she is President/CEO of "Lost Angeles Films", a company that hopes to break stereo-types and revive the horror genre.

If you have perused her personal website you will find that she also used to be a Coyote-Ugly girl! By this, we know that she can dance too, right? Though, according to the title's namesake and adage, if you chew your arm off the next morning when you wake up to Melissa, you must have uttered the words, "I'd chew off my left arm to be with you!" and followed through.

I tell you, there is nothing that can stop this girl. She says with positivity and hard work you can make anything happen. And boy does she ever lead by example!

So without further ado, here is the interview with your hostess (with the mostest) at UHMN, The visionary and revolutionary Scream Queen Melissa Bacelar.

When was the first time you heard the words, "Scream Queen" in reference to you, and what was it like hearing this for the first time?

MB: It's so funny because I rarely scream in my movies...I usually make people scream.  But, the first time was probably at the Wizard World convention in Chicago back in 2001.  I went with Troma and I was introduced as a Scream Queen and Tromette.  Since it is sort of common and I even was asked to be on IDENTITY, the gameshow where contestants guess the secret identities of the guests, as a Scream Queen.  It's weird but a total compliment.

When writing, do you find your inspiration in the "weirdest places", do you need complete quiet, or are you a write-on-toilet-paper if that's all you have available to you, type of gal?

MB: Well I have 6 dogs so quiet is definetly non exsistent!  I am one of those people that can do thirty things at once and I write best while destracted.  Like when I fly I will always think, Great!  I have hours to do nothing, I'll write!  NOPE, nothing happens.  I sit their aimlessly then get drunk.  It's when I am on the phone, feeding my dogs and doing laundry that brilliant ideas come then I just write for hours..

MB: I guess I sort of answered that.  I can do lots and lots of stuff at the same time.  As long as I like the project.  I am one of those people who always says yes.  THATS RIGHT BOYS!  kidding, sort of.  But I will always do favors for people and take on projects that are not necessarily my favorites.  Once I am involved it is super hard for me to concentrate and memorize lines!! 

You state on your personal website that you want to be an action-star. Have you done any stunt-work? If not, would you?

MB: OH GOD!!  Walking is a stunt for me.  I am super clutzy.  But I am tough and I look like I can kick ass. I will leave the stunts to the stunt people.

What makes you turn your nose up at a script or a role?
 

MB: I used to do anything and everything for the experience.  I won't do a role with senseless nudity or where the women are victimized.  AND I WOULD NEVER DO A ROLE WHERE ANIMALS ARE BEING TORTURED.  Anything that is pro fur or puppymills or some other horrible anti animal story is an absolute no in my book.

What's the challenge of doing a "low-budget" film (under $100,000)? Also, how fun is it?

MB: Well low budget films are really great for one reason.  The passion.  Everyone involved is doing it because they love it.  No one is making their normal day rate so its all done on love!!  The only problem is alot of times they are a directors first film and can be unorganized.  But I have been pretty lucky and worked with really amazing people. 

Now, please tell us about Lost Angeles Films, and its maiden production, "Eat your heart out" as well as its sibling, "Pink Eye".

MB: Well, most things just sort of happen to me and that is how Lost Angeles films came about.  I was driving home from breakfast with my boyfriend and he said.  We should start producing films.  I was like OK what should we call the production company and he thought for about 2 minutes and said Lost Angeles Films.  It was available.  We bought it and I immediately called Joshua Nelson (who wrote both films)  I asked him if he could develop a script for me based on a super hero I created.  he said he could but he would like me to read EYHO first.  I loved it and we made it 2 months later.  We had so much fun during the filming of EYHO we started  talking about another script he wrote and before we finished EYHO we were in pre production for Pink Eye!!

Are there any "behind-the-scenes" stuff that you could share?

MB: I won't name names!!!  "Eat your heart out" was about a two week shoot and the days were really long.  The whole cast and crew became really close and it was just a really fun project.  So one night we were all shooting outside and a few of the day players were hanging out waiting for us to wrap.  Well, there was a holding area that had a TV and food, drinks ect.  We were taking a 5 minute break and one of the crew members went to get a drink. They opened the door and said the TV was blasting.  They looked inside and one of the day players was...ARE YOU READY... biting their BIG ...toe nail.  EWE...I'm sorry but you are in a public place with food in it.  I know anyone from that film that reads this is going to be mortified that I divulged our secret.  But the story had to be told!

{GG: Hmmm, a zombie has to start somewhere I suppose...}

Have you always wanted to run a production company?

MB: No.  not at all.  In fact when I moved to LA three years ago my boyfriend kept telling me I should produce films.  I had no interest till recently.

What is it like sitting in the casting chair rather than being the one who is auditioning?
 

MB: You learn alot.  I actually own an acting school as well and we audition people every Wednesday.  So I have had a lot of experience with this.  It is crazy.  You meet all types of people and you really do know the talented ones in the first 10 seconds!!

Please tell us about you and UHMN.
 

MB: UHMN is just an amazing vision that is coming together beautifully.  My partners and I wanted a place were horror fans and independent film makers can come together and talk, get to know eachother, watch films, review film...MAKE FILMS!  UHMN is MySpace for Horror fans combined with a 24 hour horror covention and Apples Technology.  So the fans can actually download films to keep and do write ups, reccomendations and just talk about the things they love and know.  The site is only 1/4 done right now...So just wait.  We are working with some of the biggest names in Horror to make the site even better.

You are in Playboy, as well as Girls and Corpses magazine! What were those experiences like for you (and did they involve karo syrup)?
 

MB: They were two very different shoots.  Playboy was a surreal experience... I mean.  It's PLAYBOY.  We shot at  a Mansion in the hills.  Not "THE" mansion but a very gorgeous, spanish styled home.  There was hair, makeup, stylist, lighting, catering, photographer and assistants all there for my shoot.  Every detail was discussed and fussed over.  And then at the end....they tell me HEF will choose the photos that go in.  It's so funny the things that get us excited.  The fact that HEF will see my photo is just so exciting to me.  Plus the clothes were beautiful.  Everyone did a great job!  The issue should be out in September...
 
Girls and Corpses has a slightly smaller budget.  We shot in my studio, with hair and makeup and corpses everywhere!!!  It was fun.  Everyone is super fun and nice and the magazine is GREAT!!  Really funny shots.  That should be in their next issue. 

I am also going to be in Maxim, Belgium and Sirens of Cinema..I will keep ya posted.

Give us some introspect, what do you think is your best asset? And on that same coin, what is your worst?

MB: Wow thats a tough one...My best asset is my drive.  I don't ever stop until I get what I want.  And my worst asset is my drive.  I tend to obsess about things that are out of my control.

You are quite the go-getter! Who is the one person who has inspired you the most in your life.
 

MB: Two people...My Mom and Dad.  They were really young when they had me so we grew up together.  And they always worked really hard for everything and I was always with them.  There was always fun in my house but never rest!!!  So I grew up with two people that never asked for help.  They just did what they needed to do.  They are both happy and successful so I guess I just sort of followed in their footsteps.

MB: She is a super hero that was created for Who Wants to be a Superhero!!  I included a cool story that  she wrote!
 
"The day I met Stan Lee started like any other day.  My army of companion dogs woke me up to feed them their breakfast of grilled chicken and steamed broccoli (well fed dogs defend the best) at 7am.  I then continued with my other morning rituals, chasing squirrels, burying bones, the usual.  At 8:30am I put on my cape, boots and other garb in preparation for my adventure.  Although my companions wanted to join me I knew this was a mission I had to face alone.  I left them to guard my hideout and used my super smelling power to find Stan Lee.

I sniffed my way to Hollywood, Ca and  as I approached I used my elevated sense of hearing to help me determine what was going on inside.  I quickly realized that Stan Lee was not alone.  In fact there were hundreds maybe thousands of Super Hero and Super Hero wanna be's inside of what appeared to be... a sound stage?  

One of the first people I encountered, on this very dreary Los Angeles day, was a man draped in a dead deer. He had the lifeless antlers on his head and I immediately identified him as an enemy (and a wanna be).  I did what I do best.  And, after sniffing his butt introduced myself w/ a coy smile immediately gaining his trust and loyalty.  I asked him if he would bring me to the place where I could meet Stan Lee and he obediently did just that.  Once I was inside of the sound stage my worst fears came true.  A man in a bright yellow pair of spandex underwear and white heels shook his flabby cellulite ridden butt in my face. 

I opted not to sniff this one, threw my deer clad rival towards the grotesque ass and made my way to the other side of the room.  I finally found an ally, a Rottweiler named Max.  He explained that everyone in this film studio was competing to meet Stan Lee.  In fact, this whole day was dedicated to finding the best and most dedicated Super Heroes in the world. 
 
I thanked Max and confidently looked around the room.  I knew it was just a matter of time before Stan Lee and I would be united.  After all my competition consisted of a girl with a cell phone and a hideous skirt and a woman with Twinkies on her belt???  The day was long and much to my chagrin, I watched as the people in the room traded stupid human tricks for a few moments on a local news station. It was a sad day for Super Heroes.  Finally, the leaders of this circus pulled the chosen few into another room.  These chosen few would in fact meet Stan Lee.  Of course I was among this pack. 

Unfortunately so was Twinkie lady and the cell phone fashion disaster!  But, I would be meeting Stan Lee.  Stan "the man" as so many of us fondly call him.  I even named my first born dog after him!  So I sat amongst my competitors and waited.  I waited for hours.  There were no fire hydrants in site and I had to use one badly but I tried to occupy myself by gnawing on a raw hide bone I brought from home.  Finally it was my turn.  I was escorted onto another sound stage.  Only this one was pitch black except for a spot light that illuminated a small red x.  I ran to it and prepared myself for the great Stan Lee. 

Suddenly another light came on exposing a large movie screen and on it was Stan Lee.  He asked me about my powers and my motto.  He also was very interested in my catch phrase, "I Smell Trouble."  I then told Stan Lee, that I had a little Stan Lee at home.  And he was very upset that I had neutered his small name sake.  I tried to explain that with the amount of unwanted dogs in the world it is irresponsible not to spay and neuter your animals.  However, Stan Lee was outraged and asked me to leave. 

I ran out wishing the day had gone differently.  Several days later I received a call from one of Stan lee's minions asking me to come down to their studio for psychological testing.  At this point my excitement grew again.  But in the end...I was not chosen.  Instead a group of wanna be Super Heroes were invited to Mr. Lee's lair.  I guess they couldn't handle a Bitch like me. "

{GG: Sick 'em, girl!}

What's new in your laboratory, and should we get our torches and pitch-forks ready?

MB: Oh..June has been somewhat quite..I have like 4 or 5 projects that may go soon.  But I am just trying to get some sleep and play with my 6 dogs and 4 bunnies everyday!!  I am working on a film called Sweet Water Creek that should start filming in the fall!!  It's going to be awesome and creepy!! Backwoods entertainment is producing the film and it is about a very dysfunctional family that lives in a small town and prays on anyone who enters!!  I get to play evil twins and my bar partner, Maria Hurdle, from Coyote Ugly is playing opposite me!!  I am also attached to a thriller called Mama Z.  I will play a hooker out for revenge.  Plus UHMN.com is improving everyday and I have a bunch of magazine spreads coming out, including Belgium Maxim, Sirens of Cinema and a few others.  Actually check my website, MelissaBacelar.com there is a lot!!

There is a quote on your tombstone, Ms. Bacelar, what does it say?

MB: Life is like a dream...You only think its real!

Melissa's website is MelissaBacelar.com. Check it out for updates on everything Melissa.

Another profiler! Melissa is on MySpace, check it out: www.MySpace.com/NetworkingGuru

Thank you for this interview, Ms. Bacelar and to the "UHMN"-dead readers, I thank you.

Now get back into your coffins like good little dead things. Until next time...

Comments

MaryGoff	Thu August 2, 2007 at 12:08:28 PDT Thank you very much Sulentho.
sulentho	Wed August 1, 2007 at 16:10:27 PDT Very up close and personal interview.