Monique Gata Dupree

Posted on 1 May, 2007 by Superheidi

by Superheidi & Gabby Goff

There is a first for everything and what better "first" is there than being the first black Scream Queen? Nothing! Okay there may be other things but it is certainly a good first to be! Not only has "Gata" starred in such films as Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned and loves to be bloody and naked, she is a musician in a band called, NegroChilde (pronounced neh-grow keeled).

So sit in on an interview where you can get to know the first black Scream Queen, Monique "Gata" DuPree.

1) Can you tell us about some of the characters you've played in horror films...?

First off, I always seem to play the villain. I've  been a vampire pretending to be a stripper to feast on young horny men (Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned), I've played a snake demon (Oria), a murderous wrestler (The Maim Event), yet another vampire (The Wrong Room), and I've been a bloated ghost lady (Cottonmouth). 

These would be my most memorable characters

2) You're the first "Black Scream Queen". When did you know you officially became a Scream Queen, and why do you think there has never been a black Scream Queen before?

I would have to say officially about a year ago when I was on Fangoria radio as a scream queen contestant and Lloyd Kaufman acknowledged me as such.  I had been trying to break into the industry..and that was my "in". As to the why? That's a really good question. The weird thing is, I usually hear from people.."Why arent you a video vixen?" I wonder sometimes if that's the goal that a lot of our young black women are going for. There's not alot of black women out there that I know that love the idea of being all bloodied up, playing a victim, of being a killer in these indie horror flicks.  But...I tell you..the numbers are now growing!

3) Do you have any African American horror film actresses that you look up to or grew up watching?

There hasnt really been a consistency with black actresses in Horror films..I can tell you, however, that I've always looked up to Pam Grier. I've learned alot just from watching her style of acting.

4) Do you think being one of a kind makes it easier to find roles in horror, or harder? and why?

Well, that's where this question gets hard because I don't see myself as one of a kind.  It's hard for me to find roles that I'd actually love to play.  I have been blessed  with the people that I have met thus far because they call me back aboard  for other projects. I'd like to confess that  my breasts, often times get in the way of more challenging roles (no pun intended) because that's the first thing people see.  That's just starting to change for me and I'm happy about that.

5) Do you have a dream role?

Yes! My dream role is actually an action role..I mean something Quentin Tarantino~ish!

6) What's the most fun you've ever had acting in a horror film? Can you describe the scene?

7) Nudity: Yea or Nay? and why?

Yea...nudity is no big deal to me. It's just a naked body. Maybe I'm corny, but I just think that the human figure can be a powerful visual.

8) Would you like to eventually move on to other genres as an actress, or are you happy to stay in horror?

Yes, I have plans on branching out. I've done bits parts in films like American Ganster, Life Support, The ten, The Replacements..none of which are horror. But I have to admit horror will always be like home, you just have to keep comng back or you'll get homesick.

9) Do you have any projects of your own you'd like to direct or produce?

You know it! I have a couple of projects which I think my vision can lend something different to the industry. I also have someone who will be working with me over the next year to make that happen.  I'm all about being behind the scenes as much as being in front of the camera.

10) What films do you have coming up? Tell us details...

Wow..details? That's a lot of typing! 

So I have Skeleton Key 2 (http://www.darkstone-ent.com/) which will be filming in a few weeks. I've worked wth them before, so I'm really excited about this one.

I have Caspian coming up, which has Debbie Rochon in it. That's a Low Budget Pictures joint!

I also have a film I'm doing called the Defective Man (www.myspace.com/defectiveman) then there's Vampires of the Zanzibar (http://www.myspace.com/zanzbarvampires) which I have a small role in. The big film this summer is heavy mental which has Brenna Lee Roth and Tiffany Apan starring also (http://www.silverbulletpictures.com/).

Then there's just a long list (sorry if I missed anyone)I'm signed on for Rage:Internal Demons and 6 other films in the works... so I'll be a busy little feline.

Comments

Gata	Tue June 5, 2007 at 9:42:47 PDT I enjoyed bein ginterviewed by her..she kicks much ass!
MaryGoff	Thu May 17, 2007 at 17:20:43 PDT I agree. Heidi did an awesome job.
TheAngryprincess	Thu May 10, 2007 at 4:34:43 PDT great interview...