Over a year ago, I found myself in the deep South working on a little movie called 2001 Maniacs. Last week, I was in quite a different place - at a screening in Los Angeles, we unleashed the film on an unsuspecting public for the first time. Let me tell you, the scene was surreal. Horror fans are some of the best – dressing up for a night out at the movies takes on a whole new meaning! The legions of fans lined up to get into the theater was awesome – I’m guessing The Grove (an open-air shopping mall complete with a trolley to take you from the Gap to the Cheesecake Factory) hasn’t ever been witness to such a celebration of the Dark Side.

I was really excited to see everyone I had worked with so long ago, and to finally see the finished product. I was also really nervous. Would everyone “get” it? We hadn’t exactly made a mainstream horror film. Tim’s vision had been to bring back the feeling of the original film, H.G. Lewis’ Two Thousand Maniacs! – a gore-fest of blood, guts, hot boys and girls, and barrels of wicked laughs. We really went for it, no punches pulled. As everyone filed into the theatre, giddy with the prospect of a new horror classic, meeting star Robert Englund, or a glimpse of horror legend Forrest Ackerman, I held my breath and waited for Tim to arrive.

And waited. And waited some more. One by one, they all arrived: Robert, star Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Scott Spiegel, Boaz Yakin, John Landis, Forrest Ackerman, Fangoria Magazine’s Tony Timpone, several of my co-stars… but no Tim. Finally, almost a half-hour late, Tim strolled in all smiles and confidence. Traffic in Los Angeles is a stereotype for a reason – when you really, really need to get somewhere on time, you usually can’t. But the director had wielded his way through the city and had arrived in time to see his baby breathe for the first time. I relaxed a little, settled into my seat, and wondered how this would go over.

I had been expecting some sort of introduction, something to prepare the audience for the film, or at least to introduce Robert and the other horror dignitaries in presence. There was not, however, and the film rolled without comment.

Wow. The opening credits sequence is hot!! So much more than I had expected from the description in the script. The movie itself is a riot, if I do say so myself. The one-liners are so bad they’re hysterical. I’m certain I’m explicitly biased, but I enjoyed it. It was great seeing all the folks I had spent two and a half weeks of indie-horror film boot camp with. Seeing myself onscreen is always interesting, as I spend most of my time critiquing my performance, but my boyfriend told me I did a good job. And it must be true. He wouldn’t lie to me, would he?

We shot our film on a shoestring budget in 18 days in the deep South, with all that entails. Some people will hate it, and some will love it for what it is – and it’s those folks we’re looking to entertain. Robert and Lin are funny and psychotic, leading the rest of the cast through a wonderfully gory romp. I can’t tell you much (I want you to see it and form your own opinion!!), but I can tell you I absolutely loved exploring my maniacal side. My character, “Peaches,” was a thoroughly liberating experience I doubt I’ll get again, all thanks and praise to Tim!

The film ended and I stayed in my seat to watch the reactions… As I expected, the room was divided. Divided, but talking, and everyone in Hollywood knows, as long as they’re talking about you, it ain’t all bad.

As we meandered over to the after-screening reception, I ran into John Landis, who had been on set in Georgia (unfortunately, his scenes with original Maniacs! producer David F. Friedman had been cut). What a great guy!! He was at the screening with director Adam Rifkin, and they were both very complementary. Landis told me he thought the film really invoked the over-the-top exploitation films of the 70’s… he also complemented a particular scene of mine. I’m sure Mr. Landis was appreciating my acting ability. My ability to act without my shirt, but I’ll take it. Actually, I had had wonderful conversations with him on set about the making of American Werewolf in London, and it was cool that he appreciated our little movie.

At the reception, I got a chance to chat with Robert, a few of my co-stars, Tim and the boys at Raw Nerve (and Lisette at Velvet Steamroller!). These functions are mostly the same – you have a few cocktails and tell each other how great you were in the movie, how you look fabulous, how bad the traffic was getting there. In the midst of all the schmoozing, deals were being forged – the whole point of the evening, after all, was to garner domestic distribution for 2001 Maniacs (so you can actually see the film for yourself instead of reading what people like me have say about it!). I’ve heard rumors about this company and that company, but nothing concrete – I’m just an actor, and I’m sure you’ll find out about the deal before I do.

I got to meet Fangoria editor Tony Timpone, and tell him how much I’ve always loved the mag. I met Tim’s family, and that explained a lot. I met a lot of cool folks from the horror genre and talked horror films, horror film toys, horror conventions, and horror sequels. I had a few cocktails, told everyone how great they were in the movie, or how wonderful it was to meet them, or how bad the traffic was on my way over.

We’re having another screening for the entire cast and crew in a few weeks. In a lot of ways, I’m even more excited to see it with them – they understand more than anyone how it was on set. The long days, the longer nights, the stuff that was too much to even make it into the final cut. And after that? Here’s hoping 2001 Maniacs will be on its way to a theatre near you. When you see it, promise me this – bring your sense of humor and an open mind. I’m hoping you’ll have a blast. I sure did.