In House of Bad, out December 3 from Osiris Entertainment, Sadie Katz plays -it’s fair to say – a real tough chick. Only right then that we hit her up with some really ‘tough’ questions.
Tough question to start with. How alike are you and your character in the film?
A first look it’s easy to see Sirah as just a spacey fun party girl but, she’s not stupid and sorta has a method to her madness. She also really does feel and love deeply which gets her in some tough spots. As accommodating as she is she’s no one’s doormat. There’s a huge part of me that could be summed up exactly like that. The girlie side of me is definitely all Sirah.
Now, are you the type of actor that stays ‘in character’ throughout production? Or… how do you work?
I stay in character in a subtle way. I try to relate to the actors and crew the way my character would. I don’t think anyone really notices they just think that’s how I am. I just did a pilot called “Streets of LA” with Jamie Gomez from Nash Bridges where I play a detective, I definitely had a different attitude and energy on set than when I was playing Sirah. When you’re shooting a film or series fast it’s better to stay in that headspace. Nothing too crazy but, how you sit, what you talk about when you’re not shooting. It’s better if the cast and crew in a subliminal way see you as the character. It makes your job easier. You have to be careful though because, everyone has a lot to do on set and I think it’s not fair for them to have to deal with your “process” so, it’s just something you do in a small way. If you do it well…no one has to know.
Was this the most emotionally and physically demanding movie you’ve done? Was it tough at times to shoot?
This was a tough one- it was a lot of dialogue, all the girls had character “arcs” that you had to honor and we didn’t shoot in order so, you have to pay attention to what part of your characters journey you’re trying to experience. The script was also very touching at times, without giving anything away…there’s a scene with Cheryl were we’re dealing with our mother’s ghost the scene hit home for me because, in real life I hadn’t seen my mother in years…it was tough because, emotionally I was feeling it. When we were done with the scene you just had to shake it and go on to the next. The whole sad, scared, happy, silly, running, scared thing on a very honest level makes you a little bit of a basket case after shooting. During shooting you’re pushing yourself to extreme emotions and have to just drop them to go to the next. It’s a ride. But, if you want it to work you gotta get on board and go.
Did you know your co-stars before shooting? If not, did you have to spend some time together in the lead-up to production to get the ‘chemistry’ down pat?
Sometimes you get to do that as an actor and that’s a gift. Sometimes, the director and producers cast well and get who you are thru the audition process and they nail it. I think we were lucky because, the casting was very spot on for us as sisters. Sometimes with a cast of three girls you can get into competitive energy but, that was never the case. We all worked from our first meeting to relate to each other as sisters. I felt from the first day on set we all just went with it.
Is Jim Towns an ‘actor’s director’? Was he good to work with?
Jim is awesome. He’s a very prepared director, he knows his shots, knows what he’s doing. Comes to set relaxed (at least what he let us see), looks like he’s having fun and is making creative choices. He also really, really respects actors, he trusts you to do your thing. I think that’s what makes an actor’s director. I love the relationship between and actor and director. I love the collaboration – I especially loved working with Jim because, he was so grateful and just a really cool energy to be around.
Were you a fan of horror or slasher films growing up? What did you remember being your first scary movie?
I lived next door to my friend and her Mom they were true Horror fans. I was always too scared and didn’t want to watch the films. My mom had me watch Jodie Foster’s “Little Girl Down the Lane” that was scary in this like, organic, creepy way. I think “Tales from the Dark Side” and “Tales from the Crypt” were the first things I loved watching. The intro in black and white from “Tales from the Darkside” with that crazy dark voice still freaks me out to this day.
Do you have a favorite ‘scary movie’?
I loved “Black Swan” as an actor I have to say that’s a deep, dark fear of mine. Doing a part and just sorta losing your mind during it. There’s that slow Hitchcockian (can I use that phrase, is it real? It must be.) but, you know that slow creepy build up- where nothing is happening yet, the character’s world is unraveling. I’m sure there been a movie made of this but, I always think it’s crazy as an actor if you’re screaming begging for help and there’s the director, boom, grips, D.P. all standing watching and you’re working yourself into a frenzy and they’re doing nothing to save you until “CUT!” It’s weird what you’ll do as a performer to get the shot. It’s scary.
What do you think the most terrifying moment in House of Bad is, without giving too much away?
Hmmm…that’s a good one. I think it depends on what your fear is. There’s a beautiful scene in the forest with Cheryl Sands(Lily) who sees the ghost of her mother and it’s sorta either a good thing or a bad thing and she’s approached by the ghost. That’s scary to me.
The film seems to have developed quite a following, so the only question is… when’s House of Bad 2?
Hey! That would be so, so awesome. Jim Towns and I have joked about it. I’m so down. But, ultimately that’s up to people liking the movie and spreading the word so…..
