Shannon Lark

My friend Shannon Lark is the person that the term hyphenate was created for. Not only is she a writer, director, producer and actress, but she is the Co-Director/Founder of the Viscera Film Festival, Founder/Advisor and former CEO of The ChainSaw Mafia, and held the 2009 Spooksmodel crown for Fangoria Entertainment.

Long a supporter of CathARTic, the impossibly gorgeous Shannon believes in equal opportunity creation, equal opportunity film making, and the idea that creating art is what saves the world from destroying itself. She is prominently featured in Stacey Ponder‘s feature film debut Ludlow, and will be seen in theatres near you this year in Mel House‘s truly trippy Psychic Experiment (a.k.a. Walking Distance), co-starring Reggie (Phantasm) Bannister, Adrienne (Friday the 13th) King, and distributed by Lionsgate! Not only that, but the 2011 Viscera Film Festival will be July 17 at the Silent Film Theatre in Los Angeles!

CaFE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

SL: When I was 19, I went to an audition on a whim in San Francisco for a student film. The story took place in a mental ward, and I was auditioning for the extremely medicated female character. I took a friend and waited in the lobby while being stared down by the other women. Totally nervous, I went in and auditioned, the paper shaking in my hand as I went through the motions. I left and the producer ran after me, exclaiming that they couldn’t find my contact info and that I was perfect. Several women waiting in the room got up and left right then and there. The film was never made but the point is that the experience let me know I was definitely on the right path. Becoming a filmmaker was a completely natural progression for me: I wanted to work on movies I cared about, not just be a stereotypical female character that’s usually available in low budget horror films. I wanted my acting roles to mean something, so I started making my own movies.

I could go on an on about how it really started when I was born (my parents thought I was dead when I came out blue and holding my breath) and throughout my childhood, but this experience was the ice breaker.

CaFE: Once upon a time you said that you would only work in Horror movies. Has this changed, and why (or why not)?

SL: It has, actually. I’m open now to doing dark comedies and weird, off the wall films. I’m even open to doing commercials, although they don’t excite me like working on twisted concepts.

The reason why this has changed is simply because of searching for an agent. For an agent to represent you, there must be compromise. I’m willing to go to commercial auditions, if they can get me auditions for the horror films I wouldn’t get access to unless I was represented. It’s something I’ve had to accept over the years, and I’ve come to terms with it. However, horror still has my heart.

CaFE: Acting, directing or writing… if you could do only one, which would it be?

SL: Oh god. I would have to say acting. But I believe that you CAN have it all, and you should. I once had a dream that I went to prison for life. It was horrible, and I was incredibly miserable (I have no idea why I went to prison, I was just there all of a sudden). One day, I was working in the library and I opened a closet door and found an old school VHS camera. My world was liberated. The prison allowed me to start making movies. Prisoners were putting on wigs and costumes and I was absolutely content and happy with life. That’s what it’s all about.

CaFE: Who would you like to work with?

SL: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Mary Harron, Peter Jackson, and David Lynch. Really, just about anyone who makes inspiring films.

CaFE: You’ve been to Wichita a few times… even lived in the area for a while. Your thoughts?

SL: Oh wow. I have some really crazy memories from that place. I remember the slaughter house that you can smell all the way across town in the summer if the wind direction is right. That smell of death will never leave me. I always wanted to go inside.

It got a lot better when I met you, Matt, and returned to visit. When I lived there before I was sleeping on an air mattress and never found anyone my age (17-18). I joined the military in Kansas, I worked at Sonic, and I lived in a trailer. Good times.

CaFE: You are a pioneer in the Women in Horror movement. What made you try to elevate the scream queen past the T&A levels of days past?

SL: I am? Really? AWESOME!

Well, there is nothing wrong with people liking typical T & A flicks, or those who want to be in them. However, the film industry is set up so that women can’t even get work unless they show their tits, and that’s just inappropriate. Women should have a choice. It bothers me that the general public thinks that horror is only T & A campy slasher flicks. There is so much more to horror than this, and the more we focus on women being respected in horror and creating characters that are not cardboard cut outs of throwbacks to really amazing films that came out in the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s, then stories will improve and become more dynamic. Scream Queens are simply going to have to evolve, learn how to direct and write and editing if they want to be on the creative train. That’s what Ida Lupino did, and she became a legend and inspiration. If she could whip out the big guns in the 40′s, I think we can encourage modern Scream Queens to do it now.

CaFE: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life with no consequences, what would it be?

SL: Sushi!

CaFE: What has been the highlight of your personal career so far?

SL: Hmmm…I don’t like to hold onto memories to the point where I feel like the past is the best it’s going to be, because I’m always evolving as an artist. So NOW is the highlight of my career. A great moment recently was winning the Best Performance in a Short Film Award at Texas Bloodbath 2 Film Festival. It really blew me away and meant so much more because I directed and wrote the film and the content was so extreme. While we were shooting I admit I wasn’t sure that people were going to “get it.” Winning that award was a true honor.

CaFE: What is the stupidest thing you’ve seen anyone attempt?

SL: I used to date a Bull Rider. Riding bulls has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my life. I love watching it live.

CaFE: I asked Slagle this… A couple of years down the road when you’re “thanking the Academy” who gets a shout out?

SL: Matt Orsman!! Seriously, such a true supporter and friend*! Also, my Mom, my Dad, my fiance-really everyone that has listened and supported me in this path. That includes the horrible people from my past who taught me to be stronger and to keep going.

CaFE: What’s the one thing you’ve never been asked, and you wish you had?

SL: I wish I was asked more about my spiritual beliefs. I feel that the entire lifestyle wraps up into the complete package of who you are. I am a spiritualist, and believe that all spiritual beliefs are correct and true, as long as it is from a place of love, because it’s from the individuals’ perspective. I believe in energy and that love and positivism is what the all knowing being is — you. If I had to belong to a denomination, it would be Unitarian.

And now, the Lipton 10! These questions were formulated by James Lipton for his television show Inside the Actor’s Studio.

1. What is your favorite word?

SL: AWESOME.

2. What is your least favorite word?

SL: Never.

3. What turns you on?

SL: Making movies and coffee.

4. What turns you off?

SL: Seeing people and creatures being treated with disrespect.

5. What sound do you love?

SL: Trains. I LOVE the sounds of trains.

6. What sound do you hate?

SL: incessant beeping. I can’t stand it!

7. What is your favorite curse word?

SL: FUCK YEAH.

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

SL: I would like to run a “safe house” one day for women. That will be my retirement career.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

SL: I’m so tired of waitressing. I’ve worked in truck diners to nightclubs and everything in between. But really, just about every profession isn’t right for me. Filmmaking is utterly, without a doubt, what I was born to do.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

SL: Let’s party.

*CathARTic founder Matt Orsman is the webmaster of Shannon’s website, and promises he wasn’t fishing for compliments.


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