The sumptuous writer/model/actress/ Rebekah Herzberg lives and breath horror! Hard-hitting, brutally honest and full of writing flair, she reviews the very best in horror as Chief Writer and Contributor for ScreamTV; Her column is a MUST READ! It’s awesome to have scored this interview with the always hot serial thriller Rebekah Herzberg as she tells us why horror needs to be more original, how exploitation cinema should never stop and that she would walk around naked every day if it were up to her!
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10 QUESTIONS WITH HORROR GOSSIP QUEEN REBEKAH HERZBERG
1. What does it take to be a horror columnist and why are we fascinated with all things terrifying?
A: People are fascinated by the unknown. Some people are in it for the adrenaline rush. The screams from the audience and the suspense are an experience that some individuals crave. For others, it’s all about entertainment and escapism. If you go to the cinemas, you’ll realize that people aren’t always screaming in fear. Some are actually laughing at something they see onscreen. This is another reason why people like horror movies. There are several types of emotions being expressed. As such it provides a form of entertainment that isn’t that different from other films.
I cannot really say what it takes to become a columnist in the industry. Any one who can complete sentences mixed with fancy words and knows everything there is to know about horror films can do this job. I don’t just write about horror films. I learn. I explore. I educate myself. Since I was a little girl my biggest goal has been to see every horror film ever made. Preferably the rare gems no one ever talks about. Those are the ones I like to watch any way. I’ve never been a big fan of the more mainstream horror films.
2. What have been your good and bad experiences throughout your career?
A: So many good experiences come with the territory. You meet amazing people. Not just the people behind the films but the fans. Other fans out there are very interesting to talk to. Bad experiences, always tape record your interviews. Catch someone when they have been drinking when all you have is a pen and paper and a couple of witnesses…they will still threaten to sue you if you print everything they say. Even if they know better. I try not to interview anyone when they’re intoxicated anymore because the last thing I want to do is offend someone in the genre. Or even get them into trouble. After all, I am a big fan…not just a journalist.
3. I love that you focus on some of the more obscure genre films, cult classics and even comics i.e. Vampirella. How do you go about picking your features for Scream TV?
A: I just pick whatever is HOT that week. The comic books mainly I get tips in from friends in that industry. I am a HUGE comic book collector so this is something I always like to feature in my columns. I want to be different then the rest of the columnists out there. Provide more information to the genre instead of repeating the same old boring news that everyone already sees on all the main websites. I ask myself, how can I stand out this week and draw more readers in? I work real hard on it…and it works.
4. Can you tell us if you idolize any of the Scream Queens and which actresses do you count as friends?
A: I don’t know about idolizing any of them but I would have to say I have always looked up to Jamie Lee Curtis. No one can scream like her. Typical answer? Probably, but everyone knows it’s true. I do have a lot of friends out there that enjoy acting in horror films but the majority of them are trying to break away from the title ‘Scream Queen.’ There are also too many women out there that give their selves that title when it isn’t exactly correct. Roxy Vandiver will always be in my favor and in my opinion the hottest.
5. I’ve read some of your posts on Facebook and come to the realization that you might actually have an angry streak.What is behind all the rage and is it a good thing?
A: (Laughs) Generally, I am a calm and mellow person who just likes to laugh. This is a problem I have, FACE BOOK! Sometimes I think of deleting it. It’s hard for me not to get on it when I have been drinking and say things I probably shouldn’t say. That’s how I deal with my problems. I talk about them. People come to me all the time saying, “Maybe you shouldn’t post this or talk about your personal life on here?” That’s where they’re wrong.
Everyone is so hypocritical. Everyone does the same exact thing! I just do it more often and don’t actually care what people think, unlike them. It has probably given me a bad Reputation but like Joan Jett I would have to say I too…do not give a damn. In a way everything that goes on in my personal life (as hard as it may be) is a good thing. It builds character. I’ve been writing a book on my life since I was 18. If I thought I had a lot to talk about then…boy was I wrong. Maybe some day I will finish the book. Just needs an ending…
6. Which do you find the most enriching? Being the go to girl for the latest in the horror biz, posing seductively for the camera as a model or embodying a kick ass character onscreen?
A: I just like to write. On the side I do modeling, acting, singing, ballet, etc.. Those are all just hobbies and nothing I plan on making a career out of. If someone comes to me with what sounds lie a fantastic shoot, of corpse I will say yes. I may always say yes. But like I said, writing is my main passion and what I always want to do with my life.
7. As a performer, what’s your take on gratuitous nudity and violence in film? Have we finally moved away from exploitation and given women a much bigger say in every aspect of film-making?
A: There are a lot of women in the industry out there making a lot of plans. They even have a ‘Women of Horror Month’ now. We discussed this on the show one night. I believe it’s every February? I do not believe exploitation is over and I hope it never is. I will never get enough of gratuitous nudity and violence! If it were up to me I could walk around everyday naked doing whatever I want but NOOOOO I have to keep it in my private home or on set. There is a lot going on overseas in the industry. Italy especially.
There are directors there trying to bring back those exploitation films and recreate them in their own way. Not even just the Italians. The Asians in the business are sick twisted individuals. I hope they never stop. Although, I cannot say too much about Ringu, Ju-On, and any film having to do with a girl with long hair and a scary face…hopefully that whole boring phase is OVER. This of corpse, is just my opinion. LONG LIVE EXPLOITATION CINEMA!
8. What do you think is sorely lacking in modern day horror and what would you like to see more of?
A: Originality. I cannot stress that enough. Not everything has been done! Americans keep remaking films and even stealing ideas from foreign film-makers. I have seen a good handful of more original horror films that came out in the past couple of years but none of them get enough notoriety! Frozen, Sweatshop, The Loved ones, Martyrs, etc… This is why someone may say something like, “Oh I don’t watch horror films because they’re stupid.” That’s because they’re not looking in the right place. Just like music. You have to explore! That’s what I do. No one pays enough attention to the ‘art’ of a horror film.
You’re getting chased by a chainsaw wielding maniac – what do you do? Run up the stairs, yes you’re going to finish top of your class. You hearing screams come from a creepy haunted house on the end of town – what do you do? Go and investigate; well, we’re never seeing you again. Your car breaks down outside the scariest looking house ever, You go up to the door and an even creepier guy answers the door covered head to toe in blood – what do you do? Still go into the house, asking to us the telephone, yes and then the telephone will then proceed to be used to bash your skull in. SHOW ME SOMETHING BELIEVABLE!
9. Name the one movie that send chills down your spine leaving a most indelible impression and why.
A: It’s hard to pick just one. I will give you my top five:
1. Carrie (The scene leading up to the blood being poured alllllll over her.) The music and the acting, everything combined…this scene always gave me chills along with that scary ending! Great film.
2. The Exorcist (The scene where she spins her head around and says “Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter..”) Typical answer I know but for some reason that scene always gets me. It’s the voice and well everything along with it.
3. Black Christmas (The obscene phone calls.) This to me is one of the scariest aside from when she finds out the calls are coming from the house. She finds that the killer has been listening to all her personal information about her abortion and in the creepiest voice says, “Just like having a wart removed.” GUH!
4. Don’t Look Now (Scary as fuck midget with an axe) OH MY GAWD!
5. IT (Pretty much any scene with that clown) That’s right, I am also scared of clowns but mainly just Tim Curry as a clown. Took me ten years to be able to watch it again.
10. Tell us something about Rebekah Herzberg that nobody knows about.
A: I will watch any 80s comedy over any horror film in the world. 80s comedy rules!
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