One Brazen Hussy: A Few Quick Questions with Helena Hussy of Horror by Owen Keehnen

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She may have been born in Kansas, but she'll end up in HELL. Helena Hussy of Horror is the sassy hostess of a monthly web series of horror movie showings called 'Helena, Hussy of Horror'. Some of her titles in the series include 'Helena the Hellraiser's New Puzzle Box', 'Crystal Lake's Girl Friday (the 13th)' , 'Helena Trick or Treats Count Gore de Vol', and 'Gift Giving is Child's Play'. The popular web series led to an even better gig when the Washington DC dweller shot the intro to the Anthem Pictures DVD release of 'Deadlands 2: Trapped' ...And with any luck this will lead to Helena's joining the casts by acting in actual horror films. The love of the genre, the connections, and the winning chutzpah are definitely there. I say it's a given -- never underestimate the power of a hussy! So get comfortable and allow me to introduce the newest hostess with the moistest 'Helena Hussy of Horror' in this exclusive racksandrazors.com interview.

Helena, why don't you start us off with a visual and describe the place where you are answered these questions?

Well, I'm sitting in a big overstuffed arm chair with wooden arms by a little crackling fire. The walls are stone with thick red and gold brocade drapes. I have a cauldron of mulled wine steaming happily on a side table and overhead are candle lit lanterns made from iron and bleached animal bones. Ah, home.

So how does a poor farm girl from Kansas grow up to be a horror hostess?

Sheer luck, doll baby. I was walking down the produce isle, foraging for cucumbers and eggplant, and this really sexy guy comes up to me and says "You should be the next Miss HorrorFest! You're fabulous". Of course, my attention was caught! (He was really hot.) Turned out, his name was Lonnie Martin and he ran a film production company called Ningen Manga Productions and he wanted to sponsor me. My mother says he's looking for hanky panky, but I'm positive his interest is strictly in my talent. We made an entry video for the Miss HorrorFest contest last fall, and of course, I didn't win, but then he had this brilliant idea for a whole web-series of me. It's kind of like a reality TV show. Little snippets of Helena. With a horror movie twist.

You were demonically possessed at 12? What are the best and worst parts of having your body and soul overtaken by a demon?

It was an early spiritual experience for me, certainly. I equate it to an out of body experience: seeing yourself from a far and all that. I'm not as scared of death now. Its like, been there, done that. Oh, and I met my friend Marguerite in hell while I was possessed, which has turned into a nice friendship. The constant cravings for split pea soup are obnoxious though. And the migraines. Splitting, I'm telling ya.

You say Elvira is your muse...what are the greatest lessons you have learned from the Mistress of the Dark?

Never take yourself too seriously. You have to be able to laugh at life and at yourself sometimes. And never underestimate the value of a well built bra paired with the perfect neckline.

So tell me how 'Drinks with Swamp Thing' came about?

That was the first episode of the web-series! I was planning this big garden party and one day I was telling Lonnie all about it over and scotch and knishes. He thought it would be great to film me mixing one of the drink recipes I'd found. Like a cooking show! I'm always up for anything, so he whipped out his camera and presto, we did the first episode on the spot. It was a quickly shot episode, I remember. We had to finish before his wife got home. (Just between you and me, she's a bit of a tight ass and I don't think she likes me very much.) Any hoo, what was your next question, doll baby?

Okay, suppose a young lady were to come up to you and ask for advice about breaking into the horror movie world. What would you tell her?

Sweetie, follow where your heart leads you and NEVER do anything you're uncomfortable with. But, if it interests you and you're having fun, give it 110%! Screw what anyone else thinks.

You have been very savvy in using YouTube to get your name out there with films like 'A Deal With Death', 'Gift Giving is Child's Play', etc. Do you have plans in the near future of doing features as well?

How fun would a feature be? That would be a dream come true, but so far, no foreseeable plans to start a Helena project that would release as a feature. However, I am hoping that the way we structure season two will make it feel like a feature if you watch all the episodes back to back. We're trying for more of a through-line in upcoming seasons. The idea is that we'll have one huge relatively coherent larger project at the end of each season. So, feature-like. Yes.

So how did your doing the intro for the Anthem Pictures release 'Deadlands 2: Trapped' come about?

Well, that came about by accident, really. The director of Deadlands is local to the DC area and knows Lonnie. So, Gary, the Deadlands guy, saw my HorrorFest entry and approached Lonnie about the possibility of getting me to do an intro to his film for his festival circuit. I said, sure, why not! As long as I don't have to interact with any zombies. They're so drooly. So, the intro was shown with the film for the festival run and then put on the DVD as an extra feature when Anthem picked it up. Totally unexpected but, even better. This little short bit I did to help out a local filmmaker is now distributed and getting me some more exposure.

As your fame increases are you starting to get offers from horror producers?

Why? Do you know someone? What have you heard? My email is Helena@HussyofHorror.com . Feel free to pass that on if you have connections.

Do you have any other upcoming projects you want the racksandrazors readers to know about?

Well, I'm hoping I'll get to play with the ghouls over at Monster Madhouse.com soon. I'm also planning to attend some conventions in 2010. I'll keep schedules posted on my website as they develop.

Vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, creatures, aliens, telemarketers...what does it for you horrorwise Helena and why?

I love vampires, they're so sociable and refined. Werewolves are great for a date, but not the commitment kind, if you know what I mean. They make for one memorable romp though, if you're looking for some fun. Zombies drool. I don't do zombies. Wait, what was the question?... what does it for me horrorwise... creatures. Creatures totally do it for me. They can take any form and because their appearance is out of the norm, they can have any power or attribute you can dream up and we'll buy it. They're outside our day to day reality. I prefer that.

What was the first movie to scare the shit out of you?

'My Little Pony: The Movie'. 1986.

Okay, we're pulling into the Helena: Hussy of Horror Drive In. What three horror flicks are on the triple bill for tonight and what goodies are they going to be serving up at the concession stand?

First up, 'Evil Dead 2' followed by 'Friday the 13th Part 7'. To wrap up the evening, Doomsday, with drink specials at the bar. Popcorn with extra, extra butter, Raisinettes, Milky Way bars, and fried pickles are at the concession stand. Yum. And a full bar.

What is your dream horror movie role?

I'd like to play someone who gets to wield a semi-automatic machine gun. I think that'd be fun. And kick ass in stilettos. It would have to be a comedy though.

What's the best Halloween costume you ever had?

One time, in first grade, I went as Animala from 'The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra'. Rowr.

What scares you in real life?

The color pink.