You would be hard pushed to find someone more active and enthusiastic about the Western Australian horror scene as Vanessa Gudgeon. This multi-talented woman is dedicated and hands on, involved in every aspect of entertainment, including promotion and the attendance of horror film events in Perth, where she transforms herself into a variety of horror ghouls to frighten and tantalize the viewers. Vanessa is a woman driven to achieve her dreams, be that behind the camera or in front of it, doing special effects or transforming into her alter ego Mermaid Soxie. We had the pleasure of interviewing Vanessa.
(Soxie Liqueur'e © Hex Photography)
Welcome to the Film Network Blog Vanessa Gudgeon.
Vanessa – Thank you very much having me!
You take multitasking to an extreme in the world of entertainment, from directing to acting, special effects to writing, and everything in between, when did you realise that this was the path that you wanted to follow, and why?
Vanessa – When I was in grade 1 in primary school, our teacher asked us to write a short paragraph about what we wanted to be when we grew up and I ended up handing in an A4 double sided sheet of paper, with a huge list of all the things I wanted to do as an adult, to which my teacher told me that everyone could only ever really do one thing… That inspired me to do even more!
You obviously like myself have a leaning towards horror, what is it about horror that you love so much?
Vanessa – I love all things horror, from the B & Z-Grade trash, all the way through to the more sophisticated sub-genres and everything in between. No matter how good or bad a horror film is, they almost always leave me with something to think about, with many having a lot to say about society.
As a lover of horror and more importantly a creator of horror – have you experienced any opposition being a woman in this industry?
Vanessa – Unfortunately the answer is yes, especially when I first started out. I want to make it very clear that there are loads of supportive and genuine people in the industry, but those who seek to try to use you, control you, or are bring you down can really take their toll of your dreams, ambitions and mental health. Those people are not worth your time and trust me when I tell you that you can and will work in the industry again, if you don’t adhere to their demands.
Can you tell us about projects you have worked on and what you are working on currently?
Vanessa – The last project I worked on was a short film I co-directed with Duncan Shaw called “Hobo Sewer Slaughter”. It’s a trashy, B-grade style false Grindhouse trailer, which recently won best film at the Trasharama film festival and is going to be screening in California, as part of An Anti-Hero Production Genre Fest on the 23rd of February 2020, in which we have been nominated for best Grindhouse Film, which is an honour in itself! It was a really fun production to have worked on and we were very fortunate to have been able to work with such a talented team.
(Hobo Sewer Slaughter poster featuring actor/co-director: Duncan Shaw) Currently I’m working on a number of projects, those which I can mention are an upcoming horror anthology feature; “Bleederville”, which we are about to launch a crowdfunding campaign for, a short horror-comedy; “Mr. Bang Bang And The Babes Of Death”, I’m researching to make a documentary about the Deadly Earnest horror host character, particularly the original who was filmed and broadcast in Perth, Western Australia, am preparing for a number of upcoming photo shoots, some in which I will get to wear my beautiful mermaid tails and I’m also working on the sound for Harbour Theatre’s upcoming live stage productions of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Let The Right One In” which I’m also helping rig the special effects for, as well as appearing as one of the regular actors at the exclusive Fright Night Screaming horror events at Event Cinemas Innaloo.
(Child's Play Fright Night Screaming @ Event Cinemas Innaloo Photo by Dan Thom - Actors: Abbey McCaughan, Alisa Voss, Ryan S McNally, Vanessa Gudgeon.)
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
Vanessa – I hope to still be doing what I love.
What do you think of the Australian horror film industry at this time?
Vanessa – I think it’s really exciting! There is a lot going on, with a bigger interest than ever in the genre among filmmakers and audience members alike, and I cannot wait to see what comes out next!
As a film maker have you come across many obstacles in the industry?
Vanessa – Absolutely, with the budget being the biggest issue, but it also gives you a chance to work out tricky alternatives and think outside the box, which isn’t always easy!
Do you have any advice for aspiring film makers, especially women?
Vanessa – Don’t give up on what you want to do, whether it is film-making, or anything else you want to achieve with your life. If someone tells you that you can’t, prove them wrong. If someone tells you that you must sleep with them to get that position and you don’t want to, then get the heck out of there! And if you ever have those days when you don’t feel good enough and no matter who we are, we all have them, take that time to be sad, recharge, do something just for you, look towards whatever or whoever inspires you and then when you’re ready, get back to doing the things that you love to do.
What is your favourite Australian horror film?
Vanessa – There are so many Australian horror films which I absolutely love! Some of them being; Dave Jackson’s “Cat Sick Blues” Richard Franklin’s “Roadgames” Ryan Coonan’s “Waterborne” Chris Sun’s “Daddy’s Little Girl” Clint Cure’s “Park Oz” Kaitlin Tinker’s “The Man Who Caught A Mermaid” (Which is now a part of the anthology film “Dark Whispers Volume 1”) Mathew J. Wilkinson’s “The Nullarbor Nymph” William Brent Bell’s “Black Water” Dale Trott’s “Beckoning The Butcher” & Cameron & Colin Cairnes’ “100 Bloody Acres”, which has one of the catchiest theme songs ever! Honestly I could fill pages with all the Australian horror films I adore!
If you could remake any Australian horror film what would you choose and why?
Vanessa – I really don’t know. All the Australian horror films I enjoy are so perfect in their own ways, that I don’t know if I could give them the justice they deserve in the way of a remake.
Out of everything that you lend your hand to in the entertainment industry, what do you enjoy doing the best and why?
Vanessa – I don’t know if I can choose, I love it all!
What is your opinion on remakes?
Vanessa – While I’m not always a fan of them, I’m still quite interested in seeing what someone else’s take is on each story and I am very thankful that it doesn’t mean that the originals will disappear.
(Mermaid Soxie © Diamante Photography)
Where can our readers find you?
Vanessa – You can find me via my performance pages on Facebook & Instagram: Soxie Liqueur’e: Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/yxrlntq7 Instagram - @soxie_liqueure Mermaid Soxie Facebook - https://tinyurl.com/y5vnv5oe Instagram - @mermaid_soxie and join in all the horrific fun with Perth Horror Fans! Facebook group - https://tinyurl.com/y4ptadkx Instagram - @perthhorrorfans Twitter - @PerthHorrorFans
Thank you for talking to us.
Vanessa – It’s been a pleasure!
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