Women in Horror Month Interview with Filmmaker Melanie Coleman

As you may know, February is “Women in Horror” month. To celebrate, PromoteHorror.com asked women from different professions if they would like to answer some questions about being a “Woman in Horror.” One of the women, who was kind enough to answer our questions, was filmmaker Melanie Coleman. Lets see what she said about being a “Woman in Horror”…

-PH: When did you first become a horror fan?

-Melanie: I think for me, it was when I was about 7/8 years old. It was a Saturday night during Summer break and George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” was starting. It absolutely left me captivated, terrified and wanting more! After that I was ravenous for more horror. I got my older Brother Phil, to rent VHS tapes from Blockbuster (oooooh good times) Friday 13th, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre ,Nightmare On Elm Street scared the shit out of me! As I got older I got into playing Resident Evil and Silent Hill which became my absolute favourite video games to play, even to this day. Those games also opened my eyes to Japanese horror, which completely blew me away. My Mother would always say “ oh my God Melanie, how can you watch this?!?!? Why don’t you watch nice things” hahaha…I couldn’t help it, it was my first love.

-PH: Was there a specific moment when you realized that you wanted to go from being a fan of horror to a woman who contributes to the genre, or did it just kind of happen naturally?

-Melanie: Yes, I was 13 years old and it was Halloween of 1999. A group of girls and I had this entire Halloween day planned out. We watched a bunch of horror flicks and got ready to go out for our last night of trick or treating and I remember so vividly, grabbing hold of these cheap latex prosthetics, liquid latex and fake blood and completely massacring myself. When I was done the other girls wanted me to do their makeup. When we went out everyone who opened their doors were floored by how we looked. We looked like and I quote, “roadkill”. It was the greatest compliment I had ever received! From then on I wanted to make my own prosthetics, makeup and short movies. Im so grateful for that day.

-PH: What does having a “Women in Horror” month mean to you?

-Melanie: It’s pretty amazing, you have all these extremely talented Women who have an absolute love for this genre. It’s so refreshing to have an entire Month devoted to individuals whom you may not have had the chance of exploring before. It’s wonderful. Thank you!

-PH: Is there a woman in horror who you consider a role model?

-Melanie: Man, Jen and Sylvia Soska are just amazing fucking humans. Not only have they become a beacon of light for all Indie filmmakers, they’re strong, hard working, and their take no bullshit attitude really resonates with me. They make no apologies for being who they are. Thats pretty exceptional, especially in this day of age. They make what they’re passionate about, not what is trendy, what is ‘the norm’ for horror. It is that kind of passion and drive that makes me go,yes! Finally!!!!! Yes

-PH: How do you think the role of women in horror has changed over the years?

-Melanie: I think it’s had an amazing evolution throughout the years. We are no longer seen as meek, helpless sexual objects. Even behind the camera you can see this evolution. You don’t feel like an outcast. Women are finally being respected as artists and creators.

-PH: What do you think the future holds for women in horror?

-Melanie: The way I see it, there are more glass ceilings to break and I feel like opportunities like WIHM help catapult Women right through. It all comes down to support, no one can get through life on their own let alone in this business. The future is so bright for Women in horror that it’s blinding!

-PH: Being that this is PromoteHorror.com, please feel free to plug your current/next horror project. 

-Melanie: http://3demonentertainment.com/

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Thank you again for having me!

And we would like to thank Melanie Coleman for taking the time to answer our questions, but more importantly for her contribution to horror!

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