Being an Indie Filmmaker and former Editor in Chief of an Internationally distributed magazine has given me great opportunities to meet and chat with many of the horror genre stars that I follow. I've had the chance to meet some of them at various conventions and even a chance to work with a couple via my films. But the magazine and this great web site have given me a chance to do so much more. Being a part of the Scream Queen Zone and having opportunities to interview some of the beautiful and hard working ladies of horror is a definite bonus. Today's piece is pure pleasure.

I had the chance to chat with Debbie Rochon of Troma fame. Debbie has a long and distinguished career in the horror genre but she is one who will never sit back on her laurels. She is always looking to take her career in new directions, as is evident with her budding radio career with Fangoria Radio, and perfects her craft in any way she can with limit pushing roles in such films as AMERICAN NIGHTMARE. One of her more recent films is an interesting little piece called RAPTURIOUS, directed by former Jerky Boy Kamal Amed.

So tell me. Debbie, what have you been up to recently?

Well, I just spent a month in Italy, the month of July. I made a movie called COLOUR FROM THE DARK based on an H.P. Lovecraft story called "The Colour Out of Space." The director was amazing, the story was fantastic and it was really just a life changing experience.

Very cool. Had you been to Italy before?

No, I've never been there before and it was so incredible. It was so breath taking. We were about an hour or so north of Bologna and we were in the middle of the farmlands by the Po River. It was completely amazing, just scenic views and corn fields for miles and miles. The story takes place in 1942 so we couldn't have any telephone poles or anything, so we shot at this farm that was about 300 years old. And in this particular town of course nobody spoke English so that made it a bit of a challenge but many of the crew spoke quite a bit of English so that made it easier. The Bed and Breakfast where I stayed, there was no English spoken. (laughs). So with no cell phones, no internet, no real contact with the outside world to speak of, for such a long period of time, made it quite an experience. And the director, Ivan Zuccon, is the best I've ever worked with. His vision, the colors, his scenes, every frame, all look like paintings. He's wonderful and it was really inspirational for me.

Speaking of directors, I see that one of your upcoming films, PSYCHOSYMATIKA, is directed by none other than Jeff Dylan Graham.

YES! He's shot quite a bit of it but I haven't shot my scenes yet and I'll be going out to L.A. to do that. How exciting is that? He's such a great acting talent that I can't wait to see what he's like as a director.

He is a wonderful actor and I look forward to seeing this as well. As a matter of fact, he's also in the follow up to a film he sent me a while back called OCTOBER SON. I believe it's called NOVEMBER SON and you're in that as well.

Yes, that's right.

You're working with Brinke Stevens in a lot of these upcoming films, I see.

Yeah, well actually we haven't worked together in a while, but a number of these films that have just come out or are about to come out we've done together, including DEAD CLOWNS.. Although, as with Indie filmmaking, a lot of these films we shot a while back so I haven't seen or worked with her in over a year, but it's great these films are finally starting to see the light of day. She's wonderful to work with.

Yes, she's a doll. One of the other films I wanted to ask you the status of is a film called THE SCREENING.

Oh yeah, THE SCREENING. Well, I have no direct contact with the director, Cameron (Romero) regarding an update on the movie. We shot that...jeez, well over a year and a half ago now. I heard they had a cut of it and then were working on some scenes, so I really don't know where it stands but I'd love to know the status of it. Hopefully we'll know soon as I heard that they were just finishing up some special effects for the ghost, who's completely CGI.

Alrighty then. Let's move on to Troma.

Yes! (laughs)

Obviously, you essentially grew up with that company and were involved with them for quite a while. I hear you were also involved in their most recent film, POULTRYGEIST.

Yes.

How was it on that set with Lloyd and company?

Well, I was up in Buffalo for about two weeks helping with the casting and rehearsals. They were there for an additional three weeks after that. Any fan of the Troma films who sees it will tell you it's their favorite one. It's not a musical but there are musical numbers in it. When we were making it, it was really tough compared to other Troma films. The budget for this one was about half of what the normal budgets were for the other ones. Lloyd basically funded this one on his own. So you had everyone staying in this church, which wasn't a problem, but you had the special F/X people working in the basement so they were working and sleeping with these fumes and losing brain cells. (laughs)

For me personally, it was one of the least fun films to be involved in because of some of the personalities. Not Lloyd, of course, as he's one of my best friends in my personal life, not just my working life. He's always great to work with as he's insane. An insane genius. Some of the cast are just amazing and others just weren't fun to be around so it was kind of a mixed experience for me. Then ultimately I shot my cameo when they came back to New York. We shot it on the roof of the Troma building, which sad to say, they have since sold. And Troma, I believe, has moved to Long Island City. It's sort of the end of an era for sure.

Wow. Well, I really am looking forward to seeing that film as I've heard nothing but great things about it. As I'm sure you know I've always been a big fan of yours and to date I truly feel your best work has been in the film, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE.

Well thank you, I appreciate that a lot. And what's exciting about that is that the director, John Keyes, and I have written three or four sequel scripts to that film because there are a number of companies that are interested in a sequel to it. There are some that want it to be shot in Prague, and there are some that want it shot in the states and of course there are different requirements based on the financing you end up with. At this point we're just waiting for some paperwork to come back and with some luck early next year you'll see Part 2.

That's great news as I look forward to seeing it and seeing where you go with that character.

Thank you so much.

Now in regards to the FearZone and its Scream Queen Zone, I wanted to ask you what your thoughts are of the overall title "Scream Queen"?

Well, in the beginning I thought it was a really fun title, but around the mid 90's there was a real backlash. I think people really looked down on actresses who were considered Scream Queens. The label and anybody associated with the label. I felt it became very limiting and I'd ask people not to associate me with that title, but now that's kind of worn off. Now if people want to call me that, I can appreciate it. I don't call myself one but I understand it so it doesn't bother me.

So tell me a little bit about your involvement with Fangoria Radio.

I co-produce and co-host the show and we have everybody associated with the horror genre such as writers, directors, authors and actors on the show. It's a three hour show every Friday night and we really have a good time. We passed our one year mark in June. It's been really incredible and what's been even more incredible, besides working with Dee (Snider), who I never knew before and we clicked right away, I got to find out what a really good person he is. That was a really good surprise for me. It's just amazing to sit down with people like David Cronenberg and William Friedkin and pick their brains about making horror movies. It's just such a privilege to be in that position.

That is a wonderful opportunity and it's interesting that you say that about Dee as I was always curious about him. What with the Twisted Sister background and that persona, you have to wonder what he's like in real life.

Yeah, he's a really good guy but some times on the radio he'll pump it up and stir the pot but that's his radio persona. But in real life he's such a down to earth guy because he's been through a lot. He was on top of the world at one point playing tosold out arenas and then he lost it all. Then to come back to have several shows like he does now is amazing. He's been married for about 30 years and he's just a stand up, down to earth guy who's seen it all.

So, tell me what a regular day in the life of Debbie Rochon's like?

Well, during the week I get up about 5:30am or 6am. I go to the gym, I run some errands and then I go to work producing the radio show. I make calls all day booking guests, screening films to see what would fit the show and running ideas by my producers. I probably get done about 8pm. Then I take care of any business I have like going through scripts, contacting people about interviews or bookings and then I get to bed about 12am or 1am. And I try to book my non starring film jobs for the weekends and then it all starts over again on Monday. Pretty non-stop.

Sounds like it. You do pencil in sleep now and then don't you?

Yes, but it's in pencil not ink. (laughs)

Well is there anything in particular you like to do in those rare moments when you have some time to kick back and recharge your batteries so to speak?

I like to go to the theater and watch movies, believe it or not. I get to go to a lot of screenings but not to the theater as much as I'd like. The difference between watching a movie at the theater as apposed to a screening is you aren't allowed to eat or drink in the screening room which bothers me. I just love going to the theater, watching the trailers, having the cell phone off and just being a spectator. That's the best time for me.

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And that concludes our conversation with the beautiful and uber-talented Debbie Rochon. One of her latest films, MULBERRY STREET was part of the 8 FILMS TO DIE FOR, AFTERDARK HORRORFEST this year, so look for that on DVD as well. Some links for you to see more on Debbie are below:

Her Official Site

Fangoria Radio

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're looking to sample some of Debbie's work, I recommend WITCH HOUSE: DEMON FIRE, directed by J.R. Bookwalter, and SKIN CRAWL, directed by Justin Wingenfeld.