Adam Steigert and Stef Wlosinski on the set of GORE.

Last week I interviewed Adam Steigert, the co-writer, co-director, co-producer, and editor of GORE, an independent horror film produced in the Buffalo, New York area which is having its world premiere on October 10th, and will the be available on DVD from DefToneStudiosPictures . I mentioned that I was impressed by the performance of an actress in the film, Stephanie Wlosinski, and was surprised to discover that Stef was Adam's collaborator on script, direction and production. Female horror directors are few and far between, so I wasted no time in tracking down this newcomer to the gore score.

First, as a way of context, I vaguely recall Michael O'Hear, who was my assistant director on SLIME CITY MASSACRE, saying very positive things about you while we were in prep. Then I heard the story about you "taking him down" during an action scene. I'd heard a number of things about GORE, and while watching a screener recently I was particularly impressed with your performance. Only later did I discover that you co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced the movie with Adam Steigert. I'm very interested in how collaborations like this work. Can you tell me how you came to be involved in this project, and how your participation in it grew?

Adam and I grew up next door to each other and have been interested in amateur filmmaking for as long as we can remember. The concept of GORE spawned from four original short stories that upon direction of a Lionsgate Films associate we collaborated them into one feature length script. We spent the last four years working with GORE and are very excited for the end product. Last summer I made my co-directing debut alongside Steigert on our first feature length film, titled Bitez, an apocalyptic zombie adventure. As for co-producing GORE, there were actually three of us. Adam, myself, and Kyle Andrews (who stars in GORE as Mike Lockwood) all contributed to the producing role, as we have all taken on the role of producer for DefTone Pictures Studios.

As an actress, what was it like to take direction from your co-director?

We enjoy taking turns with the director role, it makes things much easier when we have to be in front of the camera as well as behind it. It also allows us to bounce ideas off of each other on and off the set. Adam has a more manic style while when I'm directing I enjoy awkward angles and subtleties, Adam is more apt to put the camera right in your face or chase you down while shooting a fight scene. Our different styles compliment each other greatly when shooting.

Michael O'Hear is a pretty accomplished actor, and John Renna has some very good improvisational instincts. I think it's safe to say that John is somewhat larger than life. How would you describe your working relationship with them? Did you ever feel intimidated by them?

I never felt intimidated by them. Michael is great to work with. He not only takes direction well but his acting skills are noticeably more developed than most that I've seen in my filmmaking. But I do love how Michael is more than willing to take a beating on camera. As for John, he is literally larger than life. Not only was he tall enough for the role of Gore he as well being one of the best actors I've worked with. Both O'Hear and Renna brought a crucial element to GORE that otherwise would have been missing. I'm very grateful that I have been able to work with both of them. As an actor myself I have been able to observe their techniques and develop my own.

I won't give away any spoilers, but there comes a point in the film when your character, Alice, suddenly becomes very pivotal to the story, and you're allowed to be a little more revealing in your character. I especially enjoyed the antagonistic relationship between your character and Michael's detective. Did you script, or improvise, your own dialogue, or was that also done in concert with Adam? Because there were some really good lines there. And to the film's credit, it's a straight-on horror flick, not a horror comedy, but a few of your lines were humorous in their sarcasm.

For the most part it was scripted but I was a bit subjective when writing Alice's lines. I did put myself into her character when Adam and I were writing. What can I say, I'm a sucker for sarcasm, and it's exactly what I would have said in that situation. I'm just kidding, Michael and I worked really well together and could play off of each other's lines and temperament. It was a little bit easier for my to be a bitch when I was handcuffed for 12 hours.

I'm also very intrigued by female horror filmmakers. I've interviewed quite a few indie directors, and quite a few who are as young as you and Adam are, but I've never interviewed a woman as young as you who has collaborated on a project as a writer, director, producer, and key performer. That makes you a quadruple threat! So I'd really like to know how your interest in filmmaking, and in horror, started.

I LOVE HORRER! Ask anybody who knows me and they'll tell you the same! From the time I was little I can remember watching cheesy horror films with my older sister and my dad. Some of my particular favorites are Hitchcock's PSYCHO, Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and yes even the Chiodo Brothers' KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE. I could fill a whole book with my favorites but I will spare you. A genuine love for horror movies and a few film classes in college made my realize that this is what I need to be doing with my life.

GORE lives up to its name, and your character is exposed to her share of it. What were your feelings about appearing in such scenes? Since you co-wrote them I assume you were down with them, but were you even conscious that maybe this is subject matter that female filmmakers and performers don??(TM)t typically involve themselves?

When the script was written, I didn't worry too much about what the actor would have to do on screen because I was unsure that I would be playing Alice at that time. Once I was cast in the role I kind of realized what I would have to do and after taking a deep breath I was all for it. I enjoy doing stunts myself and was excited for the challenge even though at times it was a bit strenuous. My main focus was that I did the character justice.

For years female horror filmmakers have been a distinct minority. I'm curious if you see yourself as breaking into this "boys club," or if you're young enough, and haven't been exposed to any barriers based on your gender, or if you think that just doesn't exist as much in the indie world?

I eat men for breakfast. I hope to break into this industry and stake my nail in as much as possible. I agree it is a shame that there are not more female horror filmmakers but I think we do now live in a time where there is about to be an uprising. Who knows, maybe the female filmmakers can push the horror industry farther into a "gory" oblivion. But seriously though, I'm all for it. It's time for chicks to start burning their bras (again) and stop watching romantic comedies. Don't get me wrong I too like romantic comedies but it's time to broaden horizons.

You and Adam collaborated on all of the key aspects of GORE, other than the editing, which he handled himself. I??(TM)m more than happy to leave the editing to someone else who knows more about that process than I do. How was this for you? A director-editor generally has final say over what goes up on screen.

I did sit with Adam a few times on the editing and we do communicate through the editing process. So I wasn??(TM)t completely uninvolved but I gave Adam the front seat on it because he knows the editing software front and back. Just from having known each other all our lives it's pretty easy to know the direction he will take on it.

Now that you've seen this film through to completion, what are your goals? Do you want to concentrate on writing and directing, do you want to explore more acting challenges, or do you want to try to continue experimenting with all of the above? And do you see this all as a hobby, because of the financial limitations of micro-budget filmmaking, or do you see this as a possible career?

I want nothing more than to have a career in filmmaking. Micro-budgets do pose many limitations but on future endeavors I will still donate whatever I can to make a movie. I love all areas of the project but writing comes easiest to me. I do plan on directing and acting in future projects as well. GORE has been a blast and I've learned so much over the months it took to shoot.

Now that you've gotten your hands "dirty," will you do more horror or move on to other genres?

Horror is my first love but I am open to any genre and I would definitely be up for the challenge of playing different types of characters.

There has been a record number of low budget horror films (plus Jay Mager's BORN TO DIE), produced in Buffalo lately. Do you have any theory as to why this is happening?

Buffalo has a very encouraging community for the arts. So I think that reflects on its residents. People seem more likely to dip into the creativity pot when they have the outlets to do so. From companies that will rent you film equipment to theaters that are willing to show your films, this city has it all. As far as agents and getting more corporate exposure Buffalo could use a little work but I'm not complaining.