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Interview with Victoria Summer
10th Sep 10
 EatmyBrains recently had the opportunity to interview British actress Victoria Summer who has previously starred in The Zombie Diaries and will soon be seen as Lina Harker in a contemporary take on Bram Stoker's legendary vampire in Dracula Reborn.
Hello Victoria and thank-you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for EatmyBrains.
EatmyBrains (EMB): I understand that you have just finished filming on the upcoming horror film Dracula Reborn starring as Lina Harker due to be released in early 2011. What can you tell us about your role and what we can expect from the movie?
Victoria Summer (VS): Yes, I just finished shooting this role in August. Lina is a dedicated newly-wed and art teacher. She is the object of Dracula's affections. It is a modern take on the classic by Bram Stoker set in LA. We filmed in Malibu, Downtown and on a stage set-up in Van Nuys. Let’s just say the Vampire wears Armani, talks on a cell phone and gets driven around in a black Mercedes!
EMB: The film is produced and directed by the executive producer of The Last House on the Left Ray Haboush. Given Dracula Reborn’s modern setting and the unique ways characters were killed in Last House can we expect anything along the lines of death by microwave?
VS: The Last House on the Left was a really scary movie... I had to make lots of trips to the kitchen for tea when I rented it... I just couldn’t bare to watch it...Dracula Reborn is very different. There is a great scene where there is an incident with me and the family dog when I am turning... that’s all I’m going to say!
EMB: You were born and raised in Berkshire and moved to Los Angeles in June 2009. How have you found the transition and change of living?
VS: It was a huge decision now I look back but at the time it seemed like the right thing to do and as it turned out, it was... When I came to LA I felt so at home here; firstly, I love the weather but more importantly I have a huge drive to be at the top of my game in my career and if that is your goal then Hollywood is the place to be, whether that’s music or film. I certainly didn’t find it easy at first, but considering I am only just into my second year here now full time, it hasn’t gone too badly. I go back to England to be with my family at least twice a year; my family is very important to me and I speak to both my parents regularly but I do really miss family time particularly Sundays... my mother cooks a mean roast dinner!
EMB: You have many strings to your bow being also a model, a voice over artist and a professional private trainer too. How do you manage to fit it in all in?
VS: I work really hard and I think the key to fitting it all in is getting your priorities straight and being organised. My mother is very organised... I think I get that very useful trait from her.
EMB: In your free time you’re also a singer performing at various Log Angeles venues. You are currently writing your debut album due to be released early next year. Will they be your own compositions and what style of music should we expect?
VS: My style is adult contemporary – I am a big fan of Karen Carpenter. Sade and Ella Fitzgerald... And yes, I am working on my own compositions and I look forward to being in the studio at the end of the year.
EMB: You previously appeared in The Zombie Diaries under the name Victoria Nalder as Leeanne. With this and the forthcoming Dracula Reborn would you say that you are a sucker for horror?
VS: These are just the roles I have ended up playing... it wasn’t planned that way. But I do like the horror gene and both roles have been different and challenging in their own way.
The Zombie Diaries was released in the UK through Revolver Entertainment. One of the co-founders of EatmyBrains works for this company and won an award for his promotion of the film by organising an attempt to break the world record for the number of people dressed as zombies at the film’s Frightfest screening. It was quite an occasion. Were you lucky enough to attend or get to see any of the photos from the event?
VS: That was incredible! I’m sorry to say I was in LA at the time!
EMB: The movie was co-directed by Michael Bartlett and Kevin Gates who also wrote and produced. How was the experience of being directed by not one but two people one of whom, Michael Bartlett, had not previously directed a film?
VS: It was the first movie I had ever been in. Infact, the very first feature I had ever auditioned for and I didn’t know what to expect! Both Kevin and Michael are really great guys, very passionate about what they do and we were all learning along the way!
EMB: I understand that casting involved actors improvising entire sequences from the film rather than read from a script. That must have been very challenging.
VS: I did Improvisation classes at college in London a fair bit and I don’t remember it being particularly difficult. I think if you are really fully ‘being’ the character and you understand the scene and your purpose in it, then the words flow naturally...
EMB: You once performed for the Queen of England. Could you tell us more about that rather awesome experience?
VS: I was in my last year of college and a number of us from my year were requested to perform at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – we were performing through the streets of London on gigantic floats... It was an amazing experience to see the crowds of people waving flags... I will never forget it!
Thank-you Victoria for talking to us and we wish you every success. We are very much looking forward to seeing you in Dracula Reborn and hearing your debut album in 2011.
Posted by
S Cockwell
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