Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories – Segment “The Deathday Party.”

Actress Alyssa Rhoads – “Katrina aka Basement Victim.”

iHorror: What is the most extreme change to your personality that you did in preparation for your role?

Alyssa Rhoads: With this character, I was really keeping the victim/survivor mentality.  I am a survivor and really wanted to keep that on the surface for this segment.  No matter what I had to do, at whatever cost, I was going to survive, or I was going out swinging.  I don’t necessarily think that was an extreme change to my own personality, but I really wanted that depth with this character. I kept thinking how mad I was, being stuck in a dank cellar by a demented lady with an apron and an agenda, hoping for an opportunity to get away and get on with life. I actually ran the River Run a ten-mile race the weekend we were filming and kept my character and the story in mind during the race.

iH: How did you get attached to this project? Was it a traditional audition?

AR: I actually met PJ at an IFN meeting (Indiana Filmmakers Network).  He was a guest speaker and was giving us a little insight on some of the in and outs of producing and he talked a lot about the original Volumes of Blood, and I was familiar with some of the talent involved with that project.  PJ actually messaged me a few months later when they were doing casting calls and asked me to read for a different segment that ended up being scrapped. I ended up reading for a couple of different roles before I came into this character. I enjoyed the audition process. I was actually in the waiting area with Erin Troutman and Jay Woolston who I had the pleasure of working with and have become friends with.

iH: Any fun stories that occurred on set?

AR: Ha, well the special effects were a lot of fun! Getting to fight with Cindy and Jay.  I loved when Jay punches me in the face, and I’m falling to floor spitting up blood. There was a moment during the stab scene, where I stab Jay and get shot in the face with blood before I throw up and that was definitely an experience.  Right in the middle of this sequence the crew had to reset lighting and camera angle so, I’m in the floor with blood dripping down my face and in my eyes, with “vomit” in my mouth and I am just waiting for action, but since they’re reseting everything I’m in this position waiting, eyes watering, gagging on sfx puke and can hear everyone in the background like ‘do you think she’s really gonna throw up?’ so that was definitely a new experience for me to say the least. The crew certainly got their entertainments worth on that one.

iH: Are you a fan of the horror genre? If so, what are your favorite films and have any inspired you?

AR: I have always liked horror.  My mother actually inspires me a lot creatively. We used to watch Stephen King movies together like Rose Red, It, Sleepwalkers.  The Pet Semetaries were my favorites, and my dad (not a horror fan) likes Christine.  I grew up watching the Friday the 13ths, Creepshow, and Nightmare on Elm Street with my older brothers and I am a big fan of Rob Zombie so I have always been attracted to horror.

iH: During your entire scene, I was gritting my teeth and rooting for you! What were your initial thoughts when reading the script?

AR: Oh I loved it! I was so thrilled reading it. I’ve already said I’m a survivor so reading through the script I’m rooting for me, I can feel the audience rooting for me…. and well.. then I finished reading lol. Still, it was so easy to get in tune with the character, into that ‘not going down without a fight’ mentality and getting to really put up a fight and do the stunts and special effects to work with such awesome co-stars and crew was such a pleasure.

iH: Is there anything that you are currently working on that you can talk about?

AR: I may have recently received a new script, but until I am given the go-ahead I cannot release any details other than being excited to dive into a new character and get back in front of the camera.  Mostly I have been working towards finishing my personal training certification and I have been looking into acting workshops in the Atlanta area. I plan to broaden my horizon and see what kind of trouble I can myself into in Georgia and see where that path leads me.

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