World Horror Network

While she is one of the newest Scream Queens, actress and model Deneen Melody  is more than just a horror darling. The youngest of 8 children and a Native Texan, Deneen originally started off as a ballerina, training and performing with various companies in the Houston area. Unfortunately, after many years of pre-professional and professional opportunities, Deneen suffered a foot injury that caused her to step back, but it wasn’t long till she fell in love with the world of film.

Since starting her acting career, Deneen has worked with several professional filmmakers, photographers, and makeup artists in the Chicago area. Her credits include roles in Distortion by Richard Diaz, She-Bang! by Ryan Oliver, and Kobo Film’s 9-5, as well as leading roles in Del Harvey’s Hitwoman:Assassin and Blood Kin, Master’s Devils directed by Terence Muncy and produced by Ryan Mojica, and Anthony Sumner’s Pink Snapper, which is part of the Slices of Life Horror Anthology. She is also getting ready to play a lead role in Joe Davison’s (100 Tears, Experiment 7) film, As Night Falls, which begins filming in January.

Favorite Horror Movies and Why?

Well, I love zombie movies…almost any zombie movie…but George Romero’s Day of the Dead is number 1 in my book. I mean, all of his movies are freaking amazing, but I feel Day of the Dead is underrated. It is much more intense than the two previous films, and Lori Cardille is just AMAZING as Sarah! In fact, her portrayl of that character is one of my biggest inspirations, and I base a lot of my own character choices around that. I don’t like playing weak spirited or whiney characters…I prefer the tough chicks that know how to handle any situation, no matter how bloody or gory it is!Scariest moment in life?

I’m also a fan of the vampire film, Let the Right One In. When I first saw it, I was completely blown away! It is a horror film in many aspects, yes, but I also see it as a romance. Perhaps not a typical romance, but the relationship between the two main characters is so touching…even if it is a bit disturbing.

My last favorite is Brotherhood of the Wolf, a film that is a mix of genres, including horror. It is nice to see a film that is able to pull off many different types of styles…action, romance, suspense…and still keep the horror nice and creepy! I’m surprised to find that not many people have seen this film, and it is one I think all horror fans should check out, especially if you like to see a bit more than blood, guts, and sex in a film. 

Places you would love to visit?
Middle Earth and Neverland, of course! Haha, ok, while I really WOULD like to visit both of those…realistically, I want to go to Ireland. I’m Irish and Scottish, and since I have already been to Scotland (which is simply gorgeous, btw), I have this desire…this NEED to visit Ireland. I don’t think my life will ever be complete if I don’t go at some point! (Actually, I would love to film there some day…)

I also want to go to New Zealand…so then I really CAN say I’ve been to Middle Earth. Ha!

Hmmm. You know…I have no idea. I haven’t really experienced anything quite yet that I would consider “scary”…but I think that is because I am pretty desensitized to a lot of things. (Thanks to my parents for letting me watch Aliens and all sorts of horror films while I was a toddler…) While growing up, I was the one who did all sorts of pranks on my friends to try to scare them…and I admit I STILL try to do that every now and then.Where do you live? Why?

CrazieCraziest thing you’ve done?
Oh my goodness. Well. I’m sort of a crazy person in general…so I’ve done a lot of crazy stuff. My best friend and I did a lot of silly things in High School…like doing a lip sync in a Velociraptor costume, pretending to be the FBI and kicking open the doors of bathroom stalls, making up the most ridiculous improv skits, and a bunch of other things. We were the girls that everyone else thought were “so immature”…but ya know…we had fun, and that is all that matters.

Now, since I am an actress, I do even MORE crazy things…and it all gets caught on camera. Woohoo!

I’m in the Chicago area, and it really is such a long story. However, I basically moved here after realizing I could no longer pursue a professional career in ballet, which I did for many years before hurting my foot. Since I still wanted to do something artistic, I knew the best places for me to go would either be LA, New York, or Chicago. I’m not a fan of LA…there is a lot of superficiality out there that sort of disgusts me…and New York just seemed like too much for me at the time. So, Chicago was a good fit, and it helped that I knew people up here…I’m thankful for them making me feel as comfortable as they did. Moving from Texas, especially the country parts, to a big city was a major change for me.What you hope to do in the future?

What you are inspired by?
Honestly, there are a lot of things that inspire me, but my fellow actors play a big part in that. I’ve worked with so many talented, beautiful, amazing people…and seeing their passion come through on set is just wonderful to watch. When I am on set with an actor that truly loves their art, and that comes through in their performance, it gives me the encouragment to put everything I have into my own scenes.

I hope to be successful as an actor. To me, this doesn’t mean making a bunch of money or having my name plastered everywhere….I just want to have a career full of great roles, meeting wonderful people, and having amazing opportunities presented to me. I want to be able to travel and have the chance to be in films all over the world…which truly is a goal of mine.Favorite all time album?

There are other things I hope as well…like to get married, have a family, survive a zombie apocalypse…

How long you have acted/modeled for?
I’ve actually modeled for quite a few years now. I did a bit of bit when I lived in Texas, mostly dance related stuff, but now a days I do mostly glamour and beauty. All the photographers I have worked with are just awesome and always make me feel comfortable. (Especially Jessi Tetzloff…that girl can get me pretty naked…damn her.)

In terms of acting, I didn’t really get involved in film till about 2 years ago. As stated, before moving to the Chicago area, I was a ballet dancer…although I did do plenty of theater during Middle and High School. While I love ballet, there came a point where I had to accept that I couldn’t dance professionally…my injury was stopping me from doing rehearsals and even wearing pointe shoes. Film is basically what caught my interest after exploring all kinds of other performance art…and ya know…I’m pretty hooked.

Argh! This is hard. I am a fan of so many different kinds of musical artists…and so many of them have fantastic albums. Depeche Mode is my favorite group though, and their Violator album is awesome…definitely one that I listen to over and over. Playing the Angel is another favorite, I adore a lot of the songs on that one.Turn Ons?

And, well, I absolutely love Loreena McKennitt. She is talented beyond words, not to mention that her voice is simply hyponitc. I have all of her cds and, honestly, it is hard for me to pick a favorite…they are all THAT good! I suppose The Book of Secrets is what I play the most, though, along with An Ancient Muse.

What are you listening to now?

Drive by Darude…he is kick ass! I’m actually listening to his stuff right now because I have to be on a film set in a few hours, and his music definitely gets me going.

Anything geeky and nerdy! I mean, I am a huge nerd, so if you are able to talk about Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Final Fantasy, or anime with me…then it is all good. Also, I like guys that will go to places like Medieval Times, Rennaissance Festivals, or Comic Book/Anime/Horror Conventions with me. (An even BIGGER plus would be dressing up for those…hehe.)Turn Offs?

People that are superficial, snobby, and flat out rude. Bleh. No one person is better than another, at least not in terms of how much money you have, what you wear, or what you look like. I have a hard time holding my tongue around people that think they are God’s gift to the World…because…you know, they suck. I prefer being around people that are genuinely kind and treat others with respect.

Find Me At:

Myspace: http://myspace.com/deneenmelody

Facebook: http://facebook.com/deneenmelody

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeneenMelody

Model Mayhem: http://modelmayhem.com/deneen

Photography by Jessi Tetzloff (http://jessitetzloffphotography.com)