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Talking indie horror, remakes, video store memories, and making horror R-rated again with Horror Scream Queen, Actress, Model and Producer April Bogenschutz

I was fortunate enough to interview my friend and colleague, the lovely and multi-talented April Bogenschutz. April is currently an actress and Producer at my production company, Spirit World Productions. She had a lead role in our latest film, the horror thriller Dark Roads 79, where she absolutely shines as the deadly beauty Grace King. I sat down to talk with this knock out talent about her successful career, her love of horror, and her passion for acting.


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH APRIL BOGENSCHUTZ

April BogenschutzWho would you say had the biggest influence on your life?

My Parents have always encouraged me to go for my dreams and to live life to its fullest.

Was there a movie that made you think, “Hey this is what I want to do with my life?”

I don’t know if it was a movie, as much as when I walked onto my first movie set. The moment I stepped foot on set, I was hooked! I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I felt more alive at that moment than any point in my life and knew that this was what I was supposed to do.

How many movies have you been in and what was the name of your 1st one?

I have been in 15 films and my first film was called “Raw Justice” where I had a supporting role with David Keith, Robert Hays, Pamela Anderson, Charles Napier, Stacy Keach and Leo Rossi.

Did you attend acting school or did it just come natural for you?

I guess you could say it came natural in that I got my first major role without ever having an acting class. But, to this day, I still attend classes and work to get better every day.

What movie set where you on when you knew you had made it?

I am still working on that! I don’t think you ever really know that. I am part of an independent film company now, and that’s given me the opportunity to star opposite the likes of Martin Kove, Bill Moseley, Tyler Mane and other icons. We keep growing in our opportunities with each film, which is exciting, but I’m not sure I will ever feel like I’ve “made it.”

Is there a particular type of mind frame you get into or try to set for yourself in order to create the characters for your roles?

I go into each project with an open mind and give myself time to let the character evolve naturally.

Have you ever worked with a well-known actor and they were an asshole on and off the set?

Yes, when I worked with Pamela Anderson. The first thing she said to me when I introduced myself was, “You are going to have to change your hair color.” Those were the only words she ever said to me. Maybe she was just stressed out that day. However, 99% of all the known actors that I have worked with have been very down to earth and humble.

Who are your top 10 favorite directors?

Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, Wes Craven, Ron Howard, Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott, and Chase Smith.

What are your top 10 favorite horror movies of all time?

Ooh, there are so many! Here are my top 12: Jaws, The Cabin In The Woods, Halloween, Friday 13th, The Conjuring 2, Alien, The Shining, From Dusk Tell Dawn, The Evil Dead, The Ring, and A Nightmare On Elm Street.

What was the 1st horror movie you saw and how old were you?

JAWS was the first horror movie that I ever saw, and my mother took me to see it when I was only 7 years old. As a matter of fact, my mother took me to see all of the horror films when they came out. It was always “Taco Bell” for lunch, Woolworths for candy; we would then head to the theater.

What do you think about people remaking the horror classics?

I am not a big fan on remaking the classics. I think that they should leave most of them alone. That’s why they called them “Classics.”

What do think about people downloading movies?

I am not a big fan of downloading movies and NEVER illegally! To me, it takes away from the whole movie experience when you are not in the theater. And while I’m on it, I miss Movie Rental places like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video! I loved walking around and looking at VHS artwork of 10,000 different movies and finding something you didn’t know you wanted to see or deciding to have an all Friday the 13th weekend marathon and renting them all, grabbing candy and heading home!  It’s all about the experiences, and we’re missing out on that connection to movies in exchange for convenience.

What is a role or character that you haven’t yet played that you want to? 

Currently, there are two roles that I would love to play and those would be; a Secret Agent and a Superhero.

What is your favorite role you have played?

My favorite role hands down is “Grace King” in Dark Roads 79!  I got to play good, bad and everything in between in a truly unique film.

How do you feel about nudity in films – especially horror films?

I say go for it if the script is good and it is a legit film. After all, it is not “you” — it is a character.  I don’t personally do nudity. I think I am past that point, ha!  Nudity doesn’t have the same negative connotations around the world where most horror films make their money, so it helps the sell. It is visceral — just like monsters, kills and blood — it transcends the language barrier.  Not to mention the fact that I am a huge fan of 70s and 80s horror films, and they are full of it!  Its all in good fun. I say make movies R rated again!

If you could leave our readers one perspective what would it be?

Embrace Independent Films and be willing to put in the work. A-list actors did not start at the top.


ABOUT APRIL BOGENSCHUTZ: 

April Bogenschutz is an American actress born in San Diego, California and raised in the small town of Powder Springs, Georgia. She fell in love with acting while volunteering as an extra at the college where she holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Programming. She is the mother of two children and got her start in a supporting role in an Aaron Spelling TV Series called “Savannah.” She recently had a lead role opposite of horror icon Bill Moseley in the feature film “Dark Roads 79.”  She also just completed lead roles in “Penance Lane” with Tyler Mane, Scout Taylor-Compton, Daniel Roebuck, John Schneider, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page and a lead role in the feature film “Bring Me A Dream” with Martin Kove and Tyler Mane.  She is currently an actress and Producer at Spirit World Productions.

2 Comments

2 Records

  1. on July 13, 2017 at 3:33 pm
    Steven Dean wrote:

    I thought this was an excellent interview. I have known April for a very long time. I first meet her when she moved to Powder Springs, Ga. She lived in a subdivision that was built behind the house I grew up in. She has always been a very nice and friendly person, and yes all of us guys thought she was gorgeous, but like I said she was never stuck up, she has always been a hard worker and honest person. I feel proud knowing that someone from our small town has rising to be such a great actress and I look forward to to seeing her work.

    Reply
    • on July 13, 2017 at 9:00 pm
      April Bogenschutz wrote:

      You are way too kind Steven Thank you so much for the kind words.

      Reply

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