Pulp Features

Ohio based Stephanie Aldridge is a horror filmmaker to watch. At 16 she is an actress, director and scriptwriter with a stack of scripts under her belt, two films already released and a third in post-production.

To this date, she has worked with a host of b-movie and horror celebrities and is looking forward to a long and successful future.

She was recently a guest at Frightvision at which the trailer for her third film, Descend into Darkness, was hugely popular and gained no fewer than five standing ovations.

And she has also agreed to take some time out from a very busy schedule to answer a few questions…

Paul First of all, who or what inspired you to start making films?

Steph What really first inspired me to start making films would have to be the Subspecies series. I had been watching those films when I was 5-6 years old, and just really loved the acting, the story, and the films themselves. I thought to myself, “I can do that. That could be me someday.” So, those films really inspired me, and I also think my love for all horror films in general had an impact on my decision to make films as well.

Paul Your first film was Blood Beneath The Moon which you wrote, directed and starred in. What is the film about and how much of a learning experience was it?

Steph Blood Beneath the Moon is about a some friends who rent a house that, unknowing to the renters, was used as a laboratory for a man named Dr. Stevens several years ago. The story is about Darla Death, a female serial killer, who is on the prowl for some fresh blood to be spilled!

This film was a huge learning experience, first of all due to the fact that it was the first film that I ever worked on. I really had the opportunity to see what it was like being a director and filming a movie for the first time. I learned a lot from making this film, and it truly was a learning experience for me.

Paul Of all the roles you’ve taken on - writer, director, actress - which do you find most enjoyable, and which is most satisfying?

Steph I would have to say that directing is the best. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing and acting and have had a passion for it ever since I was 6 years old, but I think being a director and seeing the work that you wrote come to life right before your very eyes is just such an incredible feeling. I think with directing you almost have a better appreciation of all the work that is involved with making a film. I think writing, directing, and acting are all very satisfying to me because I enjoy taking on each job all the time.

Paul How do you see your film career developing?

Steph I think my film career is going very well. Everything has been going very fast, and has been extremely fun and amazing! I enjoy every day of doing what I love! I have tremendous support from my friends and family, and also have awesome fans! I see myself being in this industry for a very long time.

Paul Of the films you’ve made so far, which one are you happiest with?

Steph I am happy with all of the films I’ve made, one way or another. I would have to say that the one I really excited about would have to be my latest film, Descend Into Darkness, which is a vampire film that is currently in post-production.

Paul What can you tell us about Descend Into Darkness?

Steph This film is about a young woman who has been entranced and bitten by a blood-sucking vampire. All of her friends must save her before her soul is damned to hell for eternity. In June, I will be filming the sequel to Descend Into Darkness. The film will include such names as Syn DeVil and Suzi Lorraine.

Paul Any plans to make a Zombie movie?

Steph I would love to make a zombie film! In all honesty, I think there have been way too many zombie films released in the past few years, so I’ll probably hold out a bit before I decide to make a zombie film.

Paul What do you think of the current crop of remakes such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dawn of the Dead?

Steph I must say that I loved the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Dawn of the Dead was pretty good too. But I have to say that you can never beat the classics, the originals! They are films that have had a huge following of fans since they were first released and we still continue to talk about them. That’s just incredible!

Paul How was Frightvision?

Steph Frightvision was awesome! It was my first time being a guest at the convention, and I had a great time there! I was at the con with my friend Syn DeVil. The trailer for my vampire film, Descend Into Darkness, was shown at FV 2004 and it went very well! I had a total of 5 standing ovations for it, including the first time it was shown on Friday night. It was just so amazing to see the peoples’ reactions to my work be so well received.

Paul Are you planning to attend any more conventions in the near future?

Steph Actually, I will be attending a lot of conventions this year! I will be at the Pittsburgh Comicon Convention (April 30th-May 2nd), East Coast Hollywood Horror Tour Show in Allentown, PA (May 15th-I will be there with Syn DeVil.), Scary Camp Convention in Dayton, Ohio (May 28th-30th). I will be doing an autograph signing on June 5th in New Philadelphia, Ohio from 6pm-9pm. All of the info for this event is on my web site. Then, I also plan on attending the Horrorfind Convention in August, Twisted Nightmare Weekend Convention in September, Chiller Theatre in October, and finally the Dark X-Mas Convention in November. So, I do hope to meet more of my fans at these conventions! Thanks for all of your support! You guys rock!

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