*Two pop culture phenomenons collide this Halloween season! It isn’t very often that you find a reality television star with actual acting talent. Andrea Boehlke has broken the mold. Andrea was a fan favorite on “Survivor: Redemption Island,” and now she will be starring in the short film – The House That Cried Blood – by Frank Sabatella. Frank Sabatella has previously directed the hit films Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet and Night of The Pumpkin. In my interview with Andrea, you will read her thoughts on reality television, her early beginnings as an aspiring actress, and several tidbits on her new role as “Zooey” in The House That Cried Blood. After the interview you will also find out how you can get involved with this project.
Q: Just for starters – can you introduce yourself to the readers? Tell us something interesting about yourself.
A: Hey guys! My name is Andrea Boehlke and I’ve been living in New York for a little over a year. I am a lot of things, but I guess you could say I am a Wisconsin farm girl turned theatre actress turned “Survivor” contestant turned NY actress and host. I’m a real go-getter, adventure seeker, and am constantly trying new things, hence my first horror flick.
Q: You are most known for being on “Survivor: Redemption Island.” How was the whole reality TV experience for you?
A: Oh gosh. The “Survivor” experience is really hard to explain and it’s hard to truly understand if you haven’t gone through it. I think it is much different from most other reality shows because it is A) not scripted, at all and B) a really emotionally and physically demanding experience that really does take a toll on your mind and body. It is so much harder than they show on television and it is REAL. You are starving, you are having breakdowns and you are stuck on an island 24/7 with a bunch of crazies. No toilets, no toothbrushes, no extra clothes, nothing!
However, overall I feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to compete on “Survivor,” travel and battle for a million dollars. Did I like watching myself on national television? Ha, definitely not, but I think that’s just how I am with all of my projects. I discovered that I liked “Survivor” for the adventure, not the fame, just as I like acting for the creative process, not to just be on television.
Q: My parents are huge fans of the show, and recognized you off the bat for being kind of a champion on your season. What was your most memorable moment on the show?
A: Ooooh, a champion?! I like your parents. I think one of the craziest moments for me was winning the final duel on my season at “Redemption Island.” I somehow managed to win this challenge against three huge studs – an ex-NFL player, a former marine and a guy who was on a huge challenge winning streak. It was the final duel to get back into the game (we had all been voted off, but in this season you got a second chance.) If you lost this duel, your time was over and you went home. If you won, you got to enter back into the game for a million dollars. I ended up winning and my immediate reaction was, “What the heck?! This wasn’t supposed to happen…now I have to go back?!” Needless to say, I was the underdog going back in. Through “Survivor” and the intense challenges, I learned that I was even tougher than I thought.
Q: Now you are transitioning into an actress, having appeared on “Jest Originals.” Was acting always in your blood, or was it the next logical career move after being a reality star?
A: I think the misconception about reality television stars is that we all just want to expand our fifteen minutes of fame and “try out acting.” Although that is true for some people, I was actually pursuing a career in the arts way before “Survivor.” At the time of filming my season, I was currently in school finishing up my BFA in Acting at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where most of my training was on stage.
“Survivor” is a completely separate thing for me. I didn’t go on “Survivor” to further my career, and I definitely wasn’t acting out there. It was really me. Well—an underfed, sleep deprived, hungry for a million dollars, boy crazy and edited version of me. Although “Survivor” sometimes gives me a little bit of a launching pad or extra attention, being on a reality show doesn’t necessarily help or hurt your chances of breaking into the acting business. I look at it like this: If it wasn’t for “Survivor” I probably wouldn’t have an agent and a manager, a fan base or even be in New York at this point in my life. So in that respect, “Survivor” is definitely helpful to me pursuing my dreams. However, even though “Survivor” sometimes helps me get in the door, I still have to prove that I have the chops and am right for the role. It’s a tough business.
Q: We recently covered The House That Cried Blood here at Horror Society. How did you become attached to this project?
A: My manager (Roger Paul) got me the audition. He knew Frank Sabatella from casting Blood Night. I went into the audition not knowing a lot about the project, and I had never done a horror film before. I remember Frank asking me to scream on camera, and up until that point I wasn’t even sure if I could scream. (It’s not really something you practice, you know?) Turns out I’m a pretty good screamer. Well, watch The House That Cried Blood and maybe you can make that decision for yourself.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your character?
A: I played the character Zooey. Zooey has a big heart and loves adventure, but she finds herself in a pretty intense and scary situation. Zooey is different than me, because she is a bit more cautious, a lot more rational in life and tends to think things through more than Andrea would. I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Zooey has a good sense for when something isn’t quite right.
Q: What was your most favorable moment from shooting this short horror film?
A: It was so much fun! The boys over at Sideshow Pictures were so great to work with and a lot of hard work was put into this film. One of my favorite moments was when all the blood and special effects came out. Emmy- nominated SFX artist Jeremy Selenfriend was on set with us for when things got bloody, and seeing the makeup people get to work was completely mesmerizing. Whether I get to undergo a transformation or not (stay tuned) the special effects are going to look badass.
Q: The House That Cried Blood is looking for finishing funds on Kickstarter. Why should all your fans donate to this project?
A: I’m a huge fan of the creative process and helping out artists and filmmakers, and with Frank Sabatella you know the money will be put to good use. His Blood Night was picked up by Lionsgate, and the more funding we get for THTCB the more likely it is that we could make it into a full length or get more publicity. Plus, money is money. I’m kind of in the mindset that what goes around comes around, so I try to support people’s dreams (even if it’s just a few dollars) when I have the means. Plus, check out the kickstarter, you get these cute little lobby cards if you donate!
Q: Favorite horror film?
A: Oh man. I love horror films. I think that’s why I was really attracted to the project. I actually think my first home video was a horror flick. You know, when you were like twelve years old and started making little movies with your cousins? Growing up on a farm we had a lot of creepy barns and farm houses to play in. But anyway, to get back to the question, I will confess that I do like the Saw movies. I like Silence of the Lambs and Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well. I love being scared.
*The House That Cried Blood is completed, but currently seeking some finishing and post-production costs on Kickstarter.com. 12 days are left on the campaign and the film is still in need of roughly $2,250. [Click here] to donate to The House That Cried Blood. You can earn yourself amazing perks such as a signed poster, DVD copy of the film, associate producer credit in the film, and signed lobby cards. Get to it folks, please support a fantastic indie project like The House That Cried Blood and a beautiful and talented actress like Andrea Boehlke.
