‘Death House’ Interview: Gabrielle Stone
With the highly-anticipated horror Death House being released in cinemas on February 23rd, I got a chance to speak with actress Gabrielle Stone about her role in the film, growing up as part of the horror genre family and working with Harrison Smith.
How did you first get into acting?
My parents were both in the industry when I was growing up so I really grew up on film sets. I always thought I wanted to be an actress, but it wasn’t until my first film where I realised I didn’t want to do anything else. I was 19.
You are in the upcoming horror film Death House. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
I can tell you that I play an important role in what’s coming next in the franchise and that horror fans are in for a serious ride.
How did you become involved in the film?
I worked with Harrison Smith on Zombie Killers (2015) and we became good friends. I’ll work with him on just about anything he wants me to.
Can you tell me a little bit about your character Linz Haddon?
The audience only meets Linz very briefly in Death House, in a very scary and compromising position I might add. But it’s a huge hint as to what is in store for the sequel.
Death House brings together some of the biggest names in horror. What was it like being involved in such a landmark project?
I actually have known Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, Michael Berryman, Adrienne Barbeau, and Sid Haig for quite some time through the horror genre family. It was great getting to work with Tony finally and I loved hanging with Cortney Palm on set. It was awesome that Harrison was able to bring so many of us together in one film.
This is the second time you have worked with Harrison Smith, the first being Zombie Killers: Elephant’s Graveyard (2015). What is Harrison Smith like to work with as a director?
Awesome. I love working with Harrison. He always lets me bounce ideas around and really gives me room to play. I had such a blast on Zombie Killers we’re all still like family.
You recently wrote and directed the short film It Happened Again Last Night (2017) which has been really well received. Is writing and directing something you want to do more of in the future?
Definitely. I’m currently writing my first novel which I hope to eventually (way down the road) adapt into a screenplay. I loved directing and definitely want to do it more in the future, however I don’t want to be in the next thing I direct. Wearing both hats in It Happened Again Last Night (2017) was a lot and I want to be able to focus on the actors without being one of them next time.
What is the most challenging role of your career so far?
I did an indie drama called Swell last year that will be hitting festivals soon. It was definitely one of my most challenging shoots, but I did some of my best work yet in it. I’m really proud of it and made lifelong friends on that set. My role has a lot of comedy woven through the film which was so much fun for me but still had some heavy drama which is always something I love.
Do you have any other projects which you are working on at the moment?
The Competition with Chris Klein and Thora Birch opens in theatres January 2018. It’s a full on 90s rom-com and I play a stripper in it. It’s awesome, go see it. Rock Paper Dead starring Luke Macfarlane, Michael Madsen, and Tatum O’Neal should be our 2018 as well. It’s a great fresh take on the serial killer genre and Luke Macfarlane is freaking awesome in it.
If someone is looking to get into acting, what advice would you give them?
Make sure you love it. It’s not the easiest industry but if you love it, it’s worth it.
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Death House is released in cinemas on February 23rd.
