Exclusive Interview: Actress Ayvianna Snow
Ayvianna Snow has built a reputation for her compelling performances in the horror genre and continues to cement her place as one of the most exciting talents in the UK independent horror scene. Her latest films Rumpelstiltskin and St. Patrick’s Day Massacre are out now. We caught up with Ayvianna for a chat…
You’ve carved out a niche in the indie horror world, what is it about the horror genre that keeps you coming back for more?
Horror is a rich, diverse, versatile genre- we can explore dark parts of ourselves that a romcom would never touch. There’s also a camaraderie on set as I know so many people from the horror world, so it’s like working with all my mates!
Your performances often lean into complex, psychologically intense roles. How do you prepare for such emotionally demanding characters?
It can be difficult to separate yourself from the work if the scene is very visceral. When I shot the rape scene in “Yellow” it took me a few hours to get into the mindset, then a few hours afterwards to come back to myself, during which I sat alone and didn’t talk to anyone. It may have looked like I was being antisocial but I needed that time mentally.
Indie horror can mean tight budgets, crazy shooting schedules, and some very creative problem solving. Do you have a favourite “only-in-indie-film” moment from set?
I was on a set once where a man turned up in order to take some behind the scenes photos. The sound op had called in sick that day, so within an hour of arrival, he had been promoted to holding the boom. The following day, he ended up as Second AD! A swift progression! But everyone has to muck in on an indie set.
You’ve worked on a variety of horror subgenres. Is there a particular type of horror you gravitate toward as an actress or a viewer?
I prefer psychological horror over body horror and gore. The idea that you can’t trust your own mind is frightening to me. I also tend to prefer things set in the real world which feel like they could actually happen, rather than stories about ghosts and zombies. The things people do to each other are more awful than anything a ghost could do; look at what we are witnessing in America right now or incel culture.
When reading a script, what makes you say “Yes, I have to play this role”?
It’s often the team attached to the project which first gets me interested; I like a solid director and strong DOP so I know I’m in safe hands. Then the quality of the writing; is the script taut? Is the premise original?
I’m afraid I also consider it from a business angle in that I think to myself “is this likely to get a wide release and appeal to an audience?” I learned that the hard way after spending too much time as a young person making films that never got released. As I get older, I don’t feel I have the time to waste.
Horror often explores deeper social themes through metaphor. Are there any projects you’ve done that had a personal or resonance for you?
I can usually find something in the project that resonates with me; “Yellow” explored the rights of sex workers and the way they are treated in society which I thought was important; “Vergessen” looked at women being sex trafficked in a historical context (1930s Berlin). And then some movies, like How To Kill Monsters, are just good fun, which is also necessary.
______
Follow Ayvianna on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ayviannasnow/
