Thank you to all my loyal fans and friends!

No related posts yet.

I had been wanting to get into burlesque here in Richmond for sometime, but there wasn’t really anything going on, and I didn’t know how to start it. A night arose at a local fetish club that I cage dance at, that was ‘burlesque themed’ and they wanted some burlesque performances. I jumped at the chance and had my first official performance. It was like kismet. Coincidentally, there was a brand new burlesque class in town being offered by a performer from New York. She was starting to build a scene here (in her hometown), and asked me to perform in one of her shows without even having seen me dance. And everything following that just snowballed into a career!

2. How much of an influence was/is your mother?

My mother was a great influence on me…kind of subconsciously. I grew up in a very artistically open household. My parents did everything they possibly could to afford me the best opportunities with school, and dance classes, and theater, and all the other activities I did. And a lot of my “playing dress-up” times when I was a kid involved playing in mom’s bellydancing costumes (she was a bellydance performer & teacher back in the 70′s)!.. As well as some lingerie she thought she was hiding from me. But one of the best things my parents did for me, was to teach me to always be me, and always be proud of what *I* could produce, and to pick my head right back up if I ever got kicked down. So when you couple that all together, it was really only a matter of time before burlesque took over my life.

3. Which of your many artistic abilities is the most challenging for you? The most rewarding?

The most challenging thing I do is produce shows. By far. It’s tough working with all kinds of different venues (none of which I’d say are ‘good’ to work with in this town…it’s kind of a dilemma we’ve got here), and different co-producers. You’re bound to not agree on everything, so getting through that to produce a quality event can be pretty tough, but I always stay honest, and keep an open mind about it all, and keep from getting bothered by it, because that’s just not going to make the situation better. The most rewarding part of my work, is teaching. It is ridiculously rewarding. I don’t know if every teach out there feels this, but if they aren’t, they probably shouldn’t be teaching! lol! What I impart on the ladies I teach burlesque to, comes back to me tenfold. Burlesque is such an open, freeing, empowering, creatively releasing art…when I teach someone how to harness that energy within themselves, It sets my heart a flame. Seriously. I could have cried at how proud I was of my ladies at their graduation.

4. Okay, which is more fun for you: burlesque dancing or fetish modeling?

Oh definitely burlesque. I am a dancer. Through and through. My modeling definitely helped lead me here. It’s just what I got into first. And I’m glad I did. It taught me a lot about my public image, and how to carry and hold myself. I do burlesque primarily, and not much modeling because I didn’t find myself making any money modeling, and I did for burlesque. So I work hardest at that because it has proven to be my best ability. But heaven knows I would love to do much more modeling. All kinds. Not just pinup or burlesque, but fetish, alternative, cosplay, you name it. I want to creatively express myself in as many ways as possible.

5. What inspired the pinstripe and bat tattoos on your amazing legs?

lol! Aww, thank you Bebe. Well, I saw the seamline tattoos on a couple of different models on Suicide Girls. And I was just completely obsessed with them. Upon doing some more research about that specific tattoo, I learned that ladies back in the depression days, and WWII would draw the stocking seams onto the backs of their legs because they couldn’t afford the silk stockings. And the tattoos are an ode to that. So this is just me permanently being a pinup. And the bats at the top…well, I just thought they’d be cute! lol. Most girls that I’ve seen that have these tattoos have little bows at the top. And I just wanted something different, and something that would match with my dragons on my lower back.

6. Did you start dancing at a very young age? What other talents revealed them selves around that time?

I started dance when I was 3 years old. My mom put me in ballet class, and after a couple of years it became ballet and jazz, and then ballet, jazz and tap, and so on till I was taking all the classes offered at my dance school. I was a natural at it, and was often bumped ahead classes because of my talent (which often caused strife with the older girls in my classes)! I was also tested at some point during my elementary years for the ‘gifted program’ in school, and was put into the advanced classes. Which was great, because at that time, the advanced program was a pretty different than what it is now. It was more about the arts, and classic literature, music, and early world history (rather than the Governors school type programs that are more specifically advanced school subjects). I also did a lot of theater throughout my youth, and all the way through college. So I’ve pretty much been enveloped in the arts my whole life.

7. Of the tattoos you have, which is your favorite? Plans for more?

They all mean so much to me for many different reasons, but I think the one that means the most is my chest script. It says “Death shall never do us part” which is the last line in my husband and my wedding vows. He’s also got the phrase tattooed on his belly. I definitely have plans for more. It’s just a matter of finding the funds to get them all!

8. Do you prepare new costumes for each Fetish Ball?

I do, yes. I pretty much come up with a new outfit for every performance. I do have certain routines that I do over and over again (such as the routine that got me into the New York Burlesque Festival, my Bjork “Oh So Quiet” routine), that I wear the same outfit for. But even those costumes are constantly being added to! You can never have too many embellishments!

9. Describe a typical week for you.

Oh lordly. Typical my weeks are definitely not! haha. Well, I usually have at least a couple gigs every week, so my schedule will revolve around that. But my husband works nights (3-11pm) so we kind of sleep in together, and then will get up and do our dog walking, breakfast making, exercising, and then when he goes to work, I can get MY work done! So it’s the afternoon/evening hours that get my emailing done, my flyer making, my crafting and order filling (www.deannadangerdesigns.etsy.com), and my costuming or rehearsing.

10. What new projects or productions are coming up for you?

Lots! I have a brand new traveling vaudeville show called “The Amazing Stage Show” (or A.S.S. as we so lovingly refer to it). It’s a show encompassing burlesque, bellydance, vaudeville, comedy, snakes, swords, fire, stunts, magic, and acting. It’s a three piece, myself, Rio who does the bellydance, and Mark Slomski of the vaudeville music/comedy duo The Slomski Brothers. We have some pretty unique things worked up that we’ll be traveling with up and down the east coast, and hopefully west come 2011. I also am working on getting into aerial burlesque. I’ve been lucky enough to have a weekly gig that allows me to play on an aerial lyra (hoop), and I absolutely adore it. It comes pretty naturally to me, it’s just a matter of becoming strong enough to do it all. So I’m working to get my own lyra so that I can practice at home and start working up a routine. And then there are always new products coming out of Deanna Danger Designs (my burlesque pastie & fascinator business). And I’ve got a lot of plans for Christmas and beyond to help pump it up even more. I’m pretty much always completely overworked and loving every second of it!

11. Rework the finale of The Professional to your personal taste-GO.

Hahahahahaha! Lord I don’t think that’s possible! (Leon) The Professional is perfection. Absolute bliss. Maybe some kind of little “knowing glance” from either Leon or Matilda that kinda lets you, the audience know that, “yeah, they went there…” but really, even that might be too much! Haha. My husband and I watch this movie all the time.

12. How can you be contacted for work?

I can be contacted for work at deannadanger@verizon.net. I’m working on a website, which will be at www.deannadanger.com, and there is always my facebook and twitter, where you can find all about what’s going on with me!

Deanna Danger
Dancer/Aerialist/Designer/Makeup Artist/Graphic Designer
Head Honcho of Dr. Sketchys, Richmond, VA Branch

DeannaDanger@verizon.net
Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/deannadanger

Modeling/Burlesque Profiles:
facebook.com/deannadanger
vimeo.com/deannadanger
modelmayhem.com/deannadanger
retrotease.net/profile/deannadanger
pinuplifestyle.com/profile/deannadanger

Makeup profile:
modelmayhem.com/deannadangermakeup

And check out my designs at:
deannadangerdesigns.etsy.com
modelmayhem.com/deannadangerdesigns
pinuplifestyle.com/profile/deannadangerdesigns

No related posts yet.

Well… That is not too often, but I love to cook with Mariah and take in a movie or show.

2. Tell us of the obsession that is RANCH DRESSING.

It is delicious and makes us better and stronger as a people.

3. What films just stand out, for you, as the epitome of filmmaking?

As a filmmaker you have to respect “The Shawshank Redemption”. But to me it a triangle. At the top Ridley Scott’s “Legend”. Bottom right Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn. And the bottom left Larry Bishop’s “Mad Dog Time” Aka “Trigger Happy”.

4. What other kinds of art do you dabble in?

Hmmm. I have a couple radio shows… The Graveyard Shift and BattleBlade. But I am not sure. Sex?

5. I understand Mariah Smith, your lady, is starting up her own spfx company! How excited are you about that, and how much did you influence her to pursue this?

Mariah started doing FX so she could be on set with me without being “The Director’s Girlfriend”, but then became so good at it; everyone wanted her to do their movies. So her company Bio Duck awesome for Mariah terrible for me. I now have to schedule her for my films… Dammit.

6. What are some of your favorite restaurants?

El Puerto, Jekyll and Hide, and The D Diner.

7. You just finished “Deep Purple,” with Bebe S Bellamont producing. How was your experience working with The Doll?

Always a treat. As for production she is prompt and hard working. Then in the down time on set is always fun. She will say and do things that make me giggle as well as keeping everything light and playful.

8. Do you have any other projects lined up with Bebe as producer?

Quite a few actually. There are 3 more shorts lined up for her DVD release in which “Deep Purple” was the first. And in the new year a feature based on her “Danger Danger Danger” comic.

9. Is it true that you wrote a lot of the soundtrack music for your films? What instruments do you play?

Yes. Anywhere you see SABO in the credits that means me. It’s one of my many pseudonyms. I only play the Key Board. But it makes me sound like a play more… Woot!

10. What are some of your favorite songs?

“The Bells are Ringing” by They Might Be Giants, “The Last Starfighter Theme” performed by Eric Knuzel, and “Whip It” by Devo. But there are many many more.

11. What would you do if you weren’t a director/actor/producer/DP etc, etc, etc?

Probably a Police Officer.

12. You’re writing the script for an upcoming short: Do you usually write the scripts you shoot?

I usually do. I like being a filmmaker in whole. As in coming up with an idea and seeing it all the way through. Also, it helps when I can make a change on set and not piss anyone off.

Possibly Related posts:

• Interview with Mariah Smith
• Interview with Thomas Berdinski
• Interview with photographer Sarah Sertic

I started my own company because it’s my dream to do what I love (make-up), and make a living at it. I started getting more offers to work on different projects and thought that having a company would expand my opportunities for future jobs.

2. Where did your interest in making film effects come from?

My Fiancé, Johnny Johnson is a horror director. Although I have always liked the macabre, he really introduced me to this genre. I have always been an artist. My mother is one as well, so I grew up painting and sculpting. After watching many horror movies, and being on the set of them as well, it only seemed natural to help out with make-up. I began to really get into it and decided this was the job for me.

3. You’ve done some memorable acting parts in films; are you forgoing acting to focus on makeup and effects?

Yes, I have enjoyed acting in the past but I much prefer to do make-up only now. I found that acting wasn’t a passion of mine. I never had the drive to actively pursue casting-calls and auditions. I really love being a part of the crew and being on set while doing make-up!

4. What films inspire you?

I have to say that fantasy horror really inspires me. Creating a horrify or magical character with the use of make is amazing. Moives, like The Bride of Frankenstein, Edward Scissorhands, 13 Ghosts, and actually The Hellraiser series are some of the ones that stick with me. I remember going through a period where right before bed I would have a glass of milk and pop in a Hellraiser movie. I was amazed at the special effects and they way the created these fantastic and terrifying creatures.

5. What other kinds of art do you do?

I draw a lot. Although now I mainly draw sketches and sculpt for make-up ideas. There’s not a whole lot of time to do much else. To be a make-up artist you have to continually practice and refine your craft.

6. Italian or Chinese for dinner?

Oh, Italian all the way!!

7. How do you approach your spfx projects?

I like to talk first hand with the director or creator of the project I am working on. When I do make-up I am building upon someone else’s vision so I like to know their thoughts to try to make their ideas become a successful reality for them.

8. What’s a typical day for you?

Oh gosh! Super busy! I am a supreme multi-tasker! I usually get up a 5:45am and work until 10pm. I have several part-jobs and am also am also a dance teacher. Thought-out the day I kept up with emails and several accounts to promote my makeup company. I am always looking to make connections to further what I love to do. I usually end the night dabbling in some makeup and watching a good movie.

9. Will you be doing any of the spfx work on John Johnson’s upcoming remake of “Plan 9 From Outer Space?”

Yes. I am the lead special effects coordinator for the movie and all the make-up will be done under Bio Duck FX. We will be bringing on several artists through my company, who are specialized in different fields to work on this project. I am working very closely with John for all makeup designs.

10. What would be your dream movie project?

I would have to say…working on some kind of film similar to Pans Labyrinth, a dark fantasy movie where I could create gothic creatures from another world.

11. Any upcoming films you’re excited about?

Harry Potter!

12. Clue us in: what’s the best part about working with Bebe on a project?

Bebe is awesome to work with! She makes the set very free and open to creativity. I look forward to working on many projects with her!

Possibly Related posts:

• Interview with John Johnson
• Interview with Thomas Berdinski
• Interview with photographer Sarah Sertic

Deep Purple from Darkstone Entertainment on Vimeo.

Possibly Related posts:

• Trailer for Deep Purple
• Skeleton Key 2
• Interview with John Johnson

Possibly Related posts:

• Kazmere November 2008
• Ray Wei December 2008
• Angel Morales August 2008

Possibly Related posts:

• Interview with photographer Sarah Sertic
• Walter Pearl Spring 2009

Possibly Related posts:

• Walter Pearl Spring 2009
• Kazmere November 2008
• Low-Tek Fall 2007

Possibly Related posts:

• Larry Bradby October 2008
• Visual Whispers October 2008
• Sideshow Bob January 2010

“Zombie Abomination and Zombie Atrocity – The Italian Zombie Movies – Parts 1 & 2” are homages to (and sometimes parodies of) European horror films from the late 70s and early 80s – Movies like Lucio Fulci’s “Zombi 2”, Bruno Mattei’s “Hell of the Living Dead” and Andrea Bianchi’s “Burial Ground”, but also the heavily-plotted giallo films of that era by Dario Argento and Umberto Lenzi. I love European horror movies! The IZMs were also inspired by horror comedies like Dan O’Bannon’s “Return of the Living Dead” and Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead 2”. It seemed to me that for all of the George Romero and “28 Days Later” rip-offs of late, no one had really tapped into what made the Italian zombie genre so entertaining – the hilariously sexist characters and the surreal plots. That’s what I tried to tap into for IZM 1 & 2. I also wanted to create an homage to the old TV miniseries that kind of fizzled out in the late 80s, so I styled IZM as a two-part miniseries.

2. How did you decide on the name for your production company?

The Cult of Moi and Vous (“me and you”) name goes all the way back to my high school days. There was one of those “end of the world” scares so John Mikesell (who plays Dr. Falluci in both IZM flicks) and I decided to start a cult with the promise that everyone who joined would be spared. We would, of course, take all of their money and worldly possessions in exchange for their salvation. No one joined so it became the Cult of Moi (me) and Vous (John). This later evolved into the The Cult of Moi and Vous Film Producioni Company LLC.

3. Do you write your own scripts? If so, would you be interested in directing someone else’s work?

For the IZM films, I wrote my own scripts with Keith Zahn (who plays Jeremiah Revere in IZM), Terry Madden and Myron Erickson (who play the aliens in IZM) adding some material. I’ve done lots of short films and training videos written by and with others but I prefer to write my own stuff. In truth, I enjoy writing and editing more than directing, but that’s probably because I’ve had to be the director and the director of photography on all of my projects. If I had a good DP working with me, I’d enjoy directing a lot more.

4. As an environmental analyst, what do you feel we should concentrate on, primarily, in terms of going Green?

Ah, my day job… My expertise is water and wastewater. We need to protect the former and eliminate the latter. In the old industrial mindset, clean water was used to carry wastes out to our lakes, streams and groundwater – just to get the wastes out of the way. Because of that mentality, we now have polluted water bodies, contaminated drinking water wells and billions of taxpayer dollars being spent on Superfund clean-ups. Water should not be a conveyance for waste. Wastes need to be eliminated through better process engineering. Though not my area of expertise, I also feel strongly that wind and solar energies need to be on the fast track so we can reduce our oil consumption and hopefully avoid disasters like the BP spill. That spill is going to ruin the gulf environment for decades.

5. What got you started in directing films?

I made my first movie when I was eight years old and I’ve never really stopped. I initially went to college for film making but changed my mind when it appeared I would end up running a video camera for some news station and working nights and weekends recording sporting events. I knew enough to start making my own movies, so I changed majors and got a Natural Sciences degree from Michigan State University. After college, I got a job in environmental protection. I saved my money and built my own small sound and video production studio so I could make my own original movies and do side projects for others when I needed some extra money. Now I pretty much just do my own stuff.

6. Name some recent films that you feel deserve recognition.

I loved “I Sell the Dead” and “House of the Devil” – Really, anything produced by Larry Fessenden is great indie movie making. He is the indie filmmaker to watch, in my opinion. He deserves much more recognition than he has received.

7. Any desire to go see a “Zappa Plays Zappa” concert?

I discovered Frank Zappa around 1984 when I first heard the song “Broken Hearts are for Assholes”. From that moment on I was hooked! I own every album and CD he’s ever put out, including those by other artists that he simply produced. He was an absolute genius who died far too young. I was never able to see him perform live, unfortunately, but I have the “Zappa Plays Zappa” CD and would love to go to that concert. Fortunately, I recently found a new band that is helping to fill the void of Zappa’s talented musical humor – “Here Come the Mummies”. Check them out sometime – they are a laugh riot and they put on an amazing stage show – in full mummy costumes!

8. Time to cast a reboot of MST3K! Are you going to be Joel, Crow or Servo?

Definitely Crow! Are you going to be Gypsy?

9. Which part of the film making process do you find the most challenging?

For me, it has always been the photography. I enjoy composing shots, blocking the actors and setting up the lighting, effects, etc., but getting exactly what I want into that lens while directing has been a chore at times. There have been times when I’ve had to choose between a great take with the actors and a well-shot take because the two just didn’t coincide. The actor’s best take will have precedence with me. On my next film, I hope to find a DP I can partner with.

10. What do you do when not working in film or on the environment?

I love to mountain bike, play tennis, run, write and perform music, see live bands and plays, go to indie movies, conventions and film festivals. I am never bored!

11. Describe a dream project for you.

My dream project would be to make a Japanese Giant Rubber Monster Movie! But I’d want to do it just like they did back in the heyday – with amazingly detailed miniatures, rubber suits, real explosions, puppetry and a plot with an environmental theme to it. I guess making an homage to “Godzilla versus the Smog Monster” would be my dream! Maybe someday…

12. What’s coming next from you and your production company?

Lots! In the immediate future, I’ve partnered with Midnite Mausoleum; a horror-hosted TV show, and created a summer special called “Summer Camp” wherein they show TV-edited versions of IZM on over 40 channels in 18 states. It’s great exposure for IZM! Next up, there has been a lot of interest in my making an “Italian Zombie Movie – Part 3” and I have much of that script written. Unlike Parts 1 & 2, which together formed a miniseries, Part 3 will not require that you see 1 or 2. Part 3 is its own new story but it also wraps up a few loose ends from 1 & 2. I am also involved in the production of “Post Mortem – America 2021” – a zombie flick starring loads of cool cult-movie stars (including yourself!) directed by my good friend Cameron Scott. A short story I wrote will be published in “Curved Space – The Adventures of Stella Star” this fall. It’s a book based on the awesomely campy 1980 Italian sci-fi “Starcrash” starring Caroline Munro. The editors loved my Italian Zombie Movies and asked if I could contribute a chapter ‘concerning zombies’ to it. I was all over that! I have other stories in the works too including some “seriously” scary horror and an action-packed science fiction flick I think I could pull off. I always have ideas… In the meantime, come see me and my movies at the Fright Night Film Fest (KY), Gen Con 2010 (IN), the Paranormal Scarefest (TN) and the B-Movie Celebration (IN).

Thomas Berdinski
diretto@italianzombiemovie.com
www.italianzombiemovie.com
www.facebook.com/thomas.berdinski

Possibly Related posts:

• Interview with John Johnson
• Interview with Mariah Smith
• Nudist Camp Zombie Massacre