thechainsawmafia.com - Zombie Love, Dark Woods, and Tracy Coogan

Written by Necromagickal

Tracy Coogan is a perfect example that being an actress in the horror genre does not imply limited abilities or type casted female characteristics. Tracy Coogan is an accomplished actress within multifarious cinematic genres as well as theatrical productions. Tracy, a native of Ireland, is very passionate about the characters she portrays within any creative medium. She forms an intimate symbiosis between her psyche and that of the character she embodies creatively. She states, "I attach myself to the emotional life of a character; first and foremost ... it takes me forever to shake a character after a production is over." It is this deep connection between self and character that stands Tracy Coogan out from the ever growing tide of professionals within cinema and theatre....

With her impressive and varied acting resume, Tracy currently is immortalized within the minds of horror fans as playing the ill fated newlywed Denise within the cult classic film Zombie Honeymoon. Of course Zombie Honeymoon will not be the sole claim to horror fame for Tracy. With films such as The Devil's Dungeon and Dark Woods on the horizon, the talents of Tracy Coogan have only just begun to creep into the realm of horror. Tracy has taken time out from her busy international schedule to sit with me on my intestine filled couch to enlighten us about the many projects she is working on. So my chainsaw votaries, sit back, fondle that power tool, and read on...

TCM_Necro: How did you become involved in the film Zombie Honeymoon?

TC: I was living in New York at the time and I had submitted for the role of Nikki through backstage. When I got to the audition they had me read for Denise and that’s how it started. By the time I got home that evening Dave Gebroe had already called me and offered me that part.

TCM_Necro: What was your best memory about the film?

TC: I think the first day of shooting. It was the hospital scene.
Everything came together and we were on our journey.

TCM_Necro: You have stated that you form an emotional attachment to the characters you portray. Just what kind of focus or motivation did you employ with Zombie Honeymoon?

TC: I never really looked at Danny as a zombie when he started to deteriorate. The illness was treated like it was cancer or aids. I tried to really put myself in that situation. It was very emotional. The love story was based on two real characters. Dave’s sister, Denise and Danny, who ran off and got married and then a year later Danny died in a surfing accident. I talked with Denise a lot about her relationship and it broke my heart. All that stayed with me through production. They had a very special relationship.

TCM_Necro: Would you stay married to your husband is he became a zombie?

TC: He is a zombie!!!!!!!!!!

TCM_Necro: What can you tell us about your involvement in the independent film “The Devil’s Dungeon”?

TC: I got involved in Devil’s Dungeon pretty late into production. Jake Kennedy, saw Zombie and was really excited to meet with me. I was very flattered and honored to be asked to be part of his film. He’s a really really nice guy. Everyone involved in the film were supper nice and supportive.

TCM_Necro: You work with some big names in The Devil’s Dungeon”. How was is working with Michael Madsen, Tony Todd, Michael Rooker, and James Duval to name a few?

TC: They Couldn’t get Michael Madsen, so Graham McTavish, which was in the new Rambo took over his part. I only got to work with him. He plays Geeves, such a bad guy and he’s as nice as could be. It’s nice to be included with such a great cast!
Also Jake Kennedy the Director who shot “Days of Darkness” is a very talented guy!

TCM_Necro: Tell us about your involvement in the upcoming film “Dark Woods.”

TC: I’m very excited about Dark Woods. I play Susan Branch. I first read the script 2 yrs ago and I thought it was great. John Muscanero is a wonderful writer and actor. John is playing Henry Branch. The story deals with love, loss, boundaries and moral issues. What’s been really great about Dark Woods is that I’ve been involved in it and invested in it more then just an actor. John and I share a lot of the same tastes and sensibilities in our movie choices and it so nice to work with someone who has the same visions as your own. It makes it so much more fun…

TCM_Necro: What difficulties did you face as an actress in portraying a terminally ill woman and the dementia that follows? How did you realistically conjure such traits?

TC: Well, I’m still working on that. We’re about a month away from shooting. I’m researching a lot and watching a lot of different movies. Getting inspired by actresses who have portrayed many facets of loss on all kinds of levels and then that fierce strength only a woman has. It’s pretty powerful. I’m very inspired by my mother. She’s one of the strongest people I know.

TCM_Necro: You are a very varied actress and horror is obviously not your main creative focus. Are you a big horror fan and will you continue to work in the genre?

TC: I’ve come to really respect the horror genre. I think it’s great that you can cross genres and find new ways of telling compelling stories.

TCM_Necro: Do you find psychological thrillers to be more frightening than pure horror films?

TC: Definitely, the mind is a scary place.

TCM_Necro: What originally got you into acting as a career?

TC: I use to watch a lot of old with my mother. I’d make up my own movies as a child. My life was God’s entertainment.

TCM_Necro: What inspires you most as an actress?

TC: Being able to tell great stories.

TCM_Necro: What kind of training do you have as an actor? Do you feel that it is a talent that can be learned or that it is a pure natural innate talent?

TC: Well, I think it is definitely something you’re born with. When you discover it you can’t let it go. It’s part of who you are. It takes your breath away. You can go college and study it and certainly learn it but I think that there’s that something else that comes through that makes you special and you can’t explain it. I look for that when I look at other actors. It’s something else besides training and college. Does that make sense?

TCM_Necro: What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

TC: Stay focused, keep finding new ways to make you’re dreams come true. Believe in yourself!

TCM_Necro: What typically hooks you into choosing a role?

TC: I have to believe the story that I’m telling. If it doesn’t move me it’s not going to movie an audience.

TCM_Necro: Do you prefer film to theater and will you ever return to the stage?

TC: I love both and yes, I would love to do more theater. Theater is what came to me first and I can’t forget that.

TCM_Necro: Do you get back to Ireland much these days? Do you compare living in Los Angeles to Ireland?

TC: I’ve stopped comparing. I use to do that but as long as I would keep comparing the two places it would take longer to settle in. I love having two different homes. I do go home every year and I do look for things that might bring me home for work.

TCM_Necro: What are your thoughts on the evolving role of women in the horror genre?

TC: It is because of us women that horror movies being watched! …..

TCM_Necro: What five films do you wish to be burned or buried with?

TC: A woman under the Influence, Betty Blue, Gone with the Wind,
Any Elvis movie, you pick and off course, Zombie Honeymoon!

TCM_Necro: Besides acting, what else do you do for fun?

TC: That’s tough, I’m a bit of a workaholic, a trait from my father but I like walking on the beach and going to movies, I love yoga and eating great meals that my husband has prepared for me( I’m spoiled, he’s a fabulous chef)

TCM_Necro: What’s next for Tracy Coogan?

TC: Well, I’m very focused on Dark Woods right now. I do have a couple of scripts that I’m promoting and we’ll what happens there.

TCM_Necro: Any last words for our readers?

TC: Stand by your Zombie!

“Don’t say that Danny, it’s a disease, a disease and they have cures for that”
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH……

The Chainsaw Mafia and Carnal Cadaverous would like to thank Tracy Coogan for taking the time to visit our crimson stained chambers. For more information on Tracy, grab that shovel, crowbar, and woolen sack and exhume her from her crypt:

http://www.tracycoogan.com/

http://www.myspace.com/tracycoogan