Devanny Pinn: Good Girl Gone Bad

Everybody wants to work with Devanny Pinn. The proud scream queen not only acts but writes, produces, and directs much beloved horror films when not popping up in feature films and TV series. But where many horror cult icons (and she is well on her way to that) stick to a certain class of creepiness, her stacked production schedule varies widely. Two weeks ago saw the release of House of Manson, a somber look at the days leading up to the Manson Family’s indiscriminate slaughter at the Tate/Polanski household, and tomorrow brings us A Grim Becoming, a dark comedy horror about an executive who gets unwillingly drafted into the ranks of the Grim Reapers.

Despite being busier than a long-tailed demon in a room full of holy water, she made time to talk to us this week. Let’s pick her braaaaain!

Man Cave Daily: As someone involved in every step of the process, what are the essentials to a great horror film?

Devanny Pinn: Blood, boobs, and a twist you didn’t see coming!

MCD:  How does a great horror film differ structurally from other genres?

DP: All movies are meant to entertain and have a specific amount of escapism, but horror literally wants to get you to jump out of your seat and scream. That means it has to be structured in a way that sets up the scene and quickly finds a character you identify enough with in the first few minutes and care about enough to take an emotional ride with. It is actually a difficult task! From there you have to want bad things to happen all around the world youre invested in and come out feeling satisfied that some people got what they deserved and at least one comes out of the intensity and takes a deep breath with you at the end to soak it all in. It’s a very intimate experience.

MCD: Horror fans are so much more dedicated than just about any other genre, and I would say, on average, more intelligent and even more empathetic. (Basically, the metalheads of movies.) Do you agree, and can you identify a reason for that?

DP: It is interesting that you say that; many “mainstream” fans and critics assume the crowd is a bunch of evil, devil-worshiping scum of society. I was surprised to find that because the amazing loyal fans of our genre are about the nicest, kindest and most awesome people I have come in to contact with. Many of them are Christians, or hold some other religious value, many of them are also Disney geeks! Horror is a healthy outlet for all people and when you find a positive place to share the shadows we all have, all that is left is great, happy people.

There is a science to horror, some great psychological study and a culture that embraces that. I am proud to be among them.

MCD: As a writer what are you tired of seeing horror films do? How do you feel you do them differently?

DP: I write a lot of stories or concepts and not so much scripts, however I am tired of mainstream artists or casual person with a camera who thinks “I guess I will begin my career in film today,” and labels horror the place to start. Somewhere it got established that horror is the easiest thing to do so a lot of the studio system put their first time directors, writers and actors in a horror movie just to get a credit under their belt. I have done work in all areas so let me be the one to tell you, it is the hardest! It’s like picking up a paint brush and throwing some paint on a canvas and saying you’re now a professional painter! No, you have the tools but you don’t understand any of the elements, passion, or reasons why these movies work — or in many times, don’t work.

I understand my audience. I respect them, their likes and dislikes and care enough about the content i’m creating to try and do the best I can with it. I think the genre recognizes that. Plus I pride myself in finding talented hotties to include in my films.

MCD: You’ve commended small-budget films for using creativity rather than money to overcome obstacles. What’s the biggest challenge as a producer that creative talent might not recognize till they’re behind the desk? How did you resolve it?

DP: This is really the only genre where a full budget to make a movie isn’t REALLY needed. Do I commend crap? No, not at all. However, if you really get creative with your film, this is one place where an audience will overlook the absence of large scale in favor of a fun ride! It’s actually great for people who want to stretch their artistic legs and have some fun. My team does things VERY differently then most others. We go through a bit of eyebrow raises or resistance on every set with new people, but it is less and less of a fight now because of how many movies we have completed and distributed. Convincing people that the wacky way we’re making something work IS going to be okay ends up being justified by people who respect our track record, ha ha. We also try to use a lot of the same people because it makes for a smoother experience and is fun to be creating with people you enjoy working with.

MCD: You branched out into sci-fi/conspiracy with Area 51: Confidential. Are you a conspiracy buff? Or was it the aliens that attracted you?

DP: This was actually my director, Brandon Slagle, who is big into the scifi genre. It was right when found footage was a big deal due to Paranormal Activity. We always let sales and market trends determine the type of movie we are going to make next, but then try to do something different than everyone else is doing. For example, there were suddenly a million PARANORMAL found footage films put into production, but we had never seen FF done in a different genre at that time. So we decided to take on a conspiracy type subject under the FF label. Distributors really loved the idea and we got it picked up two weeks after filming.

MCD: You’ve said you were a bit of an outsider who had to train herself to emulate the less sheltered kids. How do you do that and stay genuine? Any advice to other awkward teens out there? (Hey, you teens! Stop reading Man Cave Daily! You’re too young for our distinguished brand of fart jokes.)

DP: I was never allowed to watch horror films or do much of anything taboo. I was very sheltered growing up, which may be part of the reason I was so fascinated with that world. Here’s a bit of advice for the teens out there: I was a cheerleader, dance squad, student counsel, yearbook, newspaper, choir and drama geek, chess club (yes!) and peer counselor. I did it all (except horror) and here’s the thing…we are ALL awkward. No one really feels comfortable in their own skin no matter who you are and where you are. Best thing to do is find what you enjoy, embrace people who enjoy those things too and let everyone else go !*(% themselves. Seriously.

Oh and be nice to the plain girl, she’s going to grow up and become really, really hot.

MCD: There are so, so, so many flavors of horror, and you’ve really worked your way across a lot of them! Is there a subgenre still on your wishlist?

DP: Yes! People don’t realize how many subgenres there are! I get new fans all the time that ask “Which one of your movies is the best?” or “Which one should I watch?” I always return with “What type of horror do you enjoy?” and they are stumped. Slasher, paranormal, torture porn, exploitation, psychological…there are a ton of ways to get under a person’s skin and there’s a type of movie that will do just that! I try to do one of everything so I can entertain all spooky audiences in the way they like to have it. Personally, I am really eyeing a Texas Chainsaw Massacre film…I really want to be part of that franchise.

MCD:  Outside of horror, what’s your dream project?

DP: I would never want it to happen, but if Gone With the Wind was remade I would dream of playing Scarlett. I also would love to portray Cleopatra in a biopic.

MCD: Any reason you get cast as the killer so often? Is it the raven hair?

DP: I seek out unusual or fun roles and I really enjoy playing the bad guy. I think I get cast that way a lot because I am tiny and perky. I am very much a girly girl and you don’t see me coming. So when I stalk you down and gut you like a fish, it’s that much more of a shock! I also extensively studied criminal psychology. The criminal mind is fascinating to me. I don’t “get” the reasoning or lack thereof for homicidal behaviors or criminal acts, but I am very aware of triggers, what those behaviors are and mannerisms that go with it. So a lot of times I have been told that my performances are very real or extra disturbing. Usually that is because I am recreating what someone who is very disturbed would actually be doing. I think real people are way more frightening than any monster we could create.

MCD: That said, there seems to be a lack of female killers who are true monsters. There are psychos and vampires, but nothing like that iconic, unkillable (invariably male) fiend that dominated the ’80s. Any plans to change that?

DP: Yes, my latest movie House of Manson just premiered and I play convicted serial killer Susan Atkins. I also am hovering a couple of projects where there is a potentially iconic female killer. I love that you asked that, I feel the market is ready for that kind of character and I hope to help fill that void.

MCD: Your nickname “The Horror Barbie” was proudly claimed from the crew teasing you. If you were given a nickname tomorrow, what would the industry call you?

DP: That is a great question! That nickname still sticks pretty hard, but I hope that people are learning to take me a bit more seriously as an actor and filmmaker. It is my business and my passion. However, I have Hello Kitty bedroom slippers that I often wear to set so I guess you can never really take the sparkles away from me.

MCD: You’ve been a dancer, musician, opera singer, theater actor, cheerleader. Additionally, you’ve been a flight attendant, model, video vixen, ring girl, Hooters waitress, dating show contestant…congratulations on occupying every fantasy Man Cave ever had, but do you ever sleep, and if not, what grim specter keeps you awake?

DP: I LOVE to sleep! I am a Leo (kitty) and us kittens like to snuggle and snooze whenever we get a chance. However, when I’m filming I can go several days without sleep and often I have to. Its the excitement and adrenalin from doing what you love!

Not much scares me these days. I am a bad bitch! I’d prefer to be the grim specter hiding in your room. Mwah ha ha! [winks]

MCD: Lady, you can hide in our room anytime you like. Do you still dance and/or sing?

DP: I do both! I was trained in classical ballet, jazz and sing opera! I even was part of two different pop girl singing groups, but not very good at it haha. I grew up in musical theater, the theatrics I think is part of the reason why I love the horror genre so much.

MCD:  Your opera training is partially responsible for your famous horror scream. Do you ever push the latter in a way that violates that training?

DP: Yes! The same muscles you train to belt out a song in opera are the ones I used to scream in some of my first movies. I thought everyone did that, but it got me a lot of acclaim right away when those films hit the fans. I actually strained my voice a bit when I got into torture films. Having to scream for your life for 10-15 hours in cold weather and chained up in a warehouse will do a number to your singing pipes. Well worth it if you ask me though.

MCD: In addition to your love of horror, you’re an avid Disney buff. When can we expect to see you in a dark fairy tale?

DP: I was attached to a couple dark Grimm’s tales that unfortunately never shot. I do have a serious love for Disney and hope I get the chance to portray one of their amazingly twisted fables.

MCD: You’re openly carb-ivorous. What’s the best dinner a guy can cook to impress you?

DP: CARBSSSSS! I am Italian so anything pasta is good. Especially if you know how to make it al dente and with all the right spices in the sauce. Mmm purrr. I think curves are so much sexier than skin and bones so I try eat small portions of all foods I like and maintain a healthy appetite and shape. I don’t want girls to watch my movies or look at my and say they need to starve themselves to look the way I do. I want guys to watch me and think Oooo yah, I’d serve her my pasta!
MCD:  Be right back…gotta call nonna and get her recipe. Speaking of Italian, what’s the most New Jersey thing about you? The most Texan?

DP: Jersey? I still spray tan…a lot. It’s so shameful. I also like to tease my hair up big, all the stereotypes are completely true. Damn those “Jersey Shore” actors. I actually was just born in Texas but didn’t grow up there so I really don’t have any ties to my Texan roots. Would love to film out that way though!

MCD: You had a Christian upbringing and I read that your family was concerned about some of your work. What’s their attitude to it these days?

DP: My family was convinced I wasn’t really acting or doing movies for along time. Then when my movies started coming out, they were convinced it was porn or something of that sort lol. These days they acknowledge that I am a working actor and filmmaker. They have even watched one or two of my movies, but do not really support it. Perhaps if do a children’s movie they could get excited about it :)

MCD:  Did you ever turn down an assignment because you felt it would be antithetical to your beliefs even though you were personally intrigued by the project?

DP: Nope, I fully believe that who you are at work is a persona and not who you are as a person. The CEO of any business wears wardrobe and plays a part just like I do. When they go home, who and what they are is very different then the person in the boardroom. I feel the same way about what I do in film. If I play Satan in a movie (and I have) when we are done filming that doesn’t mean that I believe that or will act upon that. I have done some VERY gruesome or controversial things on camera, but it is for a person and world that is not real. It’s a product so because I am able to disconnect from that there is very few things I will not do.

I do have hesitations when it comes to children or animals. They are not able to make choices for themselves and therefore I would prefer not to have them in my scenes or even movies. I also will not use God’s name in vain, as it is a personal vow I made as part of my Christian faith. Pretty much everything else though is fair game!

MCD:  You’ve credited your Christian values with steering you away from a more typical acting path and towards the success you’ve enjoyed. Was that something you believed would happen, or a happy surprise for staying true to yourself?

DP: I respect everyone’s opinions and beliefs or lack thereof. For me, God is the way and truth in my world. I trust that He will always point me where I am supposed to be going and so far that has been completely the case. For me, it’s a beautiful feeling to have that love and guidance.

MCD: Do you feel that in a way the more depraved the horror content, the more you affirm your Christian identity? Not to put words in your mouth, but does it delineate the fantasy more firmly from your reality?

DP: I would not be able to dive into the darkness of the horror realm without God as my lifeline back. Seriously, there have been some REALLY twisted mindsets I have had to go deep into for my projects. If I didn’t have breadcrumbs to follow back it could actually be very dangerous and psychologically damaging. Actors who take that approach (great example is Heath Ledger with the Joker role) can get consumed by the identity they are portraying.
MCD: And finally: what’s your Halloween costume this year? (Please say Zombie Princess Jasmin because you’re awesome.)

DP: I was cast as Princess Jasmine on Disney’s cruise ships actually!! hahah Love it!

My amazing costume sponsor TheHolidayStore.com actually sent me a beautiful Evil Queen outfit that is a glamorous take on the Snow White villain. I will probably be rocking that this year.

Thank you so much for doing this! I love your site and all the sexay ladies you showcase.

MCD: Thanks, Devanny, we’re honored to put you on the top of that list. 

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Brendan McGinley is editor round these parts when not writing comics or Cracked columns. You can say a neighborly hello to him on Twitter @BrendanMcGinley. He, too, wrote about a young executive who became a Grim Reaper in Reaping Profit.

 

For more horror from modern maestros, check out our interview with Wytches author Scott Snyder.