Hotly anticipated yuletide horror title KRAMPUS UNLEASHED premieres on VOD this November from Uncork’d Entertainment. The film sees the yuletide monster, the dark companion of Santa Claus, in town with a few days to kill. Some things are better left buried. In pursuit of a lost treasure, a group of fortune hunters mistakenly unearth an ancient demonic summoning stone that holds a terrible curse and awakens a timeless evil, the Krampus. After centuries of slumber, Krampus, the Christmas Devil, has awoken with a thirst that only blood will quench. He knows if you’ve been naughty!
We speak to actress Amelia Brantley about her role in the movie.
DFAT: How did you get your start?
Amelia: I’ve been acting for about as long as I can remember. I think I realized that I could turn my love of performance into a career when I was about 14 years old. I did all the school plays and community theater, and then after high school, I moved to LA and began studying at a conservatory in Hollywood and since graduating, I’ve just been auditioning and working as much as possible. I don’t know how I got my start, to be honest, it feels like I’m still “starting” now and I’ve been in LA for ten years.
DFAT: What was the most challenging thing about being a newcomer in the feature film industry?
Amelia: Getting work! It’s a struggle and it can be extremely frustrating at times. When you have the training and your taking classes and meeting the right people and just pounding the pavement, and the work isn’t coming in, it’s so defeating. I think that’s the trickiest thing about “the industry”, you can be the best and do everything right, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll ever work. There’s no formula or corporate ladder to climb, you just gotta keep moving every day and hope for the best.
DFAT: How did you get this latest film?
Amelia: I audition for Krampus Unleashed through a self tape. The casting director sent me some material and asked me to tape myself, which I did at 11pm the night before it was due, on an iPad, in my living room. I actually didn’t feel great about the audition and had decided to “brush that one off” and let it go, but a few weeks after I had taped, Robert Conway, the director called to offer me the part.
DFAT: Any part of the character you could relate to?
Amelia: There wasn’t a whole lot of Bonnie that I found relatable, which I think is why I was so surprised and excited when I got the role. Bonnie is tough, and thinks fast, and isn’t easily rattled. I’m a big scaredy cat and any kind of confrontation makes me uncomfortable, especially if it has to do with confronting a demon! I definitely wouldn’t have been able to fight back the way Bonnie does in the film. But, Bonnie also has a nurturing side and I loved exploring that in all my scenes with the kids. I like to think I have some motherly instincts and I brought a few of those into the role.
DFAT: How would you be in the same situation, you think?
Amelia: Like I said, I definitely wouldn’t have had the guts to fight the way Bonnie did. I think I would have just fallen to the ground and let Krampus eat me, or frozen in fear. I probably would have been the first to get killed off.
DFAT: How was the director? Did he keep the mood really light on set?
Amelia: Robert is AMAZING! The day we wrapped, I told him he was one in a million, and that’s a fact. He’s really freaking funny and kept the mood so light on set! He’s extremely smart and is such a pro that when he yelled “action” we knew it was time to get to work. He managed to balance his set so well so that everyone there was having a good time, but still getting the job done.
DFAT: Is this a genre you normally gravitate towards? Or is it all about the character for you?
Amelia: This was on my actor bucket list. I’ve always wanted to do a horror film, mainly because I’m so scared of them, and I thought it would help me overcome that fear, which it didn’t, but this was the first one I’ve ever done and I loved it! I would definitely like to do more in the future if the right one comes along. It would depend on the character. I’m not a big fan of the cliches and I think that’s what made me appreciate Bonnie so much. Sure, she’s sexual and there’s a little nudity, but dude, she saves the day! How cool is that!
DFAT: What’s coming up for you?
Amelia: I wish I could say, but I’m sworn to secrecy right now! I will say, I’m looking forward to what next year has in store and if you want to follow along on my crazy journey I’m always posting updates on Twitter (@ameliabrantley) and Instagram (@ameliabrantley)
