Updates from the North East

Hi to all of our new Spoon River citizens! ;)

Our trip to New York and Boston went AWESOMELY! (Aside from a few spooky hotels and our limo getting a flat tire between cities!)
Meeting our new editor and his team with Underdog flicks was something extremely fun and unexpected. The feeling we got upon entering his home and office in the small town of Fishkill, NY was like stepping inside of a television set. Each wall of the large, split level home was lined with over-sized posters from The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Adams Family, and hundreds of others. We were immediately greeted by a life-sized wax figure of the butler from the Adam's Family, and when we pushed over the bronze bust of William Shakespeare, we found that the hidden button did not lead to the Bat Cave, but rather turned on the jukebox. Needless to say...us filmmakers had a blast - like kids in a candy store!
After our long (and bumpy) ride into Boston, we had the pleasure of meeting the people we will be working closely with over the next four months that are in charge of advertising for The Incubus! Over a board meeting filled with laughter, pizza, and brainstorming, we are excited to return to Florida with our minds full to bursting with visions of the things to come!
We want to say a big thank you to all of our new fans for their support and lovely comments on our new web series. Keep in mind, everyone, that the series is not filmed or edited by our professional film crew that is responsible for our feature film. It is supposed to be a much more campy and grassroots series in order to introduce all of you to our colorful cast and story! With that said, we hope you will all stay tuned, share with your friends, and look forward to that fact that....
The Incubus is coming...

Fatally yours,
The Incubus Team

The Launch of our Web Series

Hey guys! Check out Episode 1 Part 1 and please (if you like it) don't forget to rate, and leave a comment telling us what you think!
Fatally yours,
The Incubus Team

The Start of our Weekly Web Series

Hey everyone! The Incubus team just wants to say a big THANK YOU to all of our new fans for tuning in and getting excited and also a big congratulations again to the winner of our first contest, Lesa Johnson, for her awesome entry! We just want to remind everyone to PLEASE tune in this Thursday, April 8th for the first part of our online web series. We love rates and comments of course, so feel free to participate and then visit our forum afterword to join in on discussions about Marnie and her gang! There is also a SURPRISE in how we are going to be posting this series, so be sure to check it out and tell your friends!
We are already beginning work on Episode 1.5 (by Lesa Johnson of course) and Episode 2, all while gearing up for some very exciting music video releases!
The team is flying to New York and Boston this week to continue work on the feature film and you better believe that we will have some very exciting things to announce upon our return.
Until then, we wish you all some very happy haunting.

Fatally yours,
The Incubus Team

Marnie's Diary - Chapter 1.5 By Lesa Johnson

March 12th
Am I having a bad dream? I must be but why do I feel as though as someone is looking at me with only bad intentions. "Wake up, Marnie!" that voice-- "BIANCA!" I wanted to run but I wanted to stand my ground. "I fell asleep. Where is Raphael?" I knew he was close by. "What I want to do to you." Bianca's voice was evil- but I did not want to show her-- she scared me. She was mean and hated me to death. "Sleeping beauty trying to tease me?" as Bianca soft sickening laugh ranged in my ears.

"BIANCA!" Raphael's voice sounded off only to protect me. "LEAVE MARNIE ALONE!" his tone pierced the walls that held me. "You will not harm her," he commanded. I could see her eyes looking at him only to quickly look back at me with a look that spoke its own words. I need to leave this house for my safety as well as Raphael's. "I'm leaving, I have to meet Johnny and get to class." I could see Raphael's jealousy and I liked it-- but it scared me too. Bianca saw Raphael's eyes looking at me as though she wasn't even there. "Yes--- LEAVE!" Bianca sternly said with a jealous tone. Bianca wanted me to leave so she could be alone with Raphael. I hated the thought---- but I knew he despised her and felt sorry for her too. I walked around them quickly to the door but Raphael appeared standing at the door with his blues saying don't go. The house was cold and dark even though the sun had risen. I got lost in his look that stood between me and leaving. He could see that I wanted to leave and I could see he wished I could stay. I know he hates how close I am to Johnny--- even though I've told him we were just friends. Slowly Raphael opened the door but still standing between me and leaving. "Tell Johnny hello," Raphael spoke softly as he stepped away.

I walked pass Raphael--- not wanting leave. The black gate was open. My heart pounded as I turned to look back at my love. Raphael was watching me and I could feel what he wanted. Even though I have fear I can't stay away! As I walked thru the gate-- it closed softly without a ping sound. My heart wanting to go back and leave together---- away from whatever is going on in our small town. Uncle Walter believes Raphael and his friends are demons from hell and blames Raphael and his friends for the disappearances and the sickness around town. It's the same speech every time. If only he knew Raphael like I did--- then he would know he wasn't like the others. If only he could see him through my eyes.

I don't even remember falling asleep. I must had been tired. Uncle must be furious with me for not going home last night. Not to mention got no work done and need to get to class. Johnny will think something is wrong if I don't show up on time. I will have deal with uncle later.

"Marnie," Johnny shouting. "Where have you been? Your uncle called the house last night asking me if we were together." "WELL, what did you tell him?" ---scared for the answer. "I told him we had an essay to write and that you were probably with friends pulling an all niter."--- a big sigh of relief! "Do you think he believed you?" --hoping he did. "Yeah, but you should had called him. You should had called me. Where were you?" Johnny asked. "Well---- I fell asleep at Raphael's." Johnny seemed shocked even though he knew.

Marnie's Diary Chapter 2

March 13^th

The morning light bounced off the hard, granite countertops and painted my kitchen a hazy white. My morning cup of coffee sat, steaming, next to my hands as they rushed feverishly along the keys to finish my essay. I glanced down at my watch. Only ten minutes until Johnny came to pick me up. I was never going to finish this before class today and Anon was already keeping a close eye on me. A purplish bruise throbbed at my wrists as I continued to type. My professor had noticed it there just the other day when I handed in my weekly column. He asked me how I got it - of course I lied.

“Girl!” The miserably, gravely voice made me jump as his dark shadow loomed around the corner. It was too early for him, so he trudged over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup as he wiped his other hand over his polished head. He was dressed in his Sunday best, though it wasn’t Sunday. He always was.

I closed my laptop and looked at him. I opened my mouth to answer him, but nothing came out. My uncle Walter was responsible for the bruise that throbbed on my wrist. He was responsible for every bruise, cut, scar, and scratch on my body. It had been that way since my parents died.

I watched him take a sip of his coffee, the thin sores he had for lips forming to the brim of the mug. He looked down at the steaming, black liquid and sneered up at me. I froze where I sat and swallowed thick and a tiny growl escaped just from behind his teeth. I knew that crazy look in his eye too well and I felt the skin along my arms start to prickle.

“W-what’s the matter?” I struggled. I glanced over to the front door. I begged there to be a knock. Anything to save me.

“Made it a little strong today, girl.” He said between a tight grit. “You know what that means?”

I watched as he reached his hand around behind him to grab a large bread knife out of the wooden holder on the counter top. I saw my face reflected back to me as the white sunlight glinted off the metal. He gripped it hard in his fist as he started to approach me, but my legs felt like led. There was absolutely nothing I could do except scream. I did. I closed my eyes and I screamed and screamed and –

“Marnie!”

My eyes shot open then, but as the room came back into focus and I saw where I really was, my violent grip on the bed sheets loosened. Matted, red curls stuck to my neck, drenched with a cold sweat. I had fallen asleep at Raphael’s house last night, not realizing just how late I had been working.

He was now looming over me in the bed, gaping at me, eyes just as wide as mine were. I blinked at him and sucked in a breath finally as he put one of his gloved hands on my face. Always gloved. I pulled it away.

“I’m fine. I-“ exhausted I let my head roll backward onto the pillow. I had to go home, was what I was going to say. The thought of what Walter would do to me when I got there was my real nightmare. And Johnny would be there soon anyway, knowing exactly why I wasn’t there waiting for him. I felt Raphael’s eyes still on my face so I rolled my head to one side when I felt the tears starting, so that he wouldn’t see.

“You were dreaming.” He said matter-of-factly. Because Raphael was what he was, it meant that he had no real emotion. He wasn’t like a human being in the way he reacted. Sometimes the hollowness of his tone was unnerving, because all I wanted to hear was genuine warmth so that I could possibly feel safe again. But he could never be that for me. Every emotion; every smile, every grimace, every frown was derived from me. That was how he sustained himself. He consumed my emotions so that he could feel any sort of liveliness again at all. That was why he wore those stupid gloves - why he didn’t ever want to be too close to me. Because eventually…it would kill me.

I bit down on my lower lip, angrily wiping away the tear from my face. I didn’t want him to feel that – the sadness. “I have to go.” I said.

I felt the impression of the bed lift as he reappeared standing next to me on the floor. I got out of the bed too and started out of the room and down the stairs. Of course he was already there when I reached the bottom floor, staring sadly at me. I rushed over to the coffee table where my notebook was still lying and starting picking up my things, stuffing them into my school bag. I felt his large hand grip my arm then and I stopped what I was doing.

He leaned in, his lips close to my ear. “Stay with me.” He whispered. I felt the ends of his long hair brush softly across my cheek.

I felt my eyes swell when I looked at him again. He had no idea how badly I wished I could stay. I wished that I would never go back to my reality. I wanted to bulldoze my real world and burn the ruins with Walter still inside. But I could feel the onset of his side affects begin already. I dropped my gaze and backed away, not because I didn’t want to face him, but because my eyes felt so heavy that the room had begun to tilt. “It’s worse for me if I don’t leave.” I admitted, covering the bruise on my wrist.

He let my arm go and I finished putting my things back into my bag. I didn’t say goodbye. I never needed to say goodbye to Raphael, because I never knew when he was really with me during the hours of my day. I walked over to the door, opening it, until I felt some invisible force push it closed again. He grasped my shoulders and turned me so that my back was against the rest of the world and leaned in close to my face again, so close this time, that our lips were only two impulses apart. I could feel the pull begin, like it always did whenever I was around him longer than I should be. It made my heart slow down. I suspected that was supposed to be a kiss. Just the smallest piece of my soul that he took in that moment - the feel of the pulling sensation. That was kissing an incubus.

His icy, blue eyes bore into mine, saddened. “I’ll let you go now.” He said.

I nodded.

He brushed the hair from my face with one of his leather hands, smiling then. “I am sorry Marnie.”

I shook my head at him, but didn’t respond to that. “I’ll come over after class.” I insisted.

He stepped away from me and said, “But when you least expect it…I am there.”

I smiled once at his solemn face before I rushed outside, sucking the fresh air into my lungs, hoping that it may clear away my leftover dizziness. The thickness of his pull was beginning to become too much and if he kept me in there any longer, there would be another serious medical problem, like some others occurring in my town. Main Street, though never really congested, seemed much quieter recently.

I glanced down at my watch. 9 o’ clock on the dot. “Damn.” I mused. I was already late. At that moment, I looked up past the black gate to see Johnny emerge from behind one of the pillars. His face, though always warm, looked a little panic-stricken that morning. I ran over to him, just as the gate began opening automatically.

“You are in so much trouble.” Johnny frowned and then turned his focus to the gate that had now started to close again. “Is this thing like, automatic or something?”

“Uh, yeah.” I glanced over my shoulder to see Raphael’s face watching me through the window that it had been the day before. It disappeared instantly when I locked eyes with him.

“Marnie, I don’t know what you’re going to do. Walter looked furious when I went to get you this morning. I don’t think you should go back there.” Johnny said, taking me by the arms. He was the only one who knew the reality of my home life. I looked at him, not knowing what to say as I felt this huge lump begin to form at the base of my throat.

Later, after class was over, Johnny and I walked to my house. He stopped, just a few feet from my driveway, looking up at it as though it were my grave marker.

“You’re sure?” He asked, low so that Walter wouldn’t here us and come outside.

“What’s going to happen if I don’t, Johnny?” My heart thudded against my sternum. “He’ll just come looking for me.”

With that, I left my best friend standing there, watching after me, as I made my way inside. My hands balled into tight fists at my sides. There would be a new bruise tomorrow. And whether it was something that would be visible or not remained uncertain.

Inside, I walked into the kitchen and froze, looking around the dark room, wondering where my true monster was. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

“Marnie?” The dismal, gravely voice called from upstairs. I turned to look toward the direction of the icy sound that ran like daggers of ice under my skin. “Could you come up here, please?” It beckoned. “There is something…I wish to discuss with you.”

Marnie's Diary - Chapter 1

March 11th,

The worst way to miss someone is when youre sitting right next to them, knowing you cant have them.

Johnny and I walked home together after lecture today which was brutal might I add. Four exasperating hours explaining to class how the American media is entitled, no matter what the costs are, to find and investigate their story. I sat there, my computer open, as I typed away mindlessly at what the professor was saying. I was day dreaming though - thinking about the reporters that were entitled to investigate their story in Iraq, or some area devastated by earthquakes and still suffering aftershocks. Those entitled reporters die. What a lovely thing for a nineteen-year-old college student to be visualizing during the middle of her journalism class. The truth is, I never wanted to be a journalist at all. But I was good at it. Writing - that was my gift, and the only personal way I could escape my uncle. Death. I thought about death a lot.
Johnny kicked a small pebble hard with the toe of his black all-stars into the front of the familiar, black, iron gate as we approached it. I squinted up at the large house - the setting sun blinding me with it’s golden, end-of-the-day light. Its one tower was silhouetted against the sky and I could barely make out the long, white face that stared back at me through the arched, staircase window. He did not show up to class today. Perhaps that’s why it seemed entirely too long. My eyes burned as I continued to try and make out his features from the distance. But all I could clearly see was that he was continuing to stare – waiting. Waiting for Johnny to leave. I turned and looked at my friend expectantly.
“So, am I leaving you here then?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He leaned back on his heals.
I looked back up at the house, not saying anything.
“Are they even home? Raphael hasn’t been to class in a while.” Johnny said and blinked his smudgy, liner-stained eyes at me.
I cleared my throat and brushed the hair out of my face. “Yeah, Raphael is home. He’s been really sick.” I lied.
Johnny’s black eyes widened as I said this. “Sick? This whole freaking town’s getting sick. Chris can’t even gig tonight because she told me she was getting sick!” He blanched and scratched at his spiky, black head.
I shook my head at him, trying desperately to hide the fact that “disease” was not the real issue here. “I think they’ll both be okay. Raphael just has…a…cold.” That excuse sounded lame, even to my ears and I have always been a little naïve.
Johnny squinted at me and leaned up on the closed gate. “Oh yeah? A cold, huh?”
A cleared my throat, not knowing where his suspicions were going. “Yeah. That’s what I said.”
“So who gave it to him?” He started laughing, sending jabs flying into my middle. I laughed it off awkwardly, as I tried to block his hands from my stomach. He stopped laughing and looked back up to the house. “So are you sure you wanna go in, then? I mean if he’s sick you don’t want to catch it.”
I thought of my uncle. “Well, I don’t want to go home either.”
“So don’t go home! Come to my house! Have dinner and we’ll do our essays together. I swear if Anon gives me another flipping 80 percent-“
“It’s okay, Johnny, really.” I looked back to the window to see that Raphael’s face had disappeared from it already. “I have to catch Raphael up anyway or he’ll fall behind. I promise, I’ll stay at an arms distance.” I said.
“Yeah right, like I believe that last one.” He rolled his eyes and I dropped my gaze, blushing slightly. But he finally decided to give up. “Alright then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” He asked as he started to back away.
“Bright and early, as always.” I smiled.
Without another word, he waved a half-hearted goodbye to me and re-began his journey toward his home. I understood how he felt – like he was starting to loose me. Johnny had been my best friend over the years we were growing up. We got our lunch money stolen together, shoved into lockers together, dumped into trash bins together. It was a fabulous childhood. And after all that time not having a boyfriend, I could understand how one day, when a new “family” moves in down the street and turns all of that upside-down, he could feel a little left out. I sighed as I watched him walk away from me, regretting it. But when the large, black gate creaked and slowly began to open by some unseen force, I knew that I really had no choice anymore. Fate had found me. His name was Raphael. And there was nothing I could do.
I hugged my bag tighter to my side as I stepped past the gate, over the bricked driveway. Raphael had been staying at home since Bianca – his little commander – had utterly disappeared off the face of the planet. We both knew she wasn’t ever too far away, always watching. But he decided if he remained a…haunt at the house until she showed up again, then he could intercept whatever plan she was concocting.
I would never forget the first night I met Bianca. Skin, pallid and sheer like parchment – like you could see every capillary she had ever burst under its icy cover when she had been alive. Her eyes – jet - invaded the forefront of my consciousness when she looked at me. I wasn’t positive, but I was sure just based on that moment she became aware of every thought I had ever had and then some. I remembered the feeling when she grabbed onto my wrist and hurtled me through the air - her touch soft and ghostly, like it questioned your sanity that she was ever really there.
“Hello, Marnie.”
I jumped a foot in the air, dropping my bag, when his voice smashed my reverie. I looked up into his face. There, standing in the threshold of the large, riverside manor was Raphael, with one gloved hand leaned up against the open door. His long, brown hair fell into his smug face, and when he smiled at the fact that he had succeeded in scaring me, all of the breath in my lungs swept out of me like a vacuum. He caressed my jaw with one, leather finger before he dropped his hand sadly.
I loved Raphael more than I think I have ever loved anyone else – alive or dead. But he could not touch me. We tried, every so often, because sometimes I just needed to actually feel that he was really there in front of me. But he could see that the dark circles under my eyes were already beginning to form.
People in Spoon River were not merely “getting sick”, but rather “getting drained” by these…things. Things that made absolutely no sense to me and that I’ve hardly ever read a single written word about. Things that wanted to drain the very life from us until we had absolutely nothing left. And there was one of these things standing right in front me now, pleading to me with his eyes, begging me to stay, praying that he wouldn’t hurt me today. He stepped aside, and I walked in.
The house was dark and seemingly void of anyone else other than the two of us. However, with spirits you could never be too certain. I walked in just a few steps and looked around, up at the tall ceilings, the gothic chandelier, and over the large stone fireplace where Raphael had first confessed to me exactly what he was, and what he would do to me. I felt his eyes on the back of my neck as he walked up behind me and then the gloved fingertips touch my hair. I spun around to look him in the face.
“Are any of them here?” By ‘them’, I meant the others in his group; Olivia, Michael, and of course Bianca.
His curious blue eyes shifted around once about the walls of the house. “Michael is, but not for long. And he won’t come out. He doesn’t want to scare you.”
Raphael’s voice was baritone and unearthly at times when he didn’t mean for it to be. He had an accent, leftover from a past life – Slovakian - that slurred some of his words beautifully. It didn’t matter what he was saying to me when he spoke. I always found a way of zoning out just to listen.
“Why would he care about scaring me?” I asked and began walking away to the couch.
Raphael disappeared behind me and reappeared on the couch next to me as soon as I sat down. Flames flickered to life in the fireplace next to me as he carefully slid his sleeved hand over my shoulders.
“I think he is the only one, besides me of course, who doesn’t want to scare you.” He chuckled. “He respects you.”
I looked up at the rest of the house and smiled as if to say a ‘thank you’ to wherever Michael was invisibly lingering. “And Olivia?” I asked as I pulled out my day planner.
“Out.” He said shortly.
I changed the subject then when I looked at him, seeing that he still looked sort of sad. “I want to kiss you.” I said simply.
He smiled slightly and dropped his gaze. “That’s a nice thought, Marnie.” He rubbed his gloved hands together in front of him and the leather made this sick sort of squishing noise. “What is that?” He asked finally as I pulled out a pen and a different notebook.
I slid off the couch and onto the floor, laying my book atop the transparent, glass coffee table. “Yesterday’s essay that I didn’t write, so I’m turning it in for half credit. Do you want to help me?” I smiled back up at him, but found that he had disappeared as soon as I asked that question. I frowned, dropping the pen, and crossed my arms over my chest. “Wow, what a sweetheart. Thanks Raphael.”
Ghostly laughter could be heard then, distant, but ever present bouncing off the ceiling rafters and the edges of walls. As long as Bianca stayed away, and the fire stayed warm, I was safe within the walls of that house. By myself, but then again, not.

Next chapter posted April 1st!

Shayne Leighton's Interview with (re)Search My Trash

www.searchmytrash.com

First of all, why don't you introduce yourself to those of us who don't already know you?

My name is Shayne Leighton and I was born and raised in sunny South Florida (which I despise and can't wait to move out of!)

I am nineteen, and after graduating Dreyfoos School of the Arts for theater, I have completed two independent feature films, Guardian of Eden and The Incubus (wrote, directed, and starred in both). Guardian of Eden won for Best Up and Coming Filmmaker at the 2008 Delray Beach International Film Festival and The Incubus is now being shopped for distribution. I was also recently in the much anticipated independent feature, Legend of the Red Reaper by Tara Cardinal [Tara Cardinal interview - click here] coming soon in 2010. Presently I am working on various other independent film projects as well as my first album, all while trying to get myself out to California already!!!

Your upcoming film The Incubus - in a few words, what is it about, and what character do you play in it?

The Incubus is about a fictional small town that gets invaded by a coven of ghosts that literally suck the life and energy out of human beings to sustain themselves. My character is Marnie Rose, a college student in the small town, who lives with a physically and mentally abusive Uncle (who is also that town pastor by day... go figure). My character ultimately ends up falling in love with Raphael (Frantisek Mach), who is one of the members of the incubus clan upon finding out that when he feeds on her energy, he is suddenly able to feel alive again. He no longer feels dead and empty as before, but now his world has color. While these two characters try to maintain their impossible romance they are met at every turn by the wicked clan leader, Bianca (Alexandra Santanna). I will not give away the ending but what I will say is that The Incubus is the ultimate metaphor for life and undying first loves.

That which is as universal as death must be a blessing.

Alexandra Santanna, Shayne Leighton

You don't only star in the film but also wrote and co-directed it, edited it and were involed in the soundtrack. What can you tell us about your very deep involvement in Incubus?

Both me and my executive producer, Marcie Gorman wore MANY hats while creating this film... no joke. Also I want to clarify that I did not edit the film. That awesome credit goes to both Full Service Films and Underdog Flicks. But it was both a tribulation and triumph to be so involved in a project like this. It is truly my brainchild. I hatched it and with Marcie's and everyone else's help, I was able to watch it grow into something more than any high school graduate could have imagined. There wasn't a moment on set where I could relax... but that was totally okay with me. I'm the kind of person who enjoys running around like a chicken with the head cut off! And trust me... there wasn't a full nights sleep while we were in production either. We all sacrificed a lot... but in turn we were able to learn so many things.

What were your inspirations for writing Incubus?

My main inspiration for the story was my actual first love. (No he didn't suck the life out of me.) But I would definitely consider him my muse because he is such a dark and interesting personality. He's a sweetheart and a good friend to this day and I thought of this story because he has a very funny way of expressing his emotions. (He doesn't really express any at all... seemingly...) And to me this was so interesting because I am the type of person that wears my heart on my sleeve constantly. But sometimes, when you catch him in a good moment, he seems to completely light up. He goes from black and white to color and surprises you (like Raphael's world in the film). He is what truly inspired this story because there is nothing like a first love.

Shayne Leighton, Michael Nouri

How would you describe your directorial approach to the film?

Actors come first. Before the lighting and the sound and the scenery, it is always the performance that sells your story. I was lucky to be able to cast some of the most interesting and amazing people I had ever met for this film and they each fit their part perfectly. So it made my job that much easier. I tried to inspire my cast with preliminary pieces of the score that Anthony Espina composed early on for the film. I sent them drawings and photos of things I found online that inspired the creation of the characters in my script. Everything fell into place after that. I didn't want this movie to look like anything else. I wanted it to sort of have a Tim Burton feel without ripping him off. I wanted deeply over-saturated colors and spooky locations and an incredibly haunting score (which Anthony Espina did so beautifully). But what really achieved my vision was Michael C Nouri's take on his character Johnny. With his spiky black hair and deep eye-liner, you can't really get much more "Burton-esque" than that.

Marcie Gorman, Shayne Leighton

A few words about you co-director Marcie Gorman?

It is impossible to say what she is to me in a few words. She is my angel, my fairy godmother, a second mom, a soul-sister, and everything in-between. She is the sole reason why this whole venture even started. I met Marcie in my senior year of high school. I was playing Serena in Fame! the Musical, and Marcie was brought on by our theater dean to help with the production. Soon, Marcie and I started talking about her past lives and careers and her interest in helping out youth in the arts. I sent her my screenplay and the rest is history. It is so strange how life works sometimes. One moment you are talking to a woman you barely know in the parking lot of your school, leaving a Thursday night show to go home and finish some essay or another, and the next moment this woman is your best friend and you're making movies and planning huge things for your future - all the while your head is spinning.

As an actress, what did you draw upon to bring your character to life?

Obviously, if I said I drew upon real-life experiences, people would be giving me very funny looks right now. Marnie is a very soft spoken character. (I am the exact opposite.) If I had to give her a color, she would be blue because she is so serene and almost sad in a way. Going to an arts high school, you meet a lot of very different personalities. I suppose I strung Marnie together with bits and pieces of real people from my life. The biggest piece I took though was actually from a character I had seen in a short film about a ghost (ironically.) This film wasn't really a thriller and even more of a love story than mine, but the lead character was so breathtakingly pure and endearing that I found myself taking a lot from what I had seen in that film.

James Pace

Michael Nouri

A few words about your co-stars?

Frantisek Mach

The most AMAZING and TALENTED bunch of people I ever had the pleasure to work with. James Pace and Mikey Nouri are absolutely brilliant actors. Frantisek Mach came such a long way in a short while and he is brilliant as well. (The next Van Damme!) Alexandra Santanna went from being my sweet and beautiful best friend to a sinister little evil doll in five seconds flat. The drop-dead gorgeous Donna Lisa and lovely Danielle Lilley are so amazing and off to California to go after their dream... I know they will succeed! And last but definitely not least is my favorite... Melvin Lima (who?) he is so adorable and brilliant and talented and I know I will see his name in lights. Much love to the Incubus cast... we became a family.

Alexandra Santanna

Donna Lisa

Danielle Lilley

Melvin Lima

When and where will the film be out (tentatively)?

Tentatively and not in stone it will be released Spring 2010 hopefully, and we are looking at domestic theatrical release. Again... nothing concrete that I can actually announce but if you want to find The Incubus fan page on facebook or go to http://www.theincubusfilm.com you can see all the updates as they happen.

Your and your film's website(s), MySpace(s), Facebook(s), whatever else?

Ok people...here's a running list of the links! Ready? Go!

Official Website: http://www.TheIncubusFilm.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/shayneleighton?v=feed&story_fbid=1287487623153#!/
pages/The-Incubus/48376785843?ref=ts

Twitter (Incubus): http://www.twitter.com/theincubusfilm

Twitter (Mine): http://www.twitter.com/shayneleighton

Myspace: http://www.Myspace.com/theincubusseries

My Official Website: http://www.wix.com/theincubus/Shaynes-website

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/TVtheincubus

...and done!

You are also (as actress only) in the upcoming Legend of the Red Reaper. A few words about that movie and your role in it?

I play Annaleyah, jealous kid-sister to the Red Reaper (Tara Cardinal [Tara Cardinal interview - click here]). This set was such a pleasure to work on and Tara is such a talent. I was only on set for three days but I felt an instant connection with everyone and I truly appreciated the experience. It was very professional and fun at the same time, and after three years of Red Cardinal Productions trying to get this damned thing done, I really can't wait to see it. Check out the trailer! It's sure to be awesome!

Any other upcoming or future projects you'd like to talk about?

No films to speak of right now, but I am working on my first solo album this year, so please stay tuned :)

I hope to be on another film set real soon. (As an actress and not much else.)

Let's leave the present and future behind for the moment and move forward into the past: You started acting at a very early age in your life - what can you tell us about your beginnings?

I started acting in television commercials when I was five. My favorite commercial experience was doing the Nike commercial for the 2005 Summer Olympics campaign, but my favorite experience overall growing up, was being in the Italian Vogue Bambini when I was seven years old with a close friend (another redhead). Some people consider starting out so young as a vice and sacrifice that you have to handle later life, but in my case it was definitely a blessing. Learning so many things so young is the reason why I am so driven today.

Have you ever had any formal training as an actress?

Yes, I try to study as much as possible - when the finances permit :). My favorite coach is Marc Durso with ActTrue. His teachings are nothing but honesty and really being. He often says as actors, that means we must ACT... not emote. Because then we would be called emoters. It is about our actions and what causes our actions and the way we feel as a result of that.

Your movie debut as an actress was Miami Ghost Tale if I'm not mistaken. A few words about that film?

It was a learning experience for a lot of people. I was fifteen at the time, so I appreciated it for what it was.

On Guardian of Eden, you already served as director/actor/star. What can you tell us about this film and your experiences on it?

It was my first try at really creating and manifesting my own vision. Honestly, I would have to say that my vision did not manifest exactly the way I wanted it to, but like Miami Ghost Tale, it was a learning curve and an experience that taught me lessons I now apply today. Plus I got a film festival award... so it ain't all bad. :)

Any other films you've been in I have forgotten to mention you'd like to talk about?

Nope, I think you've nailed them all. We can list some projects that I was an extra in... but how uninteresting would that be? haha

You were still very young when making Guardian of Eden - and in fact are not exactly old now ... How come you have at a rather early age plunged into all aspects of filmmaking pretty much head-on?

Awesome question! As stated at the beginning, I am the ripe old age of 19. I am aware of how severely young that is, but when you love something passionately, it is never too early to begin your journey. I just love every piece it takes to make a story on screen come alive. Every aspect is brought to attention. You have music, performance, visual arts. Without one piece, it would fall apart. That is why I try to delve into as many aspects as I can, because it is such a beautiful collaborative effort. I love working as a team to achieve something. And regarding my age, I guess it is just because I have always been told that I'm an old soul. I've known exactly what I wanted to do since I was five years old. I'm driven, and I think starting early is a challenge, but one I love to face head on every day.

Your films tend to have a supernatural edge to them. Is the supernatural something that especially appeals to you (as a writer and/or as a person) or is that just coincidence?

Not at all a coincidence. I am currently in the writing phases of my first novel (also supernatural). I just love the genre and the mystical element! It's so interesting to me. People have to deal with reality everyday. So when you're able to create something that has no earthly limitations, why not make it something out of this world? I appreciate the things we as humans don't understand as well as the things that hatched out of many years of storytelling passed down. I love and believe that there is magic out there. Reality leaves a lot to the imagination!

What can you tell us about your experience as editor - as far as I know you have edited quite a few trailers (mainly for books, right?) over the years?

Yes, I run a side business, when I am not on a film set, editing book trailers mostly for authors of young-adult books. I have worked the most with Cynthia Leitich Smith's Tantalize book series (also supernatural). My most recent book trailer was one I did for Kimberley Griffiths Little's book, The Healing Spell. I also edit trailers for independent films. This is another part of the filmmaking process that I enjoy so greatly, because you are taking all of the pieces and pulling them together to make one whole story.

Plus, you also make rock music - what can you tell us about your music, where is it available, and who are your main influences?

My first three original songs that I recorded especially for The Incubus Motion Picture Soundtrack are now available on iTunes. They were masterfully produced and co-written by Ginger-Ly Salem and Steve Salem from Ginger-Ly Enterprises. I am currently in the development stages of finding myself as an artist. But what I can already say about my music-to-come is that because I am such a dramatic personality, my music will have a lot of dramatic influences. I love rock and songs that actually make you feel something - songs that bring something out of you. I absolutely love Paramore! They are my first influence, though my voice sounds nothing like hers. I also love Lady Gaga, and Kings of Leon, and Creed. So a little of this and a little of that and you get Shayne! :)

Actresses (and/or indeed actors) who inspire you?

Nicole Kidman (for her performance in Moulin Rouge) - she is beautiful and amazing, and a redhead! She doesn't feel the need to be classic Hollywood and spend time in tanning beds all day. I also really admire and respect Meryl Streep! She is so dynamic and can play anything! I love Jodie Foster - for her strength, and Penelope Cruz - for her sensuality. I think Robert Downey jr is legendary and amazing and of course I can't leave my dream husband Johnny Depp off the list. But not because he's good looking. Because I fell in love with him when he played Sam in Benny and Joon, which is my all time favorite movie.

Your favourite writers?

Ann Rice. Enough said. Her novels aren't novels. They are poetry in book form. I also have a lot of respect for the Coen Brothers.

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Directors who have influenced your directorial style?

Tim Burton. Tim Burton... did I say Tim Burton? He is a genius. I love how magical he makes every one of his films feel. It's like I feel like I'm ten again when I watch them - like I am experiencing magic for the first time. He is so brilliant and I have seen every last one of his films ten times over.

Your favourite movies?

Benny and Joon, Coraline, Edward Scissorhands, Moulin Rouge, Big Fish, Mamma Mia, and Sweeney Todd.

And of course, films you have really deplored?

I can't stand idiotic comedies with bathroom humor... (i.e. Not Another Teen Movie, Super Bad (gonna get hate mail for that one), Scary Movie-series, Beer Fest, ... I think you get the picture.) I also hated the movie Evening, which I thought I would like... but it was a sad disappointment.

Anything else you are dying to mention and I have just forgotten to ask?

You're an awesome interviewer! I seriously think we have covered it all.

Thanks for the interview!

No no... thank you!!! :)

© by Mike Haberfelner