by Mike Schoonveld:
Tamara Glynn, a native of Arkansas, made the move to Los Angeles when she was discovered by a talent agent. Upon her arrival, she had guest spots on television shows such as Growing Pains, Miami Vice, Knots Landing, Rags to Riches and in the A Nightmare on Elm Street television series Freddy’s Nightmares.
Soon after, got her big screen debut in one of horror’s biggest movie franchises when she was cast as Samantha Thomas in 1989’s Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers. She has done other films, but Halloween 5 is most likely what she will be remembered for. Who else can resist a pretty blond in a sexy red devil costume and have the balls to go up against Michael Myers during sex with their boyfriend? Not only did she have a steady career in film and television, she also had an active career behind the camera, working with Federal Express, Alltel, Back Yard Burger and Sears, to name just a few. She is also the Executive Producer for Cinevue Entertainment, where she is involved in producing television, documentary, film and video projects.
This year is shaping up to be quite a busy year for the multi-talented actress and producer. I recently talked to Tamara and, not only is she set to appear in three new films, but she is also the brains behind the filmmaker for filmmaker festival Hot Spring Horror Film festival, taking place September 26th-29th in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In addition to that, she is also preparing to attend her FIRST HORROR CONVENTION FOR HORRORHOUND-CINCINATTI!
I had so much fun interviewing her that I didn’t want it to end. I don’t think this will be last we hear from her.
Mike Schoonveld: Hello Tamara and welcome to DarkMedia!
Tamara Glynn: Thank you, Mike!!
MS: Have you always been a fan of horror?
TG: I have been a fan of horror since 1978, when I was 10 years old.
MS: Nice! You did an episode of Freddy’s Nightmares.” Is that how Halloween 5 fell into your hands?
TG: No, not at all and the two had nothing to do with each other. I went in and auditioned for both, of course, and was keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I would book both and I did!
MS: That’s awesome! Does it make you feel good knowing you are a part of one of the biggest film franchises in horror?
TG: Yes to say the least. Huge honor and the cool thing is, is that I appreciate it as much now as I did then.
MS: We are all glad that you are a part of the Halloween universe, especially since Samantha is one of my favorite characters.
TG: Samantha Thomas was an awesome character and I am proud to have made her come alive on the big screen. She and I had similar qualities. I love the Halloween universe!
MS: There seemed to be good chemistry between you and co-star Wendy Kaplan. Are you still in touch with her anybody else from the cast?
TG: Wendy and I had great chemistry on set and on camera and it was so much fun working with her. I am sad to say that I have not had an opportunity to speak with her since Halloween 5. I did see Danielle Harris about 6 or 7 years ago and I spent a bit of time her over dinner and breakfast.
MS: Danielle is such a sweetheart.
TG: Danielle is amazing and I am proud of her endeavors. I have a huge amount of respect for her.
MS: Don Shanks played Michael Myers in Halloween 5. Were you at all freaked out going up against him?
TG: There were times when YES…let me back up. Don Shanks is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in a lifetime. When he would put the mask on…whole other story. It did freak me out, I am not going to tell you it didn’t because it did. The barn scene? I still get tears in my eyes due to that scene freaking me out! I was terrified!!
MS: That scene freaks me out, too! The barn just looks so cold and claustrophobic and gives the atmosphere of you being trapped. I was hoping Samantha would have at least stuck him once with that pitchfork! Haha!
TG: I think I reflected on the barn scene which reminded me of the first time I saw the original when I was 10. The barn scene was beautifully shot and well executed on camera by Dominique Othenin-Gerard.
MS: The cinematography was great. It made the atmosphere more menacing.
TG: Cinematography was beautiful.
MS: You’re doing your first horror convention for HorrorHound this month and another in the UK in October! Are you excited to meet the fans?
TG: I will appear at my first convention yes! HorrorHound Weekend, March 22nd-24th in Cincinatti, Ohio. I am so overwhelmed with the fan love for Samantha and myself. I love it and I am super excited to meet the greatest, most loving and loyal fans ever!
MS: The Halloween fans are the best. Were you ever asked to do a convention before?
TG: Danielle reached out to me to consider attending in the Halloween 30th Anniversary convention in Los Angeles. I simply declined due to family.
MS: That’s understandable, family is the most important. Now you are getting into the convention circuit and the fans couldn’t be happier!
TG: I am excited to meet the fans after all these years and I am so grateful for Justin Beahm with Halloweenmovies turning them on to me!
MS: And then there’s the Hot Springs Horror Film Festival. Tell us how you got involved in that.
TG: I have a theater in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I have always wanted to host a horror film festival for all the obvious reasons. So, my business partner, Bill Volland and I put our thoughts together and BAM! Now we have the Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival. The dates are September 26th-29th in Hot Springs at the Historic Central Theater which is one of the oldest theaters west of the Mississippi.
I am so passionate about this festival. And please note, it is a withoutabox festival. Submissions are coming in from around the world and this will be a festival where filmmakers can get up close with well known horror industry professionals. There will be Q and A’s, a variety of panel discussions, celebrities, Special EFX workshops. Steven C. Miller, who recently directed the hit, Silent Night, will be attending. Justin Beahm will attend, the horror podcast guys, Tim Welch, Wayne Brekke and Joe Quintanilla from Necronomicast will be on hand. And of course, more announcements will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead, but the guest list is looking pretty amazing right now.
I am thrilled that so many industry peers are contacting me and wanting to be a part of this event! I am truly humbled and honored. I want Hot Springs to be a horror hub from an international perspective. Filmmakers will leave this festival feeling very confident, knowing they have learned and can apply the knowledge they have gained into their next production. I love that!!
MS: That’s absolutely amazing, to give filmmakers a chance to be seen and heard and get their work out there. It sounds like a really fun festival to be a part of. It looks like it’s going to be a busy year for you. And you own the theater? That’s awesome! You said you want the theater to eventually be turned into a performing arts theater. Is that something you’ve always been passionate about?
TG: Yes. I do want to eventually focus on a performing arts theater. I want to give those who are interested in live theater or an aspiring filmmaker or actor/actress a hands on experience and teach and educate. I want them to learn about all the aspects of the industry. Camera equipment, etc. It will be awesome. and as always, knowledge is power.
MS: Knowledge is power. the more we know, the more we grow. I think it’s wonderful.
TG: At this point in my life, I have been so blessed with amazing people and career opportunities. I just want to keep it simple and give back. That’s where my heart is and I am keeping it real.
MS: What can you tell us about the 3 film offers you have?
TG: I will be starring in a psychological thriller, The Unknown, and another film, Vapor Eyes. I play an FBI Agent in that one and another as of now, I am not allowed to share. Sorry, wish I could. I have missed being in front of the camera and ready to get back. After being in tv/film production all these years, it is very surreal.
MS: Its so exciting and we are all looking forward to your return! They sound like really cool, fun projects!
TG: The projects are solid and ones I strongly believe in. I am so in love with life and working hard, not taking anything or anyone for granted.
MS: We can all learn a few things from you. I think everybody is so busy with life, that they don’t take the time to sit back and enjoy what they have.
TG: Everyone needs to live life and enjoy! Follow your passion and your dreams because they can and will come true.
MS: That’s very true. We all have to have a dream and a goal in life. We just have to reach for it and grab it. With technology today, it seems everyone is trying to make their own stuff happen. There is definitely a lot of talent out there that needs to be discovered.
TG: I love how technology is allowing filmmakers to express/tell their stories through the camera. I am a cheerleader! So much talent out there!
MS: Getting back to Halloween, why do you think the film has made such an impact on audiences and the horror genre?
TG: Halloween? Wow, Mike. That’s a loaded question…and really not a question I can answer correctly. The only thing I will personally say is that Halloween was and is all the elements the human race desires when it comes to wanting to feel scared. The concept, the theme, I mean the list goes on and the cool thing about Halloween is that every sequel, although it relates to Michael Myers, there is a dynamic which is the ‘I feel scared’ dynamic that has appeared in every film and the fans love it! I love it!!
MS: I think that is a great answer. What can you tell us about yourself that fans may not know that you would like to share?
TG: About myself…my son and family come first. I am appreciative of all the fans and the friends and business associates that currently surround me. I am focused on accepting the right roles, working hard, and the joy of sharing with the fans is just awesome. I always tell people, I am who I am. I am comfortable in my own skin and that in itself, is very liberating. I want to continue being a working actress. That’s it. I am a simple person.
MS: We are who we are and we shouldn’t change ourselves to conform to society’s norms!
TG: Exactly! Once you can live for YOU and be YOURSELF, that’s when it all comes together. Conforming to others is a miserable life.
MS: Tamara I want to thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule and joining me as we celebrate you and your career, and for being a part of 35 Years of HALLOWEEN here at DarkMedia. We wish you the best of luck with all that you have going on. It has been a great pleasure and I thank you so very much for this interview!
TG: Thank you Mike and DarkMedia for the opportunity. Happy 35th to the Halloween franchise and here’s to 35 more!!
To stay up to date with Tamara Glynn, “Like” her Official fan page on Facebook.
For more information and to stay up to date on the Hot Springs Horror Film Festival, “Like” the official page on Facebook.
The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is now accepting reservations. For more information and lodging, visit their website.
Need more Tamara in your life? Then give her a follow on Twitter @tamara_glynn!
DarkMedia contributor Mike Schoonveld covers mainly movies, and there’s nothing that gets his blood going like a good horror film, old and new. When he’s not writing or watching horror, you can find him catching re-runs of television shows like I Love Lucy, The Simpsons, and Reba, among many. Last year, Mike was able to flex his writing muscles by submitting a screenplay to the Shriekfest Film and Screenplay festival where he was a finalist for “Best Feature Screenplay.” While he didn’t win, that hasn’t stopped him from pushing forward to establish a screenwriting career in horror. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @horrorguy30, Stage32.com and you can check out his blog at horrorguy30.blogspot.com.
Mike is currently working on two scripts: Slicer: The Sauk County Massacre (formerly titled Hell Weekend) and The Haunting of Willow Falls Manor.
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