WOMEN IN HORROR: A Month-Long Look into the Ladies Crafting the Worlds of Fear! Day Ten – Mandie of That Strange Show!

WOMEN IN HORROR: A Month-Long Look into the Ladies Crafting the Worlds of Fear! Day Ten – Mandie of That Strange Show!

1. What first drew you into the world of horror?

What first drew me into the world of horror was curiosity. When I was younger I remember my mom watching things like Elvira on TV and not being able to watch it with her. One of my best friends was also really into A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th so I would sneak watching horror movies at her house. I was also really scared of horror movies, believe it or not and as I got older it was more of an endurance test to see what I could handle. I watched my first horror movie alone (not at my friend’s house) when I was around 11 and rented Sleepaway Camp by myself because I like the way the cover of the movie looked and have been hooked ever since.

2. What film/book/show was the biggest influence on you?

Well, when I was a kid I wasn’t allowed to watch a lot of stuff so the closest I could get before renting movies on my own was Goosebumps books. As I got older I started to get into Stephen King books and started watching episodes of the Twilight Zone late at night when I couldn’t sleep. When I was in high school my friends and I would rent the evil dead movies and since then those have become my favorite memories of getting into horror.

3. What actor/director/writer do you consider your biggest influence?

I would have to say Stephen King only because that was the way I was able to get into horror when I was young. Once I started to watch more films George Romero was always my favorite the original Night of the Living Dead is a staple for me getting into horror and zombie movies are my favorites. 

4. Who would you consider to be your horror twin?

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question so I asked Ryan and he said Tatum from scream which I guess I could see haha But I’d like to say Sidney because “I want to be in the Sequel”.

5. What do you think you would you be doing if you weren’t involved with the horror community?

I have many hobbies outside of before community including art, photography, and my career in beauty I’m glad I was able to find a way to merge those together. 

6. Plug some of your past, present, and upcoming projects.

Well, of course, I am going to plug my podcast That Strange Show. But I also want to talk about my makeup, face painting and special effects which I have been published for with many articles on the Internet including a MassLive takeover a couple of years ago. More recently you can find me on the woochiefx (cinema secrets) page as part of their pro team and collabs with Mehron makeup. 

7. Where do you like folks to follow you on social media?

The majority of my posting it on Instagram you can find me on there as @mandie.strangefx. 

8. Where can folks find your work?

You can find my work on my personal Instagram and on several different special effects and makeup pages along with other talented artists including @woochiefx @mehronmakeup and an upcoming post on @modabrush. I will also be appearing at a live podcast panel at Rock and Shock on Saturday, October 12!

9. Which horror icon would you most/least like to go up against?

I would have no problem going up against Chucky I would just drop kick him into a fire haha honestly the Child’s Play franchise is my least favorite because to me it is the least believable. I still enjoy watching them but more on a comedy level. I honestly get a lot of hate for that but it’s just my opinion. The person I would want to go up against the least would definitely be Pinhead because there is no escaping a Hell Priest and eternal suffering.

10. Any advice for young ladies aspiring to become involved in the horror community?

I would say find your niche and stick with it, whether it be a blog, podcast, makeup – whatever you’re good at and find the most passion in is what you will succeed with. 

11. Who is on your Horror Mt. Rushmore?  This can be actors, writers, directors, characters.

This was hard to narrow down but I would go with who has inspired me the most so I am going to say Stephen King. George Romero. Tom Savini and Clive Barker