WiHM Special - Anastasia Kouloukas


A prominent actress in the Australian indie scene, Anastasia Kouloukas has built a fine reputation working on several projects including numerous efforts from director David Black. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the industry, her early acting work and their projects together.


Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general?
Anastasia Kouloukas: Hi Don, it is my pleasure. When I got into horror in general, I suppose it was in my teens when I would read classic horror stories – Dracula by Bram Stoker, Frankenstein and horror short stories etc.. but I was also heavily into Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historic and Classic novels too, a bit of a mixed bag.

Me: Were you into genre films growing up? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
AK: I’d say yes, as I was interested in Fantasy, Teen, Action and Superhero films. I also loved watching “car" films like “Gone in 60 Seconds”, “dance" films such as “Honey", I’m not sure what genre they’d fall under but movies with an underdog character were films I’d watch when I was in my early teens. 

In terms of what got me into horror films, I couldn’t watch them until later in my 20s as remember my brothers watching “28 days later" when I was about 13, sneaking into the lounge room in the scene when the girl hides behind a chair to hide from the infected zombie

With my experience of “28 days later”, I couldn’t really properly watch horror movies as they seemed too terrifying but I did begin to broaden my film horizons with Drama and Crime films, including classic films such as Jaws and Rocky.

It wasn’t until I started studying film in 2014 when I read a book that literally explained what horror as a genre was and I was able to watch more films with horror elements in them as I could understand the psychological reasoning and handle the gore better.

Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
AK: I initially discovered a passion for acting in primary school with school productions, and developed it throughout high school by studying Drama in years 7-10.

My Mum and I supplemented VCE Drama with a Certificate II and III in Acting (Screen), when my school cut the subject. 

I continued developing my acting (and discovered my other passion is writing), while studying my Bachelor of Screen Production.

I really wanted to study acting and doubled down by studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Theatre) at the same time.

The aspect of this industry that appeals to me would be the symbolic/creative/psychological aspects of creating and becoming another person. 

I’ve always been interested in psychology, mythology, and I connect well with other people. I think there’s something really special about creating, mimicking and becoming people and telling their stories or the stories that call out to you in those characters.

Me: Is there any specific type of character you prefer playing?
AK: I don’t know if it’s too early to say I’m typecasting myself, but I like playing dark characters as I’m a very positive and light-hearted person. I feel like playing those characters also allows me to explore my Shadow side in a safe space, whilst increasing my horizons of what other characters are out there to play.

I would like to explore more crime-based roles – I played a DCI in a scene recreation and that was pretty cool, but I’m also interested in exploring all genres and finding out what exactly I can play and how well I can play it.

Me: Having worked on plenty of short films early in your career, what tools and skills do you acquire working on those that transferred to future film projects?
AK: Well, in terms of technical skills, I can take my skills as a sound recordist/editor, production assistant, editor and producer, and utilize them on future projects that I apply for. I can also lend assistance on set as a crew if I’m not in the main role or if my filming is done.

People skills are very important, being punctual, patient, flexible, understanding and practical is fantastic. Improvisation is useful, especially if you are working on a small crew or with directors.

Me: Having performed in many shorts and features for indie filmmaker David Black, what about his style and approaches keeps bringing you around to work with him?
AK: I like David’s style, his work ethic and his creative ideas. He’s a really friendly, funny, easy-going, understanding, passionate person and he’s my friend. I keep working with David because I really enjoy working with him personally and being on his sets as they’re always professional, chill, well-organized and successful.

Every shoot is shot well, everything is done in time and nobody is stressed which makes for a really great work environment. 

Me: Your first short together, 'Dark Night of the Zomboogies,' saw you play a victim. Also being your first acting job, what do you remember your time filming the short?
AK: I did, I played the screaming girl who saw the zombies entering the bar. I remember the atmosphere was really great, as we were shooting at the end of a film networking night.

I remember being excited but relaxed at the same time as there was a really clear brief and everyone was organized into the zombies and patrons, and there was a real sense of teamwork and great fun.

Me: Returning to work with him on 'Obsessions of a Shattered Psyche,' 'Parental Duties' and 'CATch-22,' did that help to make you more comfortable not just with him but the rest of his stock group of actors and actresses?
AK: I’ve always been comfortable around David, and I tend to make friends easily, especially in a group of like-minded people, it just made working with our friends/our team more enjoyable as time goes on.

Me: What has been the most memorable experience that you've had based on your collaboration together?
AK: I’d definitely say filming Sinister Symbiosis, is still my most memorable experience to date, as it was my first foray into gore as well as horror. 

Most of the time I played dark characters in my live theatre performances but this character felt more personal, she felt like a literally dark version of myself rather than a character created with dark elements.

It was a surreal experience playing someone so dark and scary with my name, like a negative twin, so I really took that opportunity to explore “Dark" Anastasia.

Me: Outside of his films, you've also landed roles in several other indie and non-genre films. What have these experiences added to your repertoire as an actress?
AK: I’d say that each experience broadens my horizons and challenges me as an actress. I always try to give the same level of commitment to every role that I play and try to experience, or research everything the character experiences, to provide truth for that character.

Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
AK: I’m working on 3 projects with David. An exciting gang movie that was delayed from filming during the pandemic last year, a horror Christmas movie in post-production and a prequel to Sinister Symbiosis that is still in preproduction.

I’m appearing in a documentary with David called “Inside Our Shorts" about shooting indie short films that has been picked up by 15 community tv stations across Australia and the USA which is very exciting.

I’m also going to working on a TV series (which had been delayed by the pandemic), with a different group hopefully later on in the year.

So, it is all very exciting and exhilarating.

Me: Lastly, being that this is Women in Horror Month, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
AK: Find what you’re good at – whether that’s as a crew or as an actor or both – and go for it. Be confident in yourself and your abilities, but also be humble as you can learn from every experience. 

Find a technical skill or skills that you are good at because being crew is just as rewarding and valuable as acting. 

If you can’t get work, don’t be afraid to write and make your own work. You can use mobile devices to shoot, edit and publish your own videos, just remember to use the high-resolution setting and good lighting.

Make a showreel and back up what you say you can do.

Be a good team member, no matter what level you’re at. People appreciate professionalism and kindness.

Be kind to yourself, it can be a hard industry if you don’t have a lot to start with. Work smart, hard and make friends you can film with along the way.

Thank you so much Don for having me, it’s my pleasure.

To get an idea of their work together

This interview ran as part of our Women in Horror Month celebrations. Click the banner below to check out all of our reviews and interviews about the occasion:

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