One of the hardest-working actress, writer, director and novelist in the scene at the moment, Loren Molloy is working to further her career with her first film Yield out now and soon to release her second film The Devil's Lettuce in short order. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the industry, the filming of Yield and some upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general?
Loren Molloy: Hello and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this. I’m honored.
It was 1989. It was about 4:30 am. My parents were asleep. I snuck into the TV room turned on the TV and there before me is the moment when Barbara rips her face off in the closet and Adam is holding his own detached head. I didn’t realize I was screaming until my mother came running and turned off the TV and yelled, you know you aren’t allowed to watch adult movies like Beetlejuice. I was 4. Two years later a similar moment happened to me except it was the moment when Frank’s face is being ripped apart by hooks in Hellraiser. To this day, both are favorites of mine.
Me: Were you into genre films growing up?
LM: Growing up as one who could always see demons, ghosts, and more. I was always living in a world of horror. This called night terrors and insomnia. Trying to counteract this constant flood of fear my mother tried to keep all my viewing to G rated and loving things. It did help and still does. I still watch kids' stuff and cartoons especially when I’ve overwhelmed too much but I have always been drawn to horror whether it’s films or books. I was reading Grimms’ fairy tales and Edgar Allen Poe by first grade.
Me: Having cited an early love of theater and performing while in school, was that an early sign for you to go into the industry?
LM: Actually, I was working in show business by age 5. I learned sign language because of the first episode of The Waltons. So by 6, I was doing songs and live sign language shows for audiences. I also briefly was a deaf interpreter for an actor with Down's syndrome from a show called Life Goes On. By high school, I was modeling for clothing companies for school fashion shows as well as performing in theater shows. Honestly, though I was battling chronic health issues throughout all of it and hospitalized on and off again all my school life so just being able to say I was still alive and out of high school was monumental. I always had visions and dreams of standing on film sets being treated like a loving equal. Now I own and run my own film company and make my own films so it’s an interesting journey so far.
Me: As well, you've also been an accomplished writer. When did you first discover your passion for writing? What are some memories of your writing experience that was afforded to you?
LM: Yes, I have 7 books I’ve written and self-published so far. I wrote them as well as did the covers and published them myself. Like I’ve previously mentioned I was reading Edgar Allen Poe by age 5. I was also writing stories by then too. I remember in elementary school the teacher taught us about creative writing and we could write anything we want. That it could be about anything we want no matter how strange or imaginative. I was thrilled. I was happy. That lasted a week and suddenly I wasn’t allowed to write creative stories. It was suddenly Hiako week and the teacher ripped up a story I was writing because I was disobeying. I cried in front of everyone. I don’t like that type. It makes me feel wrong. The other gave me joy. Why rip it away from me? The teacher sent me to the principal. He yelled at the teacher in front of me for ripping it up. He told me to keep writing. keep imagining. There is brilliance in creativity and bravery in speaking the truth. I did, of course, have to do the assignments asked of me he said but keep writing and imagining stories at home or in my free time and one day I’ll be an adult. It’ll be vital one day. He helped me see others will try and stop me but they can’t all they can do is slow me down a bit. It was only once I got into college did the universe show me the truth of those words.
It was the creative writing class for my degree. It was the only class left I needed to graduate. He was the only teacher for the school who taught it. If I didn’t pass I wouldn't graduate and would have to take it again with the same man. He was a professor as well as a published author. He was also crazier than most think I am. He literally stood on his desk and crowed like a rooster at students passing by the windows. Yes during the class while in session. This was just one antic to show the level I was dealing with. His class was just; here’s a topic or feel and we had to write either a poem. Sounds fine and simple until it’s the month before we are supposed to graduate. Everyone is given an assignment. In front of the class, he goes that applies to all of you except Ms. Molloy. You Ms. Molloy MUST take every writing assignment you have done for me. Put them all together, make it into a format of a book. Then you Must publish it and bring me a copy of this book. I don’t care what the title is but this is for your full grade. All other assignments from you now don’t count towards your grade. The only thing that will allow you to pass my class and for you to graduate with your fellow students is that published book in my hand by the last class. Don’t and you fail the class which means you don’t graduate and have to pay for another class. This also means you will have me again for your teacher and this will still be the only assignment that will determine your final overall grade. Ok bye now. He then walked out of the class. This was in the early 2000s when self-publishing was unheard of and dial-up internet was the only way. I published the book of creative works and that’s my first book of poetry, Black Dreams and Shattered Illusions. Now I’m 7 books in 3 novels a poetry book and a rate G illustrated children’s book and I am honored I was pushed to publish. He saw something in me he didn’t in others. It’s funny. He seemed crazy acted like it in many ways but he pushed our perspectives. He forced us to deal with the unusual and see him beyond society’s point of view. I am where I am and who I am today because of him in a way and I am truly grateful to him for it.
Me: You started your own production company, #HappyHorrors Productions, to handle your film career. What was the inspiration to launch a company of your own?
LM: Correction, I didn’t start it to handle my film career. No. I planned to start my own film company because I always wanted to make my own films. It was never about being an actress although I enjoy acting. It’s all about trying to get the visions in my head and the stories in my mind into a visual tangible reality. I planned it before I wrote my first novel. Never hid the fact of it either. I always said I’m going to write 3 novels then open my film company and begin turning my stories into watchable art. I am now in production of my second feature film and already have 4 more of my own just waiting in my mind. I write all my own screenplays as well. Me acting in my films started off as a concept like how Stephen King has just small cameos but then morphed into playing some vital parts.
Me: Recently, you released your first feature, "Yield." What can you tell us about the film?
LM: It was a wild ride for sure. You can watch it on Vimeo. It was difficult only because so many people were all sort of upset about how dare I want to write books and make films. It was a bit soul-crushing the levels of sabotage some tried to go to just to make sure I would fail. I did not. I succeed in spite of all obstacles and issues. Being a woman and starting in the film industry was also heartbreaking by the level of disrespect from many who thought things like taking over, talking down or mansplaining were appropriate. None of this stopped me from completing my mission which was the completion of my first feature film. I wrote the script, produced it, directed it, cast it, found the locations, crew, even did some of the FX myself, edited the film myself, as well as handled the creation of the DVD and distribution of the film to streaming. I learned a vast amount and am truly proud of myself. I also lucked out by having some incredible people who helped me make that film happen. Is it all I wished it could have been? No. Did I make a full feature on $6K and still have people tell me they loved it and they loved the premise. Absolutely. I am going to make a Yield 2 which will be even more gruesome and intense about new kidnappings, cannibalism, and killings in the Solaris National forest but for now… it’s a hell of a movie. The soundtrack is fantastic and the number of skills I learned from it I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Me: Where did the inspiration for the film come from? Were there any unique stories about its conception?
LM: Based loosely on something that actually happened to me in Ocala National Forest in Florida. I was visiting Florida and wanted to go hiking. I googled it and found Ocala. I drive there and about half a mile before the entrance there are these bloody still dripping ripped-off the body, deer legs, hanging over the county marker. I took a picture and drove on in like an idiot. Driving in it wasn’t the national forest I expected. No parking lot but a residential neighborhood. Yes with a white fence and houses. A man wearing a straw hat and blue overalls with a long white beard is standing in his front yard holding a pitchfork looking at me. I smile and wave confused but trying to be friendly. That’s when the man starts screaming and chasing my car. It’s a dirt dead-end road meaning I have to turn around and pass this guy again. Somehow he misses me by millimeters as I drive as fast as I can out of the place. Turns out when people didn’t want to or wouldn’t give up their land to the government, the government says fuck it and builds around it deleting the village from their map but the land is still grandfathered in making it illegal for cops to cross it or go looking for missing people ever. The cop and people I spoke to when I got out of there were scared pale and one said I never heard of any ever getting out. I started doing research and the United States has these all over the country and they don’t have to tell anyone nor will they save or rescue anyone from inside. Not allowed. Yep sounds like a lie but not a lie at all. I actually added the real photo into the film. So when you see the picture of the deer’s legs over the sign. That’s not a prop or an fx scene that’s picture evidence from my brush with inland folk.
Me: Being the writer, director, and star among other roles for the film, did it challenge you to be involved in various capacities at once on a project like this? How do you balance those priorities during a shoot?
LM: Well, I have always been an extreme multitasker. I also have ADHD which if utilized correctly you can juggle a lot but in truth, I have one family who helps me make all of it a success. I met this family many years ago when I wrote my first novel, The very devil herself, I had just started the convention track and they were lovely souls. We became friends and now I think of them as more of my own family. Tina Brown, Cinthia Brown, & Cammy Brown work their butts off as part of my production staff as well as assists me to keep it all moving with success and ease. David Brown handles so many key aspects as well.
In Yield, Cammy and Cinthia played two of the Carnago clan girls and were phenomenal as well as complete professionals. Tina Brown made many of the creepy dolls and David Brown made the playhouse for the girls and more.
On this current film, we are all working together as one fluid unit. It’s a blessing to have them. Orson Wells said every director needs an army and I am truly grateful for mine.
I should also mention my mind moves at a very rapid pace so they are able to keep up with it all and hop with me from thing to thing as I need where most can’t handle any of that or understand what I’m saying or meaning. They understand my energy and language. Everyone needs people like that to make it all works wonders.
Me: With a cast of experienced and talented indie actors, how'd you settled on the cast getting involved in the film for 'The Devil’s Lettuce?'
LM: Like I had previously said I’ve been planning on making these movies for over 5 years minimum. When I first started working the convention circuit with my novels. I kept a record and list going in my head. Different personalities and talents. In each case, I looked at them and said in about 5 or 6 years I will be coming to you asking you to be a part of my film. I hope you will say yes. 5-6 years later I did exactly what I said I would do and in each case, I got a chuckle and ok.
Me: What was the set like while shooting the film? How did the cast and crew react to the type of film being made?
LM: We filmed some of The Devil’s Lettuce during 2020 in locations that were haunted as well as a CBD field. Everyone has been amazing, pumped, and excited about working on this one. Everyone has put their all into it. At each location, they were like wooow how did you ever get this place, and in truth, the universe intervened. We are filming the rest now and have begun a crowdfunding campaign to fund all the fx scenes we need to still do. So make sure to look up The Devils Lettuce Movie on Indiegogo.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
LM: Oh god, there are many. We had been filming in a 100+-year-old graveyard. There are no bathrooms. It’s after 9 pm in a very small town meaning stores were closed probably by 7 at the latest. I had already set everyone else to break for food and bathrooms while I stay behind to watch the set and work on things for the next scene. They had already been back for a bit and I had already needed to pee for some time but knew if I stopped filming to find some location with a safe open bathroom we would miss the lighting and energy we had at the moment. We finally finish it’s now after midnight I still need to pee still been holding it. I have my assistant Cin in the car with me and as we drive off. I look at her and go, OMFG Phil, the camel went from having two humps to four they are all filled with urine and I think it’s now filling up my left foot. I’m like this is now serious. We are at Defcon 1 level of peeing sensation confirmed and we are in the kind of neighborhoods we might meet the Carnago Clan at so there’s no way I’m pulling over right now. We laughed so hard I’m like ahh noo eek I’m pretty sure I have 4 humps one foot and now one hip all filled with pee. Please god, I need a bathroom. Just as I say that a single overhead street light appears in the distance with an outhouse. As we get closer Cin and I both go it’s like a scene from Jeepers Creepers. I almost pull over anyway worrying now about possible damage to kidneys and things when some creepy guy who could be cast in Yield 2 gets out of a truck we didn’t notice and just stands there staring at us. I’m like Noooope. We did finally find a McD’s that was open but that was about an hour and a half after we had left the cemetery. So now we have a running joke about Phil the camel and how many humps he’s got at the moment.
Me: Your second film, which is still filming, is called "The Devil's Lettuce." How did that come together? Is there a projected release for the film?
LM: The Devil’s Lettuce is based very loosely on an actual crime that happened in Texas many years ago. I had read it while at a convention. I was waiting for my turn for the next panel as I was on it and was scrolling through the news. There was this article three guys smoke out of a human skull they find in the desert and kill women. I was like that’s an epic horror story but after filming Yield where almost all of it was in national forests hiking up and down mountains for three months or so I was NOT doing any filming in a desert. So I changed it and added my own twists. Now it’s a group who are partying in a graveyard on Friday the 13th when one guy breaks the weed bowl they had but instead of calling it a night they continue to smoke out of a human skull found in the graveyard. Because the film starts off on Friday the 13th I am having the movie come out on Friday the 13th 2021.
A cool moment from filming you might enjoy hearing about is when we were making the skull bowl prop. Nelson Mas of Geek Emporium took a plastic skull and rigged a safe smoking apparatus throughout it, undetectable to the eye. Then my amazing fx team made it look like it was sitting in the graveyard for 100 years by using actual moss and dirt from the graveyard we were filming in. On the film’s Facebook page and Instagram page, there is a video of actor Alfred Catalfumo II taking the first-ever hit from it and spitting out actually graveyard dirt and moss. I cackled so hard and had to yell cut because instinctually he went, “Moss in the mouth.” I don’t know why but the way he did it I was laughing so hard.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
LM: I run and host my own talk show called Delve In on Facebook, youtube, Spotify, and more. It’s Tuesday nights from 8-9 pm EST and we talk about paranormal stuff, ufos, metaphysical, esoteric, unexplained stuff in history, we have professionals in different fields come on.
I also work with different charities to help our people. So please think about donating to a food pantry or homeless shelter today and as often as you can. 1 people 1 planet. Help a stranger who will never know your face or name. Help someone stuck out in the cold with mylar thermal blankets. Help food pantries feed our hungry since the government only stocks their shelves once a year and that’s gone almost immediately. Homeless women need toiletries like tampons and maxi-pads and every single soul needs socks and underwear. Your dollar store is your friend in these cases. Socks, underwear tampons, water, deodorant, food, all can be found at your local dollar store. Please help someone you don’t know today.
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!
LM: First of all, thank you for wanting to interview me and for doing a women in horror month, at all. It is truly appreciated. Secondly to all the women out there who read this far thank you for taking time out of your valuable day to read and care about me in any way. It is appreciated as well. My special message to all you women reading this… THEY AREN’T YOU! Never allow someone else’s No to stop you from making your dreams come true. Yes, you might get some issues with being a woman in any field. We as women know this. Doesn’t matter what the industry is, you will be talked down to, you will be mansplained to, you will have those who say things like ‘if you sleep with me then I can help make you famous or get you what you want.’ Like you haven’t dealt with this before, come on now. We all know what it is but… don’t let that stop you for a second. Remember there is No one who is more worthy or better. Not me, not any a list not anyone. Say no as often as it feels right. Stand up and speak up when it is necessary. Do not expect anyone to defend you when someone else is acting like a bully so defend and honor your own self always. Be the person who treats others how you wish they were towards you meaning if someone is being a bully You speak up for them. Learn self-defense. Each of the Brown women I have working with me are just as legally lethal as I am. I know takedown methods and many types of self-defense. So do the Brown women. We are 4 women who can take guns or knives out of someone’s hand. I say this not because I want you afraid hell no! I want you fierce! I want you brave! I want you to be able to walk into any studio scene or down any street and know you are a fierce warrior woman who can handle her stuff if needed. I was taught in martial arts you learn it in the hopes that you never need to use it. I have used it more times than I ever wished and yet if a guy gets aggressive or tries some stuff, I have the inner strength and knowledge not to have to worry about the guy’s reaction. Most women have learned a simple no can be deadly or dangerous depending on the personality of the guy. So very often without the proper training women say yes or stay silent but unhappy out of fear of what reaction it could be. Being aware and trained about what to look for has made a world of difference. If I say no and a man steps at me I can step right back at him without fear. THIS is why the learning of self-defense is so essential in my opinion. The lack of fear and kowtowing to a man or anyone because of fearing reactions causes others to do it less and stop all together. People don’t see me as a pushover and I can stand in my truth and live my life as well as the career I want a bit easier in the knowledge I’m true to who I am, and I’m safe in that truth. Maybe not the pretty answer you were expecting but expecting a pretty answer from me is silly. Seriously though ladies besides self-defense stop allowing anything to stop you. I hear it all the time. Oh, I don’t know how. Ok, so you didn’t know how to tie your shoes or eat with a fork once now look at you. Stop being afraid of messing up or someone giving negative feedback. Go do what you dream of now! Everything you need to know is a google search away. Want to act? Look up background acting jobs do those even if they are free. Get the knowledge. Make the connections. Want to direct? Look up how. The only thing that has ever stopped you is Only You! Stop getting in your own way waiting for the “right time” Now is the only time. There is no true past. Not a tangible one. Nor a tangible future. There is and always will be Only Now. So go now take that first step whatever it is. Look up the job you want and start clicking on those links that interest you. Watch youtube videos, read books and articles, go on your social media accounts and look up those that are doing what you want add them or follow them. See a job opportunity you can get to. GOOOO! Self-pity and waiting for someone else to hand it to you will only leave you wishing and never succeeding or accomplishing. If you are waiting for a sign that you are meant to start Here is your sign. If you are needing permission to start. I give you the permission you need. Go live the life of your dreams… But please no matter what you do, don’t try and knock others down. Be the woman that fixes another woman’s crown without needing anything for it. Be the woman who helps others up or helps others succeed not one that sabotages or hinders. It’s just an ugly look no goddess should permit for themselves. You are a goddess. A miracle made up of particles as Nahko says in his song, “Aloha ke akua.” So go shine. Go succeed in whatever you desire to accomplish. Allow no one’s no stop you from getting your yes, and protect yourself at all times. I hope this helps someone. Blessings to you all and stay safe out there.
Thank you again for this opportunity to be a part of something, in my opinion, is amazing, Women in Horror Month.
#HappyHorrors ~ Loren Molloy
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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