A previous guest on a past Women in Horror Month spotlight, I'm pleased to welcome back actress Chelsea LeSage to talk about her upcoming film "Luna and Persia Go to Atlantic City" and other upcoming works.
Me: Hello and thank you for returning to this! Since last we spoke, you and your partner Charles D. Lincoln have started work on your latest film “Luna and Persia Go to Atlantic City.” What can you tell us about the film and the inspiration behind it?
Chelsea LeSage: Luna and Persia Go to Atlantic City is a wild rollercoaster that follows two small-town PA girls who love to party and cause chaos. There are zombies and Greek Gods and priests and some of the kookiest characters you’ll ever meet. Luna and Persia have a tryst with Zeus and it is madness from there. Reese Witherspoon in Freeway definitely inspired Charles for my character of Persia. I watched it and now imagine her as Persia’s mother haha.
Luna was inspired by that pants-less woman at the WaWa in New Jersey, and Persia also came from a video Charles saw of women fighting in evening gowns in a parking lot. Charles is a city man and small-time rural shenanigans fascinate him haha.
Me: What was the backstory to the film’s conception? With your and Charles’ experience together on your past projects, did that help the pre-production run smoother compared to other films you’ve done together?
CL: After the massive undertaking that was Bishop’s Cove, we certainly learned a hell of a lot that helped us keep on time with preproduction this go-around.
Me: Playing the main role of Persia, what type of prep work did you go through to get into the character’s mindset?
CL: Persia is a chaotic monster. And she is so fun. I love playing someone who gives no fucks about what anyone else says or thinks. She’s a risk taker and a marvel and so so classy (she’s not.) To prep I think of more frivolous times in my life and also what it would be like to have no inhibitions whatsoever.
Me: With a stacked cast of talented indie actors and actresses involved, what were you most looking forward to getting to work with familiar names and those you haven’t worked with before?
CL: Our cast and crew are incredible! I love having a lot of the CL Squared fam back playing vastly different characters! Like Linnea Gregg who plays a hard detective in 21st Century Demon Hunter playing the goddess Hera in this. And all the new people totally are going above and beyond to fit in this explosion of tomfoolery. I love having the incredible Piper Parks to riff off of, and it’s great that we have actually been friends for years! She’s inspiring as hell (I said in Persia’s Southern drawl).
Me: With the project being currently crowdfunding, what are you hoping for to be able to finish the film for fans and investors?
CL: In this crowdfunding campaign, we hope to achieve funds to finish principal photography and show people the raunchiest, funniest thing they’ve seen in years. It’s also incredibly, unbelievably dark. Dark comedies have always been my favorite!
Me: As well, you’re also involved in the upcoming “Devour.” What can you tell us about it and the character of Jo?
CL: Jo was so fun to play! Talk about an action-packed movie with so many mythological creatures and monsters. Jo is the reserved, quiet vampire guitar player and backup vocalist of The Virginia Bitches. She’s actually kind of a germaphobe who judges everyone but is such a badass.
Me: What was the set like while shooting the film? How did the cast and crew react to the type of film being made?
CL: The whole shooting process at Digital Thunderdome was amazing. Scott and Desiree as well as Ryan and Cayman of Flying Banzai made this insane 40-something day shoot a breeze! And it was overnights (cuz duh, vampires) but still, we all became family! I can’t wait for y’all to see it.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
CL: Hahahaha there’s a great scene a lot of food, some Scooby Doo moments and I’ll just say van fart (you know who you are hahaha.) We all laughed the entire time.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
CL: I am currently working on an amazing series called Hangry Harpies that is written by Rebecca Lauren of Bishop’s Cove and 21st Century Demon Hunter! We are almost wrapped on the pilot of that. My other company, Golden Grand Piano Productions is working on a great pilot called Follow Me, written by co-founder Dan Guindon starring Linda Collins and Piper Parks (Luna)! And I’m directing!
Me: Lastly, being that this is our Women in Horror Movement, 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!
CL: The horror world would be nothing without women. Don’t be afraid to write it, be it, create it. A little blood never really hurt anybody!
This interview ran as part of our 2025 Women in Horror Movement series. Click the banner below to check out all the featured interviews in this series:
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