An upcoming actress within the indie scene, Jordan Hundley has started her career in fine form with a solid slate of titles to get her career going in the industry. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in acting, working on several of her film roles, and upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
Jordan Hundley: It’s funny, I actually HATED anything and everything scary in my childhood: haunted houses, “scary” kids' movies, spooky costumes, etc. I even have a vivid memory of being like 10 and watching Jurassic Park with my family, and the first time they showed a dinosaur, I screamed, sobbed, and didn’t sleep for days (I was convinced a dinosaur was going to come from the woods and eat me). I was an anxious child.
However, at some point in middle school, I decided to face my fears and basically put myself through crazy exposure therapy and watched every scary movie and TV show I could find on Netflix (I thought it’d make me cooler). Everything including horror classics, B horror, indie films, horror/sci-fi TV shows, crime shows, etc. I watched it all and eventually LOVED it. I stopped viewing horror media from a traditional audience’s lens of immersing myself in the film (which was causing the anxiety). Instead, I learned to view it from an artistic and creative lens where I’d admire and analyze HOW the film was successful at being scary (the acting performances, the SFX, the lighting, the cinematography, the score, etc.). Not only did this outlook make me not scared anymore, but it also actually inspired me. I wanted to be the one creating the magic of horror movies, more specifically, I wanted to be one of the actors in these movies and TV shows.
Just a few shoutouts that REALLY inspired me: American Horror Story, As Above So Below, Lost, The Haunting of Hill House, Cube, Train to Busan, and The Ritual.
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
JH: I wanted to be an actor since I was a child, as young as kindergarten. I was always an artsy, creative, and dramatic child, and I just wanted to tell stories. However, I did not actually get into theatre until I was in 6th grade (my parents were always trying to push me into sports instead). From then on though, I was “that theatre kid.” I was in every play I could do (between school, community, and professional, I did over 30 stage plays in 10 years), took camps and classes to get better, competed in competitions and conferences, always hung out on the stage and in the black box, and even went on to major in theatre in college at James Madison University.
Although I’d always wanted to be a film actor, I didn’t actually have an opportunity to do film until 10 years into my acting career (when I was 21). About halfway through college, I got nodes (or nodules on my vocal cords) from overusing my voice on several back-to-back show runs, so I had to take a step back from plays. My voice couldn’t handle the strain of having to project across a whole theatre repeatedly every evening. I missed acting, so I took it as the opportunity to finally do some research into films since film acting is much more vocal cord-friendly. All my theatre education had only taught me about the theatre business, so I was lost when it came to how to get into film. I decided to look to Facebook, saw a few casting calls, auditioned, and the rest is history.
From my very first film (Haig’s Heart, part of the 10/31 Pt 4 anthology), I realized film acting was my passion. I loved the subtlety, realism, and intimacy of it compared to stage acting. From the 2 years I’ve been in the industry, I’ve met amazing people, have had the best times of my life on sets, and have improved as an actor exponentially.
Me: Is there any specific type of character you prefer playing? What do you look for in a character to be excited and interested in playing it?
JH: Not really, I love to explore new character types and roles, and I’m always open to trying something new! If I had to choose though, I think my favorite roles to play are either the strong female lead (like the final girl) or a manipulative and cunning villain. As for what I look for in a character, I am really drawn to those with intense emotional depth and complexity. I love to be challenged.
Me: What do you do to stay in character while on set? When you’re not filming, how do you pass the time between takes?
JH: When I was in college for theatre and acting, I was trained by all my acting professors to always have a very clear mental separation between me and my characters. This is a commonly practiced and taught skill nowadays to protect an actor’s mental health and sense of self (basically it protects an actor from the dangers of outdated techniques such as “method acting” that relied on actors fully immersing themselves in their characters' mindset and lives on and off camera, and made them unwilling or unable to separate their sense of selves from their characters, which is incredibly dangerous and damaging). Because of this, I actively do not stay in character when I am not rehearsing or performing a scene. I will always take a minute or two before running a scene to “drop in” to the character and the scene, but other than that, I am just Jordan Hundley when the cameras are not on me. So, between takes, I just like to chill and chat and get to know my fellow artists.
Me: Having worked in plenty of theater and stage roles early in your career, what tools and skills do you acquire working on those that transferred to future film projects?
JH: So many! On-stage theatre roles are where I learned the craft of acting. Of course, I had to practice toning it down and hone subtleties and nuances for film, but my foundation of acting was learned on stage. Theatre was where I learned how to believably experience emotions amidst imaginary circumstances, do script analysis and character work to temporarily (but fully) become a person other than myself, form and portray relationships that audiences could see and relate to, and work with an ensemble of artists to make people feel. All of those skills have been 100% transferrable to my film work.
Me: With one of your first appearances as Betty in the film “Blood and Breakfast,” what initially attracted you to the role? What can you recall about your time on set?
JH: So, funny story. I actually didn’t audition for that role. Matt Burns reached out to me on Facebook and basically said “I have a role that you’d have a lot of fun with shooting near you soon, do you want it?” and of course, I said yes (without even getting a script or character description yet). While that was the first film that I had acted in to be released, it was probably my fourth or fifth role I’d played in a film, so I was past my nervous/inexperienced-on-camera phase and was super excited.
I recall having a lot of fun on that set. It was a short flashback scene that we shot in a big field on a gorgeous day, so it was a very relaxed and chill few hours in the sun. Every character in our scene had a gruesome death, so there was lots of blood, screams, and laughter. I have an awesome picture of me all bloodied up with a stomach wound posing with Michael as the killer holding his axe. It’s hilarious.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
JH: I was only in that one flashback scene so that short day of shooting in the field was the only day I worked on that set. And I was unable to make it to the premiere because I was working on another film. So unfortunately, my stories are limited to what I explained in the previous question, but I had such a great short time with all of the cast and crew members that I had the pleasure of working with.
Me: Following this, you appeared in other films like “Bloody Summer Camp 2: Red Harvest” and “These Things.” Working with a stacked cast of talented indie actors and actresses on both productions, what tips and tricks have you learned as an actress from working on these films?
JH: I’d say the biggest thing I learned from both projects (and really every project I’ve done) is to make a point to introduce yourself to everybody involved. Having only been acting in films for 2 years now, I’m still a baby in this industry. I can learn such an incredible amount from just talking to everyone involved. Whether it results in an awesome new acting/business tip from hearing other’s experiences, an opportunity in a new project from networking with other creatives, or simply just making a friend, saying hey to everyone and making it a point to get to know them can go so far.
Me: Among your numerous upcoming appearances is as Tipper in “Amityville Barbi.” What can you tell us about the role and what to expect from the film?
JH: I have not filmed anything for this film yet nor have they planned any of my scenes yet (or at least told me so), so I unfortunately, cannot say much. All I know is that I am Tipper, Barbi’s younger sister, and I also kick some ass. I have seen a pre-release of the trailer and can say that it looks like it is going to be an awesome stunt-filled action film, and I am very excited about my role in it!
Me: With the heavy stunt-work required in the film, what has this experience added to your repertoire as an actress?
JH: Again, I have not shot anything for Amityville Barbi yet, so it hasn’t added anything to my stunt experience (but I am SO excited to eventually work with Ronin because he is a stunt god). I have done a few roles with stunts and extensive physicality in the past, including The Last Shift with Wrong Neighborhood Productions (currently in the film festival circuit), Mandias with Emerald Strike Film Co (we wrapped principal shooting last month), and These Things with Key 13 Film Studios (in post-production). All those films called upon my previous stunt and movement classes that I had the opportunity to take at JMU as part of my theatre degree.
Me: How do you keep your creative energy flowing?
JH: I have always been a super creative person naturally, so I cannot think of many times that my creative juices weren’t thriving. However, the few times that I have struggled to get the creative energy flowing were the times that I went without collaboration and contact with other artists (like during the pandemic). I feed off their energy, so the key for me is just to always be working and always be collaborating.
The only struggle is that although my goal is to be an actress full time, that is currently financially not possible as a recent college grad living on my own. Right now, I must balance my acting work with my other part-time jobs as a substitute teacher and executive function coach, so at times, I feel like I’m burning the candle at both ends. However, I wouldn’t trade it for the world if it means I can continue to act and create art as much as possible (like I’m super proud of myself for doing 15 films in 2024 WHILE in school, graduating, and working). I just have to keep working and auditioning, and one day, I’ll land that role that will allow me to do what I love full-time.
Me: What else are you working on that you’d like to share with our readers?
JH: I’ve got so many awesome and amazing up-and-coming projects! I’d like to shout out a few that haven’t been mentioned yet.
The first one I want to shout out is Mandias by Emerald Strike Film Co. We just wrapped shooting this past month, but it’s shaping up to be freaking awesome! It’s a futuristic in-space sci-fi-horror short film that makes some insane use of practical effects and lighting. You can check Emerald Strike Film Co. out and follow along on YouTube, Instagram, and Patreon.
The next one I want to shout out is actually two films that are both crowdfunding right now as a Double Feature with Key 13 Film Studios! And those are Following and Quattro. I am starring in the romantic drama Following as Denise, a confident, yet mysterious, young woman whose new relationship with Ciara has many unexpected turns and twists. I also play a large supporting role in sci-fi-horror Quattro named Natalie, a sweet-hearted Southern girl participating in the trials for some extra cash for her honeymoon. Not only am I acting in both, but I am also Executive Producing both as well! The Indiegogo is up till early April, and we start filming for both this spring.
Lastly, this fall I starred in a hilarious short film called The Last Shift by Wrong Neighborhood Productions. It’s finished (and freaking awesome!!!), but is currently in the film circuit, so it’s not available to stream or watch anywhere in public yet. Be sure to follow along on Instagram though for news of when it’s eventually released!
There are several others that although I’d love to talk about, I don’t think I can mention anything just yet. So you’ll just have to follow along on my socials to stay up to date! I can be found on Instagram at @jordanhundley13, Facebook and IMDb by the name Jordan Hundley, and my website jordanhundleyactor.com
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?
JH: Do it! There’s no such thing as “not enough time,” “living too far away,” “not enough skill,” “not pretty enough,” or “no experience.” If you want to be in the industry, whether in front or behind the camera, there is a way to make it happen. So much Indie Film is full-time worker-friendly and shoots only evenings and/or weekends. There are films that shoot in every city/town you can imagine (or make your own film!). You can learn tricks and skills for acting and behind-the-scenes work on free resources such as YouTube (and the best way to practice acting is to record yourself doing a monologue, watch it back, and repeat it!). Every beautiful body and face belong on camera, there is truly a place for everyone. And “no experience” is not an excuse because everyone, at one point, had no experience, and a range of films prefer “no experience,” such as student films and extra work. If you want to be in film, there is a way in and a home for you.
Thank you again for your time!
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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