An emerging actor, writer, and producer on numerous productions, Allisha Pelletier has been actively working as an actor for ten years and began producing and writing her own work two years ago, with plenty of accolades to her name. Now, in honor of the release of her latest film, "Stalkers," I talk with her about her early interest in acting, working on the film, and some upcoming plans.
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?
AP: I loved horror movies as a pre-teen! Jeepers Creepers gave me my first thrill at the age of 11. But I kind of lost touch with it all until I became an actor. I shot my first feature horror film in 2017, and it sparked a new kind of passion for the genre.
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
AP: I started acting in high school when I joined the Drama Club. It was the first time I had ever felt like I belonged and could really excel at something. It still took me a while to decide to pursue it as a career, but I knew from then on that acting would always be part of my life. The collaborative aspect of this line of work is what appeals to me the most. For every project I’m on, I like to take a moment and just observe everyone who is working tirelessly to make this beautiful film or show come to life. From that second to the screening, it requires MANY talented hands and minds. It gives me chills every time!
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?
AP: Emotional depth! No matter the genre, I love a character who is complex. Because as humans, we are complex as hell! We often feel many things in one moment, so when I am given a character that allows me to dig deep to understand them, I feel like it is an opportunity to stretch myself as both an actor and human being.
Me: Having worked on plenty of short films early in your career, what tools and skills did you acquire working on those that transferred to future film projects?
AP: I wish I could say it was my acting skills haha. But in all honesty, the best tools I learned while doing all those short films are that people essentially need to WANT to work with you. Learning to be adaptable and being a team player is key to success. It was because of these skills that I was often kept in mind for future projects.
Me: That brings us to your latest film, "Stalkers." What can you tell us about the project and your character, Justine?
AP: Well, I’m not sure how much I can divulge about Justine, but she has been one of my favourite roles to play. The director, Paul Thompson, really allowed me to explore her motives, and I felt empowered to make choices that I felt aligned with. Not only did I have fun with the character development, but I got to do fight choreo, work with an underwater camera crew, and of course… I got covered in lots and lots of blood!
Me: Where did the inspiration for the role come from? Were there any unique stories that helped to flesh out the characterization of her?
AP: I like to try and find commonalities with the characters I play. With Justine, it was all too easy. Like her, I was bullied growing up as a result of being “different.” I had often felt like I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, or even smart enough. It was like Justine was the version of me that never healed- and maybe also a couple extra screws loose? Lol.
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?
AP: That’s a great question, because there was a lot of downtime between scenes and even filming in general. As usual, we didn’t shoot in chronological order either, so figuring out where Justine was psychologically was difficult at times. I had made some notes for myself to reference back to, which were helpful. It’s interesting how much easier it is to stay in character when their clothes, hair, and makeup are so far from who you are. I would sit in Justine's clothes (an outfit I really did not like, haha) for hours, sometimes covered in blood, and I would be crawling in my skin a bit. But that actually worked for her! Justine would feel just as uncomfortable… as she always has been.
Me: What was the set like while shooting the film? How did the cast and crew react to the type of film being made?
AP: I couldn’t believe how many people came out to support this film. It was WILD. We shot during the pandemic, and between the restrictions and testing, it was more chaotic than usual. But everyone was so darn happy to be there. We had a lot of thriller/horror fans as well, so the enthusiasm was appreciated. It was a group of passionate people, and you could really feel that on set!
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
AP: One of my biggest shoot days was on my birthday! Even though it was an extremely long day, they surprised me with my favourite donuts and sang me a happy birthday. I looked absolutely insane devouring these donuts with a busted nose/face, and totally covered in blood. My new favourite way to enjoy them!
Me: What are you most looking forward to with its upcoming release?
AP: To finally be able to talk about it!! It’s been tough not sharing much about my role. I’ve got some wicked BTS that I also can’t wait to share haha.
Me: What do you do to keep your creative energy flowing?
AP: If only I had a copious amount of creative energy! Sometimes it actually takes work. Whenever I am losing sight of why I love this industry or maybe struggling to bring myself to write, I call my most inspiring and hard-working friends. I sit with them and listen to their new passion projects and ideas. Seeing them light up as they talk always brings me back to my own creative self. Grateful for them!
Me: Lastly, what else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers? Thank you again for your time!
AP: I’m really excited about a feature comedy I just wrapped called “Butter Bandits.” It can best be described as a Canadian Christmas Heist Movie. It’s based on the real events that took place in Trenton on December 25th, 2021. Looking forward to sharing release details soon!
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