A multi-talented figure in the genre, whether it's in her acting roles or author work with several books to her name, Mindy Doughtery has created a great legacy for herself with her creativity and passion for the genre evident in the work she provides. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the genre, working on her past films, and working on her books.
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?
Mindy Dougherty: When I was a kid, probably around the age of 6. Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and The Shining,
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
MD: I didn’t realize it until later in life when a friend of mine asked me to come to an improv class to help me heal emotions from a trauma-filled life, and so I was open to it. Then another friend of mine asked me to come with him to make an independent film. After these experiences, I think I became hooked. I like acting in different roles and meeting and networking with new people. I also like the part when you see an audience actually react to the film itself on screen.
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?
MD: I love playing strong characters, funny ones, and ones that keep the audience guessing what the character will be doing next because I like variety when I am acting. I look for how they will be interacting with others and what the final outcome will look like if done in different ways, so I explore the character, then embrace it as I become them.
To be honest, I would really love to have both a passionate-love scene and a kill scene in the future, and not in that order, nor does it have to be in the same film.
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?
MD: I feel like each film I do, I gain more experience, familiarity, and get better each time I become a new character. I also realize that I have been able to expand my character range with each film I am in. I have gained friends that I never thought I would see again because many times I would show up to do a film, and then I leave when my scenes are over and go on to the next thing. However, I have found that sometimes I get to reunite with some and catch up on what they have been doing as well. I find networking to be a great skill and tool to have in such a diverse world we are living in right now.
Me: What do you do to stay in character while on set?
MD: I will meditate before my scene and really visualize the character as I read the sides or script pages that I am on. If my scene partner is around and wants to go over it together before the scene is shot, then I do not mind going over it a few times. If they do not want to go over it, then I go off to a separate space and provoke the emotions necessary for that character just prior to the scene being started. Once I hear cut and the scene is done, I go back to being myself and have conversations with other cast members if they want to chat. Whereas some of my friends like to remain in character the whole time, which helps them to carry their emotions and feelings throughout the film.
Me: When you're not filming, how do you pass the time between takes?
MD: Between takes will depend on how the film is being shot and how the scenes are flowing. There may be a lot of downtime between the takes if there are other scenes that need to be shot before re-entering the next scene. I love meeting new people and networking, so I find myself talking to cast and crew, and learning what I can about them, or seeing if anyone needs my help on set while I am waiting.
Me: Having performed in several features for indie filmmakers Sonny and Michael Mahal, what about their style and approach kept bringing you around to work with them?
MD: I loved the creativity that was done in each film. They chose different writers, and sometimes I would see very familiar faces, and other times I would not know who I was going to be with in the scene. I loved the variety and being able to play in different roles that may be completely different than my own personality. Sometimes I have to play my own personality and bring past history into the scene, like being a soldier for Bridge of the Doomed, a zombie horror-action film.
Me: Speaking of your first film together, “Bridge of the Doomed,” saw you play a soldier named Spc. Hennessey. What do you remember about your time filming?
MD: I really loved playing in the scene with Robert LaSardo and Michael Pare, who have been in the film industry for over 20 years. I got to learn a lot from being on set with them. I remember the scenes I was in very well, and it brought back memories of my own military days while serving in the US Army from 1995 to 1999. I also remember meeting some people that I still remain in contact with and consider my friends today, which I am thankful for. Not too long ago, both Michael and JoAnna have since passed on, so I was grateful to have been in a few films with them before they died. It always reminds me that we never know who we will meet, make an impact on, and time is not guaranteed to anyone. So I choose to make the best out of the time I still have and want to continue to do more films.
Me: Returning to work on “Arena Wars,” did that help to make you more comfortable not just with them but with the rest of their stock group of actors and actresses?
MD: Definitely, because I knew many of them from Bridge of the Doomed and got to also meet many new actors and actresses that are also still friends of mine and have acted together in other films as well. It was like a reunion in itself, but this was a completely different role. I played an audience member called Azuela, cheering on the fight scenes, just waiting to see who would survive and who would be fighting to the death. This was a very fun role for me personally. Also, afterwards, being able to meet up with a few cast members to eat dinner and converse was very fun for me, and I got to know them better.
Me: What has been the most memorable experience that you've had based on your collaboration together?
MD: Getting to see the film from beginning to end at the premiere, and learning that we got worldwide distribution so that my friends and others could actually see it. I have been in films before where the funding wasn’t complete, so it never came out, or they did not receive distribution, so I never got to even see the film, or how I did, nor how the film turned out. I enjoy seeing how the films come together and what we all did to contribute to a collaborative effort.
Me: Outside of their films, you've also landed roles in several other indie and non-genre films like “1 Dead Dog” and “Clown Motel 3.” What have these experiences added to your repertoire as an actress?
MD: Each film was different, and I got to play various roles that were not strictly horror. I played in action, thriller, comedy-horror, and more horror films. What I liked the most was that I was able to play in roles that were far from my own personality, but was able to have fun bringing in my own character range and expand them as I was able to do on Clown Motel 3 with Joseph Kelly. I played a Vampire Clown and was in a scene with him and a few others. This was the most in shape I have ever been in and trained very hard with acting coaches, personal trainers, and Krav Maga instructors for a film because I was supposed to do a fight scene. Time got away from us, and I was not able to get this particular scene in, which happens sometimes with filming.
Me: As well, you’ve also become a publisher with several titles, including “Resilient Warrior” and “A Dragon’s Voice.” What was the inspiration behind moving into this path?
MD: To be honest, I thought I was dying and was not expected to last longer than a month, so I went to Medellin, Colombia, and received stem cells in my spinal cord, head, feet, shins, and a few other places. I also received nutrients needed through multiple IV therapies, and I want to return to Colombia to receive another round, as America does not have the best quality of stem cells at this time. So, I thought before I die, I wanted to write about my life so that when people got the chance to read it, they would have a better understanding of who I am and what brought me to be the person I have become. Through both childhood and adulthood trauma, multiple medical adversities, 3 comas, and 4 organs taken out with my intestines being re-wired 3 separate times, I also wanted to make changes that would help other veterans dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety by providing inspiration to them, or anyone else who has read my book could have after reading it. I have been given feedback that it has helped hundreds in different countries as well. Some contacted me to let me know after reading my book they were inspired to write their own book and they got theirs published as well. My children’s book, A Dragon’s Voice, was originally written with those struggling with disabilities in mind. Little did I know that it would take on the things it has been very helpful to kids, the community, and around the world by creating tools and lessons that are in the book. The book helps caregivers, parents, teachers, police officers, etc, open up a conversation to be explored with children. There are 4 main lessons in the book, while learning about the journey that the characters go through and get to explore. A Dragon’s book is currently in 6 states at 5 different police departments and family-child advocacy centers. I wanted there to be a book that police officers could give to children who have been picked up for cases of abuse, as well as sex and human trafficking, to make it easier for the kids to be interviewed either before or after they have read my book which can calm their nervous systems down.
Recently, both Resilient Warrior and A Dragon’s Voice have made it into the Alabama Sex Trafficking and Child Safety Alliance Center which was a huge successful win for me to know that I would be able to make a big difference and help so many with what was written. I also found out that both of my books were read and hand-delivered to a Senator and his wife by a prior police officer-hostage negotiator turned Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and when they read it, they were so impressed with it three days later it got hand delivered from them to the White House for President Trump to read so I can help even more people in various ways. By using my books, I will also be able to invite changes to the current and various systems.
Me: What is your writing process?
MD: I am usually a writer that writes on the whim and I do not edit what has been written many times because I like to share the authentic and raw emotions of what I was feeling at the time. However, Resilient Warrior took 3 years to write and 4 separate editors for various reasons.
Me: Once they were finally written, what was the process for having them published?
MD: My close friend is actually a publisher, so I asked him to publish both books and to illustrate A Dragon’s Voice for me, and he immediately agreed.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
MD: I have a few films that I am working on and doing voiceovers for as well. I will be in a reality series set to be filmed in the summer of 2026 which I signed a non-disclosure agreement for so I cannot go into detail about what it involves. Currently I am looking for investors who want to work with me so I can turn Resilient Warrior into a movie or television series.
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!
MD: I say buckle up because it is going to be a wild ride depending on what you want to do. However, with that being said, I encourage anyone who wants to do this to get acting lessons with several different coaches and teachers which I have done. To be patient with themselves and the process because nothing happens overnight, and there is a lot to this industry that will cause people to feel like they are riding an emotional roller coaster at times. To make friends with the people that you are on set with and most importantly, have fun while you are doing it. Persue your dreams to the fullest and never give up on what it is you want to do or accomplish.
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