An upcoming actress in the indie scene, working on plenty of stellar titles, Heather Harlow has created a strong legacy in her career, whether she's working in the genre or on other genres. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the industry, working on some of her past films, 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?
HH: Hello! Thank you for having me! You have been a longtime supporter of me and my career, and I am truly grateful for you and your time and interest!!!
From birth! (lol) Truly, as a child, though. I grew up loving dressing up scary, all things Halloween, haunted houses, and watching Tales from the Crypt through my fingers with my folks. I was obsessed with reading Goosebump stories, as a kid, which led to Fear Street and Are You Afraid of the Dark as a teenager! And many, many, maaaany visits to the video store to pick out piles and piles of horror VHS!
HH: Were you into genre films growing up? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
HH: Absolutely! Comedy, drama, musicals, you name it! I was entertained and enthralled! <3
Halloween (1978) most definitely! Halloween and fall being my favorite time of year, it was inevitable! Everything about this film, from the music to the sets, the complete feel of the film is based around my favorite time of year, not to mention my favorite slasher, the incredibly creepy Michael Myers. Twilight Zone: The Movie as well. I remember being terrified when Dan Aykroyd asks his travelmate if he “wanted to see something really scary.” Nightmare on Elm Street definitely was a huge part of terrifying my childhood as well!
Me: How did you come to be involved in the industry as an actress? Was there any specific aspect that appealed to you from an early age?
HH: Back in 2015, I thought it would be fun to work the haunted house with my teenage son, as we both loved all things creepy and dressing up as monsters. After doing that for 3 years, I discovered I might actually have a talent for acting. Then, in 2019, right before COVID, I decided I wanted to try out this “acting” thing. I started joining film and casting groups on Facebook. Started putting in auditions, networking, and the rest is history! I have known my purpose in this life and have been addicted ever since!
Actually, no, I remember wanting to be in plays and enjoying them, but I actually got picked on quite a bit as a child, so I never had the confidence. But I remember enjoying the few chances I had to act in school projects and in Girl Scouts. But I don’t remember saying that I wanted to be an Actor when I was growing up. I actually said I wanted to be an archeologist! Go figure. (lol)
Me: Having worked on plenty of short films early in your career, what tools and skills do you acquire working on those that transferred to future film projects?
HH: Be organized. Be early. How to delegate my time once I am there. And to take advantage of my downtown to be absolutely ready mentally, emotionally, and physically when the director is ready for me to call action! On top of just learning the terms and slang used on set, all of the procedures, set etiquette, etc. There really are so many moving parts! It becomes like a family. Being on set is electric! And it truly did prepare me for what it was like to be on a set.
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?
HH: Often, I find a space to be alone. If you have ever been on a set, in between takes, while the crew is resetting, or on breaks, it can get very talkative and social, which is one of my favorite aspects of making films. But I am by far a Method actor, so staying in that headspace is essential to me, and finding a spot to stay there is necessary.
Mainly, I go over my lines, rest, hydrate, return phone calls and emails, but I often touch up makeup and take content for social media as well.
Me: Also working as a special effects make-up artist on several of these projects, how did you balance the differing priorities during the shoots? When did you discover an interest in effects work?
HH: Preparation is always important. Be organized and completely prepared mentally, emotionally, and physically. And focusing on one thing at a time. When I am spilling blood doing effects, my mind is fully focused there. And when it’s time to be in front of the lens, I am fully immersed there. I just give my all to whatever I am working on at the moment! One hundred and ten percent!
When I started as a haunt actress at the very beginning of my career, most definitely. I wanted to perform as a zombie with a facial prosthetic. I couldn’t find anyone to help me, so I decided to build one myself. I taught myself by watching YouTube tutorials, and I ended up winning 3rd place with that prosthetic at Horrorhound!
Me: Among your first feature films was “The Embalmers” as the character Rachel. How did you come to be attached to the film?
HH: I saw a casting call in one of my film/casting Facebook groups posted by Rebecca Rinehart and auditioned and was cast as Rachel!
Me: Moving on to titles like “Holy Shit Man!,” “Backwoods Bubba,” “Jack Be Nimble,” and “Trepidity,” what did you take from this rapid ascension to your career that quickly?
HH: I just felt so grateful and so blessed to have so many cool opportunities. And, I quickly realized that acting is what God and the universe put me on this earth to do. <3
Me: Your most recently released effort, “The Inn,” as Marge, alongside a slew of other prominent names in the indie horror community. What was the experience like working with that type of cast and crew?
HH: It was absolutely incredible! Sloan Z. Losch and Kevin Beganovic are incredibly talented, professional, and equally nice guys. This is to date one of my best experiences on set, and one of my favorite characters, and I cannot wait to work with them again asap! Oh, aaaand you can view it on Tubi through this link!!!: https://tubitv.com/movies/100052410/the-inn
Me: What initially attracted you to the role of wanting to play her? Was there a role of yours in the past that helped get you in the proper mindset during filming?
HH: The poster is what initially drew me in. I loved the feel of the project, and so I reached out to their page and let them know I was very interested in reading for them. I stayed in touch, and some time later, they asked me to audition for Marge!
I don’t recall an exact role at that point, but I am one-hundred percent a method actor, and I have most definitely been screwed over, used, and talked down to, so I drew from that!
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
HH: I just remember everyone having a good time and being tickled while filming myself as Marge telling her boss, Sal, to F**K OFF! While peeling out with her finger flying out the window! (lol) Good times!
Me: What has the reception to the film been like? What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had since it came out?
HH: The reception has been phenomenal! People are loving the Sandman! Lots of great reviews! And I wouldn’t expect any less! These are brilliant filmmakers, with brilliant actors, special effects, and an original story, and I am so blessed to be a part of the madness that is The INN!
Nothing from The INN quite yet, but she’s quite new out there. They are planning a con tour, so I plan on making plenty of incredible memories with the fans in the future! But, I can share one memorable experience just in general that I always love sharing when asked! A couple of years ago, at a con that I was a guest at, I was just finishing up in the restroom, about to walk out, when I heard the woman from the stall say, I knew this was awkward, but I just watched Backwoods Bubba last night, and you look just like the girl in it. You were fantastic, was that you??? (Lol) Pretty cool to be recognized! No matter where we were. (lol)
Me: You’ve also been announced for the upcoming projects “Hug These Bones,” “The Secret Life of Mr. Oliver,” and “These Things,” among numerous others. What can you tell us about these films?
HH: Hug These Bones is a horror-drama directed by Chris Shern about a man seeking to reconnect with his children who begins visiting a cuddle therapist to work through his issues.
The Secret Life of Mr. Oliver is a dark horror-thriller directed by Richard Hamilton and follows a disheveled, soft-spoken owner of an upscale wine and meat shop in a wealthy neighborhood with a deep, traumatic hatred for the rich.
These Things is an 80s-inspired horror-comedy directed by Matthew Lee Anderson about six friends fighting for survival against killer, alien, rubber-string-ball-like creatures during a weekend getaway.
Me: With these being just some of your announced projects in development, does this come as a shock to be as involved in the independent film scene as quickly as you’ve become?
HH: Yes, absolutely! I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to receive and those that are on their way to me! I am so humbled by the warm reception and genuine support I have received from the community and will forever be grateful for that and the chance to share my craft with the masses!
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
HH: I have been cast as the emotionally crumbling Lydia in the incredibly moving, emotionally-driven faith film, Awake, directed by Sandy Slaven and produced by Slaven Motion Pictures. It follows a nineteen-year-old girl living with PTSD who is forced to confront her past and step into adulthood as the emotional anchor for her shattered family, when the father who saved her from childhood trauma faces a tragedy of his own.
I am very excited to be a part of the cast and crew for the highly anticipated My Girlfriend the Serial Killer, brought to life by the insanely talented duo of Samantha Marie and Derek Huey!! I have been helping with SFX, and we will be filming our scenes later this year so keep your eyes peeled for that! The scenes that have already been shot are INSANE, and I cannot wait for you all to see just what they have in store for you!!!
I was just recently cast as Mrs. Payson in the theatre production of Pollyanna performed on an outdoor stage this summer for Theatre in the Park in Petersburg, IL!
There are a few more things in the works that I can’t talk about yet, but very excited to very soon!
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!
HH: Absolutely go for it! Nothing is holding you back but yourself! There are so many positive and supportive folks in this industry in every capacity. Don’t let rejection and/or haters run you off. Because they will try. But you got this, and no one can take it from you if you truly want it. And please prepare yourself for rejection, because there is lots of it. But don’t let it make you doubt yourself, because often times it has nothing to do with your audition. Your audition could have been amazing, but they needed someone shorter or taller, or with different hair color, or age to fit a fellow castmate. Don’t let anyone tell you not to dream or take your dreams from you. Being on set in any capacity is completely magical and becomes addictive. And we are very supportive of each other, and if they aren’t, you are in the wrong place. Don’t take any shortcuts, put in the work, stay true to yourself, and stay positive. Always stay humble and kind, and everything will fall into place! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
All my love, HH.
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