With Sharknado: The 4th Awakens, set to premiere 31 July 2016 on SyFy we talked with actress Caroline Williams about her role in the film. Caroline is also preparing for the 30th anniversary of her breakout role in Texas Chainsaw Massacre . Caroline will be kicking off her appearance at San Diego Comic Con in a big way as she will also be appearing in a new music video by Slayer which will be previewed at the convention.
What can you tell us about your character in Sharknado 4 and how you prepared for the Role?
No preparation necessary! The ever-imaginative Anthony C. Ferrante has created an incredibly popular franchise in Sharknado for the SyFy Channel. He also happens to be a Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 fan and relished the idea of mashing up the movie with Sharknado (I mean, where ya gonna get those chainsaws?). It’s the 30th anniversary of the release of TCM2 and this is his little slice of cake!
How much knowledge did you have of the series prior to being cast?
SyFy is a channel of choice in my household. We’re dedicated SharkWeek viewers and the first Sharknado was in steady rotation in our household. Two teenage boys can’t be wrong!
For Sharknado where did you film and what was it like working with the FX?
We had the luxury of shooting at the historic Sable Ranch just outside of LA proper. It’s a terrific location with many personalities. The viewers will love what Anthony did with it!
To what do you attribute the ongoing success of the series? It’s campy, silly fun, played completely straight by our fearless leader, star Ian Ziering. Anthony packs the cast with recognizable, cherished names, and I’m so happy I get to be one of them.
What would you say were your greatest challenges and rewards with both films?
I love physically demanding roles. I love the running, jumping, slashing, punching, whirling, twirling dervish that I get to be in these roles. Hefting that saw again for old times sake was one of my favorite moments.
Are you a fan of horror and if so what are some of your favorites?
Most definitely! Tobe Hooper has said that horror films are the contemporary version of westerns, and I think he’s right. My favorite films are heavy on character development and practical effects. The Exorcist and The Omen also had spiritual angles that James Wan has continued to explore in his series of films. Different directors have differing takes on the genre. I’ve enjoyed working for some terrific directors.
What are some of your favorite memories on the films?
Just too many to name. But I’ll never forget somersaulting down the rabbit hole into the Sawyer family’s underground lair.
How did you get into acting and what would you say was your big break?
My audition story is fairly well known. I’d been breaking into films with smaller roles in Alamo Bay (Louis Malle, director) and Legend Of Billie Jean (Matthew Robbins, director). When the audition for TCM2 came up, I traveled to Austin to do it. I ran screaming down the hallway outside the audition room, burst into the room and pulled the chairs out from under Tobe and Kit Carson (writer), piled them up against the door and backed into the corner, shaking and quaking and whispering “They live on fear!” That pretty much wrapped it up!
What would you say are the biggest differences between film and television and do you have a preference?
TV seems to have some of the more imaginative, creative and original material these days. I’ve greatly enjoyed my experiences on shows like Murder, She Wrote (Angela Lansbury is an idol of mine!), Nip/Tuck and Grey’s Anatomy (Houstonian Debbie Allen directed my episodes). Movies frequently have more exotic and interesting locations, but TV is catching up big time. I just like to work. Not too picky, except for what the role is.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a mom, run a household, have a chihuahua and don’t have a lot of free time. I’ve been very busy professionally with conventioning (I love meeting the fans!), auditioning (I have new representation with Zero Gravity Management). But going to the movies will always be my Number One!
When you consider a script or a potential TV or film project, what elements do you look for in the story and character and what types of projects would you like to do in the future?
I like looking for roles that I haven’t played before, and whether there is any action in the script. I like physically challenging parts and horror affords a lot of roles like that for women.
Anything else coming up we should look forward to?
A remake of Blood Feast (Herschel Gordon Lewis’ 1963 classic) by Marcel Walz is a film I shot in Europe last summer. We’re this close to a distribution deal, and it’s a very international film. Lots of fun!
