INTERVIEW: Tristan Risk

She needs no introduction.

When we started this site, we had aspirations of chatting with some of the best new indie actors & filmmakers in the horror genre. We have so far been very fortunate to speak to some Amazing people such as the genius that is Bill Oberst Jr. and Director Justin Benson, just to mention a few.

When I began networking on my next interview, I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be successful in nailing down our next guest as she has certainly taken the horror world by storm after her stunning performance as Beatrice in ‘American Mary’. I found out two things from this interview. The first being she truly is an intelligent and unique talent and definitely one to watch in the horror game and secondly and more importantly, she is such a lovely, down to earth and humble lady.

Ladies & Gentlemen…The One, The Only…TRISTAN RISK!

Tristan, thank you so much for taking time out to chat. It truly
is a huge honour.

TR: Thank you! I’m incredibly delighted that you took the time to
contact and have an interest in myself and my various projects

Obviously everyone should know who you are, but just for the
dumbasses out there can you tell us a little bit about your journey so
far?

TR: I don’t expect EVERYONE to know who I am. It’s better that they
don’t - the life of assassin/ninja has already been severely
compromised at this point, but still… I love the underground culture
I’ve had the luck to be part of. The music, fashion and artistic
sensibilities and the ability to express yourself without having to
give a thought about whether the status quo is threatened by your
discipline. From visual arts, to music, stage performances and now
film, I don’t expect everyone to get what I do, which is totally fine.
I’d hate to be over-produced and a watered down version of myself.

But I started as a stage performer and model. There was no room in
conventional modelling for someone like me (too short, too wide in the
hips) so I started working with awesome photographers and make up
artists who wanted to collaborate. Eventually I got into burlesque -
as a joke for a friend’s party, initially - and then it lead to being
my full time gig. I toured North America and Europe for six years
doing burlesque and sideshow performances and got to see a lot of
amazing places and meet great people. I traded a conventional
lifestyle choice to live dangerously and see what was out there, and
it was a great way to develop as an artist. It’s not for everyone,
much like filmmaking. There was awesome highs but some lows, lots of
internal reflection, wondering if I could sustain myself doing what I
was doing. But it lead me to meet the Soskas and get involved with
American Mary, which was my gateway into the film world at large.

So now, there’s quite a few people that know me - either as Beatress,
or via my website or social media. Which is pretty cool, and allows me
to kind of float between worlds: both the underground and the
not-so-underground these days.

You’ve entertained for a long time with your burlesque stage shows
and films like Happily Ever After & Darkest Hour, but when the role of
Beatrice in American Mary came along you must of knew this was
different, this was special?

TR: Of course. It was special for a few reasons: it was the Soskas
that had written this film and role, and they are exceptionally
original. It was like thinking you were the only mermaid in the ocean
and then meeting twin black unicorns and thinking, “Maybe I’m not so
alone, after all.” Initially, I was coming on board for American Mary
as a dance coordinator. The Soskas didn’t know I acted, but they knew
I was a dancer. They kindly allowed me to read the script before
coming in for a meeting and the depth and content blew my mind. It was
just the kind of movie I always enjoyed watching and I really was
excited to be involved. I craved an outlet like this.

Then, when we met, they were watching me, studying me in stereo. They
asked me after a time if I would be interested in coming to audition
for Beatress as she’d not been cast yet. I was, of course, and went
home and ran lines and practiced til the paint was fit to peel off of
the walls. I went into my audition and did the lines, sang, stripped
(blindfolded and handcuffed), all to try and impress the casting
director. It worked! I’m sure the Soskas have the audition tape and
will show it for laughs at my 50th birthday…

Your performance in American Mary was obviously the highlight, it
truly was fantastic. Can you tell us about your experience and you
must be so happy with the amazing feedback you’ve had since?

TR: I went and had fun with it. It was a really cool experience to
make a film with friends and the Soskas and I have been tight ever
since then. It was my first experience into the world of film, really.
Watching them work was a pleasure and it was so fun to ham it up in
the Beatress make up. It was like having a free pass to give people
sass injections if they were in a shitty mood. All I had to do was
talk using the voice and say ridiculous things. Combined with what I
was wearing on my head, people got into it.

You always hope that when you wear your heart on your sleeve with your
art that people understand it. You try not to hope too much that they
will like it for fear they won’t, and at the end of the day the one
person who truly needs to find satisfaction in their work is you. With
that said, it’s floored me to see people’s reaction to this film in
general and Beatress in particular. I always am so honoured when
people do art inspired by characters by Mary or tell me that it’s
helped them on their paths… it gives me a little glowy feeling deep in
my cardiac muscle…

What was your experience of working with The Soska Sisters, any
cool or funny stories?

TR: Oh working with the Soskas is easy. I feel spooled when I do get
to work with them, since it’s just doing something cool with your
friends, so you have a good time. On of my favourite stories was were
at a convention and another friend of mine who is also a mermaid came
and brought an extra tail. The Soskas, she and I all had a private
mermaid party in the pool, It was such ridiculous fun, and then we had
a full on slumber party explosion in the hotel with booze and candy.
It was basically like having the best party that you wanted to have as
a kid, but not as an adult you totally appreciate it more.

Since American Mary’s release you’ve certainly become very well
known, was it what you expected?

TR: I think some people are becoming more aware of my work, yes…
Because I do a variety of things, I think I attract a lot of cross
over between folks I know in the fetish and burlesque community and
the folks in the horror family.I love cross pollination, and it’s so
fun to see other artists who are multi-diciplinary do the same. I
think it helps keep things fresh and interesting.

I certainly and grateful that with the increase in interest to my
projects, since I think most folks who do what I do are striving for a
broader audience to share their work with. I do feel lucky that I have
this chance and since American Mary a lot of folks in the horror
industry that I hold in high regard, Astron 6 for example, have asked
to work with me. That means a lot, being a fan of most of these
filmmakers and their work, so a chance to create with them is a dream
come true.

Obviously your phone must be ringing none stop now and roles
offered constantly?

TR: Well I don’t know if it was quite to THAT point, but I will say
that the quality of projects Ive been offered have all been really
cool, interesting things I’m proud to be involved in. Let’s just say
after the phone calls I’ve gotten, I *might* have just run around in
circles flapping my hands like an excited t-rex and squealing. Maybe.

You’ve definitely been busy recently and have a lot of work
completed or in post production such as The ABC’s of Death 2 and The
Editor. Has this been the most busy you’ve been in your career so far
and what can you tell us of the recent roles you’ve filmed?

TR: Since August of 2013 I’ve had fairly consistent work with a number
of independent films, both short and features. I find it funny, since
I have a short attention span, so once I’m done something I get
preoccupied with the next production and it’s only when the filmmakers
get in touch with me about the progress do I get excited all over
again. And with so many project this year, that’s happened a LOT. If
filmmakers treat their films as children, then I feel like being an
actress in they films and part of their development, I’m an auntie to
the film-babies. As a result, I’ve a wonderful extended family, that
continues to grow!

I just wrapped work on Ryan M. Andrews ‘Save Yourself’ and I’m looking
forward to shooting ‘Fembot’ come November and ‘Love Sick’ in early
2015. So the trend of troublemaking and fun continues, as well as
continuing to perform regularly with my burlesque troupe Sweet Soul
Burlesque. Sweet Soul will be looking forward to shooting another
music video for Crystal Precious’ track off of her album ‘Queen Of
Sass’ featuring a variety of Vancouver dance troupe and electronic
music artists. And there’ll be a few film festivals and hijinx in
there in the meantime, just to keep it interesting….

One particular feature I’m really looking forward to is House of
Manson. Can you give us some information on that and who you play?
Also do you research roles, especially when it’s a subject matter such
as this?

TR: House Of Manson is a full length feature film from Micro Bay
features and starts Ryan Kiser and Devanny Pinn. I’m super excited to
have worked with these folks, and on such an intense film. I play the
role of Abigail Folger, who was a philanthropist and heiress to the
Folger fortune, She was in the Tait house the night of the attack, and
was murdered by members of the Manson family.

For this role I wanted to make sure I was able to give as much to the
late Abigail as I could. I don’t approve of films that glorify serial
killers, and I wanted to pay honour to the victims of these murders by
showing how terrible the incidents were. I feel that the Manson family
killings would be just as shocking if they happened today as they were
they occurred in the 60s.

Your currently working with the legend that is Michael Biehn on
‘Fembot’, is he as badass in real life as he is on screen?

TR: I’ve actually not yet met Mr.Biehn yet, though I’m friends with
his wife, Jennifer. We’ve communicated to one another through her and
various texts and videos. Mostly the videos feature Jennifer laughing
at me while taping me doing something ridiculous and then sending it
to him. At this point, I don’t feel we’ve got many secrets left. But
with that said, I’m very excited to work with him and make some cool
science fiction with such a bad-ass legend.

What I’ve found really lovely about you is how humble you have
been in connecting with fans. When I explained that we were a fan
based website It didn’t sway you one little bit and you were so nice
and enthusiastic right from the very beginning. I can tell you that
some so-called ‘indie stars’ are not as forthcoming. Do you like
interacting with fans?

TR: I do! I think it’s awesome when people tell me how much they dig
my films or photos or read my blog. It’s ridiculously flattering and
makes me want to set a good example for little girls who want to grow
up and do weird things with their lives. It’s also really humbling
when people get super excited to meet you and get a little tongue
tied. I’ve met a few people I place on a high pedestal and when
they’ve been kind to me, it really meant a lot. If I get a chance to
give someone even fraction of that experience, I totally want to be
the one to give them that. It’s an honour and a privilege.

We know you have some exciting films coming out, but what’s next
for Tristan Risk. Are there any particular films you want to do or
other avenues you want to explore?

TR: I’d really love to do a creature film where I can either wear a
lot of FX make up or a bodysuit. I’m a huge fan of Doug Jones and
Camden Toy’s work and I’d love to be a female version of what they do
with my dance background. I’m also working on a book as well, a sort
of guide to modern etiquette….

We love cinema in general, but absolutely adore horror. Have you
always been a fan of the genre and any particular favourites?

TR: I have! I’ve always loved to be thrilled. I adore horror by
fantasy and science fiction is a close second. My all time favourite
movie of all time is Labyrinth, but if I ever had a chance to do a
live action practical effects with live-action fantasy film like that,
I’d sign up in a minute. Likewise, playing a mermaid and having
underwater footage of swimming in a mermaid tail… any chance to do
some awesome body work is always welcome!

Tristan I could go on asking you questions for ever, but I’m
aware I’d bore you to tears. You are a true talent and definitely one
to watch. There’s been a few actresses that have stood out for me in
the past few years such as the magnificent Gretchen Lodge and I
believe your performance in American Mary was in that bracket. I can’t
wait to see you in your forthcoming features and see you career grow.
Thank you so much for the chat and all the very best.

Thank YOU for the chance to talk to The Slaughtered Bird! It was
a delight and I can’t wait to see more from your camp as well!

http://www.littlemissrisk.ca
Twitter: @littlemissrisk
Instagram: @littlemissrisk

All photos by Anathema Photography