Joel Moody Interview
Joel Moody joins the cast of THE SPIDER BABIES to play the role of Eli, a bicycle-riding, weed-selling, neo-hippie. You can find out lots more about Joel at his website (while you’re there check him out in action in this commercial for Cinevate). “He was the first person at the auditions that instinctively knew what I was looking for when I called for people to speak in ‘tongues’,” said director Christopher Sharpe. “He just completely nailed it and at his callback he went completely balls-out and was writhing around on the floor scaring the actresses. I’m really excited about working with him.”
Rockhouse Pictures: When did you first start acting?
Joel Moody: I scored my first gig when I was 17, but didn’t start pursuing acting full speed until a couple years ago.
RHP: Who would say inspires you most?
JM: Christian Bale; intensity.
RHP: How much do you identify with Eli, your character?
JM: About 3 years ago I was traveling the country year round with a camcorder, so I would have to say I identify with him, except the whole not bathing hippy thing. I like to take showers.
RHP: Favorite liquor?
JM: Patron! Hello, I love Mexico!
Adriene Mishler interview
Adriene Mishler will be playing the role of Polly, the guitarist for the Spider Babies. “We looked long and hard to find the right actress to play Polly,” said director Christopher Sharpe. “I think I made enemies of most of the brown-eyed actresses in Austin, but for this character I was looking for something very specific and couldn’t find it. As soon as Adriene read for the role, I knew we had found her.”
Rockhouse Pictures: When did you first start acting?
Adriene: I started acting as a child because my parents were actors who became directors and writers. I grew up in the theater, literally, it was a home away from home and the concessions closet with the candy was my favorite spot(the booth being second as it was always black lit and full of so much mystery). I was so inspired and eager to work as I entered college that I traveled to train with Anne Bogart’s SITI Company and jumped at every local theater job offer I could get. I actually started my relationship with the Austin theater community as a Cinderella sort of stage hand – sweeping the stage, making fake blood, and ironing costumes. Eventually that got my foot in the door and since then I have been extremely blessed and lucky to work with some of the most talented music, dance, theater and film artists in Austin and beyond.
RHP: Who would say inspires you most?
A: Holy hell, this is a tough question. I am most inspired by my family. I am also really inspired by my high school theater students. However, I am truly inspired by anyone who has a great sense of humor and fun and takes what they do seriously, works really hard. Those qualities paired together keep me inspired and eager to create!
RHP: How much do you identify with your character?
A: I love crackers.
Sarah Rodgers Interview
Sarah Rodgers is an Austin performer known by most as Miss Conduct of the TXRD – Lonestar Rollergirls. As Miss Conduct, Sarah Rodgers has graced the pages of The RollingStone, and was featured in a 2006 A&E television series “Rollergirls.” Most recently Sarah Rodgers can be found on the big screen sharing her experience on the track in the fast paced documentary, Hell on Wheels, produced by Austin filmmakers Bob Ray and Werner Campbell. “Sarah was the first actor we cast for The Spider Babies,” said director Christopher Sharpe. “I knew she had a great look, but once I met with her in person, she was so in sync with the character and the project that there was never really a “plan B” for Greta. Sarah was it.”
Rockhouse Pictures: When did you first start acting?
Sarah: I’ve been performing since I was a kid. I got my start in my grandparent’s kitchen. My brother and I would come up with comedy sketches and entertain the family when we could get them all together. I pictured myself acting in front of the camera as a kid, but really aside from a bit of theater growing up and being a feature in both the “Hell On Wheels” documentary and the A&E TV series “Rollergirls”, I’ve waited till 2008 to finally pursue a roll in film. Since then I was cast in a Dos Equis commercial and have been featured in three full length films, “The Spider Babies” being my third role and by far the film I am most excited about!
RHP: Who would you say inspires you most?
S: In addition to my Austin friends of course, the late Carl Sandburg is a huge source of inspiration in my life right now. I suggest you Google him. In film however, my inspirations are Zoe Bell, Uma Thurman, and Steve Carrell.
RHP: How much do you identify with your character?
S: Greta is awesome. I identify with her a great deal and it’s not just because we share a love for bangin’ on the drums. Greta’s a super resourceful gal and she sees potential in every scenario, fun or life threatening. When you have those abilities you can handle the toughest and most challenging obstacles life can present. It’s those same qualities that got me this far in life.
Hilah Johnson Interview
Hilah Johnson is an Austin-based actor, writer, rock star and the star of her ownawesome cooking show. For THE SPIDER BABIES she will not only be playing the role of Ethel, but will also be on the soundtrack as she and THE HOT AS SHITS have already recorded the first “Spider Babies” album which will be available soon. “I knew I wanted to cast Hilah before the script was even finished,” said director Christopher Sharpe. “She’s got the perfect energy, she’s really funny and she’s got a great look. Also, I know that she’s tough enough to handle the torture we are about to put her through.”
ROCKHOUSE PICTURES: When did you first start acting?
HILAH: Fourth grade musical: Li’l Abner. I got the lead female role. Eat that, fifth grade bitches.
RHP: Who would say inspires you most?
H: My dad, I guess, in a weird way.
RHP: How much do you identify with your character?
H: As a ball-and-nut-stomping rocker: I can totally identify.
RHP: Favorite liquor?
H: Whiskey, gin, what do you got?
RHP: If you survived the apocalypse, what are five things you’d want to have at all times, not including food, water, guns?
H: Strike-anywhere matches, a kickin’ boom box with some bad ass mix tapes, spf 30 chapstick, my cold-ass stare. Oh, and some batteries for the kickin’ boom box. That’s too many things. I am so fucked.
Jacknife Ruby Interview
Jacknife Ruby is a hair and make-up artist from Dallas, TX. She contacted us in response to one of our Craigslist casting ads and after director Christopher Sharpe looked at her MySpace profile, he knew he had found the perfect person to style the girls. “It wasn’t just that her portfolio was incredible, but her list of favorite movies and music indicated that she would be totally in sync with what I am trying to pull off,” said Sharpe. “We worked out the logistical details and now in addition to doing hair and make-up, she is doing all the costumes as well. We’re going to let her run wild with it.”
ROCKHOUSE PICTURES: When did you first realize you wanted to become a make-up artist?
JACKNIFE RUBY: I started doing makeup when I was four years old. My mother would buy me every failed ex-Avon/Mary Kay rep’s kit she could find at garage sales. My favorite victim was my 70 year old grandmother. She never minded that I made her look like a haggard streetwalker.
RHP: What would you say is your favorite look to create?
JR: I really like to do color studies. Very clean with vivid pops of pigment.
RHP: Do you have a favorite movie monster?
JR: So many. If I had to pick one it would probably be Medusa.
Meet the third SPIDER BABY: Adriene Mishler
Adriene Mishler is Polly
We looked long and hard to find the right actress to play Polly, the third Spider Baby. As soon as Adriene Mishler read for the role, I knew we had found her.
I don’t have time to do a full write-up on her right know, but here’s some background information from a December 2007 Austin Chronicle article:
Particularly exciting and meaningful for Mishler, who was born into the Austin theatre community. Her mother, Melba Martinez, was the longtime artistic director of the Mary Moody Northen Theatre at St. Edward’s University. “My playpen was in the theatre. I made tents in the greenroom. Brought a sack lunch during the summer to summer stock. Anytime a child was needed in the chorus or anything like that, I was in there. My mom would put me in the shows just so I could be around her and so she could keep an eye on me.”
We’ll have full interviews and more photos with all the SPIDER BABY actors coming soon.
Sarah Rodgers
Sarah Rodgers
Sarah Rodgers is an Austin performer known by most as Miss Conduct of the TXRD – Lonestar Rollergirls. As Miss Conduct, Sarah Rodgers has graced the pages of The RollingStone, and was featured in a 2006 A&E television series “Rollergirls.” Most recently Sarah Rodgers can be found on the big screen sharing her experience on the track in the fast paced documentary, Hell on Wheels, produced by Austin filmmakers Bob Ray and Werner Campbell. Since retiring from her long run on the banked track with TXRD, Sarah is taking her creative impulses, love of scars and thirst for blood on the road with Rockhouse Pictures as the tough as nails, red-headed drummer, Greta in The Spider Babies!
To see more of Sarah’s work, check her out at:
Hilah Johnson
Hilah Johnson is Ethel
I am happy to reveal that the second Spider Baby will be played by Hilah Johnson. Hilah is the frontwoman for The Hot as Shits and one of the founding members of the Austin comedy group Big Ol’ Tire Fire. She’s taller than you, funnier than you and she can drink you under the table.
