Spending Time With Dani Thompson ( @MissDaniTeeze ) #filmtwitter #movies #supportindiefilm |

Whilst I do enjoy posting stories on frompage2screen.com about up and coming films, books, and other media related projects, I have a special fondness for the online interviews that I started a few years ago to spice up the website a little. They not only are wonderfully interesting to read and put together, but also enable me to ‘interact’ with some of my favourite creative souls, even over an internet connection. The online interviews are basically a set of pre- prepared questions that I send off to whoever is taking part and then I wait patiently for the answers to come back, so I can learn a little more about the person taking part. Often people will answer most of the questions, sometimes people will answer some of the questions, but rarely does someone answer all of the questions. This article is the first time that they have all been answered and thats not only wonderfully exciting for me to read through the answers, but its also a testament to how amazing Dani Thompson is. I first met Dani a few years ago at a film event. We managed to have a quick chat and catch up and over the years have swapped a bunch of tweets, and also sat down a couple of years ago for a face to face conversation as part of the ‘Spending Time With..’ video series. Dani Thompson, Actor, Writer, Producer, Presenter, Singer ( even a Vegan Lifestyle blogger at https://twitter.com/veganvamplife ) and much more. Dani is not only one of my favourite people, but also one of the inspirations that keep me working as hard as I can. So keep up the great work Dani and thanks for taking the time to answer the ‘Spending Time With…’ questions.

What was the most recent book you read?

I’ve just read The Drowning Pool by Syd Moore for the 2nd time.

I know Syd and it’s my favourite of her books.

Is there a book that you have re-read more than any other?

I usually only read books once.

What TV shows are you currently watching?

Most recently I’ve been watching The Marvellous Mrs Maisel, Dead To Me and Schitt’s Creek, no horror surprisingly actually.

Favourite Childhood TV show growing up?

Oooh, am I only allowed to pick one? Impossible! My favourite three though were Scooby Doo, Count Duckula and Tin-Tin.

What is one of your favourite television shows of all time?

Buffy – well seasons 1-3 until Angel and Cordelia left and then Dawn arrived who I couldn’t stand and Buffy got a bit whiny so then I preferred Angel.

What film always makes you laugh?

Any of the American Pie movies.

Have you revisited one of your favourite films during lockdown? Which was it?

Loads! I’ve watched The Lost Boys, An American Werewolf In London, Beetlejuice, Crocodile Dundee, Jurassic Park, Scream, Jawbreaker, and that’s just to name a few.

What is one film that gives you the ‘creeps’?

The Skeleton Key, I don’t know why I find it creepier than other films though but I do.

What was one of the most memorable films you saw as a child?

The Wizard Of Oz and it’s still my absolute favourite film to this day. I never ever got sick so I never got days off school so one day my Mum decided to just give me a day off anyway and she’d bought the video and we had popcorn and sweets on the sofa!

What film do you love that you feel most people might not be aware of?

Jawbreaker, it’s a 1999 Darren Stein movie starring Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz and Judy Greer, it also has Jeff Conaway and Carol Kane in it and a small Marilyn Manson cameo. Such a great black comedy with an amazing cast but a lot of people haven’t heard of it!

What film scares you?

The Conjuring.

What was the last album you listened to?

Greatest Hits – Spice Girls , I was in the car.

What album do you never tire of listening to?

Impossible Princess – Kylie Minogue. it’s my favourite Kylie album, indie Kylie.

Can you remember what the first album you ever bought was?

Yes, It was Kylie by Kylie Minogue on cassette!

What is one of your most favourite locations you have filmed or performed in?

Linda Vista hospital in Culver City where we filmed Axe To Grind. I loved being in LA and the venue was huge, it had been out of use for years and was really creepy, there were old patient records strewn about the place and weird implements left behind. It was really fun exploring, I found the morgue . .

In your creative roles? What is the longest day that you’ve ever had?

About 16 hours but I’m always happy to keep going until the work is done!

Do you have any ‘props or keepsakes from any of your films or shows?

I have a few costume bits from various films, one of the phones from Serial Kaller and some Mannequin legs that I got from the Mannequin location, I’ve turned them in to a Wicked Witch Of The East table, well actually I don’t have a table top yet but I’ve painted the legs, they’re mottled green with black and white stripey socks and of course glittery ruby slippers.

Would you enjoy writing your autobiography? Would you find it a very difficult task?

I don’t know, who’d want to read it?

Let’s shine a light on some of your past work. Which of your projects are you most proud of?

Well Serial Kaller didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted it as the investment meant losing a lot of creative control but I’m proud I went from an idea in my head to a distributed film. It’s one I’d like to remake with my original script though . . .

What do you find the hardest part of your creative process?

Finding funding

What is one of the best pieces of advice you can remember being given?

Always make sure your underwear matches and your nail polish isn’t chipped – solid advice from my Nana and I live by it!

Do you read reviews of shows that you are in?

I have in the past but I take them with a pinch of salt, you can never please everyone and half of the people writing the reviews wouldn’t have a clue about acting themselves, their opinions don’t matter to me. (Obviously this doesn’t apply to the people who write nice ones )

When people ask you ‘so, what do you do?’ How do you introduce yourself?

Hi I’m Dani and I’m a unicorn.

What’s the first thing you do when you get on ‘set’

Find a cup of tea.

Do you prefer day shoots or night shoots?

Day, I struggle staying up late, I’m an earlybird.

When you are being interviewed Do you prefer ‘interviews’ face to face, over the phone/podcast or by email?

I don’t have a preference, with email however, it gives a bit more time to think about answers.

When a film or TV show comes out that you are in, what one person do you want to watch it first?

Usually my GBF, Marko, he gets angry if I die though.

Is there someone in the world who you would class as a role model?

Not really, I mean, there are people I admire for example, I’m a massive Kylie Minogue fan but I don’t want to be like her, I do something completely different. I think it’s important to be true to who you are, that’s what makes a person unique.

With regards to your own projects? What are you working on that you can tell me about?

I’m currently filming They Came From The Sky, I Saw Them and I am due to film Blood Demons and Falling For Venus later this year.

Out of all the projects you’ve done, which one do people seem to ask you the most about?

Probably Bad Moon Rising, asking when it’s going to be finished – I’ve had it sitting in edit for years, mostly my fault – it is nearly finished though, I promise!

Have you been injured whilst doing what you do?

Never.Injuries on set are unfortunately more common than they should be.

If you had to make a ‘bucket list’ of people you’d love to work with, tell me one name who would be on it?

Ooohhh, has to be Tim Burton!

Do you remember who got your first autograph?

Unknowingly, my teachers at school when I used to forge my Dad’s signature . . .

Have you ever gotten someone’s autograph? Which is the most memorable for you?

I did a 3 day horror con a few years ago and after the events a lot of the guests had drinks together so we all got to know each other and at the end of the last show, Gunnar Hansen asked if we could swap signed pics, he did the same with all the guests, he was such a lovely man, so gently spoken, so down to earth and just so nice, like a big cuddly Santa – with a chainsaw . . . He wrote a little note on it and signed it and I will treasure it forever.

Is there one person who you feel has made you are today?

There are actually five, Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty! The Spice Girls, I loved them when I was at high school and I fully credit them with giving me Girl Power! I intend to get a Girl Power tattoo at some point soon.

I was tweet chatting with Mick Garris (The Stand, Hocus Pocus) recently and asked him which name spring to mind when he thought ‘Oh MY God i’ve met them’ My reply was George A Romero (Night Of The Living Dead), Mick’s was Steven Speilberg. Who would yours be?

Timmy Mallet . . . I met him in a nightclub in Norwich once

If you can sit down with any one living person and chat to them for two hours? Who would you choose?

Kylie Minogue, we’d sit and have a girly gossip over a couple of bottles of her new rose wine!

What’s the most ‘starstruck’ you have been?

I don’t really get starstruck, people are just people. There are probably some with which I would but I don’t know.

What is one of the best pieces of advice you can remember being given? (and who gave it)

Never waste a minute of your day – it was my class 5 teacher at Primary School, Mrs Rische, she was my favourite teacher.

What is the ONE single coolest movie geek thing you own?

I have a copy of The Wizard Of Oz shooting script which includes deleted scenes.

Dani has also teamed up with Will Metheringham of Great Northern Hotel to present her debut album’Vamp’

The tracks have already been recorded and to complete the mixing and mastering side of things as well as CD printing, and album cover production an Indiegogo campaign has been launched.. Depending which perk you opt for , you can choose to pre order the album, snag a digital download of the album, there are posters and t shirt perks also available.

This crowdfunding campaign is a unique chance to be the first to get your hands on Dani’s debut album and you can click the link HERE

By supporting this campaign, you will be able to get your hands on the album first, months before the release on any other platforms like iTunes or Spotify etc.

You can find Dani on Twitter here https://twitter.com/MissDaniTeeze

Many thanks Dani for taking the time out to virtually chat. You can also see the conversation we have a few years ago right here!