Steampunk Granny's Interview with Actress Genoveva Rossi

                                                                   

I have met many talented people either through my Steampunk adventures or my Ghost Hunting adventures and I’ve learned so much from them. I became acquainted with the lovely and talented actress, Genoveva Rossi, through my interviews of Director Chris Eilenstine of The Soulless. I’m very happy to have Genoveva as a guest on my blog.

Marie Gilbert: “How did you get started in acting? Did you always want to be an actress?”

Genoveva Rossi: “This was something that had always interested me since I was very young as far back as nursery school, I was in school plays. In nursery school, I played a Lady Bug, but I don’t remember what I had to say, but I was very excited. I’ve always had that interest and by the time I got into college, I started doing some short dramatic films with college students that were working towards their film study majors and things like that and I was taking acting classes as well.

                                                                   

                                                                               

Then, one day awhile after I graduated from college someone Jennifer Valdes and Fallen Faith had posted on my Facebook wall that they were looking for people to star in a horror film and did I want to be in it. They wrote a part for me and I went out to Long Island to this old haunted house and farm and I played a sexy Satanist in Jack 'o' Slasher, my first horror movie and I met a lot of consistent people on the set of that film, especially, Director, James Balsamo.

                                                                        

 I did his next film, I Spill Your Guts, which actually got huge pretty quickly and James Balsamo became famous all over the world for that. James got didn’t know how big it was going to become and I didn’t know how big it was going to become in the horror genre, but I still get a lot of feedback at Conventions where people recognize me from that film. I also get fans messaging m from all over the film to ask about this film.

I was doing Zombie Hunters at that time and I was in episodes nine and ten as a National Guard soldier. I had met Patrick Devaney the director from Chiller Theatre that I’ve been going to since I was a kid. I asked him if him if he had a part for me and he said, “You know what I have a part for a soldier, which I haven’t cast yet and I was going to cast a man, but we’re living in a modern world where women are soldiers too, so why don’t I cast a woman and why don’t I cast you.” So, the part was given to me and I got to wear camouflage and I got to handle an M-16. This was so interesting and I had fun."

                                                                                     

Marie Gilbert: “This was a television series?”

Genoveva Rossi: “Yes it’s on Zombie Hunters: City of the Dead. It’s been going on for years and each episode is around thirty minutes. I was on episodes nine and ten and there’ll probably be some more episodes down the road as well.

Marie Gilbert: “Now, where can people find these episodes?”

Genoveva Rossi: “People can find them on FYE.com.  It goes on Public Access television stations on some parts of the country. You can Google it. I don’t think it’s on Netflix, but you can probably buy it. There are a lot of places that distribute it and you can buy it. It’s been around for a while and it’s very much like a soap opera and it follows so many different characters lives.”

Marie Gilbert: “You started acting right out of school and it looks like you do mostly horror.”

Genoveva Rossi:  “Yes, but as far as horror, I can go through my IMDb to tell you what isn’t horror. Sanctum Deep is actually a Sci-fi horror film directed by Geraldine Winters. We just shot that pretty recently and it’s been getting some press. Midnight Show is an interesting film and a collection of trailers of all kinds of movies and is more of a fantasy movie. Then we have The Soulless, which is more like a sci-fi drama. It has zombies in it, but it’s not really a horror film. Also, it doesn’t have crude language or sexuality in it and there is not going to be exclusive violence. I would call it a dramatic series with serious dramatic acting.”

                                                                            

                                                             

Marie Gilbert: “I did an interview on Director Christopher Eilenstein here and here and also with actor Joe Parascand on The Soulless and I was invited to the Premier of part one and I was very impressed with the movie. What part did you play in The Soulless?”

Genoveva Rossi: “In part one; I played a part of a zombie and also a person running from people. We don’t shoot on some days consecutively, but I’m a team player and I’ll to help when needed. I pop up as a member of ‘the soulless’ as a soldier, Charlotte Elling going around and killing zombies and trying to save the human race in parts 2 and 3. In fact I actually have a duel role in that I play Madam Serling, a fortune teller and she is in part three.

You don’t meet my characters until part two when we go away on location with the main characters. In part three, Madam Serling pops up and I play that character with a wig, make-up and a French accent and Christopher was impressed on how unrecognizable I was at being the same actor. He said that the people he showed this film to did not know it was me."

Marie Gilbert: That’s really neat.”

Genoveva Rossi: “Well it challenging for me as an actor. I didn’t know if I would be able to pull it off, but after Christopher shot it he said it actually came out better than he expected, which is what you want to hear as an actor.”

Marie Gilbert: “This opens your career up now because other people are recommending you, right?”

Genoveva Rossi: “Yes, that’s right. If things work out and you’re a good actor, you’re reliable and you have a good positive attitude, it gets around. In fact I was working on The Soulless when I got cast for Trailer Heaven, which is being directed by Michael Chartier and we’ve already starting shooting that film, but it’s not on my IMDb yet. Trailer Heaven stars Edward X Young, myself, Alan Rowe Kelly, and a whole bunch of other wonderful actors. I play a reporter in that film, Jennifer Devine.

The film is about a con artist played by Edward X Young who seeks sanctuary in a trailer park inhabited by cannibal transvestites”

Marie Gilbert: laughing says, “This is going to be a good movie.”

Genoveva Rossi: “It’s going to be amazing and thatstically done with the great acting and with the strong cinematography. What I’ve seen so far, it looks spectacular. I play Jennifer Devine as homage to the actress Divine  who acted in a bunch of John Waters' films.”

Marie Gilbert: “I know Devine. I love the actor. Thank you for doing part one of the interview, Genoveva and we'll continue with part two next week.

I have to end part one of the interview with Genoveva Rossi here, dear readers, but don't worry, Genoveva will be back next week to tell us more about her acting career.  

Life With Fred & Lucy Episode 32: Don't Kill Patty

                                                              

My sister Lucy, who was the youngest of Fred and Lucy’s spawn and, had somehow survived past her infancy in spite of her older siblings as told on this episode, had received a Patti PlayPal Doll for Christmas. Lucy was so happy to have a doll that was just her size. Lucy really loved that doll. Unfortunately, she lived in a dysfunctional home and Patti’s survival looked dim

Patty Play Pal

This doll was the big hit in 1961 and the best way for you to understand how big a deal it was to own a Patti PlayPal, is to see the commercial.

 

That year, my brother, Michael, had also received a Christmas gift that he’d been hoping good, ole, Santa would bring him. His gift was a Remco Science kit which held all kinds of scientific experiments. Michael was ready to play Dr. Frankenstein. A few days later, while Michael was setting up his diabolical laboratory, my mother was in the kitchen washing dishes.
                                                                  
                                                                     

                 Michael, Jane, Mom, unknown doll, Patty Play Pal and Little Lucy

Mom was at the sink and she wanted someone to dry the dishes. There was a mirror over the kitchen sink. To this day, I don’t know why my father would have hung a mirror over the kitchen sink, but I suspect it was to see what we were doing behind his back.
                                                                                    
                                                                      

                                              you can see the mirror over the sink

Unknown to Mom, Lucy left her Patti doll sitting at the kitchen table while she ran to the bathroom. Mom thinks it’s my sister sitting at the table and when Lucy ignored her request for help, my mother gave a "Gibbs smack to the back of the doll's head and it went flying off the chair. My mother let out a scream thinking she had seriously hurt little Lucy.

Little Lucy had just returned to the kitchen to see Patti lying on the floor. “You killed Patti!” Lucy cried out, but luckily Patti wasn't damaged. That would soon change with my brother planning his first experiment.                                                                      

My sister Lucy came home from school one day to find a badly scarred Patti sitting on her bed. There were stiches drawn in permanent ink across her face, arms and legs and one of her eyes was a bit crooked. “Mikeeeeey,” she screamed in horror.

                                                                          

My brother came running into the bedroom wearing a white lab coat and holding a pen knife. When Lucy, who was in tears, asked why he broke her doll, his reply was, “I saved the patient.”

My father gave the good doctor a spanking and tried to undo the damage to Patti, but she was destined to remain a character from a horror movie.  Lucy refused to play with her doll in public. It was too painful explaining to her little friends that our family was more like the Addams Family. Later that year, Patti lost a limb during another one of Michael’s experiment. Patti was finally put to rest in doll heaven, better known as the basement.
                                                               

 I'm writing an apocalyptic series and in the first book, Roof Oasis, one of my characters is a robot. I named her Patty in honor of Lucy’s doll, but unlike my sister's doll, no one can hurt this Patty. She’s armed.

My Interview with Intertainment Hub

                                                                      

I'm so excited. My friends at Intertainment Hub interviewed me on their show and we had fun talking about my apocalypse book, Roof Oasis, ghost hunting, zombies and Steampunk. I was even invited to play a game with the two fabulous hosts. They were so friendly that I wasn't nervous at all. If you get a chance, go to their site on Twitter https://twitter.com/IntertainHub  Follow them on Facebook too. https://www.facebook.com/IntertainmentHub


Thank you Scarlett and Nathan from Intertainment Hub. You rock!!

Bombshell Pinups at the SoHa Arts Building

                                                                         

 

 

I’ve written about my marvelous friend, Mandy, of Bombshell Pinups before, and I recently wrote about my grandson Nathan participating in a class about DNA at the SoHa Arts Building…folks you need to check this place out!

                                                                        

Mandy has her photography studio inside the SoHa and she has all kinds of specials coming up. Right now, Mandy is doing photo shoots on the Maleficent character portrayed so deliciously by Angelina Jolie in the Disney film. Here is Mandy holding two of the headpieces that you can choose from when you go to have your photo done. Check out that dragon throne. I love it.

                                                                                 

                                                                         

When I needed an author’s photo for the back cover of my apocalypse novella, there was only one person I would trust with this task and it was Mandy. This is the picture I went for and I have received so many compliments from people who have bought my book. Thank you Mandy!
                                                                                  

Here are some upcoming photo shoots that Bombshell Pinups has planned.

Maleficent photo shoot until the end of June

Housewife special for July.

                                                                               

Where you get to dress in vintage clothing and pose in a vintage Kitchen scene. Mandy has a large selection of clothing to choose from. She also does your make-up for the shoot

                                                                          

                                                                     

Mandy is also working on her Tarot Cards photo shoot complete with wardrobe to depict the different scenes normally seen on Tarot Cards. This sounds so exciting. She also has plans for a Alice in Wonderland scene, Carnival scene, Halloween Special photo shoot and a Christmas Special photo shoot.

                                                                               

What a wonderful gift to get for your sweetheart or husband! A picture of your dressed sensually in vintage clothing against a vintage background. So check out Bombshell Pinups and make someone happy.

Right now, for anyone interested in Steampunk, Mandy is selling her Steampunk Grandfather Clock. Contact Mandy if interested.

Who's Afraid of Friday the 13th ?

                                                                        

                                                                           

No I’m not talking the one with Jason the slasher killing machine from the Friday the 13^th films, but the actual day. I was born on a Friday the 13^th and although the world may have gone a bit off-kilter that day, I’ve always felt lucky when a Friday and the number 13 were together on the calendar. This year promised an extra zap to the day with the full moon falling on Friday. Was I afraid? Hell no. I make my own luck.

But, I had the other members of the monthly meeting of Goddesses coming over for a night of fresh percolated coffee, wine and snacks to discuss the poor state of the world, moving plans for one of the ladies, and my book launch for Roof Oasis, which is on June 29^th at 1 p.m. at the Treehouse Coffee House in Audubon, New Jersey. Janice Wilson, Patti O'Brien, and Joanne Costantino are  not only members of the South Jersey Writers' Group, but accomplished writers. Patti edited my book.

                                                      Janice, Patti, me and Joanne                                   

We toasted to our individual accomplishments, our families and life itself. We know how to solve the world’s problems, but it would require lobotomies for all of congress and most of the world leaders. We talked about the dangerous ways that corporations are destroying our drinking water and genetically messing with our food and then getting huffy when people or states, like Vermont, want to stop Monsanto from forcing us to eat their crap. Check it out for yourself: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronnie-cummins/monsanto-and-big-food-los_b_5161220.html

We four women did not fear superstition. We are Goddesses. We each hold true to our personal beliefs and trust in them. But it was a special day because the next time a full moon lands on a Friday the 13^th will be in the year 2049. 

                                                                              

The ladies and I went into my backyard with wine glasses in hand and we danced under the moon. We celebrated our silliness, our friendship, my book and life itself. If you’re still around in 2049, drop by and dance under the light of the moon with us 

Life with Fred and Lucy, Episode 31: Street Smarts

                                                                               

How does one acquire street smarts? If you have parents with a bad case of OCD and paranoia, the answer is easy; trust no one. My father was a survivor of “The Great Depression” and my mother moved here from Naples, Italy right as Mussolini was in power and becoming chummy with Hitler, so they saw things that probably stayed with them for a long time.

My father could tell by a person’s body language if they were up to no good. Every once in a while, when a customer entered our store, Fred would say to us four kids, “Keep an eye on him or her. They’re going to steal something.”

                                                                   

 

Since I usually played the role of ‘Devil’s Advocate’ I would quickly counter with, “But…dad, they go to school with us. I don’t think they’re like that.”

“Just watch,” my father would snap back his reply, folding his arms in confirmation. Damn! He was right. I would watch from a hidden section of the story and see friends and neighbors that I knew or thought I knew, pocket candy or cakes, rolls, etc. into coat pockets or purses.

My father was a fountain of behavior profiling before it was ever a science or used by law enforcement agencies. These are just a few of his theories: Always check their eyes; If they won’t look you in the eye, they’re hiding something; If they keep glancing around as if nervous, they’re getting ready to do something bad; If they keep clearing their throats when speaking to you, they are in the act of lying.

                    The sisters practicing self-defense on each other                                          

 

Why were Fred and Lucy always on target? It was a gift. With my mom, I think it had to do with her psychic abilities and with Fred maybe it was the horror of growing up during very hard times. My father said he could usually tell if a person was ‘missing a few days of the week’ (the code for knuckleheads) by looking at their eyes. There were so many times that my father and I would argue because he didn’t like one of my friends. “Keep away from that kid! There’s something wrong with them.” Fred was usually right about the friends that he didn’t like, but at the time I was too angry to appreciate his attempts to protect me.

The behavior profiling didn’t stop in the store. My parents were always telling us kids how to be aware of your surroundings while away from home. Here is a list of Fred and Lucy’s truisms: Always keep looking behind you when walking on the street; if you’re suspicious about someone who is approaching you; cross the street and then walk quickly away; lock your car door as soon as you get into the car; hold your purse close to your body; if there is a group heading your way, and you’re afraid, then walk into the street.

I wondered if walking into oncoming traffic was wise, but Fred had an answer for that too. “If you have to get hit by a car to keep from getting dragged into the bushes; do it.” Since we did not have bushes in South Philly, I kind of ignored that bit of advice, but it did come in handy years later.                                                                     

We kids became street wise and there were dangerous situations that we were able to avoid or get away from because of the lessons learned from Fred and Lucy. I passed these lessons on to my daughter, and she to her children.
                                                                   

Recently, my youngest grandson was being followed by a white pick-up truck. It could have been innocent, but… he was nervous. It didn’t seem right that the truck would drive real slow as it followed him home for almost two weeks. ReRe notified the police who took down the information. Was that enough for my daughter and I? Hell no!
                                                                        

My daughter and I began our stake-out. We had coffee, cameras, and dark sunglasses. We were ready for the white pick-up.  We would watch as Nathan left the school to walk home; wait a few minutes to see if anyone followed and then we tailed Nathan until he reached home.

                          We were trying to be like Cagney and Lacey                                          

 We did this for several weeks and collected a few suspicious license plate numbers for the police. We may have scared the shit out of the men in that white pick-up, because Nathan hasn’t seen the truck since we began our stake-out.  The investigation is still on going, but to make sure Nathan was 'street smart ready', I re-stated my parent’s warnings.

Be Street Smart and pass it down.

Bloody Boo Boo's & History Done Funny

                                                        

For those of my readers that already don’t know this about me, I’m a member of the Zombie Squad. That said, I’ve made sure that my house is equipped and ready to ‘Bug In’ and in case I need to leave the house; I have a ‘Bug Out’ bag.

Every home should be equipped with the needed supplies to survive at least for two weeks in case of a major disaster; think of hurricane Katrina, or more recently, Sandy. If a disaster occurs, be it natural or human, you might not be able to count on the Government to get to you in time. Be Prepared! I have all my supplies, plus a generator in case we lose power for long periods. I'm all set, but I needed to update my 'Bug Out' bag so I purchased a small axe and a good compass. Did I mention that I'm accident prone? I am, and when I tried to take off the leather case that covered the axe, I almost took off my thumb.

                                                                 

It took a very long time to stop the bleeding. My husband was not amused. “You’re going to kill yourself before the first zombie makes an appearance.” He might be right. I finally stopped the bleeding after what seemed like forever and then wrapped my thumb in three Band-Aids.

                                                                    

                                                                                                  

I had plans to go out with my friend and editor, Patti O’Brien, to visit with her friends, Trish and Andy Maunder of Philly Tour Hub, which is the umbrella organization for Awfully Nice Tours, Urban Adventures and Philly by Segway.

                                                                     

Andy Maunder

You can check out everything they have to offer at: http://www.awfullynicetours.com/Home.aspx It was their grand opening at a new site and the Maunders, on this special occasion were presenting a free show called "History Done Funny" www.historydonefunny.com  by the fabulous team of Owen Timoney and Kaylah Fitzgerald.

                                                                      

                                               Kaylah Fitzgerald and Owen Timoney

Owen and Kaylah, who are part of the Madcap Theater, put on two shows this past Friday night. I love History, but it was so much fun to hear Owen and Kaylah tell the story of our country's beginnings. They did a great job of explaining important events with humor, costumes, music, and the participation of the audience.

                                                                        

 

Patti and I were not only fortunate to be part of the audience, but we even had bit parts in the show. I got to play George Washington and Patti played a proper British woman. We had a ball. Owen and Kaylah were amazing.

                                                                           

 

                                                            

After the show, Patti and I enjoyed the sights and sounds of  Philly's First Friday Event  http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/first-friday/ There were vendors, musicians, and artists selling their wares and the night was alive with excitement. You have to go to the next First Friday Event. You won't be sorry. Patti and I even had our faces painted. Meow!!!

                                                                 

Before heading home, we stopped into a store known for its excellent ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. Patti had a milkshake while I did a mini ghost investigation. I sensed a spirit there, and one of the staff did confirm some strange occurrences. Patti was surprised that I had sensed the spirit, but the dead always find me. The man (ghost) had worked as a sailor when alive. Why he was haunting the ice cream store, I'm not sure. Didn't have time to do a good investigation, but if I was going to haunt anything, it would be an Ice Cream store:)

                                                                        

I'll be back at the Philly Tour Hub soon, to promote my apocalyptic book, Roof Oasis, which you can buy from Amazon. My granddaughter will be visiting me from Sheridan Wyoming and I know just the place to take her for a Segway ride through the city. Check out Philly Tour Hub and book an adventure. You won't be sorry.

Happy Accidents

                                                                                    

I don’t remember seeing the trailers for this film when it premiered in 2000, but I’m glad that I got to see it this week. This film was written and directed by Brad Anderson and stars Marissa Tomei, Vincent D’onofrio, Holland Taylor, Jose Zuniga and Nadia Dajani. Sometimes, my insomnia has its benefits.

Plot

Ruby Weaver (Marissa Tomei) lives in New York and has a knack for dating losers. She’s seeing a Therapist played by the delightful actress, Holland Taylor, who is known for her cutting edge wit on Two and a Half Men. She plays Charlie (Charlie Sheen) and Alan’s (Jon Cryer) mother on the show.

                                                                      

 

Ruby has to set boundaries and take care of her own needs and show concern for others. She is having a hard time with this exercise, when she meets Sam Deed (Vincent D’Onofrio) who claims that he is from Dubuque Iowa on the Atlantic Coast. Yeah, that slip makes Ruby curious and after much prodding, Sam admits that he is from the future 2470

                                                                      

                                                                          

His time is a world where the ice caps have melted and Iowa is the new coastline. Children are not begotten by conventional ways but cloned by corporations. Sam’s parents live on a reservation and produced Sam the old fashion way via sex. He tells Ruby he’s there to save her life. Ruby loves Sam and so does her parents, but is Sam telling the truth or is he a little crazy? Ruby doesn’t know and on top of this quandary, she thinks Sam is cheating on her with someone called Christie Delancey.
                                                                              

The supporting cast includes: Jose Zuniga a co-worker of Sam’s, Nadia Dajani a close friend of Ruby’s, Tovah Fedlshuh as Ruby’s mother. Anthony Michael Hall makes a guest appearance as himself. The film is humorous science fiction, but it is done well and received positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, and received 3 out of 4 stars by Robert Ebert.

Conclusion

I liked the movie and highly recommend it and give it a 4 star rating.

Life with Fred & Lucy, Episode 30: Robert Hall

                                                       

Back in the day, during the late 50’s and early 60’s, shopping for our family’s clothing was limited to three particular areas: The shops on 7^th street between Ritner and Snyder, Lit Brothers Department Store at 8^th and Market Streets or Robert Hall Clothing Store near 24^th and Oregon Ave.

A trip on the trolley to Lit Brothers was always a special treat because Lit Brothers had a larger selection of clothing to choose from and that meant that Jane and I had more leverage with mom. My mother, who always bought and dressed in the latest fashions, seemed to lose all sense of style when it came to buying clothes for her pre-teenaged daughters. You can tell by the above picture that I was not at all happy with my outfit, and in fact, tried to hide among my cousins.

                                                                

 

Michael and Lucy being younger didn’t mind as much, but Jane and I dreaded every shopping adventure with mom. She always bought clothing that was too big, and when we complained, she would quickly counter with, “You’ll get more wear out of it.”

More wear? Like...did she expect us to keep the dress for our 80^th birthday? She did this with shoes too. I’ve often wondered if my siblings' and my classmates thought that we had a genetic condition with our walking because we clumped around in our shoes, but... according to Lucy, “You’ll get more wear out of it.”

                                                                     

 

Mom also liked to buy things in duplicates and triplicates, for example, if she liked a particular sundress then she would buy the same dress for Jane, Lucy and me. We weren’t triplets or twins, but mom wanted us to look the same. How wonderful! Jane, Lucy and I looked like refugees; all wearing the same dress that were two sizes larger than they needed to be…you know to get more wear out of it.

Although we would make the trip to Lit Brothers and 7^th street at least once a year, my mother’s favorite store was Robert Hall. It was in walking distance, ten city blocks away, and the clothes were more affordable according to mom. Maybe my mom liked the jingle for the store. Here is a sample.
 

 

One particular summer, my mother had bought Jane, Lucy and me the shorts and tops we would need for our two week vacation from our crazy parents and the grocery store. Mom had packed our clothing into the metal trunks without us seeing what she bought and sent us off to St. Monica’s Summer Camp.

                                                                  

Robert Hall must have been having one hell of a freaking great sale on red and blue shorts because Mom bought Jane and I five exact shorts all the same color…five…exact…shorts. Lucy was spared only because they didn’t carry the style in her size. Nothing like being teased at camp because the kids thought you and your sister were wearing the same clothing over and over. I still have nightmares about that summer.

                                                                

I hated this dress!!!! Can you tell?

 

Once Jane and I were in high school and going to Newman’s dances, we began to argue with mom about the clothing she was trying to force on us. The last time my mom bought clothing for me, we were in one of the dressing rooms at Robert Hall. I hated the dress. Mom liked it. I threw it on the floor. She hauled off and smacked me…but in the end I had won the battle and she didn’t get the dress.

                                                                 

      

Jane in a dress she bought with her own money

                                                             

Jane and I began buying our clothing with our allowance money from working the store. We no longer worried about wearing clothing that hung on us or was outdated. The clothes Jane and I shopped for were always in style and more importantly, they fit.
 

                                                               

                                            

Rere with an outfit she picked out

 

I vowed that I would never force my fashion style on my daughter, and I didn’t. Rere was pretty savvy on clothing style as young as four years old and she would often pick out her own clothing whenever we went shopping. But…some things never change. On one of my yearly visits to see my mother, who was then living in Napa California, she took my daughter and me clothes shopping. Mom had found a beautiful dress that she wanted Rere to try it on.

It was two sizes bigger and definitely nothing Rere would wear; my daughter was a tomboy, but Mom persisted on buying it. I was about to say something, but Rere beat me to it. “Grandmom, it's not going to happen.”

                                                                  

 

“Okay, pick out something you like instead.” And just like that, my mother let her granddaughter pick an outfit she wanted to wear.

Who was this woman?