Junie Liv Thomasson, turning 13 this year, began her acting journey at a young age, making her first horror movie at just 6 years old. She has since built an impressive resume in indie horror, with roles in films like Ghosts of Amityville, I Think We’re Alone Now, Alien Goddess, Alien Goddess, Ouija Clown and Don’t Make a Sound.
Her two newest films are now in the spotlight: Don’t Make a Sound is currently available on streaming, and later this year, The Arkansas Pigman Massacre will be released, featuring veteran actor Eric Roberts as her on-screen father. With her growing list of credits and dedication to the genre, Junie Liv continues to make her mark in the world of low-budget horror.
indieactivity: What’s it like on low-budget horror movies? What acting techniques do you use on such projects?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): Making low-budget horror movies can be really fun and really demanding at times. One technique I use when acting scared or out of breath is jumping up and down before a take. It forces my breathing to become more erratic, making it look and feel more natural for the scene. It also helps get my adrenaline pumping.
What’s it like on low-budget indie-horror movies? What are the big challenges you face with limited resources?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): Working on indie horror movies is super exciting but can be tough too. Shooting can take longer, and we often need to do a lot of takes. We get creative with camera angles and sound effects to make everything come to life. It’s hard work, but it’s fun!
Having done several horror projects before, how did your experience on Don’t Make a Sound and The Arkansas Pigman Massacre compare? Which of these two newest films was the most demanding for you as an actor, and why? How long were the shoot times for each project?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): Don’t Make a Sound and The Arkansas Pigman Massacre were different, but Don’t Make a Sound was definitely harder to shoot. The shooting took a lot longer, and we had to put in way more effort to get everything just right. The character in Don’t Make a Sound was more challenging to play because it involved a lot of focus and intensity during the scenes. In comparison, The Arkansas Pigman Massacre had a faster pace and was a bit more fun.
How’d you get into character? Do you have a usual method or process for turning a character from the script into someone real?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): To get into character, I like to really throw myself into the scene and react how I’d feel if I were in that situation, especially during intense moments like a violent scene. I find that helps keep things real. I focus on the emotions and physical reactions that match the character’s experiences. For dramatic moments, I tap into how the character would feel and let that drive my performance.
Looking back, which scene in one of your movies was the most difficult to film, and which one ended up being the most fun or rewarding?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): The most difficult scene to film was the one with the sledgehammer in Don’t Make a Sound. There was blood everywhere, and we had to do a lot of retakes to make sure everything looked just right, which made it physically intense. Also, in one of my upcoming projects, Amityverse, there was a scene where I had to hyperventilate a lot, and it made me feel ill. The most fun scene was in Ouija Clown, where I had to scream really loud, and that was actually very fun to do.
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): What keeps me going is the hope of being in a big-budget movie or a show one day. I love the challenge of playing different kinds of characters and learning something new with each project. It makes all the hard work worth it!
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): I loved working with the actress who played Hailey in Don’t Make a Sound because she’s my best friend, and we had so much fun together. We really bounced off each other’s energy, which made our scenes feel natural and exciting. I wish I had more scenes with her. We had so much fun together on set.
Having worked on several low-budget horror films, what’s the biggest lesson or takeaway you’ve gained from these productions? How has the experience shaped you as an actor or influenced your approach to future projects?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): I’ve learned that it’s not as easy as it seems, and it takes a lot of hard work. It’s taught me that the more I act, the better I get. Working on these low-budget horror films has made me really appreciate the effort that goes into every detail, and it’s helped me become more creative and adaptable as an actor. For future projects, I’d like to focus on more character-driven roles rather than necessarily physically demanding ones.
What is next for you?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): Besides Don’t Make a Sound that’s already out, I have The Arkansas Pigman Massacre coming out later this year, as well as Amityverse. I also have another horror project, but I’m not sure when that will start filming yet.
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on your project?
Junie Liv Thomasson (JLT): y advice would be to be patient and find a balance in your performance. Try not to overact, but don’t underact either. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your character feels real and authentic. Also, trust the process—things might take time, but it’ll all come together in the end.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Junie Liv Thomasson. What do you think of it? What ideas did you get? Do you have any suggestions? Or did it help you? Let’s have your comments below and/or on Facebook or Instagram! Or join me on Twitter.
Socials
IMDb
ACTOR INTERVIEWS
