Interview: Actress Becca Hirani on her work in House on Elm Street

indieactivity: When did your film career kick off and how?
Becca: My film career kicked off shortly after arriving in London in 2014 – I had been living in the North of England, studying Performing Arts and doing theatre gigs up until this point when I decided I wanted to take part in film. I did some on screen acting courses and training to get myself equipped, then started making my own little projects with collaborators to get the credits going.

indieactivity: You’ve headlined a few movies now, how daunting was it being promoted to lead actress?
Becca: The first time, was very daunting, I was very scared and over analysing everything in pre production because I felt out of my depth and doubted myself – whether I could carry the film and be responsible as the lead catalyst in the directors story. Once you get on set though, there is no time to worry or over think, you just have to set your sights on the task at hand and go for it trusting in your ability and that you’ve done enough prep. You have to keep up the energy and momentum going for a whole shoot, where you will rarely get a minute off screen as the leading role so once you’re there, it become less daunting.

indieactivity: What was your first starring role?
Becca: The first leading role I ever did was Frankie in FOX TRAP which has just very recently got a US release and will be out in the UK later this year – ironically it is the first feature length distributed film I shot, but one of the last to get released.

indieactivity: I imagine Darker Shades of Elise was a big release for you? Have you started to be recognized since its release?
Becca: Yes, it was a big release – I wasn’t quite sure where it would go or what would happen with it. I haven’t been recognised but I have been lucky enough to receive some nice fan mail and fan social media messages from people since this movie, who claim to have watched and enjoyed it!

indieactivity: And the same filmmakers made House on Elm Lake, I believe?
Becca: Yes, that is correct, same production company and writer but a different team and director.

indieactivity: And just how different is that film to Darker Shades?
Becca: Oh very different. The genre is completely different and the way it has been created, you can really see a different style between the directors.

indieactivity: How similar to your character are you?
Becca: I guess I am similar to Hayley in a lot of ways, but there are definite differences as well. I personally, am very close to my family and friends, so I think the value Hayley places on her family and her love for them is certainly something I can relate to heavily. There were moments where I had to take liberties with my connection to her though: in the example of her being a Mother for instance. I don’t have children myself but Penny plays a huge part in Hayley’s life and their relationship is closely played out in the film. It was important for me to try to relate the journey Hayley takes as a Mother to something similar in my life that I have a comparative emotional connection to, so you would believe their relationship and Hayley’s love for her daughter

indieactivity: Do you think it helps to be a fan of horror films if you’re in?
Becca: I think it helps, certainly! Because you can have an appreciation for what the audience might come into this film expecting to see and what they might want from the film. For horror, it’s all about the beats, whether to slow it out or speed it up to create the effect you want for any suspenseful moments or action sequences – being a fan you can hopefully learn from previous films you’ve seen where this has and hasn’t worked to get it right.

indieactivity: What’s your favorite horror film of all time?
Becca: That is so tough! It’s a question I have given a lot of thought but never been able to come up with an answer. It may be a bit of a cliche but the Sixth Sense rattled my mind as a youngster – I have a huge appreciation for a good mystery and plot twist in films. And that, combined with the scary one liners, great acting and jump scares throughout was a great all round horror movie for me.

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