SoCal spotlight: Denise Gossett
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Published by Sareth Ney on Jan. 23, 2017 at 2:41 a.m.
Updated on Jan. 24, 2017 at 11:52 p.m. |
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Photo credit: Kenny Selko
LOS ANGELES – Denise Gossett is the festival director and producer of Shriekfest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition. She is an actress too.
Gossett took time out to answer some questions with Sareth Ney of A Quarter and a Dream Pictures.
Sareth Ney (SN): What inspired you to form Shriekfest and what are the origins?
Denise Gossett (DG): 18 years ago I starred in a horror film and wanted the producer to enter it into horror festivals and was told there weren't any, so, that is how I came up with the idea! I was shocked there weren't any! Being a huge horror fan my whole life I had to do something about it.
SN: Who are some of your favorite filmmakers of Shriekfest’s past and why?
DG: Oh gosh, that is a tough question! I have met such amazing people through the years, they are all wonderful. But, if you make me single some out it would be Gregg Bishop, Mike Flanagan, Russell Emanuel, John Fitzpatrick, the list goes on and on and the reason they stood out to me was because they were so professional and kind, real go getters, and of course, talented!
SN: If you could work alongside any filmmaker (past or present), which one would you choose and why?
DG: I would probably pick Steven Spielberg, just because he's so talented and I grew up watching his films! Of course, I'd work with Mel Gibson again any day. He's an expert at telling stories.
SN: If you could go back in time and work on a film set, which one would you like to work on and why?
DG: “Gone with the Wind” or “The Wizard of Oz”. Such classics and such amazing sets and talent.
SN: What inspired you to be an actress?
DG: It has been my desire since I was a little girl...not really sure why, I am the most alive when I am acting.
SN: Which actress would you have depict you in a biopic and why?
DG: Hmm, not sure on that one, all of the actors that come to mind are older than me. :)
SN: Which other horror films and science fictions films would you recommend someone to check out and why?
DG: This is tough because I love so many! “The Descent”, it's creepy and a great female cast. “Time Lapse”, a past Shriekfest winner, because it's a fabulous story!
SN: What advice do you have for independent filmmakers, actors and actresses?
DG: My advice to all creatives is to never give up! Write your goals down, break them down into manageable steps and do it every day! Persistence is key! Learn your craft daily. Work hard.
SN: Where do you see your film career, in the next five years?
DG: Exploding!
SN: Other than being an actress, festival director and producer—which other parts of the film industry would you like to be part of (directing, producing, writing, etc.)?
DG: I may get into more producing of my own projects.
SN: After the spectators attend Shriekfest and have viewed the movies you were in, what experience would you like for them to take away from them?
DG: I want everyone to come to Shriekfest and have a blast! Feel welcomed like a family member and feel inspired. After seeing my movies, I want others to feel better about their day and to have inspiration to start their own projects.
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
DG: Shriekfest at www.shriekfest.com, on twitter and Facebook. Denise Gossett at IMDb.com, twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Gossett took time out to answer some questions with Sareth Ney of A Quarter and a Dream Pictures.
Sareth Ney (SN): What inspired you to form Shriekfest and what are the origins?
Denise Gossett (DG): 18 years ago I starred in a horror film and wanted the producer to enter it into horror festivals and was told there weren't any, so, that is how I came up with the idea! I was shocked there weren't any! Being a huge horror fan my whole life I had to do something about it.
SN: Who are some of your favorite filmmakers of Shriekfest’s past and why?
DG: Oh gosh, that is a tough question! I have met such amazing people through the years, they are all wonderful. But, if you make me single some out it would be Gregg Bishop, Mike Flanagan, Russell Emanuel, John Fitzpatrick, the list goes on and on and the reason they stood out to me was because they were so professional and kind, real go getters, and of course, talented!
SN: If you could work alongside any filmmaker (past or present), which one would you choose and why?
DG: I would probably pick Steven Spielberg, just because he's so talented and I grew up watching his films! Of course, I'd work with Mel Gibson again any day. He's an expert at telling stories.
SN: If you could go back in time and work on a film set, which one would you like to work on and why?
DG: “Gone with the Wind” or “The Wizard of Oz”. Such classics and such amazing sets and talent.
SN: What inspired you to be an actress?
DG: It has been my desire since I was a little girl...not really sure why, I am the most alive when I am acting.
SN: Which actress would you have depict you in a biopic and why?
DG: Hmm, not sure on that one, all of the actors that come to mind are older than me. :)
SN: Which other horror films and science fictions films would you recommend someone to check out and why?
DG: This is tough because I love so many! “The Descent”, it's creepy and a great female cast. “Time Lapse”, a past Shriekfest winner, because it's a fabulous story!
SN: What advice do you have for independent filmmakers, actors and actresses?
DG: My advice to all creatives is to never give up! Write your goals down, break them down into manageable steps and do it every day! Persistence is key! Learn your craft daily. Work hard.
SN: Where do you see your film career, in the next five years?
DG: Exploding!
SN: Other than being an actress, festival director and producer—which other parts of the film industry would you like to be part of (directing, producing, writing, etc.)?
DG: I may get into more producing of my own projects.
SN: After the spectators attend Shriekfest and have viewed the movies you were in, what experience would you like for them to take away from them?
DG: I want everyone to come to Shriekfest and have a blast! Feel welcomed like a family member and feel inspired. After seeing my movies, I want others to feel better about their day and to have inspiration to start their own projects.
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
DG: Shriekfest at www.shriekfest.com, on twitter and Facebook. Denise Gossett at IMDb.com, twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.
