Actor Jessica Morris Talks About Her New Movie Art of the Dead

The 411 Interview: Jessica Morris

Jessica Morris is an actor, writer, producer, and director who has been working in show business since the 1990’s, with credits in both movies and television, including a lengthy run on the soap opera One Life to Live (check out her full imdb.com page here). Morris’s latest movie is the awesome horror flick Art of the Dead, directed by Rolfe Kanefsky and featuring Tara Reid and Richard Grieco and is now available on DVD and various Video On Demand portals including Amazon, Comcast Xfinity InDemand, Charter, Cox, and others. In this interview Morris talks with this writer about making Art of the Dead, her character Gina Wilson, her career, and more.

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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Art of the Dead?

Jessica Morris: Rolfe sent me a message, asking me to come in and read for the role. So I did:)

BK: How did you approach your character Gina Wilson?

JM: Gina is a kind, generous wife and mom but gets influenced negatively by the paintings. I think even the nicest people get affected by outside influences at times. So I just thought of it as temptations that she gets fixated on and also that she is in a sort of trance or dreamlike state from the painting.

BK: What was it like working with director Rolfe Kanefsky?

JM: Rolfe knows exactly what he wants but also gives you the freedom to play and try different things, which is really great.

BK: What was it like working with co-star Lukas Hassel, who plays your husband Dylan Wilson?

JM: Lukas is a very giving actor. He’s very present and down to have fun. Also, he is just a good guy and someone that I felt very comfortable working with, even during scenes that could have been awkward.

BK: What was the hardest part of making Art of the Dead for you as an actor?

JM: The love scene with the goat was weird for me. It was definitely a first and it was quite difficult to pretend that I like having a big, hairy, sweaty creature gyrating on top of me. I don’t even really date men with hairy chests.

BK: Over the years you’ve worked in both movies and in television, including a lengthy run on the soap opera One Life to Live. How has the business changed since you started and do you have a preference for movies or TV or is it all pretty much the same?

JM: Well, self-tape auditions never used to be a thing. I kind of like them, though. I like working in television because it’s slightly more stable. You become very bonded with a cast and crew on a project, whether it’s a movie or a show. But on a show, you get more time with the group, sometimes many years, and you become a family. I love that. But movies can be exciting because he keep more of an opportunity to portray many different characters.

BK: How did you get involved with Sex Sent Me to the ER?

JM: My producer friend, Justin Jones, brought me on to that show. Utter silliness.

BK: Do you enjoy working in the horror genre?

JM: I do! There is something oddly satisfying about being on a set, covered in fake blood and tears.

BK: According to imdb you directed on episode of the web series Jax + James. Is directing something you want to pursue?

JM: Maybe more down the road. Right now my passions are mainly acting and writing. I’m still kind of a quiet person and taking charge of a set is a bit out of my introspective comfort zone. But we’ll see…

BK: Any moviemaking heroes?

JM: I do love to see more female directors. I’m fully supportive of more women stepping up to the plate in this way and it is very encouraging.

BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

JM: I have a Christmas movie coming out this holiday season called A Mermaid for Christmas. I play the mermaid. It’s a polar opposite to Art of the Dead.

BK: Should there be an Art of the Dead 2?

JM: Absolutely!

BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Art of the Dead?

JM: I hope that they are entertained and that they can escape into the imaginary world of the paintings as well.

BK: Would you want any of the paintings from Art of the Dead hanging in your house, and if so which ones?

JM: They all look pretty creepy to me. I’m not sure if it’s just knowing the story but I think I would be able to tell that they were cursed.

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A very special thanks to Jessica Morris for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.

Purchase Art of the Dead on DVD here.

Check out the official Art of the Dead Facebook page here.

Check out Jessica Morris’s Facebook page here

First image from Jessica Morris’s Facebook page. All other images courtesy of ITN Distribution, Inc.