Movies & TV / Columns

Eden Shea Beck On Her New Film Paranormal Attraction, Working in the Horror Genre

August 11, 2020 | Posted by Bryan Kristopowitz

The 411 Interview: Eden Shea Beck

Eden Shea Beck is an actress who has been appearing, according to imdb, in short and feature films since at least 2014. Beck has appeared in such short films as Before It’s Too Late and Grit and has appeared in such feature films as My BFF Satan and Boy Genius. Beck’s latest feature film is the supernatural horror flick Paranormal Attraction, directed by Alexander T. Hwang. In this interview, Beck talks with this writer about making Paranormal Attraction, her character Kelly, working with the cast, working in the horror genre, and more.

Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Paranormal Attraction?

Eden Shea Beck: I responded to an actor/director Facebook group post that Alex sent out. Turned in a video submission for the role of Kelly and I think one other and then found out I got the part of Kelly. 🙂

BK: How did you approach your character Kelly? Did you have any interest in the occult before taking on the character?

ESB: After reading the script, Kelly really resonated with a part of me. I found the parts of myself that were similar to her and brought those out. It was pretty easy to find after reading the script and getting Alex’s character description of Kelly. Basically I took the approach of a more unfiltered version of myself.

I wouldn’t say I have any expertise or experience in the occult but it is something that I always found interesting. I have always been open to learning more about the supernatural, but not completely sure I am a 100% believer. Definitely not a doubter though!

BK: What was it like working with director Alexander T. Hwang?

ESB: So great! He did a great job of helping me get into the mindset of Kelly, her relationship to the other characters, and what was expected for each scene. I felt like he really trusted my choices and me with the role of Kelly, which made me feel really comfortable on set and allowed me to really explore the character and play with different choices in each scene.

BK: What was it like working with Brooklyn Haley, who plays Kelly’s best friend Sara?

ESB: Brooklyn was great! She had a lot of pressure as the lead and I think she did an amazing job. She was super professional and upped the level of professionalism on set. Brooklyn is a sweetheart and I feel like we really bonded towards the end of shooting.

BK: What was it like working with Hunter Johnson, who plays Kelly’s boyfriend Nick? You have terrific chemistry together as a couple. Was that chemistry easy to create?

ESB: Thank you! Yeah, Hunter was awesome to work with! He is such a natural on set and explored with a lot of improv in each scene which I thought was really impressive. He is so easy to connect with as he has an ease, openness, and a great sense of humor. I really enjoyed working with him!

BK: What was the hardest scene for you, as an actor, in Paranormal Attraction? What was the easiest?

ESB: Hmm I would say the scenes that required a lot of urgency and panic. Finding a sense of terror and panic on set can be difficult, especially when doing a scene multiple times, so that was probably the hardest for me to get into. The rest came pretty easily for me luckily!

BK: Do you enjoy working in the horror genre?

ESB: I really do! Recently I have been doing a lot of horror. I guess it’s my calling right now. Haha. You really get to show different facets of yourself and explore a wide range of emotions, which I think is an awesome challenge as an actor.

BK: Any moviemaking heroes?

ESB: Wow so many! Quentin Tarantino would probably be my top choice. I think he is truly a movie making genius. He mixes realism with extreme elements of fantasy and such detailed and riveting characters, music, sets, and effects, creating true masterpieces.

BK: Any upcoming projects you can reveal to the world?

ESB: There are a few films I shot last year that hopefully will be coming out in the near future. Not sure how much I can reveal on either but Ria, a kind of sci-fi thriller and Scythe, another horror, were super fun to shoot and can’t wait to see!

BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Paranormal Attraction?

ESB: I think Paranormal Attraction has a lot of amazing elements that I hope people will have fun experiencing while watching. I hope they get a few laughs, some suspense, a few jolts of fear throughout the film, and a real connection to the characters and the love they share with one another.

BK: Was the heated pool at the house really a heated pool?

ESB: I am such a wimp when it comes to being cold! That’s was the first question I asked when finding out I had to jump in. It was! It was actually warmer in the pool than outside, so I was so thankful to be swimming around in the warm water (haha).

BK: Even though your character doesn’t get to participate in the movie’s “grilled cheese sandwich” theme, what’s your real life position on grilled cheese sandwiches?

ESB: You really can’t go wrong! Especially with some tater tots and tomato soup! One of my favorite meals growing up from camp.