“My submission video turned out really well and I was very impressed,” said Madison, 23. “Director Victor Bonacore, who directed the documentary ‘Diary of a Deadbeat’ which screened at the Neon Movies, really helped me out a lot with it. Screaming is very hard. If you’re not on a roller coaster or not actually being scared, it’s very difficult. Typically all you have to do is fill your lungs up, let it go, and don’t stop until you can’t breathe anymore. I usually get two or three good screams out and then I’m done for the day. I lose my voice after that! Winning the contest was so surreal. But I feel one of the things that helped my chances with the submission video was saying I would make my own feature film with the $10,000, which I certainly plan to do.”
A Denver native, Madison moved to Dayton when she was 13. She graduated from Northmont High School in 2010 and received her associate’s degree in liberal arts with an emphasis on sociology from Sinclair Community College in 2013. Working on many projects with Dayton-area filmmaker Henrique Couto, her film credits include “Haunted House on Sorority Row,” “Babysitter Massacre,” “Theatre of the Deranged II,” “Bludgeon,” and “Headless.” One of her upcoming films includes “Hunters” starring ’80s scream queen Linnea Quigley (“The Return of the Living Dead”).
A fan of such classic horror flicks as “The Shining” and “Hellraiser,” Madison is still determining when it would be feasible to start production on her film. Even so, she promises to use local talent and film entirely in Dayton. She says it’s important to promote the city’s independent spirit.
“I really care about this city,” she said. “I love Dayton. In L.A. a lot of people were asking me when I was going to move to Hollywood for acting, but my ultimate goal has always been to be a director and make movies here in the Midwest and especially locally. It is more economical to make movies in the Midwest and everyone is also so open and modest here as opposed to bigger cities like New York, L.A. and Chicago. I really hope to make a bigger community of filmmakers in Dayton. There are so many independent businesses popping up right now and involving independent film in that growth would add to the excitement.”
As a female artist, Madison also feels led to take the horror industry into a broader discussion of female inclusion and strength.
“There aren’t as many female directors being recognized in the horror genre,” she said. “The horror genre seems to always be about exploiting women as well, but I want to bring to light the power women have and that men can be victims. Nevertheless, horror movies are fun and I’ve always loved them. In researching horror movies, I’ve discovered people are particularly attracted to them because being reminded of death makes you appreciate life so much more.”
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