Jennifer Ellison (The Cottage) Interview

How would you describe your character?

I play Tracey. She’s the ultimate bitch. She’s very nasty and just awful to be around. I’d hate to be in her company but she’s a great character to play. She’s got some great one-liners. I’m very happy playing her. I don’t think many people will like her!

I was approached to have a look at the script and see what I thought of the role and as soon as I read it I just fell in love with her. I was actually cast in the role about two years ago so it was something that I was hoping would come off because I just loved the part so much. She’s just such a strong character and obviously, to be playing the female lead in a film is just great for me as well.

What do you think of the special effects?

We had a brilliant make-up team and prosthetics team. We just had to stand there and get it all done to us. But it was great. Very interesting. I’d never done anything like this before. Seeing how it all works and how things come together and how they make it happen was just fascinating.

What was it like working with director Paul Andrew Williams?

Paul’s great. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a director who’s so chilled out. But he still gets the work done. He really inspires everyone and really lifts everyone. Although there was such a tight time schedule it didn’t feel like it because he made everyone feel so at ease. He’s obviously brilliant at what he does. You just have to look at the work that he’s done before. He’s just great to work with really.

How was working with Andy and Reece?

They’re both great. It was really hard work, we were working really long hours which was really difficult but actually really fun and that was due to the people who we were working with and the people around us.

Did the weather help the atmosphere?

The first night I started filming I just felt  normal. I didn’t feel I was doing a performance because the cold just took me over and I was so tired. I literally got woken up at one point and sat by a fire, by a little heater. Reece and I fell asleep and then woke up to “come on, ready for you on set.” So it was really difficult!

What surprised you most on this film?

What surprised me most was probably how much fun you can have while you’re making a horror film. When you’re watching them in the cinema or on DVD it can be really scary and intense and you sometimes forget that it’s actually just a film and what goes into making it. We had a great time, yet the film’s going to be very scary.


The Cottage is released in UIK cinemas on 14th March 2008.