SEE DEBBIE'S  PICS HERE	DEBBIE ROCHON "A Cut Above The Rest"	GO HERE FOR DEBBIE'S PROFILE
BY Jack Bonds

I first laid eyes on Debbie Rochon in 1980 at age 12 in the punk-rock
cult-movie hit LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS! She has since grown into being a very gorgeous and popular actress. Rochon has been in over seventy horror films including, EVIL AMBITIONS, ABDUCTED II, HELLBLOCK 13, BROADCAST BOMBSHELLS, CYBER VENGEANCE, TROMEO AND JULIET, SHRIEK OF THE LYCANTHROPE, TERROR FIRMER, NEW YORK UNDERCOVER, SANTA CLAWS, WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE and KILLJOY 2: DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL. She has also contributed to journalism and has written for The Joe Bob Report, Phantom of the Movies' Videoscope, TV Scene, Fantastyka, Scream Queens Illustrated, Drive In Cinema, Masters of Kung-Fu, Dark Gallery and Femme Fatales. Debbie has proven to be a beautiful B queen at the top of the list, who happens to have a brain as well. Her talents are versatile and are apparent throughout the industry via her acting and writing. She was in the area of the now infamous attacks in NY on September 11, and has documented events of this day in History. There is no stopping the achievement of this young lady and we had time to talk to her and tear her away from her busy schedule.

Jack: Hello Debbie how is everything?

Debbie: Things couldn't be better right now.

Jack: What is this that I hear that you played CNN newsgirl by documented the tragedy at Ground Zero?

Debbie: I don't know where you heard that! No, I wasn't at ground zero after the attacks, but I did document certain parts of the city just days after the tragedy. I posted the picture on my web site so that folks who live in other parts of the country, or even world, could get a taste of how it felt to be in NYC during that time.

Jack: That is wonderful and it is a part of our history, and no matter how horrible it was it should be documented and preserved in our history?

Debbie: Yes it should be preserved forever. Some people outside of NYC thought all images of the WTC should be stricken from the movies. Well people who live here feel the opposite. We are proud of the towers and enjoy seeing them in pictures and in movies. If someone you knew died, would you cut them out of every picture you had of them? Would you cut them out of your home movies? No way, you would cherish seeing them. That's how we feel about the towers.

Jack: What movie(s) are coming out for you?

Debbie: Well Witchouse 3: Demon Fire, Killjoy 2: Deliverance From Evil and Terror Firmer all recently hit the video shelves. The next one to come out is American Nightmare which will be at almost every rental chain. It's a wonderful movie and I am looking forward to it's release! Also in the near future we should see The Bog People and Dead and Rotting hitting the stands after that!

Jack: Lest go back to the beginning, how did you get into this line of work?

Debbie: I was a featured extra in a couple of movies when I was a pre-teen and got the acting bug then. I have been studying and working ever since.

Jack: Did you intentionally set out to become a scream Queen?

Debbie: No. I really don't think of myself as one now. I have done some genre films so people feel more comfortable using that label on me. I don't use it when I describe myself though.

Jack: How has the industry treated you and has it prevented you from venturing into the mainstream?

Debbie: Industry has been very good. No it hasn't prevented me from going into the mainstream. I have enjoyed working on indie films and have just sort of stayed there. With American Nightmare coming out I think there will be a definite step upward from the critical acclaim I've gotten thus far anyway.

Jack: Now you have never been shy in the movies about nudity, but what are your views on it?

Debbie: Nudity is natural in life, nudity is natural in art (Look at drawings, sculpting and paintings) and nudity is natural in films made overseas. Americans are the only ones who are too uptight to deal with it. I think it's fine whether it's in a movie or not. I enjoy movies with no nudity and movies with nudity depending on what the film is trying to make me feel as an audience member.

Jack: Have you ever had a bad experience at a casting call were a sleazy producer to advantage of you?

Debbie: Yes I have had bad experiences but no one has ever jumped me or anything! There's a lot of nutcases out there that are in the film industry for a million different reasons; and power and sex are definitely 2 of the more popular. It's really sickening. I just want to work hard on a role and make a fantastic film. That is the only thing I'm interested in. Getting as
much as I can into the role and kicking ass in front of the camera. Even when I don't succeed or the film ends up being bad, I can always say I did my best given whatever the restrictions were; bad script, no time, no money etc.

Jack: How do you like the conventions and any true horror stories there?

Debbie: I really enjoy conventions a lot. I don't get to nearly as many as I
would like to. The friends and fans are terrific and really make it worthwhile! The horror story is that certain conventions can easily pack the tables with faux scream queens who at best do fetish videos -if that- and therefore have stopped offering to pay travel and hotel costs to the women actually work in film. So I personally opt not to appear at any conventions out of town who don't cover my expenses. It never used to be that way but the whole scene has changed greatly.

Jack: You did a few movies with cult icon John Russo, how did that relationship start?

Debbie: I met Jack Russo in 1993 when he was starting his new magazine SQI. I had appeared on a couple of covers and had written some articles for the mag. They put out trading cards of me and poster books and even a 'Plate'! So I had known him quite well and he had a very good sense that I would act so cast me in the lead role of Santa Claws. Then in 1998 we shot additional footage for the 30th Anniversary Edition of Night of the Living Dead. We actually just made another movie recently called Saloonatics, a non-horror flick. It co-stars famous ex wrestler Bruno Sammartino! It's kind of a gangster comedy. We had a lot of fun making it!

Jack: True fans went ballistic of the tampering of a classic! How did you feel about the added scenes to the classic Night Of The Living Dead?

Debbie: I had a wonderful time shooting them. We had a blast. I would do it again tomorrow. I think we matched the look pretty good. It was a thrill to be cut into my fave horror movie. Wouldn't you love to be cut into your fave horror movie?

Jack: Any chance on any more sequels to the classic NOTLD?

Debbie: I have no idea. I hear George Romero is doing one. John could do one. Children of the Living Dead doesn't count because John had NOTHING to do with it and should have taken his name off it. It was solely the writer and director's fiasco.

Jack: What has been your best experience in low budget filmmaking? You're worst?

Debbie: Best experience has been building my character in American Nightmare. It was a wonderfully intense experience. An example of how it should really be. You just truly become one with the character and make a movie. It's a breath taking experience. Worse might have been when I was doing a dance number in a student film when I first came to NYC and I fell through the backdrop and destroyed the whole set!

Jack: You have a colorful life so far and also a writer. You plan on writing and making your own movies down the road?

Debbie: Yes but I'm not sure when my schedule is very full right now.

Jack: Any biography in the works?

Debbie: Oh yes I'm working on one right now. It will be a brutally honest account of my life and the biz. I will talk frankly about my teen years and up.

Jack: Any low budget companies you would like to work for in the future?

Debbie: I just want to work on good scripts with decent enough budgets so that it's not too rushed. I can do the rushed thing pretty good, but in order for me to really put down a good performance I need the luxury of a little bit more time. I think we worked wonders in Witchouse 3: Demon Fire! I'm proud of that movie but it was shot in 8 days. Imagine what we could have
done in 2-3 weeks?

Jack: Do you have any favorite scream queens that you worked with? Would you like to work with any in particular?

Debbie: I have worked with Brinke Sevens a couple of times; in American Nightmare and Witchouse 3 and we're slated to do a couple more flicks together in Florida soon too! I'm happy about that because she is as cool as she is beautiful!

Jack: You have played in some risque movies, how far will you go in a movie? (Content, nudity etc.)

Debbie: I have to judge it as I go. If I feel I'm up for it I'll do it if not I won't. If it's doesn't feel right I won't. In Terror Firmer I do some pretty out there stuff! But I've known Lloyd Kaufman for years and I understand his humor so it was fine. I don't think I would have been able to do some of those scenes for anyone else though.

Jack: What do you think of the many really low budget Camcorder movie
companies out there?

Debbie: I think some of them are very cool. If the don't try and shoot for elaborate SFX and stuff it's possible to pull off some cool shit. They should also stop hiring nothing but family members (in some cases, I'm not saying all of them do this!) it brings down the level 100% if you have non actors not even trying to act.

Jack: Do you know of any that you would like to work with?

Debbie: I'm not really familiar with the company names...

Jack: Any directing in your future?

Debbie: Maybe. Not sure at this point. Whatever interests me I do and I'm still looking for great acting roles right now.

Jack: What can we expect from you in 2002?

Debbie: Well I will be working with Brinke on Death Island a film directed by Tom Savini. Another fantastic script I'll be working on is Dry Rott! Fantastic script!! Plus many other cool things that are in the works.

Jack: What type of music are you into?

Debbie: I love Prince. Funk mostly.

Jack: Any underground bands you follow or see as the next break out band?

Debbie: The Toilet Boys are amazing! I think they'll go very far.

Jack: Would you like to plug any sites or items you have for sale to your many fans?

Debbie: Well of course www.DebbieRochon.com and www.American-Nightmare.com, also www.TempeVideo.com and www.SeductionCinema.com Thanks for the plugs!

Jack: I see you growing through every move and movie you make. You are growing in your versatility as an actress as well as a writer. You have proven you're not just another pretty face in the crowd. I have followed you from the beginning and will follow you still. Every day adds another chapter to your colorful life thus far. I hope to continue to see your movies and hope you keep providing entertainment to your many fans out there. Good Luck in the New Year and hope to be talking again to you.