Cleo Massey is an Australian actress. She portrayed Kim Sertori in the television series H2O: Just Add Water. Massey has been performing on TV and film since the age of 11. In 2010, she was cast in the feature-length film The Little Things directed by Neil McGregor.
Her latest role is in the horror-comedy web series Cursed, which you can find out more about here. We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with her. Check the interview out below.
Where do you hail from?
Tasmania! – And yes, I used to have two heads. I now live on the beautiful GC and have since I was 4.
And ever been tempted by Hollywood or happy to keep it local for the meantime?
I have my 01 visa which is an acting visa for the States! So for the last three years, I’ve been back and forth. It’s so exciting over there and the opportunities are crazy, but I just love Australia. I love the people, the vibe and beaches.
Tell us about some of the work you’ve done up until Cursed?
I landed my first big role when I was 11, ‘Kim Sertori’ on H20 Just Add Water. I filmed that show for four years which was an incredible start to my acting career. Since then I’ve been involved in a heap of different projects, most recently, a web series which my real Mum actually created called ‘Stage Mums,’ which was picked up by Network Ten. While in the States, I was given opportunities to explore writing, and I have now written a feature film, series and lots of skits. I love getting to experience the industry on both sides of the camera.
And how did Cursed come to be?
Well, I was in the States and constantly auditioning for American projects when Tristan, the producer of “Cursed” emailed me and asked me to audition. It was a breath of fresh air doing an Aussie audition! They must have liked what I did because soon after I was Skyping Connor, the director and we were getting excited to start filming!
Now, is the film more in the vein of “Shaun of the Dead,” where it combines horror with comedy, or is it something more like Scary Movie? How would you describe the tone?
I think “Cursed” is really clever. I don’t know if ‘subtly funny’ is a tone, but I think Connor did such a great job of writing the dialogue so it’s understated, quick and real.
What did you do to prepare for the role?
I think understanding my character’s arc, journey, feelings etc is just as important as understanding the other characters’ background as well. I always read scripts over and over, making sure I know how each character feels in that moment. I find it makes it so much easier to act naturally.
Are you anything like her?
Well, she’s a bit of a bitch actually, so I’d like to say no. Although I can be a bit like that when I’m hungry!
Horror can evoke all kinds of emotions and be quite grueling to film but I imagine this, being more a comedy, was the opposite and just a lot of fun?
You’re right. It was so much fun. Working with comedians was incredible and so damn funny. I also loved watching the crew create the scary side of things, like using string to make it look like the curtains were blowing and lying so flat on the ground so they could open and shut cupboard doors. It was cool because on set there was the professional side of things where everyone would work together to get the scene and setting perfect – especially if it was meant to be a little scary, but then there was the funny side of things, where we couldn’t stop laughing because the dialogue and actors were so funny.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
Meeting like-minded people that support and believe in you!
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I’m filming a series next year called Interface which is super exciting! And cool things are ahead for Stage Mums as well, it had a great response after airing on Network Ten and we’re working on Season 2!
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