We had the wonderful opportunity to interview actress Caitlin Crommett, the star of “The Cabin.” Check out the interview below.
You’re building an impressive resume for yourself. How have you been choosing your projects?
Thank you!! I definitely like to pursue projects that have a great message or push forward something I believe in. It’s also a lot about the team and the director- when I meet them, it’s easy to tell if this will be a great project to be a part of, and one that will really make waves.
And how did The Cabin come to be?
I saw the casting call and immediately was interested- I’ve never done a horror film before, so I wanted to give it a try. I submitted self-tapes and before I knew it, I was meeting the other actor (Chris Page) and producer. It happened so fast, but I was so excited when I heard back from them and got to go to Sweden!
How was it working in Sweden? I imagine it would’ve been a very unique experience?
It was incredible. I was already trying to get to Sweden because of my Swedish boyfriend (coincidence, I know!!), and this was the greatest way to see the country for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect, but upon meeting Johan and the rest of the crew, I immediately fell in love with the country. Everyone was so incredibly nice and welcoming to us. It was so memorable because we got to see both city and countryside, which was unlike anything I had seen here in the US. The landscape was gorgeous, and we’d often catch ourselves staring as the sun came up or went down over the hills. We even tried learning a bit of the language, and, of course, had to try all of the Swedish foods. It was an experience I’ll always treasure.
Do film crews work any different there? Any noticeable differences, of any sorta, that you can recall?
Our crew was fairly small and made up of people who were extremely driven and passionate about this project, but don’t necessarily get the chance to work on films all that often- which was awesome. Sometimes here in LA, you’ll notice that the crew is just going through the motions, and this is just another project for them. For the crew in Sweden, this was a huge opportunity because of the relative lack of film opportunities in the country, and this attitude radiated from them each and every day on set. The mood was always upbeat and everyone was always excited for the next filming day, which translated into an amazing attitude on set each day and a renewed sense of excitement for film and all it has to offer.
Was the community supportive of the movie shoot?
Absolutely. Johan had incredible support behind him in Sweden making this movie- we had all of our meals donated, and so much support in the form of housing, venues for filming, and volunteer crewmembers. It was awesome to be in a place where the entire community knew about this film being made and wanted to be a part of it in some way. More films should be made in Sweden, that’s for sure!!
And how similar to yourself is the character?
Honestly, not very similar. Rose definitely has an attitude and is pretty much set in her beliefs and her ways of doing things. I like to think I’m more open-minded and excited about the change and new adventures—for example, the trip they go on in the movie sounded pretty fun to me, but not so much for her! She is also quite angry in many parts of the film, and I think I have a more positive, happy outlook on life. But it was so fun to step into her character and play someone so unlike myself—that’s my favorite thing about acting!
What should the audience expect from the film?
Expect surprises… If that’s even possible! You might see a classic horror movie from the trailer, but once you start watching, you’ll see how that might be a wrong assumption. I’m excited to hear how people react to the movie!
What did you do to prepare for the role?
To prepare for playing Rose, I tried to understand where she was coming from- what her backstory might be, where things might have gone wrong with Harry, etc. I wanted to immerse myself in her life, to be able to convey her attitude and emotions properly. I also had to draw on personal experiences that might relate to hers, so that I could feel a connection to her and why she is the way she is.
Horror films can evoke all kinds of emotions. How do you unwind after starring in a horror movie?
It was definitely intense at some points throughout filming. It helped me to go on runs around where I was staying, and take in the fresh air. The emotions from playing Rose would often be exhausting, so it was important for me to take a step back and try to fully relax, even meditate, to clear my head after putting forth so much emotional (and physical!) effort.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
Honestly, this movie has definitely been one of the best experiences for me so far in this industry. The people made all the difference- and completely renewed a passion in me for all that is the film world. I love meeting so many amazing people when working on new projects and hearing so many interesting stories. Those are the best parts for me- the people you meet and the stories you hear, that you never would otherwise. You’re in a world where anyone can share their story, and it’s up to you to convey it realistically and authentically.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
Nothing in the near future, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted! J
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