When the original Slime City was released as a midnight movie back in the late 80s, I’m pretty sure that just about everybody would have called you a crazy bastard if you’d told them that more than two decades later, writer and director Greg Lamberson would once again fill up gallons and gallons of green jelly and get ready to shoot the longtime overdue sequel to his slime-tastic splatter fest from 20 years ago. But much to the surprise and delight of all the devoted slime-heads (me included!), he actually pulled it off! Now, only half a year later, Slime City Massacre is already finished and ready to be unleashed to the public. I hooked up with the lovely Buffalo-based actress Jennifer Bihl, one of the films lead actresses, and asked her a couple of questions about her role as Alexa. Grab yourselves a yoghurt & enjoy the read, fellow slimeheads!
BLOODY DISGUSTING: Hi Jennifer, first of all thanks for the interview. Before we come to talk about your latest film, SLIME CITY MASSACRE, please let us know a bit more about the beginning of your acting career. When and why did you first get bitten by the acting bug?

JENNIFER BIHL: “Actually, after taking some acting classes during college, I started out in the theatre world. After getting a part as an extra in a local horror production–I was hooked. Ever since then I’ve been doing films, namely horror”

BD: The first role of yours that brought you to my attention was that of a cheerleader in Greg Lamberson’s shortfilm JOHNNY GRUESOME. How did you first get into contact with Greg and what convinced him to give that role to you?

JB: “I learned about the project in a listing in a local art newspaper and went to audition. Apartently I looked quite similar to what Greg had in mind for Johnny’s girlfriend. That part ended up going to a more well known name, but Greg found a place for me in the project anyhow.”

BD: When you worked on JOHNNY GRUESOME back in 2007, did you ever think that two years later Greg would approach you again and offer you one of the lead roles of SLIME CITY MASSACRE, the longtime overdue follow-up to his 1988 splatter cult flick SLIME CITY? And did like the idea of joining that movie’s cast right from the start or did Greg have to do some convincing first before he got you on board?

JB: “It’s difficult to express how honored I was that Greg approached me for the role. As soon as he mentioned the part to me I knew I wanted to do it. The filming actually coincided with me starting a new job. I made sure that I would be able to get the time off to film the movie before accepting the job offer!”

BD: SLIME CITY MASSACRE is set in some kinda post-nuclear endtime world and your playing a young refugee called Alexa. What kinda girl is she and what is her story?

JB: “Alexa goes through quite a transformation throughout the film both due to personal growth as well as turning into a slimehead. Alexa starts off a little meek and very dependent on her boyfriend but soon learns to fend for herself. In a post apocolyptic world–it’s every girl for herself.”

BD: Shooting took place in Buffalo in summer 2009. What can you say about life and work on the set in general? Did you have a great time working on SLIME CITY MASSACRE and did you get along with fine with the other members of the cast and crew?

JB: “I can honestly say that it was the best time I’ve ever had working on a film. I think that Greg is amazing as both a writer as well as a director. I got along really well with all the other actors, bonding both through acting as well as during the down time while on set. It was overall just a really enjoyable environment with awesome people and surreal, inspiring surroundings–I love the old train station where we shot.”

BD: The cast of SCM features a whole lot of lowbudget horror and splatter icons such as Debbie Rochon (TOXIC AVENGER 4: CITIZEN TOXIE), Lloyd Kaufman (TERROR FIRMER), Dick Biel (SPLATTER UNIVERSITY), Roy Frumkes (STREET TRASH) or the original SLIME CITY lead actors Robert Craig Sabin and Mary Huner… what was it like to be in the same movie with all those heros and heroines of the horror genre and could a young actress like you even learn something from working with those b-movie veterans?

JB: “It was a bit overwhelming at first, but everyone was so humble and easy to work with. I think I learned the most from the scenes that I did with Debbie, she really makes you believe–the scenes with her felt incredibly real.”

BD: Are there any cool anecdotes from the set? Anything that struck you as particularly funny on the one hand or rather unpleasant on the other?

JB: “Well, I did skip my way into a 4 foot deep pit at one point, nearly severing the tendon in one of my fingers. Looking back and hearing the story of me skipping along and then dissapearing out of sight is quite humerous now. At the time it was rather scary. I had surgery on my hand and have made a full recovery. The risks of filming in an abondoned building…”

BD: Later on, when Alexa transforms into one of the so-called slimeheads, you had to wear some pretty kick-ass monster make-up. What was it like to be turned into such a slime-drippin’ freak and what part of Alexa did you like better, the normal gal or the slimehead?

JB: “It was surprising cold. The combination of freezing cold slime, a freezing cold old building and a not so summer like July made for a lot of shivering and goosebumps–ok and maybe a little complaining.”

BD: After the cast and crew screening in Buffalo on February 10th, SLIME CITY MASSACRE will finally have its official premiere at Beloit International Film Festival, which runs from February 18th to 21st. Are you already psyched to watch the final cut of the movie in a packed house full of horror enthusiasts?

JB: “The screening can’t come soon enough–I can’t wait!!!”

BD: Now that SLIME CITY MASSACRE is in the can for quite some months, what’s next on your agenda? Have you already taken part in any other films in the meantime or are there new projects of yours planned for the not-too-distant future? What can your fans look forward to next?

JB: “Nothing on the agenda right now, but I’m always on the search for the next horror movie.”