7 ScaryNerd Questions With Horror Icons | Christine Elise McCarthy

Christine Elise McCarthy has had quite the career in Hollywood. From the 90s hit series ER to her role, as Kyle from Child’s Play 2. After adapting to the ever changing film industry, Christine Elise McCarthy, is still kicking ass and taking names. We recently spoke with her about her experiences in the industry. She gave us some insights into the Hollywood life, and even answered some of our nerdy questions about her character Kyle in Child’s Play 2.

1. You’ve been a part of so many popular franchises throughout your career in both film and television. You’ve said before it’s simply taking the calls and going on the auditions. How do you feel the industry has changed for actors just getting a start and do you have any advice for anyone in that situation?

Well, the primary difference is the existence of digital video and the internet. It used to be that anyone who wanted a say in casting had to be in the room to watch the auditions. And producers, etc., that wanted to voice an opinion had to be physically in the same room with the actors.  Now, 100% of auditions are recorded, that was very rare in the days of video tape. Then the casting director can weed folks out that they feel did not rise to the occasion. In the past, the director or producers could give you notes & have you do it again.  That opportunity is now lost & even though the casting office might record you – even give you notes & redirect you – there is no guarantee your tape gets passed along to decision makers. 

“I seem to be the kind of casting choice that is more polarizing or controversial.”

Also, the recordings are uploaded to a site where an infinity of humans can view it and throw in their two cents. Dozens of people can now be involved in choosing even folks that have one line. Which makes even the tiniest parts even harder to get. Personally, I have always done better with a few  powerful people in the room and my chances got exponentially worse – the more people there were involved in final casting decisions. Auditions for series regular jobs have always been for loads of people. I seem to be the kind of casting choice that is more polarizing or controversial. 

So, the more people who get the chance to knock me out of the running – the more likely I will get knocked out. This is why there are so few series regular jobs on my resume. I do best when a single powerful voice, like Aaron Spelling, John Wells or Carroll O’Connor, is making the decision. The bulk of my resume is thanks to those three men. 

They were all very generous to me.  But, I read for them back in the day when they themselves had to be sitting in the room while I auditioned. I think that worked to my benefit. Now, they would just see a tape on a computer screen. Seems my charms, whatever they might be, resonate better in person.  

“Bring as much of yourself to every part as you can.”

The advantages to taped auditions are 1) It is far less intimidating to be in a room with a casting assistant and a camera than a phalanx of executives and 2) if you really NAIL it on that tape – they can just shoot that tape out to everyone who wants to see it.  In the past, you had to go back in person, over and over. It gave you chances to improve, but it also gave you chances to fuck it all up. Either out of nerves or just by changing the reading in some small but, important way that sways them away from you. Even changing your outfit could tip the scales the wrong way so , yeah.

Self-tapes are increasingly popular and those are great because you can record it 4000x until you get it perfect.  But, you still lose the opportunity to be directed in another direction or to exhibit any charisma.

I once auditioned for a show called The Strip, with a room full of execs.  They looked so bored and one looked as though he had fallen asleep.  As I was about to leave, I made some wisecrack about boring the guy to death.  He said, “Now THAT is the attitude we want!  Do it again like that!” I did – and I got that job. I got it because I showed some sass as I was leaving.  That cannot happen if they are looking at tapes.

As to advice – that has not changed. Bring as much of yourself to every part as you can. You are unique. If you do what you think they want, you will be doing what everyone else does. And – BE FUCKING NICE & polite – to everybody.  Nobody likes an arrogant douchebag…nobody.  Check your ego at the door and do you very best to mask your fear. Fear is a turnoff and broadcast amateurism.  You WILL be afraid – just learn to cover it.   Confidence & friendliness are your best assets.  

2. Among many other projects you’ve been involved with, you’re instantly recognizable to horror fans as Kyle from Child’s Play 2. How does it feel to represent a strong smart character in that Kyle lives  to defeat Chucky and becomes one of the original “final girls” of the Child’s Play franchise?

It feels great to play a smart, strong character and my resume is about 95% that sort of role. Because I am smart, and strong, and I am at my most comfortable portraying that. Kyle was easy and fun, and was a hero to millions of kids with fantasies of being rescued by a cool, older sibling.  Nothing sucks about that.  

3. Honestly the shot of Kyle pulling the broken doll out of the dirt scared the crap out of me as a kid. You’ve said before that the film was a lot of fun for you to do, but if you could play a different character from the Child’s Play franchise who would it be?

I LOVE THAT MOMENT! Love the swing, the smoking, and the doll in the dirt and the trash can reveal. I think it is my most honest work in the film because it all really was so creepy.

If I could play another character, hmmmm…my first response was KYLE.  And that is still my answer because I love her and, I hope she has an exciting future. Then I thought of Tiffany. Tiffany is AWESOME and hilarious and she gets to BE A DOLL!!!!!  I want to be a fucking action figure or Barbie Doll or even a Funko Pop doll desperately!  But NOBODY on Earth could do a better job as Tiffany that Jennifer Tilly. 

You know, many movies and TV shows succeed because they pulled off the perfect casting. The OG 90210 was cast perfectly – as was, for example, Friends. And I think Don Mancini and crew have done pretty fucking good with the Chucky franchise. Brad & Fiona? Come on! I love them both. And Alex Vincent is like an actual brother to me. So – anyway – yeah – Kyle.  Very happy to be Kyle.

4. You’ve mentioned before you have directed a short film and written a novel,‘Bathing & the Single Girl,’ are either of those something you may do again?

I would do both again, given the opportunity, the novel, especially. Writing is the most noble thing and I admire writers immensely.  I collect first edition books. So – yeah – I would like to get several books completed before I die.

Bathing & the Single Girl (the film) is a 10-minute comedy about the horrors of dating (and bathing with) younger men. Bathing & the Single Girl (the novel) is a raunchy romp – far funnier and way dirtier than the short film but the short works nicely as a trailer. The book is the proudest achievement of my life.

5. Is there a chance you could or, would want to, direct some episodes of the Child Play Series?

Fuck, yeah, I would want to!  I think I have a better chance of – eventually – being allowed to write one as I wrote for 90210, and I am in the writer’s guild. I have never directed for television so that is a higher hurdle but I would love to do both.  

6. You’re an actress, author, director and accomplished photographer, what are some of your other passions?

I have a vegan cooking channel on Youtube. I post panels from horror cons and other stuff from my career there, too, but it is primarily vegan recipes. The recipes include a vegan Big Mac, loads of Chinese take-out sorta dishes and Indian food. It is geared toward meat-eaters looking to cut back on meat. I create the recipes and shoot & edit the show alone and I do all the photography. 

I also sell my photography (not food photography but other interests) on everything from framed prints to mugs to apparel. Loads of different images from Chucky to pin-ups to pets to roadside Americana. I designed a few Chucky things that are also available in many formats.

I also foster dogs for Road Dogs & Rescue

7. Got any current projects in the works?

I cannot tell until deals are closed but I have three projects in development.  Fingers crossed – they will ALL go & be very successful but I do not want to jinx anything.

We’ll be on the lookout for Christine’s upcoming projects. But for now you can check out her many works above. Here’s to hoping we’ll see Kyle again in the upcoming Child’s Play series!

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