Beverly Mitchell
Interview By: Edward Kasche
EdKasche@TheCinemaSource.com
What could convince the cute teen girl from WB's 7th Heaven, currently in its 10th and final season, to take on a gruesome, violent horror franchise' 'Originally, it was tough, because I don't like scary movies. They came to me with Saw II and I forced myself to watch Saw. I tried, but it took me five times to get through it; five. When I finally got through it I thought it was great and it definitely scared the crap out of me. I was excited to partake in such a different role and definitely develop this great character.' So, did working on Saw II help with her fear of scary movies' 'I tried watching The Exorcist and I just can't do it; my hands were covering my face. But I can watch Saw II,' she concedes with a laugh.
There used to be a stigma in entertainment about television actors crossing over into film. Beverley knows this; it was prevalent for years. But now, there seems to be more opportunity for television actors, especially for the young men and women on the WB. Following in the footsteps of former 7th Heaven co-star and current horror actress, Jessica Beal, Beverley knows why this is the current trend. 'Television and film actors are no longer; everything is meshing together, even Broadway, which is real great. There's such a big crossover. I'm like, 'Yes!' It's so much easier for us little people.' Why horror' 'Horror movies are just the movies we get offered.' Ok. Take what you can while you're young. It worked for Jamie Lee Curtis.
This was Beverley's first time on the set of a horror film, where she was kept emotionally drained on a constant basis. She learned quickly what worked for her to stay in the constant emotional state of panic. 'Music is so powerful to me. I had my IPod and headphones, and my sad playlist. I kind of ventured off for just a little bit to get into the scene.' Sad playlist, huh' What could possibly be on her sad playlist, you ask' You're not going to guess, believe me; go on, try. 'Kelly Clarkson's 'Behind These Hazel Eyes.'' She prefaced, 'You're going to laugh' People on set were shocked. They kept saying, 'You're listening to what'' I like it, it makes me sad. People shouldn't break up, that's just sad. I'm also a big country fan, I can't help it. The best concert I've ever been to was Garth Brooks. What can I say, country fan.'
As she looks back, she has fond memories of her time in the gruesome film world of the macabre. 'It was challenging and wonderful and exciting. It's fun to do something different and crazy and push yourself to your absolute limit, where you think you're going to burst and that you've got nothing left, but somehow you find something. I haven't really gotten to do that much. It's great.' With such a positive, upbeat attitude, she has a very good chance of continuing success in entertainment.
