America Olivio is known for your roles in recent films like the remake of “Friday the 13th” and “Bitch Slap”. She also has recent work on Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” and is starring in the upcoming film “No One Lives”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with America about her work and what is coming up next.
MG: How did you get involved with the “Friday The 13th” remake?
AO: I got involved last minute which seems to be the case a lot of the time. Someone had been fired off the production and I received the call while I was working on “Bitch Slap”. There was still some work to be done on “Bitch Slap” and I was exhausted. I wasn’t really interested in being in “Friday the 13th Part 25” (Laughs) I was told no this was completely different and it was a fresh start for the franchise. I was just so tired but I said ok. As I read the script I really enjoyed it. I was wrapped early on “Bitch Slap” and then was immediately off to shoot in Aspen.
MG: Can you tell us about your role in “Bitch Slap”?
AO: That film took two years off my life for sure! I had the crap beat out of me. I am very proud 
of that film. It was definitely one of the hardest things I have done but also the most rewarding. We all were having fun but it was very difficult to pull off. Everyone involved in the project was there for the love of the project not the money. We shot in the middle of the Mojave Desert which was super cold in the morning and extremely hot during the day. I feel stronger from a lot of the stuff I learned on that shoot.
MG: Do you enjoy playing the “kick ass” female roles?
AO: Of course! No one wants to play the girlfriend/mom role. Strong women roles are not easy to come by. It was nice to get the opportunity that I got working on “Bitch Slap”.
MG: You do some of your own stunts correct?
AO: I do some of the stunts on normal films. (Laughs) The real hardcore stuff I like to leave up to the pros. I don’t profess to be a stunt person as I haven’t had that training but I do try and do as much as I can. You really have to tip your hat to the pros
MG: Do you prefer working in one genre more than another?
AO: I like to work in the good genre. I like good projects. Not everything you read on a page turns out the way you envisioned it. I strive for projects that meet mine and the other people working on the project’s vision. I don’t really care what genre a project falls in as long as it’s something that is challenging to me and the people behind it have good intentions.
MG: What can you tell us about working on “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” on Broadway?
AO: That was another learning experience. I got to do a lot of wire work. Scott Rogers designed my 
rig. I was one of the first few people that got to try this harness that was specifically design for this production. The only way I can describe it is it was like riding in the front of Space Mountain but while singing. I was there for nine months and it was really great.
Mike Gencarelli: What can you tell us about your film “No One Lives”?
America Olivio: We shot that in Louisiana and it stars Luke Evans, Adelaide Clemens and Derek Magyar. It was directed by Ryuhel Kitamura who also directed “Midnight Meat Train”. He was amazing to work with. He has just a great eye for horror graphics. It’s an intense film about a group of thieves who have a kidnapping go wrong. The film is very different and the kills featured in the film are very unique. It was a lot of fun.
MG: What are you currently working on and or have coming out?
AO: “No One Lives” of course will be coming out as well as a film I did titled “Conception”. Both will be coming out sometime in 2012. I also will be appearing on “NCIS: Los Angeles”.
