EMILY GOSS HAS US SHOOK

Actress Emily Goss breaks a leg in the Shudder Original Shook

Shudder Original Shook is a modern-day horror film with loads of fun. Today’s world of modern technology is a focus for this film. Its lines of communication are used as a means of terror. Mia, played by Daisye Tutor, is a social media star who is on the other end of this horrifying campaign. She solves puzzles to prevent the death of her dearest friends. She must figure if she can win this game even if it means her own life.

Director Jennifer Harrington casts a team in Shook that the audience should pay close attention to. Especially actress Emily Goss who plays the role of Mia’s troubled sister Nicole. The award-winning actress plays a crucial role in this film in which the audience won’t forget. FERNTV spoke with Emily Goss about her illustrious career and performance that leaves the audience shook.

The Interview

FERNTV: Thanks for doing this interview, Emily. Can you please talk briefly about your experience at USC and LAMDA and how this developed you as an actress?  

Emily: Thank you for doing this interview! USC and LAMDA were both super important experiences for me. I really didn’t know much about acting. Before I came to USC, I did not know what acting meant or the history of theatre. I was able to meet many people in the theatre and film schools that I’ve now worked with for years. LAMDA was an intense, immersive conservatory program. I learned the American approach to acting is working from the inside-out. While the British approach is working from the outside-in. I’m very grateful I’ve had the opportunity to explore both and now use both.

FERNTV: Briefly describe the story of your first gig?

Emily: Ha, what counts as a gig? The first time I got paid? Coming back from London in 2012 playing Mary Pickford at an LA Chamber of Commerce event. It was a big dinner in a banquet hall for 1000 people or something like that. Several actors were playing different Los Angeles icons like William Mulholland. And we just gave a little speech about what we accomplished and contributed to Los Angeles. It was very short and straightforward. It was nice of them to give actors a job for a night! 

Working on Shook

FERNTV: How did you learn about this film Shook and what was the casting process like? 

Emily: I originally read for Mia and at the audition, they gave me Nicole. The audition was really fun. Jen and Lesley were great to read for. They made the audition a fulfilling acting experience in itself. As well, I remember chatting with Nicola at the audition and really liking her. I was feeling great that we were both going to be in this. We didn’t hear anything from the film. Lesley called me and asked, “Hey! Remember this? You got it!”. I was immediately on the opportunity and the audition experience was positive.

FERNTV: What was it like to work with Jennifer Harrington in this film?

Emily: Jen rocks. From our first phone conversation, I was really impressed with her. She co-wrote an awesome script, she’s thoughtful, collaborative, fun, and extremely knowledgeable. She runs a great set. I had such a good time in this movie.

FERNTV: Did you ever think that the film was going to look like the way it did with its use of technology?

Emily: It was exciting to see how the film would turn out knowing that this major component was to be done in post. When that happens you have the same experience watching the movie as an audience member. It’s new! 

Awards and Influences

FERNTV: Who are your biggest acting influences and why? 

Emily: Wow, why is this such a hard question? I think who or what influences me always changes! There are many people and pieces of art to draw from… I want to be risky and honest like Maggie Gyllenhaal, be uncompromising and powerful like Viola Davis and do my own stunts like Jackie Chan. I’m always open to influences. 

FERNTV: You have won 3 awards for the series “The House on Pine Street” and 4 awards for Snapshots?  What is that feeling like and how do you stay motivated and inspired after winning these awards? 

Emily: It’s a huge honour to have had some of my work recognized. I feel really lucky that I’ve been part of films that touch people and recognition from film festivals. Although, it doesn’t detract from my goals, and the awards are not sources of inspiration. Those things don’t actually have anything to do with each other. The work is the goal, the work is the inspiration. 

Supporting LGTBQ & BIPOC

FERNTV: You are a supporter of LGTBQ and BIPOC communities.  What steps do we need to take for inclusion to take place in film, television and theatre?

Emily: The people need to hear the voices we don’t hear. We need to welcome them into rooms they have been kept out of and given decision-making positions. The representative casting plays a role. But we mistake by thinking this is where the work ends. Ultimately, we all need to support art. We need to watch Minari, Pose, Disclosure, I May Destroy You, read the We See You White American Theatre letter. And we need to hold the productions and companies in our lives accountable. I am working hard to educate myself for changes that can be made at every level.

WATCH SHOOK NOW