Exclusive Interview with Chandra West from "The Tooth Fairy"
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The lovely Canadian actor, Chandra West, more often than not seems to play the lady in peril — and usually the damsel dies (see: The Salton Sea, White Noise). While I’ll never tell if that is her fate in the upcoming horror film The Tooth Fairy, I can tell you what she had to say from the set of the movie, now filming:
Staci Layne Wilson / Horror.com: The title of the movie doesn’t seem very ‘horrory’… what’s it about?
Chandra West: The Tooth Fairy is basically about the legend of the tooth fairy, and in the movie myself and Lochlyn Munroe play a couple that’s kind of trying to work things out and get back together, and so when he starts up this inn in the country I come up there with my little girl, played by Nicole Munez. We go up there for the weekend, and the little girl is the only who can see this other little girl who, 50 years ago, was killed by the tooth fairy.
The spirit of her comes to my daughter and tells her what’s going on. The Tooth Fairy, 50-some-odd years ago, had lured children into the house which is now being converted into an inn, and sort of bribes them for their teeth and then kills them and keeps their spirits. They’re sort of trapped there. So she’s haunting us, over the three days that we’re there.
What’s the tone of the movie? Will it be all-out scares, or is there some comedy in it?
There’s definitely some kind of horror movie-style comedic moments but for the most part I’d say it’s fairly serious.
I’m glad to see that it looks as though you don’t die in this one. After seeing The Salton Sea and White Noise I was beginning to wonder why they keep casting you as beautiful women who must die.
[laughs] I definitely live in this one.
Tell me about Lochlyn Munroe.
He’s great. We’ve actually known each other for a long time. We met years ago, and so working with him now is amazing. He’s so fun and so great to be with on set; it’s been like a big party here. Fun the whole way.
How long have you been shooting?
About 3-1/2 weeks. Today we are shooting a couple of scenes with PJ Soles. She plays the kind of crazy neighbor who is the only one who knows about the tooth fairy. In the scene, she’s basically warning us. We think that she’s just a kook, but of course she turns out to be right.
So, is fluoride to the tooth fairy what holy water is to a vampire?
[laughs] Actually, there aren’t those kind of jokes in the movie. The only way to kill her is to burn her.
Is most of shoot on location, or are you in sets for some of it?
Yes, it’s all location. For a couple of days we were at different locations, then for at least two weeks were at this great old house which is supposed to be the inn. That’s where we shot the bulk of the movie. Today we’re out at an old farmhouse, which is PJ’s in the movie. It’s beautiful here in White Rock [
Do you work with both kids in the movie?
Well, 99% of my stuff is with Nicole. She’s great. She’s so cute and so smart. She’s surprisingly savvy. She’s really good — I look at her and think, If was that smart when I was 11…
Any running, screaming, and falling for your character?
There’s definitely some scenes that are very physical — like when I’m running, trying to find my daughter when she goes missing. There’s this whole fire sequence. Also emotionally she’s trying to work stuff out with her guy, she thinks her daughter is going through a rough time… and you know, there’s a lot going on. And course, finding out that the people staying the house with you are dying.
Yeah, I hate when that happens.
Makes for a great weekend at the inn.
‘People are dying to check in!’ Your director, Chuck Bowman… what’s he like to work with? Is he real hands-on, or does he let you do your own thing?
He’s a little bit of both. He’s really clear and great at telling you what he wants, but then he lets you do your thing without micromanaging, which is nice. He’s a director who’s really sweet and easygoing. He keeps a nice, easy set and he’s always in a good mood. He makes everyone feel really comfortable. He deals the same way with the actors, the crew, everybody.
You have quite a horror pedigree — you worked with Tobe Hooper, and you did Puppermasters 4 and 5. Are you a horror movie fan?
I like a good horror movie. There are quite a few that they made in the 70s that I thought were amazing. The obvious ones like The Exorcist, The Changeling, The Omen. The first Halloween was great.
What ‘gets’ you in a horror movie?
I think probably I would have to say it takes more than just seeing someone get their head chopped off. I would say it’s more like the fear of the unknown. Things like the devil, the occult, and things like that which are hard to wrap your head around. Even in White Noise, that whole thing with Electronic Voice Phenomenon — people really back it up and adamantly say it’s true — that’s very creepy to me. Things where you think, ‘It could possibly happen’.
Are they aiming for a PG-13 rating on The Tooth Fairy?
I’m not sure, actually. I don’t know if they’re going to do a couple of versions of it or… I’m not sure what can or can’t be in a PG-13 movie these days. I would think that they are, because so much of the movie is told from my daughter’s point of view. Even though it does have a scary element, obviously — it’s a horror movie. I think it’s a movie that kids could like.
What made you decide to take this movie?
I thought it was a fun script, and I liked the part. Also I knew that Lochlyn was doing it. I knew we’d have a good time doing it. I’d also worked with Chuck before. I did a TV movie with him a long time ago called Into the Arms of Danger.
What’s coming up next for you?
I’m in a movie called FBI: Negotiator.
I hope you’re not the hostage… who gets killed!
[laughs]