Melanie Boyd

She played in Sammy Bates’ The Reaper’s Image as The Duches.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Melanie Boyd: I am a lover of theater and animals, have three cats, and am pursing an associates in Veterinary Technology to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. I received a BA in acting from Christopher Newport University and have been involved in several theatrical productions, my favorite of which was the “Red Velvet Cake Wars” series in which myself and two of my girl friends got into all kinds of crazy predicaments in the shows. Never have I ever had so many costume changes! It was loads of fun!

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?

Melanie Boyd: I believe it was in high school where I found my love for it. There was a touring company putting on “Hamlet” at our school and I remember thinking I wanted to be able to make people feel the way that group of actors did when I saw them perform. There’s something really amazing about being able to step into another character’s shoes and experience life from their perspective. And if you are watching a production (film or on stage) you get to escape life for a while and enter that world as a sort of fly on the wall.

SKSM: How did you become involved in The reaper’s image Dollar Baby film?

Melanie Boyd: I had only been in Kentucky for a short while, but was missing being in stage productions and thought I would give film a try. I found the posting through social media and thought, why not?

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Melanie Boyd: People always seem to have an interest in the supernatural, in things that aren’t tangable and we can only speculate on how they work. In “The Reaper’s Image”, you wonder if the mirror is really cursed or if it’s just some story made up by a curator to generate a bigger sale later.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Melanie Boyd: I auditioned, with some others, at a local coffee shop. It was a very informal table reading of some of the scenes for the production.

SKSM: You worked with Sammy Bates on this film, how was that?

Melanie Boyd: Sammy and Kenny were both very pleasant to work with, and didn’t seem to mind my inexperience with film acting at all. Acting on film is definitely different than acting on a stage. On stage, you don’t get any re-do’s or someone saying, “cut”. If someone messes up or forgets a line, you have to keep going and cover the flub. It really keeps you on your toes.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Melanie Boyd: There were some jokes about not getting enough sleep and how my husband must’ve really made me mad when people saw me in the post curse mirror makeup. It was quite zombie-like. Also, the house we were filming in was near a road and train tracks, so every so often we’d have to pause filiming because our scenes didn’t take place in that time period.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Melanie Boyd: I am still Facebook Friends with some of the cast and crew. Social media is great for keeping in touch despite distance.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Melanie Boyd: I changed gears and am pursuing my other love, working with animals. I am on track to graduate in May of this year and will be a Licensed Veterinary Technician, though I always have theater and acting in the back of my mind. Perhaps I will be able to do both someday.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Melanie Boyd: Surprisingly, no. That is to say, I’m not a fan of anything horror. Scary movies and I don’t get along (hello nightmares), so I don’t even know what many of them are.

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Melanie Boyd: I really enjoy stage combat, especially rapier, and played one of the Cardinal’s guard in a production of “The Three Musketeers”. Someday I also hope to ride a horse in a film. I always wonder when I see a film if it’s the actor or a stunt double doing the riding.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Melanie Boyd: Thank you for being a fan. Having people who take an interest in small independent projects keeps them going. Thank you for supporting the arts.

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Melanie Boyd: It’s never too late to change careers or pursue another path that grabbed your interest. And no life experience is ever wasted. Enjoy the detours on the way to your destination. If anyone wants to see some photos from my stage life, check out https://www.facebook.com/actressmelanieboyd/ Thank you!