Please introduce yourself.
Hi! I’m Paula Lindberg, a Los Angeles-based, Vancouver-bred actor that horror fans might recognize as Ruby Realgirl from American Mary. I’ve also appeared in a variety of film/tv stuff like Fringe, Supernatural, Eureka and more recently in leading roles in The Tale of Two Coreys and The Fiddling Horse. I’ve also contributed to Women in Horror Month by producing and starring in the short film Blood Bus.
What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
As an actor I like the extremes of emotions you get to explore in horror. I love the deep, dark parts of the psyche it explores.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
Humanity inspires me. The good and the bad. The dark & the light. I wanted to be an actor to reflect all that we as people encompass, and to help share all of the stories floating around out there that bring us together.
Women in horror have made great strides, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to make it a most inclusive genre. To you, what is the importance of a movement like Women in Horror Month?
Representation matters, and we have more of a voice when we all band together. Shining a light on the incredible talents and voices of those less heard brings fresh perspective to this wonderful genre. Female creatives – across the industry, not just in horror – often get opportunities but are frequently given such a short leash. It’s like, if we don’t hit a home run right away we don’t get another shot at bat. We need the freedom to push boundaries and take chances they way male filmmakers have been able to. Movements like WIHM are vital until we achieve true equality.
What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a women as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
Build a community that supports you. Surround yourself, either in person, or online if you don’t live in one of the big film cities, with like-minded people who inspire you to create and see past whatever gender you might happen to be. Watch & learn from fellow women who inspire you.
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Just to keep going. Being an actor is incredibly competitive, and so much is out of your hands, but keep going, keep improving and keep being ready for when opportunities present themselves. You can’t control this industry and it’s like that old saying ‘luck is when preparation meets opportunity’.
In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
I’m excited to see what Gigi Saul Guerrero has coming down the pipe. And I’m also just genuinely excited for the big push for diversity and more women in film. I’m excited to see more brand new voices and fresh perspectives. I think that there are a lot of stories that are long overdue in being told.
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
Non horror related, The Fiddling Horse is now streaming on Amazon Prime. You can check out my essay in My Favorite Horror Movie 2: The New Blood, sold on Amazon or at Black Vortex Cinema. And Cucuy: The BoogeyMan & American Mary are currently streaming on Netflix and Not Alone (where I have a small VO) is out soon!
Pop them links to follow your work here:
https://www.imdb.me/paulalindberg
Instagram: @paulaalindberg
WIHM Blood Bus: https://youtu.be/FR4qK8eosmY
The Fiddling Horse: https://www.amazon.com/Fiddling-Horse-Andy-Kindler/dp/B08BN6SSFB
My Favorite Horror Movie Books: https://www.blackvortexcinema.com/?fbclid=IwAR2PLrudBdGxd1A-FPYS2rAcpJtFj_o6f1Ah
Not Alone: https://youtu.be/igfy_YzmsN8