Interview with Podcaster Whitney Modesta Collazo [Women in Horror Month 2021]

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Whitney Modesta Collazo, I’m a home grown North Carolina Native with roots from Mexico. I’m an artist, makeup artist, screen writer, contributing writer to Gruesome Magazine as well as a co-host for Gruesome’s Decades of Horror: Classic Era podcast.

What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I was sort of raised on it.

When you have both parents who love Tales from the Crypt, an uncle who loves 80’s horror, and a brother who loves Godzilla, you’ll either love or hate horror.

Guess who’s a Horror Nerd, now!

Who inspires you in your work and in life?
My family and loved ones.

Our connection to horror is deeper than just watching what we enjoy on screen…

I come from a family of survivors, and we’ve been through a lot together and in our own ways, we have faced many of our own horrors.

So I’ll always be inspired by the strength of those I hold so dear. A filmmaker who I adore who can depict layers of horror, layers of trauma and layers of love will always be Guillermo del Toro. I’m also proud of the fact that he and part of my family hail from Jalisco, Mexico.

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?
Hearing the voices behind the storytelling. Knowing that the artist can be just as powerful as their art, it’s a beautiful thing to see women honing their voices and channeling more of it within their art. I want to see more of that because it’s incredibly important.

What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a woman as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
As someone who has had a rough road of finding my voice, I encourage every señorita to find their voice, and to never stop using it. Within your art and and outside of it, it’s always important to speak up for yourself and for others.

What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Don’t limit yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things as an artist. Take every opportunity that you possibly can.

In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies ?
I say keep an eye out for actor and podcaster, Aileen Clark, of podcast host of Uy Que Horror!

I found her podcast through Instagram and became an instant fan. They even did a review of my Gruss Vom Krampus short around the Holiday season of 2020.

Hearing perspectives in horror by not only one but two latinx hosts, Aileen Clark and her cohost Johnny Eliot in Uy Que Horror provide an earful of creepy cinema info, passion and pride.

If you want to hear about Latinx Horror by Latinx creatives, I strongly suggest listening to Aileen at Uy Que Horror! Do it, ándale, you won’t be sorry!

What else can I say other than representation really matters.

What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
Speaking of podcasts, if you’re into classic Horror, tune in to Decades of Horror: Classic Era podcast via Gruesome Magazine, you can hear me there with my co-ghosts!

As a screen writer, I can’t disclose much info on the projects. However, I can say that I’m currently doing revisions on Latinx Sci-fi, Thriller and Horror related stories.

Keeping to Latinx Horror, I now have a YouTube Channel Whitscraftngore, where I’m La Hechicera del Horror. There I will be demonstrating makeup and art as I talk about Latin/Hispanic and world Folklore.

I am also teaching art classes via zoom as well. Through those classes, I’ve approached the lessons based on what the student likes and so far my classes have had horror and metal music inspired subjects.

Pop them links to follow your work here:
https://linktr.ee/Whitscraftngore
@Whitscraftngore