Meet author, actress, SFX artist, model Cory DeAn Cowley:
To start, please introduce yourself:
My name is Cory DeAn Cowley. I’m from Nashville, TN. I’m an author, actress, SFX artist, model (sometimes), and a “Jill of all Trades”.
What is horror to you, what makes a work of art one in the horror genre?
Horror is such a very complex genre in today’s film. What was once o very basic, rudimentary formula is so different nowadays, and horror has never been more in demand. It’s conveying the darkest subconscious of your mind and bringing it to the forefront. I feel as if humans are naturally very drawn to things that are grotesque and macabre – even if our morality tried to strike it from our inner monologue. For anyone to portray the deepest, darkest thoughts, feelings, emotions, and images for the sake of making one understand – this is true horror. The psychological impact it has on one afterwards is what determines how successful a film is at getting a message across. Sometimes invoking terror (in a myriad of ways) is necessary for one to understand a side of life that is typically disregarded, but existent in a very real world.
What made you want to work in horror?
My first film was Hellraiser. My mom was a very liberal person who turned me on to horror at a young age. I was never afraid of horror like kids my age. It was almost an escape from a very sad reality. Films like Hellraiser, Alien, The Thing, The Fog, Fire in the Sky, From Beyond, and Audition really made me feel at home. I always wanted to write a novel and turn it into a film, and when I saw Hellraiser and started seeing SFX, I knew that it was very tangible goal. And here I am.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from J-Horror cinema. There is something so simple and basic about J-horror that other subgenres just can’t seem to get right. It’s taking the most minute aspects of basic human fears and exacerbating times one hundred. The folklore surrounding the storylines are also something I’ve always appreciated. I’m a bit of a history buff; therefore, incorporating Japanese spirituality and history into modern themes is like the ultimate film, in my opinion. That aside, I often times like to listen to dark ambient black metal to set a tone for a writing prompt or an SFX practice session. Music has the power to provoke heightened senses…which is why I use it daily.
What would you like your legacy to be in the genre (or elsewhere)?
This is probably going to be a very odd answer, but I just wanted to be known for not giving a fuck. I’ve always tried to separate myself from my predecessors and try new things, without aspiring to be better, alike, or similar. It’s hard to really stand out in a very saturated genre, but I think the more you sit back and meditate on the grand scheme, you begin to find work that aligns more with your higher self. I used to try to take work that didn’t really sate my appetite, but the older I get and more I contemplate, I realize bigger projects with more meat to the bones eventually come. I guess, in short, I just want to be the rogue misnomer that everyone overlooked, but nobody ever disrespected. A woman of stature who moves in silence.
What is Women in Horror Month to you and why is it still important this many years later?
It’s a testament to the tremendous women before and after us who continue to shape the world of cinema. More now than ever, women are becoming the showrunners in a very tremulous and unpredictable time. But if anything, that just shows our ability to adapt and change, whilst remaining ourselves and making it known we are here to stay.
Who are some of the Women in Horror who you look up to and who do you want to bring attention to in your field or others?
Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Daria Nicolodi, Claire Higgins…I mean, the list goes on. I think while it is important to signify woman empowerment in film, it’s still our responsibility as humans first to respect our peers regardless of sex, gender, religion, or race. Above all, I’d like to always maintain the highest form of professionalism in terms of love for all who wish to follow the pursuit of cinema. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed and follow their dreams, and I think any man, woman, queer, or POC should have that equal right.
What are you currently working on that you can tell us about?
I’m very excited to say that my first TV series with Screambox will be releasing sometime this year (hopefully). I can’t talk about it yet, but this has been the biggest undertaking of my career in terms of FX wise and acting.
Where can readers keep up with you?
You can follow me on: IG: @corydeancowley IMDB: Cory DeAn Cowley FB: Cory DeAn Cowley or my official website: www.officialcorydeancowley.con