To coincide with the relaunch of the new and improved Horror Asylum, I chatted to some new blood in the form of up and coming genre actor Luc Bernier. Luc is genuinely enthusiastic about the horror genre and the low budget sector in particular. His ambition and love for the horror genre and all things creative has certainly paid off, as he has managed to work with a number of the genre's most recognisable faces in the short time he has been working. Whether he is writing, directing or acting, Luc is always willing to be involved with anything creative, and his kind nature has seen the work come thick and fast. He is living the ultimate fanboys dream, as he manages to work with his idols on a number of horror projects in the hopes of bringing together the horror community. Read on to see what the most gracious and humble man in horror has to say.

When did you first become interested in the arts?
I was young...probably around 8 years old. I know I was reading books about films, actors and directors when I was 8. I was watching a lot of movies all the time and was fascinated by them...the cast, the stories, movies are creative and I love that!! At that time, I already knew I wanted to be a part of this world.

Did you do any formal training?
I studied in Media Arts (radio) and got my diploma, but have not done any training in film or anything like that.

Are you a big fan of the horror genre?
Yes! A big fan! It's my favourite genre! I like low budget movies mostly, although I still like some big Hollywood movies.

Luc: "She produces custom mermaid movies".

What are some of your favourite horror movies?
Ahh! Hard question!! I love many horror movies...among them, The Fog, Phenomena (a.k.a Creepers), Fascination, Dead Clowns, Alfred Hitchcock movies, Razor Blade Smile, Haunting Fear, Night of the Demons, Dust Devil, Shock Waves and more.

You wrote the short film 'To Dream or Not to Dream'. Where did you get your idea, and how did you go about getting the film made? Did you approach Laura Giglio or vice versa?
Well, Laura is a really good actress and a good friend and she also runs her own b-movie company. She produces custom mermaid movies in which she plays a mermaid and makes videos for customers. So I decided to write a script with eerie nightmare scenes and ‘To Dream or Not to Dream’ was born.

How did you get Scream Queen Kimberly Lynn Cole involved?
I love her! Kimberly is a very good friend of mine and she is just an amazing person, plus a really talented actress! I absolutely wanted her in the film and I found a part for her...she did GREAT!!! She is a great actress!

You also acted in the film, how did you find the experience?
Well, my part is really just a cameo. I play ‘The Apparition’ in Laura’s character’s dream sequences...they are eerie scenes. I had fun doing them. A friend of mine shot the scenes for me last spring.

You then worked on the movie 'Demon of Temptation'. Did you find it easier to make?
I did not act in 'Demon of Temptation', I only wrote the story. I also helped Isabelle Stephen film her scenes for the movie. I think the film is really cool, and I am proud of everyone in the movie! Debbie D is perfect in the lead, Laura is amazing as the villain, Isabelle Stephen is a great actress and she did great work in the film! Holly Bernabe is definitely a good actress, and she is so natural in her scenes. Tony Bork did well as the ex-boyfriend, he’s cool and GW Lawrence did a fun cameo too!

You play Jean-Paul in Steve Sessions' new movie 'Southern Gothic'. What can you tell us about the film and how did you get the part?
Southern Gothic is a ghost story. It follows the adventures of a ghost investigator, played by Jeff Dylan Graham. Lucien Eisenach, Elizabeth North, Denman Powers and Rachel Gnapp also star in the film. I had SO much fun playing Jean-Paul! I am so happy to be involved in a Steve Sessions movie!! He’s a great director. I am a big fan of his work; he really knows how to create an atmosphere...a creepy one! After a few e-mails, we talked about a part for me in Southern Gothic. Jean-Paul has a French accent, I’m French Canadian so it made sense.

Luc: "I cannot wait to see the finished result!".

You have recently been working on a new anthology film in Canada with Isabelle Stephen. What can you tell us about the project?
It’s still in production right now. It will be a short anthology called "Diary of Nightmares" and Isabelle Stephen is in one of the shorts. Kimberly Lynn Cole and Steve Sessions are in the trilogy, as well as Lucien Eisenach and me and my friend Kerri Taylor. There is also a special appearance by Laura Giglio. I am really happy about it. I wrote it and directed it...I cannot wait to see the finished result!

What else have you been working on lately?
Well, I played a part in a sci-fi spoof directed by Lucien Eisenach called ‘Sea Creature from Outer Space’. It will be really funny I think. Lucien is a great actor and an original director!!

What can you tell us about the horror scene in Canada?
Humm...There are a few people doing horror movies here...but not enough. I would like to work with some of them, and I wish more people could produce horror movies here.

Finally, what else will you be working on in 2005?
Oh, I’m not sure yet. I recently did a little scene in 'She-Demons of the Black Sun' for SV Bell and I also worked on 'Evilution' with Laura Giglio and 'Wolfika' for Steve Sessions. I’m also hoping to work on a movie in Boston, among other projects.

"Thank you ever so much for taking part in this interview Luc.
And we wish you the very best of luck in the future."