The Pact was released today on VOD and hits theaters on July 6th from IFC Midnight. I had a chance to interview Caity Lotz, the star of the film, who talked to me about how she became involved with the project, getting into character, and her experience at Sundance:
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. Can you tell me how you became involved with The Pact?
Caity Lotz: I got sent the script and I thought it was really interesting, because it was different from a slasher horror movie. It had all of these thriller elements and the character wasn't like anything else I had played. I met with the director, read for the part, and he said that he knew I was the one he wanted as soon as I walked in.
I play the character Annie, whose mother passes away. She returns to her childhood home to deal with that, when her sister goes missing. All of this craziness ensues and she has figure out what is happening to the people that are disappearing. At the same time there is an unsettling presence that emerges from the house.
Nicholas McCarthy had directed a short film of the same name that was the inspiration for the full feature. Had you seen it before going into the audition?
Caity Lotz: I had watched the short before my audition. It was similar style-wise and had a bit of the story, but it was still very different. I usually won't go see horror movies, because I get scared really easily. The Pact is different, because it has this art house element to it. It has genuine scares, where you are on the edge of your seat instead of focusing on blood and guts.
The Pact premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. How was your experience and the audience reaction?
Caity Lotz: It was so much fun. I hadn't been to Sundance before and to go for your own movie was the best experience ever. My parents came with me and I was able to share that experience with them. This little town gets taken over and there is something going on everywhere you go.
I had watched the movie once before with my manager in the producer's office, but going from watching it there to the full theater was ridiculous. I would suggest that anyone check it out in theaters if they can, because you get on the same heartbeat with the audience, sharing in all of the jumps and scares.
It was great to see everyone's reaction to it, because it was the first time the movie had screened. We weren't sure how the audience would react to it and it was cool that everyone was getting scared and loved it.
You appear with Casper Van Dien in the film. How was your time working with Casper on the set?
Caity Lotz: Casper was great to work with. The shooting time was so short and we had to get a lot of rehearsal time in between shoots. For most of the movie I'm by myself, but we had some really great scenes together. Because I spend so much time alone it was fun to have someone to play off of.
Did you do any research for your character? Is there any movie, actress, or character that inspired you?
Caity Lotz: I didn't really do any research for the role in the way of watching or imitating other people. Whenever I play a role, it's a different part of me, so it's kind of tapping into a specific side of me. My character is pretty closed off and has a lot of walls up, so I had to go into the side of me that has that. There's this strength, but weakness due to circumstance.
Do you find that it's easy to bring that side of you out in front of the camera? Is there anything you do to prepare for your scenes and bring out that character?
Caity Lotz: One of the hardest things to do is to be in that "I'm gonna die" state, because it's exhausting. You'll see in the movie where I definitely had to be there and we filmed from so many different angels. I had to stay in that state and it is physically and mentally tiring.
You mentioned that you don't usually go see horror movies, so before we wrap up, I wanted to know: What is your favorite horror movie and what movie scarred you into not watching them?
Caity Lotz: My favorite horror movie is The Shining, but the one that scarred my for life is Leprechaun. My dad made me watch it when I was little and that one scared me. My dad would try to scare me, saying "The Leprechaun is coming...".
With The Pact being released this month, what other projects can we look forward to seeing you in?
Caity Lotz: In January, Sony Screen Gems will release a movie I worked on called Battle of the Year. It's a really fun big 3D breakdancing movie. It has a great cast and you get to see some really amazing dancing. I started as a dancer before I was an actress and danced for bunch of artists, including Lady Gaga. It was cool, because I never got to use my dancing with my acting before. For anyone who asks, there is no stunt double... it's all me.
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Keep an eye out for additional coverage of The Pact, including more interviews and a follow up with Caity when the movie is released to theaters. We've included the trailer, synopsis, and a photo gallery below.
Synopsis: "After their mother passes away, sisters Nicole and Annie reluctantly return to their childhood home to pay their last respects. While staying overnight in the house, the sisters sense a mysterious presence in their midst: noises startling them in the night, objects moving about, a fallen picture of an unknown woman posed next to their mother. Annie begins experiencing a series of intense and disturbing dreams – visions that lead her to uncover something terrible about her mother’s past that is finally revealing itself."
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