Nightmares and monsters are only one click away on Crypt TV. Home to hundreds of short films, the tech-savvy company is making social media platforms the new home for horror, including Gabriel Younes' Sunny Family Cult. With the popular web series entering its third season this spring, Daily Dead had the pleasure of catching up with Sunny Family Cult co-star Russell Cummings to discuss his mind-manipulating character Elias, the reception the show gets from Crypt TV's passionate fans, and what draws viewers to cult stories across multiple mediums right now.
Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us, Russell! One of your current acting projects is playing Elias on Crypt TV’s Sunny Family Cult. What was the audition process like for the role and how did you initially find out about the web series?
Russell Cummings: When my manager asked me to audition for Sunny Family Cult, I wasn’t familiar with the web series genre, so I wasn’t really eager to do it. Then she mentioned it was for Crypt TV, which I was familiar with. And when she said it was to play the leader of the cult, that piqued my interest. After the first couple of auditions, I went in for the chemistry read with Stefanie Estes, (who would play Karen, my wife) I discovered she was a great actress and we really played well off of each other. Chemistry is so important between actors and there was definitely that “it factor” between us.
What attracted you to playing Elias? What has it been like to get in that character’s headspace?
Russell Cummings: I was very much interested in what would drive this person to do what he does. A few years back I played a character in a very dark movie where I was completely mind controlled by my father and was led to perform acts that I would have never done on my own, so I brought that darkness in my role as a controlling father. I’ve seen cult leaders played looking like weird, stringy-haired sociopaths, but I saw him as more of the guy next door, someone who you would get into a conversation with in line at the grocery store, much like Jim Jones in Jonestown. To me, those types are more dangerous.
Crypt TV has been a great online home for original horror content. What has it been like for you to work on a project that’s shared with millions of passionate horror fans online?
Russell Cummings: Our fans are everything. It’s been amazing to see all the positive feedback and excitement for SFC. Fans of the horror genre are by far the most passionate. I can’t wait to see their reaction to season 3. It’s guaranteed to be a nail-biter!
What has it been like to work with Sunny Family Cult creator Gabriel Younes? Has it been a collaborative experience during filming?
Russell Cummings: Working with Gabe is a real treat. He is a visionary and very much an actor’s director. I appreciate Gabe’s ability to share his vision and then allow his actors to bring their unique perspectives to the role. I thoroughly enjoy working with Gabe and his team. Keep a lookout for them. They are going places.
Do you have a favorite or funny memory in particular from your time filming Sunny Family Cult?
Russell Cummings: Yes, we had a scene where my wife (played by Stefanie Estes) gets angry at me for yelling at Taylor (my daughter, played by Trew Mullen) and Gabe asked if it was okay if she slapped me across the face. I said, “Sure!” Stefanie was a little apprehensive to hit me, so I said, “Just go for it. Don’t hold back.” Big mistake. The scene started and she wound up and gave me a devastating blow to the face. She had me seeing stars and they didn’t even use the take. Don’t mess with Stefanie. Believe me, I’ll never make that mistake again.
Were you a big fan of the horror genre prior to joining the cast of Sunny Family Cult? Do you have any favorite horror movies or books?
Russell Cummings: I’m a big Stephen King fan! I love reading his books of short stories. The Shining is definitely one of my favorites. And Cujo... the list goes on.
Movies and TV series about cults are really resonating with viewers right now. Why do you think people are drawn to these types of stories?
Russell Cummings: I think people are fascinated by mind control and the psychology behind it, how people can be led to do things that would be incomprehensible to do on their own, but then someone comes into their life and takes control. It’s extremely horrifying to know seemingly normal people can me manipulated to do horrible things that they wouldn’t naturally do. And I think that the relationship between Elias and Taylor (father and daughter) within the cult is a very interesting concept.
What are you the most excited for viewers to experience in the upcoming third season of Sunny Family Cult?
Russell Cummings: Can’t wait to see how Taylor escapes her uncle’s clutches and how Elias deals with the situation. Its about to go down!
With Sunny Family Cult Season 3 premiering soon on Crypt TV, what other projects do you have on deck that you’re excited for, and where can our readers follow you and your work online?
Russell Cummings: I’m cast in a crime/action drama feature called Riptide, starring Val Kilmer, Michael Chiklis, and Mira Sorvino. I also co-wrote a Christmas comedy called The Best Worst Christmas. Production is starting in October. Finally, a grindhouse western horror film I directed is now available on DVD and iTunes called 6 Bullets to Hell. If you love westerns and you love horror, you’ll love this!
---------
To learn more about Sunny Family Cult, visit Crypt TV's website and YouTube page, and check here to read our interview with Crypt TV CEO and founder Jack Davis.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
Daily Dead's Official Podcast! Daily Dead's Official Podcast!
