Nicole Lillie plays the pamper French exchange student Monique in Mother's Day. I sent Nicole a series of interview questions regarding herself, her character in the film, and the production. Here is what she had to say:
So, Nicole, what was your first scary movie?
Well, when I was little I was afraid of Beauty and the Beast….does that count?
Did it really scare you?
Yes! Those wolves get me every time.
Were you one of those kids who once you had the experience of seeing a horror film you could hardly wait to see another?
I never really liked horror films. When Saw II came out two of my friends made me sit between them and wouldn’t let me leave the theatre. I think it was then that I got used to them. I’ll watch them safely at home though. With a lot of people. And a pillow, just in case I have to hide.
Are you a fan of Friday the 13th?
When I started the movie I had never seen any of the films. The only story I know is the one we filmed.
Which Friday the 13th film was your favorite?
I can’t really say, but my mom talks about them all the time and about how awesome they were.
Before getting the part of Monique in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?
No…Wow, I feel like and idiot, but I’ve just never really gotten into Horror anything.
Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?
Well, the movie still has the essence of Jason, even though the hunter is possessed by the mask and Jason is “dead”. Jason is still around, but not as prominent a character as in the other movies.
Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?
To a point I believe it would be an advantage because there wouldn’t be that struggle to capture the character of Jason as well as the other movies.
What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?
I had only ever done plays before and I actually took part in this production because my friend Mali (Carly) called me up about 2 days before shooting was supposed to begin and asked me to do it. I believe she actually wanted my sister to play the part but she had to work that weekend and was unable to do it. I almost backed out because I was uncomfortable, but my director told me I should get out of my “comfort zone”. I agreed to it, albeit nervously because I only knew Mali and about 2 other people involved. I had no idea who Corey was. I met with him that evening and he gave me the script and I read it through that night. That coming morning was, I think, the first day of shooting. Every chance I got I had my script in my hand.
In regard to your character, Monique, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?
Who wouldn’t want to play a materialistic French foreign exchange student? I think I had the most fun because she is so much my opposite.
Is there some aspect of Monique that you see in yourself?
Well the only thing Monique and I have in common, I think, is our lack of enthusiasm in all things scary.
Was it hard dealing with the character's French accent?
That’s actually a funny subject to me because I was hell bent on not doing one. Then I said a line in my mock French accent and I guess it sounded ok so I went with it. One of the guys, I don’t remember which, actually thought I was French because they had never met me or heard me speak before. When we did the read through I said my first line and I guess I sounded French.
Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?
The canoe scene. It was my biggest scene and I was really nervous. I had to wear a bathing suit in front of all these people and be filmed in it. I think that was actually the first time I wore a bathing suit that summer….
During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?
Well I’m not sure what you mean by “stand out” but I would have to say that the person who stood out to me the most was Mali. We had been friends before and we had been in plays together so we just kind of got to hang out more and it was awesome. Another one would be Dave(Albert), he’s a funny guy and we got along well.
Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?
I really wouldn’t know. I would hope so, but I guess you would have to ask Corey.
Finally, what would you like to see in the future of Friday the 13th?
I want it to be amazing and I have no doubt that it will be. There were so many amazing people involved I think there is no way it wont be awesome.