Women in Horror: Melantha Blackthorne

As you guys are aware there is a movement that is happening within the horror genre which started way back in 2009 I believe. Since then, in the month of February, women within the genre have been celebrated for their work and basically giving them the recognition they deserve, pointing out that the genre isn't just for the guys.

Now you are probably think, "But it isn't February, aren't you a little late?" Well, I tend to not follow "rules" and what not and both men and women should be celebrated all year long for their contributions, whether it's the horror genre or any profession. So, I'm hoping to be doing an ongoing editorial where I will be looking at some up and coming men and women in the genre, as well as already established stars and simply trying to spread the word of who they're and what they've done.

This time around, the spotlight is on not only an awesome actress, a bodacious female but also a very good friend of mine, well, I'd like to think she is. So, without further-ado let me introduce to you, Melantha Blackthorne.
If you guys follow my blog or my ramblings over at Horror-Movies.ca, you know that I freakin' love Melantha Blackthorne, she just simply has IT, and it shows in all her work, whether she be acting, modelling or directing, she is someone that embodies horror and takes it to a whole new level. In fact, Melantha was one of my picks for Horror Vixens of 2013, and she is still my pick every year thereafter.

Anyway, Melantha always had an eye for the arts, especially performing. Since a very early age she loved performer and during her school years she was involved in the dramatic arts program and from here her passion for acting blossomed, most notably it was her love for horror films. In fact she would borrow her father's video camera at a young age and create her own little movies, but it wasn't until 1999 when Melantha really came into her own and created her very own character, a character which almost became an overnight sensation.

This character was known as Countess Bathoria, a sort of darker side of herself, an alter ego, one which lives in a world of sex and horror and is a total deviant. It was her way of expressing herself and in doing so, the horror community took notice that Melantha Blackthorne was on the horror scene and she was here to stay.

Her alter ego Countess Bathoria, became a sort of host, introducing a slew of films, think Elvira with her Movie Macabre series, Countess Bathoria almost became her counterpart and in 2007 Countess Bathoria's Graveyard Picture Show was released, and the host with the most was the main attraction as she introduced a number of indie films.

But lets go back a little. Okay, Countess Bathoria is an absolute hit among the legions of horror fans, mixing the right amount of horror and sex appeal to get people to notice her, but how do you really hit the scene, how to you get the woman behind Countess Bathoria?

Easy, you write, direct and star in your first movie! If that doesn't say, "look here I am, and I'm ready to prove I'm just as good, if not better than the guys!" Then I don't know what is. So, Sinners and Saints is born as part of Melantha's own production company Robomonkey Productions (such an awesome name) and basically the rest is history as they would say. Since then Melantha has been working ferociously on the scene working in films and TV and quickly making a name for herself.

Look, go check out her IMDB page, this woman does not stop! I don't know how she does it. Well, actually I do, she is the freakin' Countess Bathoria, a freakin' vampire! But seriously, she is the real deal. Going from an Internet sensation, to hitting the indie scene, to being cast in a number of TV shows and then to even make to some Hollywood films, Melantha is one chick that shows no signs of stopping and I encourage you to check out her work.

Most recently I was able to check out her role in Adam R. Steigert's A Grim Becoming where she starred alongside Bill Oberst, Jr., and it was an absolute treat. These two just clicked, I'm hoping we can see them in a re-imagining of the Bride of Frankenstein, or maybe that's just me. Anyway, it was a whole lot of fun which also starred a slew of awesome women in the genre which includes Devanny Pinn, Jessica Cameron and Lynn Lowry. It was a real treat, and a great watch.

But that's not all. She has so many films and you'd think someone who works in the horror genre with all this evil surrounding them, especially on screen you'd think they must be some kind of monster! Oh, the misconception. Melantha, like nearly everyone who works in the horror genre is as sweet as they come, and not only is she a sweet person but also a true animal advocate that respects that all living creatures, no matter how small, should be given life and I totally respect her mission in trying to make the world a better place for everyone and everything that lives here.

Anyway, I hope you guys will give her work a look, if you haven't done so already and please help keep the indie scene alive so we can continue to watch such talents as Melantha and many more put their craft to the screen.