Huff (2012): The Story of the Infectious Marie Bollinger

Stepping on a Horror set can be kind of murky. Lucky for the crew onHuff they had a few veteran knuckleheads. One being Charlie O’Connellwho had a slew of great one liners but I think Charlie met his match when leading lady Marie Bollinger, who plays Brixi, stepped on set. Her quips kept going until the day Huff wrapped. Before I was able to sit down and talk to Marie face to face I mostly observed her through the monitor and what captivated me was that the intensity she brought on set was chilling. Her character, Brixi, is the oldest of the step-daughters to Huff and her struggle is to escape his wrath while saving her sisters and mother. She could turn on the heat off and on so easily. In  what can only be seen in a blooper reel she showcases her playful side. This scene she was screaming bloody murder trying to escape Huff and as she is frantically trying to get away you see her struggle and with all her might try to get out this window. The director Paul Morrell says, “Come on Brixi go through the window.” She shoots back, “I’m trying but there is someone’s coffee in my way.” She knew how to make you laugh but not lose character. A true professional.

Marie being interviewed by RealTVFilms

During scenes that can only be described as morbid I could see the pain and hurt in Marie’s eyes. She struck emotions inside me and made me feel what her character was feeling. During these late night shoots the temperature dropped well before 50 degrees, but not once did I hear Marie complain. Every hour of twilight she didn’t murmur how painful it was to be in a tiny midriff top and barely there jeans. Not once. In fact the only time you heard she was cold was when the director asked if she could stop shivering. She simply said, “Ok” closed her eyes and then she was back into character. She was shocking to watch because of her talent in the dramatic sector of acting. But Marie is not a one note actor for her comedy chops are just as good. In her latest comedy film, Zombies and Assholes, she got to share with the world her humorous side.

Marie with Director Paul Morrell

Marie is not a secretive person but ask her a few amusing questions here and there and she opens up like a hatchet wound after a zombie attack. She had been in the industry for quite some time as Amber Bollinger which is her legal name however surprisingly enough there is another gal in the business by that same exact name. Marie is Amber’s middle name so to keep it simple Marie will now be billed as Marie Bollinger. Oh and another tid-bit for you fans is this blue-eyed stunner is going blonde next year. Kind of exciting because right now she is a cute redhead but perhaps 2012 is the year of the bombshell blonde.

Working on the set of Huff has been great for Marie. She said that she actually booked the job through a film she did a few years ago named Pelt directed by Richard Swindell. She told me that Huff’s  director Paul Morrell saw the film Peltand then contacted her through Facebook to read for the part of Brixi. (For all you non-believers out there about social media this is just another reason why networking through these avenues can be successful). After she auditioned she felt like she didn’t give her best but on the glorious day of 11/11/11 she received a phone call from Morrell and booked the job. She told me that she loved this role of Brixi because the character has a strong maternal side and that’s how Marie sees herself. She even took that  characterization further as she became the mother hen for newcomer Elly Stefanko who plays Shay in the film.

When asked who she would like to work with in the future Marie spat off names like Annette Bening, Daniel Day-Lewis, Evan Rachel Wood, and even Philip Seymour Hoffman who she had an audition with but since she was filmingHuff she had to decline the opportunity. I admired that. She said she wasn’t going to leave a set where she has responsibility for something that may or may not come. Sure, her agent wasn’t happy but that is what makes Marie a great actress to book. Loyalty is hard to find in this business. A few other powerhouses that Marie said she would love to work with is Clint Eastwood for his reputation with being a complete dream with actors. And lastly was the ever so daring, Angelina Jolie. After seeing the trailer for Jolie’s latest, In the Land of Blood and Honey, Marie was sold on Jolie being a phenomenal director.

Jenna Stone (Styx), Marie Bollinger (Brixi), Elly Stefanko (Shay)

Along in this potpourri of an interview Marie said said she could “Live on set for the rest of my life.” In fact she actually did live on set during the days of filming Huff. She clearly is not scared of anything for this house is lonely, quiet, on a plot of land that houses a cemetery, and has been rumored for having ghosts walk the property. But did this little 5’6’’ wonder care… nope. In fact she made a little Blair Witch Project short while staying here with some of the other crew.

As I peeled back the layers of Marie I realized I still hadn’t even chipped away at her core. She is so full of talent and mystery. I simply asked, “What is something that we don’t know about you?” and she replied, “That I’m an incredible athlete.” As I blankly stared at her small frame I murmured, “Really?” She said that’s the reaction she gets every time. She continued saying that she was a three sport athlete in high school, those sports being volleyball, basketball, and track. She earned a state championship for high-jump and she also received a scholarship in track to go to the University of Cincinnati where she set records that took others years to break. In fact she still holds an All-Time Record for Javelin at the school. What does this woman not do?

Marie is the full package. It’s no wonder she gets fan mail from adoring fans all over the world. With two older brothers she knows how to handle the men in her life but she also is a girl’s girl. I could talk to this gal for hours. Director and developers out there beware of the storm that is coming your way. Look for Marie Bollinger for your power woman in your script because this vivacious actress has a dominance to be reckon with and is going to be around for years to come.

Blood Drenched Marie and I

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