Tasha Tacosa

CHRIS CHARLES: Hello Tasha and thank you for doing this. The last time you graced these pages was for a group interview with you ladies who appeared in Jeff Leroy’s “Giantess Attack” films. I know you’ve worked with Rachel Riley since. Have you since worked with anyone else who was involved in that one?
TASHA TACOSA: Yes! In this wild world of cult indie film, a lot of us often are in the same similar circles. I believe, from my Giantess cast, Rachel Riley (Frida), Jed Rowen (General Kilgore), Ben Stobber (Joel Blowfeld), and myself have collectively worked in/on, in front or behind the camera, somewhere around twenty five and counting projects together. Most recently, Rachel, Jed, and I shot a film series; Herbert West: Reanimator, the award winning film, Amber Road (both directed by B. Luciano Barsuglia) and multi-awarded short film, The Last Callback (directed by Jason Kartalian). Notably, Jed and I also starred in one of my favorite films, another award winning project, Impact Event (directed by B. Luciano Barsuglia). We had an excellent time shooting with a great cast and crew on location at the creepy cool mysterious Hobbs Grove Halloween Haunt in Northern California. Kali Cook, Amber in Giantess Attack vs. Mecha Fembot, and I have a history working together in multiple projects. We originally met when I cast her as one of my reoccurring friends in my online series, Trent & Tilly, that eventually went to pilot. Also from time to time we will collaborate on social media content. Most recently I worked with Vince Cusimano, Joel Hertzberg/the monster in Giantess Attack vs. Mecha Fembot. He cast me as one of his co-stars in his award winning short film, Charlie Christ (directed by Vito Trabucco).

CHRIS: I didn’t know this before, but you were born close to my neck of the woods; Santa Rosa, California, but you grew up in Virginia. At what age did you move to Virginia and do you remember anything about living in Santa Rosa?
TASHA: I actually don’t remember anything about Santa Rosa. A lot of my family is located closer to Sacramento and San Francisco. So, I have more memories in those areas. My parents moved around quite a bit when I little from California to Virginia, Colorado, Florida, and then back to Virginia when I was six-ish.
CHRIS: When you moved to LA, was it much of a culture shock for you?
TASHA: Yes. The East Coast vs. West Coast divide is a real thing. I think it’s true what they say. It takes about two years to fully acclimate to LA.
CHRIS: Another thing I didn’t know at the time of our group interview, as I was just focusing on the film you ladies were involved in at the time, but you also have quite a background in theater, beginning when you were a child, correct?
TASHA: Yes. I am actually a classically trained artist. I’m sure all of that magic and talent is well showcased in Giantess Attack. I’m kidding, but I do believe there are a lot of similarities between the theatrics of theatre and that of cult indie films. Being on stage definitely prepared me for the improvisation and the “two take” reality of this world. When I was little, I always wanted to sing and perform. When I was seven, my mom enrolled me into a summer children’s theatre program sponsored by the Equity Shakespeare Theatre Guild in my town. I immediately loved classical theatre. Not only because I love to perform, but also because I am dyslexic. At the time normal reading and writing was a challenge. However, classical scripts, with their formats and colorful expressive language just made sense to me. The next summer I auditioned for the Equity company and I was cast in my first professional show. From that point on I was fully determined to become an actress. Yes, I was eight and I lived in Williamsburg, Virginia. It didn’t matter to me. In my eyes I was just a few resume credits away from moving to New York. Getting a day job at a coffee shop and auditioning away until I landed my big break. Thus, I searched high and low for every performance opportunity I could find. I did children’s theatre, dinner theatre, church plays, clowning, miming, public speaking, choir, etc. Anything I could find with a performance element, I was there. One of my first prestigious theatre jobs was being cast in the full stage summer production that launched The American Girl Dolls first doll and book series. I performed two shows a day for thousand of little girls and their moms. It was the best. From there I attended a high school magnet for the performing arts. Then continued on to college as a performance major. Moving to LA, I tried to continue theatre incorporating improv and sketch comedy. I quickly learned that LA is not a theatre town so I had to adjust.

CHRIS: Do you miss being on stage and plan on returning someday or is that all behind you now?
TASHA: Yes. I love the stage. My goal was always Broadway. It was crazy twist of fate that lead me to Los Angeles. I have been bouncing around the idea of a one woman show for a couple of years. I will keep you posted when it comes to fruition.
CHRIS: You’ve won several indie film awards, so you’ve built up an impressive resume. Of all the awards you’ve won, which would you say you are most proud of?

TASHA: I’m proud of all my awards. The entertainment/film industry is a tough business to keep your head up in. Indie film does not make it any easier. But what it lacks in glamour and often monetary success, I believe it makes up in creativity, passion, and opportunity to take artistic chances. Anytime I am recognized for my work it feels amazing and I am greatly appreciative. I think my most exciting award was my first Best Actress Award for Rat Scratch Fever. That movie will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my introduction in to the world of indie and my first lead role in a film. I was so excited and surprised when I got the news I was speechless.
CHRIS: Who have been some of your favorite people to work with, on either side of the camera?
TASHA: I don’t even know how to answer that. I have worked with so many creative, cool, diverse, kind, fun, passionate, resourcefully talented people in this industry. Being artists, most of us work on both sides of the camera in one capacity or the other. It’s like we all have a shared drive to create no matter the circumstances. For sure everyone I mentioned in this interview I have really enjoyed working with through the years.
CHRIS: If you got offered a prominent role in what you thought was a good film, but it included a nude scene, would you consider it or are nude scenes off the table for you?
TASHA: It would really depend on the project. I don’t foresee me doing nudity, but I never say never. If I thought the nudity had any artistic value and the film was at the commercial level of Anora or The Substance I might consider it. I’m not against people doing nudity. I have played my fair share of sass and seduction, which is always fun. But, I have yet to be presented a project that I felt actual nudity would be appropriate for me.
CHRIS: In Rat Scratch Fever, what was it was like filming the scene where the rats “invade” your body in the spaceship?
TASHA: Oh you mean that scene where a rat wiggles its way up into my cha cha? Yeah, it makes me laugh when I see it now. But when we were shooting… I was definitely a little freaked out. Yes, I was working with director Jeff Leroy. He is most definitely a creative genius and the king of independent horror practical effects. His methods though are sometimes a bit out of the box. Through the years I have learned to trust his vision. As we have done many films together, including Giantess Attack. But this was my first film with him. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. So when Jeff proposed I take a rubber hose attached to an air pump with a condom looking balloon on the end of it and shove it up the leg of my pants, so he could then turn on the air pump, to make it look like a rat was crawling up my leg and “invading my body” all the while he was shooting a camera between my legs…yeah it was weird. The request seemed so creepy and out of pocket that it took my mind a couple of explanations to comprehend. Luckily we were a few weeks into shooting. At this point Jeff had already covered me in live rats and shot a blood cannon up my nose. I figured it was to late to turn back and so far everything pretty much worked out. So I decided to trust him and do the stunt. After a few failed attempts it went exactly as planned creating my infamous rat in the cha cha scene. To this day it is one of the strangest things I have ever done while shooting a movie.

CHRIS: I understand you have a pet rabbit, Wyatt B Rabbit. Are rabbits your preferred pet?
TASHA: I do love bunnies. They are cute, sassy and independent. They make me laugh and yes, bunnies have personalities and opinions. Unfortunately Wyatt B. Rabbit is recently deceased. He died last June. He was so sweet and loving. I really miss him. I had another bunny before him, Rocco Valentino. He was my ride or die for eight years. That bunny was tough. Before him I rescued a badass little tuxedo cat, Jose Ramirez. I don’t tend to love cats as pets but Jose had swagger. Yes, lol, all of my pets have full names and backstories.
CHRIS: What would you consider your most striking physical feature? (If she would have said  anything other than “my eyes,” I wasn’t going to buy it.)
TASHA: I do like my eyes.
CHRIS: So,  I guess I’m not the only one who has complimented you on your gorgeous green eyes?
TASHA: Yes, people do tend to mention them and I always appreciate the compliment.
CHRIS: Have you ever received any offers to do ads for eyewear, makeup, or anything similar thanks to your eyes?
TASHA: Yes. I modeled for a make-up/beauty company for multiple seasons. I was always cast to do the fun cool bold make-up looks like club kids and fantasy girls that focused on my eyes.
CHRIS: Do people sometimes ask if you’re wearing contact lenses?
TASHA: Sometimes. Believe it or not, I have had agents suggest I cover my eyes with brown contacts so I could blend in more for roles. Clearly I did not even consider those suggestions.
CHRIS: I understand you are a co-producer on the upcoming indie horror GloryHole?
TASHA: Yes. I was an actress and producer on that film. Oh and Jed Rowen was in it too as a politician. It is a stylized aggressive artistic gory vigilante film about two females on a cross country rampage. Ignited by a sexual assault and unlawful college expulsion of one of the females who was a behavioral science student. The girls devise a seductive bloodlust behavior adjustment experiment to right the wrongs of sexually deviant men while posting their journey online. I play the underground blogger that turns their rage into dark social justice uprising movement. In short, it is a bloody gory sassy wild revenge ride.
CHRIS: So, as we speak, what other film projects are you working on?
TASHA: A little bit ago I shot my first film with director, Jim Towns, called Mandromeda. It’s a black and white sci-fi drama about the end of the world and ride share drivers. I play Desiree, the wife of one of drivers, Leo, played by Alvin Catacutan. Our storyline was an intense painful dose of love and reality. I really enjoyed working with both Jim and Alvin. I feel like there was so much integrity brought to this storyline. I’m super interested and excited to see the final project. I am also working on developing another social media series. This one will be based in the quantum paranormal world. So stay tuned.
CHRIS: Will you be attending events in the near future where fans can meet you?
TASHA: I have nothing on the books currently. This past summer Jeff Leroy and I went to Nite Hawk Cinema in Williamsburg, New York to do a screening/Q&A/ signing for Rats Scratch Fever with Wild Eye. It was good time. Wild Eye planned a great interactive screening event. Most of our audience members were filmmakers and people who are really into this cult horror genre of indie. It was awesome to connect and chat with them. I would love to do more if the opportunity arises. TBA.
CHRIS: Do you have any skills or hobbies only those close to you would know about?
TASHA: Hmmm…I do. I think my actual hobby is life long learning. Which manifests often into momentary obsession. That I pursue ruthlessly. Currently my obsession that only people close to me know is online cooking videos. I know that doesn’t sound that strange. But, consider, I don’t cook. I don’t care to cook. I’m not great at cooking. I wasn’t raised to cook. But for the life of me I cannot stop watching these freakin’ videos. Like I’ll watch the same recipe cooked exactly the same way by five different people, video after video. Like a competitive sport. Then I will save those videos to watch over and over again. Then, I get so empowered and I believe whole heartedly, I can do that. I can totally do that and have a side hustle as an online cooking influencer. Again, do I have any talent in this area? No. Does that stop me for thinking it’s my new calling? No. I am so self convincing that I go out. Get the ingredients. Set up the camera and attempt to make the recipe etc. How’s it going? 12 recipes and running later, not great. But I keep trying in full delusion and the cycle keeps turning until I find my next shiny idea/obsession. What’s the definition of insanity again?..
CHRIS: Do you actually play the drums or was it just for a role you did in Don’t F with the Dead?
TASHA: I wish I played the drums like my character. Sadly, no I do not. Fun fact: The creator/director of the that project, Jennifer Emery, was also in Rat Scratch Fever.

CHRIS: Oh, just one last question. Are you ever recognized these days from you role as the uncredited “Working Girl” in the 1998 episode of The Magnificent Seven entitled “Working Girls”?
TASHA: I don’t even think I would recognize myself from that role. It one of my very first LA jobs. I remember my manager sent me to the audition. I had no idea what it was for. The production office was located super far out past the valley near the Disney Ranch. I had never driven that far in LA for anything. It was really hot and my car didn’t have air conditioning. Convinced I was in the wrong place, I entered the production office. I had to have looked like a nervous frazzled lost little girl. Thankfully a really nice hipster cool vibe man greeted me and gave me a bottle of water. Then he took me on a mini tour around the office as we chatted. Which was good because it gave me a moment to compose myself. By the time we made it back to the front room he said, “ Great. Thanks for coming.” Confused, I said, “ Oh, wait I’m actually here for an audition. I’m suppose to meet with the producer of this show.” He replied, “Yeah, that’s me. You got the job.” I was in such shock I didn’t know what to do so I just held out my headshot and asked,” Do you need this?” He replied, “Why? I’m looking right at you. See you Monday.” That was that. I shot for two weeks. I didn’t have the biggest role. But, it was a Wild West TV show. That meant elaborate costumes, western sets, duels, drama, covered wagons etc. For a theatre kid like me it was a dream and a very cool show to be a part of. To this day I am a believer, what’s meant for you will find you.
CHRIS: With that, I’ll thank you again for taking the time to do this, Tasha. In closing, do you have any shout-outs to anyone?
TASHA: Thank you for asking and being interested. I just want to shout my fellow artist and filmmakers. I know it’s been a crazy couple of years. But, keep dreaming, keep believing and keep creating!