Ann Myrna

CHRIS CHARLES: It’s a pleasure to have you do this for our readers, Ann. You have a long list of film credits on both sides of the camera. What do you consider yourself first and foremost?
ANN MYRNA: I’m an actress who stumbled upon a great indie production company and then learned how to be a producer.
CHRIS: Were you born and raised in the Chicago area?
ANN: I was born in South Bend, Indiana, spent seven years in Dallas after college, then moved to the Chicago area.
CHRIS: I understand you began acting in high school. What was your very first speaking part?
ANN: I was cast in Guys and Dolls in the ensemble.

CHRIS: I also understand you worked in information technology for quite a while before getting back into film work?
ANN: Yes, I started my career as a COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) mainframe programmer. I then got involved with marketing software that helped generate code. Followed that with my own consulting firm doing web design. My “retirement career” is acting and producing independent films.
CHRIS: Your company, Acrostar Productions, is producing of The Legend of Tinker Hell, which stars several actresses I’m familiar with. Did you have a hand in the casting for that film?
ANN: Steve Hermann handles the casting, but I help in the process by setting up auditions and providing feedback on the auditions.
CHRIS: Had you worked with anyone in the cast before?
ANN: Yes, I’ve previously worked with 15 of the cast members.
CHRIS: Yes, I do see some actresses have appeared in more than one Acrostar production. Have you ever written a part for a particular actress you had worked with in the past?
ANN: Steve Hermann is the writer, I only write marketing materials. I know that sometimes he has a specific actor in mind for a part. Casting is complicated and involves not only how a part is played but also availability and chemistry with other characters, to name a few things.
CHRIS: I won’t ask for any names, but have there been some actresses you have worked with whom you would never work with again?
ANN: Yes, for various reasons. A very important aspect of acting is networking, which includes how you behave on set and also how you behave on social media.
CHRIS: Got it and ’nuff said about that. So, is horror your favorite film genre?
ANN: Yes, especially psychological horror.
CHRIS: Would you say it’s more difficult to make a good comedic horror film or dramatic horror film?
ANN: I’m very big on character development, and not all writers pull that off. It’s less important in a comedic horror film because part of the time something is funny because it comes out of nowhere. When acting in a comedic film, you have to appreciate being subtle, sometimes that’s what makes it funny. There are a lot of comedic horror films that are just nonsense strung together; those are not my favorite.
CHRIS: I know in indie films, the cast and staff often have to pull double duty. What are some of the behind the camera jobs you have done, whether you signed on for them or not?
ANN: Particularly if you’re a co-owner of a production company, you do what it takes. My duties have included location scouting, contract negotiation, crowdfunding, “paperwork”, feeding everyone, boom mic, cleanup (there’s a lot of that with horror movies!).

CHRIS:Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you haven’t yet worked with but would really love to work with?
ANN: I’ve met the most interesting people through filmmaking. Right now I’m just keeping my eyes open to opportunities. I audition for roles that fit and that work with my schedule, plus I have two agents who also find opportunities. I am not stalking anyone in particular at this time.
CHRIS: With The Legend of Tinker Hell wrapped, what will be your next film project?
ANN: I’m filming a short film in FL and a feature in PA in June. I’m producer of Revenge of the Corn Zombies with Acrostar Productions in July.
CHRIS: What else does Acrostar Productions have slated for the near future?
ANN: Revenge of the Corn Zombies is scheduled for production in July. We are also planning to make three films in 2027 adapted from the MORIUM series of books written by S.J. Hermann, my business partner.
CHRIS: I’d like to get your opinion on this because you also do voiceover work. Do you think voiceover actors are going to eventually become extinct because of AI?
ANN: I have not spent much time on voiceover work lately, I’ve just been too busy. I hope that AI does not reduce or eliminate professional voiceover actors. You can most certainly detect AI voiceovers in social media ads, often the correct emotion is missing or it just sounds fake.
CHRIS: Do you have any skills or hobbies only those close to you would know about?
ANN: I also love theatre, I try to audition for a play every year. My most difficult role in theatre has been playing Arlene in Next Fall. I know how to play the piano but don’t play very often any more. And I sing in the car almost constantly!
CHRIS: With that, I’ll thank you again for doing this, Ann. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
ANN: Shoutout to all the folks who support indie films through crowdfunding. We could not make movies without you. And thanks to Steve Hermann for teaching me how persistent you need to be to finish a film.