Actress and cinematographer Ashley Hefner is originally from Orlando, Florida, but currently calls Peoria, Illinois home. She’s one of the talented young actresses appearing in Acrostar Productions’ soon to be released horror film, The Legend of Tinker Hell. With previous film credits that include It Came From Somewhere, Attack of the Corn Zombies, and Night of the Dead Sorority Babes, the last two in which she also worked behind the camera, Ashley is making quite a name for herself in indie horror.
Ashley has also appeared, and will be appearing, at some of the top horror conventions and events in the Midwest, such as Milwaukee Horror Con and Chicago Horror Film Festival, where she’s also an assistant director and will be be appearing at again on October 2-4. Learn more about this rising talent in the following exclusive interview she recently did with Idol Features. (Above photo by Brad Campbell.)
CHRIS CHARLES: It’s great to have you gracing the pages of Idol Features and Effective magazines, Ashley.
ASHLEY HEFNER: Hi! Thank you SO much for having me!!
CHRIS: So I was going to throw this in as my last question, as it’s probably something you’ve been asked a million times before, but, just in case you are; are you any distant relation to Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner?
ASHLEY: Hahah, you have no idea the amount of times I get “like Hugh?” whenever I tell people my last name. Even at the doctors office! But sadly, no relation. It is a question I get a lot, and it’d be a lot cooler if I was.
CHRIS: Okay, now that that is out of the way; what was your very first acting role?
ASHLEY: My very first acting role was actually back in high school. I’m from Orlando, Florida originally, and I was blessed that my schools had very extensive television production classes and an award winning theater department. I’ve been acting and getting my hands wet in the industry since middle school. As for acting, my sophomore year I was cast in my high school’s production of “Murder By Poe” as my first non-ensemble role, and I knew I wanted to act ever since. As for film, I took a bit of a hiatus from acting when I moved to Illinois, so it wasn’t until 2021 that I returned as Ashley the vampire with Acrostar Productions’ YouTube series Blood Sisters.
CHRIS: I see you are cast in The Legend of Tinker Hell, along with some other actresses I am familiar with. Please tell me about the character you play in that one.
ASHLEY: I play Quinn in The Legend of Tinker Hell. She’s a goth baddie who’s dating Melody (Leah Tipton), and is friends with Skyler (Chloe Lutz) she attends Skyler and Peyton’s (Delilah “Dee” Hefner) costume party where all the violent shenanigans take place.
CHRIS: Had you worked with anyone else in the cast before?
ASHLEY: I’ve actually worked with every single person on the cast list! It was one of the most fun and comfortable sets I’ve ever been on because of that. I’m so grateful to call all of these wonderful people my friends.
CHRIS: Judging from you list of credits, I’d say horror is your favorite film genre?
ASHLEY HEFNER: Hi! Thank you SO much for having me!!
CHRIS: So I was going to throw this in as my last question, as it’s probably something you’ve been asked a million times before, but, just in case you are; are you any distant relation to Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner?
ASHLEY: Hahah, you have no idea the amount of times I get “like Hugh?” whenever I tell people my last name. Even at the doctors office! But sadly, no relation. It is a question I get a lot, and it’d be a lot cooler if I was.
CHRIS: Okay, now that that is out of the way; what was your very first acting role?
ASHLEY: My very first acting role was actually back in high school. I’m from Orlando, Florida originally, and I was blessed that my schools had very extensive television production classes and an award winning theater department. I’ve been acting and getting my hands wet in the industry since middle school. As for acting, my sophomore year I was cast in my high school’s production of “Murder By Poe” as my first non-ensemble role, and I knew I wanted to act ever since. As for film, I took a bit of a hiatus from acting when I moved to Illinois, so it wasn’t until 2021 that I returned as Ashley the vampire with Acrostar Productions’ YouTube series Blood Sisters.
CHRIS: I see you are cast in The Legend of Tinker Hell, along with some other actresses I am familiar with. Please tell me about the character you play in that one.
ASHLEY: I play Quinn in The Legend of Tinker Hell. She’s a goth baddie who’s dating Melody (Leah Tipton), and is friends with Skyler (Chloe Lutz) she attends Skyler and Peyton’s (Delilah “Dee” Hefner) costume party where all the violent shenanigans take place.
CHRIS: Had you worked with anyone else in the cast before?
ASHLEY: I’ve actually worked with every single person on the cast list! It was one of the most fun and comfortable sets I’ve ever been on because of that. I’m so grateful to call all of these wonderful people my friends.
CHRIS: Judging from you list of credits, I’d say horror is your favorite film genre?
ASHLEY: Oh yes, horror has been a staple in my life since I was a child. I actually used to get in trouble when I was five years old because I’d get home from school and immediately put on The Crow or The Shining on repeat. I’m pretty sure I wore out my family’s VHS player because of it.
CHRIS: I haven’t seen it yet, but you have to tell me about Night of the Dead Sorority Babes and the character you play.
ASHLEY: Well you should DEFINITELY go give Night of the Dead Sorority Babes a watch! I play Lexi, and I only come in at the end. I am director of photography for this one as well, and it’s one of the more creative films I’ve been behind the camera for. I def recommend. It’s on Tubi, so free to watch!!
CHRIS: Do you prefer appearing in dramatic horror or comedic horror?
ASHLEY: Oooh that’s a tough one. I find myself cast in more comedic roles, even in horror films, and they’re always so much fun. I do feel more proud of the dramatic horror roles I’ve done though. I’d say it’s a wash between which I prefer though!
CHRIS: Would you prefer to play a character similar to yourself or one who is quite unlike yourself?
ASHLEY: Well it’s easy to play a character similar to myself, especially when I can pull from real life instances to really make the character believable. But I do love the challenge of playing a character totally unlike myself.
CHRIS: How about choosing between playing a well-known person or an entirely fictional character?
ASHLEY: I’ve only had the chance to play non fictional characters twice, and I liked it. I like doing research into the person I’m playing and really try to honor who they were or are in real life, but I LOVE building a fictional character with the director. I love building Pinterest boards on who I think this character really is, assigning them a favorite song and favorite movie, figuring out if they’re a cat person or a dog person, what they’d order at a restaurant or a bar. It’s so much fun to develop a character based on the script you’re given, so I’d say fictional character for sure.
CHRIS: I haven’t seen it yet, but you have to tell me about Night of the Dead Sorority Babes and the character you play.
ASHLEY: Well you should DEFINITELY go give Night of the Dead Sorority Babes a watch! I play Lexi, and I only come in at the end. I am director of photography for this one as well, and it’s one of the more creative films I’ve been behind the camera for. I def recommend. It’s on Tubi, so free to watch!!
CHRIS: Do you prefer appearing in dramatic horror or comedic horror?
ASHLEY: Oooh that’s a tough one. I find myself cast in more comedic roles, even in horror films, and they’re always so much fun. I do feel more proud of the dramatic horror roles I’ve done though. I’d say it’s a wash between which I prefer though!
CHRIS: Would you prefer to play a character similar to yourself or one who is quite unlike yourself?
ASHLEY: Well it’s easy to play a character similar to myself, especially when I can pull from real life instances to really make the character believable. But I do love the challenge of playing a character totally unlike myself.
CHRIS: How about choosing between playing a well-known person or an entirely fictional character?
ASHLEY: I’ve only had the chance to play non fictional characters twice, and I liked it. I like doing research into the person I’m playing and really try to honor who they were or are in real life, but I LOVE building a fictional character with the director. I love building Pinterest boards on who I think this character really is, assigning them a favorite song and favorite movie, figuring out if they’re a cat person or a dog person, what they’d order at a restaurant or a bar. It’s so much fun to develop a character based on the script you’re given, so I’d say fictional character for sure.
CHRIS: Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you haven’t worked with, but would really like to?
ASHLEY: I’m so grateful to have been on set in some capacity with a lot of my indie faves. I have a few projects coming up that’s actually going to cross a few new names off my list, that I can’t quite divulge details about yet, either. There are a few that come to mind that I’ve worked with behind the camera that I’d love to share the screen with, like scream queens Jessa Jupiter Flux and Morrigan Milam. I’d love to work with Felissa Rose some day too, either behind the camera or on screen!
CHRIS: What film that you’ve appeared in, would you say you’ve learned the most from?
ASHLEY: I’ve learned the most from Attack of the Corn Zombies and Return of the Corn Zombies. In Attack, working alongside the iconic Lynn Lowry was eye opening as far as acting goes. In both films I also got my first taste at assisting in SFX with Beth Metcalf for the zombies makeup, and it’s a skill that’s come in handy on several sets I’ve been on since then!
CHRIS: You appeared in the TV series Blood Sisters and one other. Would you say you would prefer doing films over having a role in a series?
ASHLEY: That’s another tough one, but I’d say I prefer doing a series more than a film! I’ve done two series, Blood Sisters and Splintered Love with Acrostar. For both projects, we’d meet up every couple of months to film an episode, and that was some of the most fun I’ve had. I was mostly behind the camera for the Splintered Love series, whereas I was main character in Blood Sisters. Both projects hold a special place in my heart because of the time and effort that got put into the series.
CHRIS: I see you’ve also done quite a few behind the camera roles. Mostly as a cinematographer.
ASHLEY: I LOVE being a cinematographer. Doing DP work in indie horror films is my bread and butter, and I’m a very confident cinematographer. I love the creative control I have, and with my acting background, I think I make for a pretty kickass director of photography. I know how to make an actor look good because I know what I would want out of a shot as an actor. I’ve actually done more as a cinematographer than I have as an actor in recent years, and I’m so proud to be making a name for myself, especially as a woman in this field.
CHRIS: You can take this as a compliment. Has anyone ever told you that in certain images, you look a bit like Shannen Doherty?
ASHLEY: That’s one I actually haven’t heard before, and I definitely DO take it as a compliment. Shannen was such a babe, may she rest in peace. The ones I have been compared to recently are Kay Dennings, and an “alt Sabrina Carpenter” (laughs).
ASHLEY: I’m so grateful to have been on set in some capacity with a lot of my indie faves. I have a few projects coming up that’s actually going to cross a few new names off my list, that I can’t quite divulge details about yet, either. There are a few that come to mind that I’ve worked with behind the camera that I’d love to share the screen with, like scream queens Jessa Jupiter Flux and Morrigan Milam. I’d love to work with Felissa Rose some day too, either behind the camera or on screen!
CHRIS: What film that you’ve appeared in, would you say you’ve learned the most from?
ASHLEY: I’ve learned the most from Attack of the Corn Zombies and Return of the Corn Zombies. In Attack, working alongside the iconic Lynn Lowry was eye opening as far as acting goes. In both films I also got my first taste at assisting in SFX with Beth Metcalf for the zombies makeup, and it’s a skill that’s come in handy on several sets I’ve been on since then!
CHRIS: You appeared in the TV series Blood Sisters and one other. Would you say you would prefer doing films over having a role in a series?
ASHLEY: That’s another tough one, but I’d say I prefer doing a series more than a film! I’ve done two series, Blood Sisters and Splintered Love with Acrostar. For both projects, we’d meet up every couple of months to film an episode, and that was some of the most fun I’ve had. I was mostly behind the camera for the Splintered Love series, whereas I was main character in Blood Sisters. Both projects hold a special place in my heart because of the time and effort that got put into the series.
CHRIS: I see you’ve also done quite a few behind the camera roles. Mostly as a cinematographer.
ASHLEY: I LOVE being a cinematographer. Doing DP work in indie horror films is my bread and butter, and I’m a very confident cinematographer. I love the creative control I have, and with my acting background, I think I make for a pretty kickass director of photography. I know how to make an actor look good because I know what I would want out of a shot as an actor. I’ve actually done more as a cinematographer than I have as an actor in recent years, and I’m so proud to be making a name for myself, especially as a woman in this field.
CHRIS: You can take this as a compliment. Has anyone ever told you that in certain images, you look a bit like Shannen Doherty?
ASHLEY: That’s one I actually haven’t heard before, and I definitely DO take it as a compliment. Shannen was such a babe, may she rest in peace. The ones I have been compared to recently are Kay Dennings, and an “alt Sabrina Carpenter” (laughs).
CHRIS: Do you have any interests or hobbies only those close to you would know about?
ASHLEY: I love collecting dead things. I love going on a walk through the woods and coming back with little treasures, and I have quite the animal bone collection growing. Another interest of mine that turned into a job I love is attending horror conventions! I’m a proud assistant con director to Milwaukee Horror Con, Detroit horror Con, and Co-Director of the Chicago Horror Film Festival. Catch me in Detroit this August and Chicago this October!
CHRIS:With that, I’ll thank you again for doing this, Ashley. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
ASHLEY: Thank you so much for having me! Real quick, I’d probably get in so much trouble if I didn’t shout out my partners in crime, my “Momager” Michele Hefner and my pookie Delilah “Dee” Hefner. I wouldn’t have had the guts to end my hiatus and try again in the industry without them. Same with Steve Hermann and Acrostar Productions. He’s helped me grow immensely into the actor and cinematographer I am today.
ASHLEY: I love collecting dead things. I love going on a walk through the woods and coming back with little treasures, and I have quite the animal bone collection growing. Another interest of mine that turned into a job I love is attending horror conventions! I’m a proud assistant con director to Milwaukee Horror Con, Detroit horror Con, and Co-Director of the Chicago Horror Film Festival. Catch me in Detroit this August and Chicago this October!
CHRIS:With that, I’ll thank you again for doing this, Ashley. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
ASHLEY: Thank you so much for having me! Real quick, I’d probably get in so much trouble if I didn’t shout out my partners in crime, my “Momager” Michele Hefner and my pookie Delilah “Dee” Hefner. I wouldn’t have had the guts to end my hiatus and try again in the industry without them. Same with Steve Hermann and Acrostar Productions. He’s helped me grow immensely into the actor and cinematographer I am today.
I have some projects coming up too I’d love to plug. I’ll be working with Third Shift Films as Director of Photography this August on Ghost Redemption starring Hunter Redfern and Tiffany Saggio. I’ll be returning as DP in September to the finale of the corn zombies trilogy Revenge of the Corn Zombies with Acrostar Films. Then I’ll be on screen with Black Flame Entertainment and Steve Livengood’s project The Contract as demon succubus Helena. I’m so excited for all of these projects, and they’re all still raising funds in pre-production!
See more of Ashley at IMDb, Facebook, and Instagram.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. A former Xanga blogger ("Xangan"), Chris is still in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco. Besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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