Editor

John More speaks to the Actress Silvia Colloca

“Van Helsing” a US May 7 release written and directed by Stephen Sommers, (“The Mummy” and “The Return of the Mummy”) starring Hugh Jackman (Van Helsing, Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), Richard Roxburgh (Dracula) and his 3 wives: Silvia Colloca...

“ABOUT THE FILM VAN HELSING”

John More: Hi Silvia, you have an important role in the Hollywood film “Van Helsing”, can you tell us about the synopsis?

Silvia Colloca: Set in the 19th Century, monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is summoned to a mysterious land in East Europe to vanquish evil.
And evil has a name: Dracula (Richard Roxburgh).
The Count and his three blood thirsty brides (Silvia Colloca, Josie Maran and Elena Anaya) will stop at nothing to pursue their purpose: To procreate by stealing the secret of life from the Frankenstein monster. Assisting Van Helsing is Princess Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), the heiress of a family who has been committed to hunting down Dracula and his brides for 400 years. And yet, her brother too, Prince Velkan Valerious (Will Kemp) is doomed by a terrible curse that brutally changes his features every full moon…
Van Helsing has to destroy the evil that inhabits these ancient lands before darkness engulfs the world.

John More: How much time did it take to shoot the film?

Silvia Colloca: Shooting was never ending! We commenced principal photography January 2003 until the end of June, blue screen post production in October-November and ADR (voice dubbing) January 2004!

John More: Describe the aspects of the film you found most enjoyable and the most scaring one?

Silvia Colloca: We had great fun during filming! It was hard indeed, 4 o’clock am pick up and shooting in freezing cold Prague, but everybody was very light spirited and motivated. I guess the cold was the only down side.

John More: What impact did you have to shoot a film for Hollywood and what have you learned from this experience?

Silvia Colloca: Hollywood can be enticing and scary at the same time. All of a sudden you fly first class everywhere, Limousines to come and pick you up, everybody there to please you. It would be easy to loose track… But when the movie was over I was happy to go back home with an intact soul.
This experience taught me a lot about being professional. There is no room for diva attitude whatsoever.

John More: How would you expect the public reaction after seeing the film “Van Helsing”?

Silvia Colloca: I think the audience will love it or hate it! It is a very specific kind of movie in that it features Dracula, Frankenstein and the Werewolf all together. There are very sensitive fans that will love it and others that will not approve. Nevertheless, it is bound to be next summer’s blockbuster!!...I hope!

“YOUR ROLE IN THE FILM”

John More: Explain me about your role in the film?

Silvia Colloca: I was so excited when I was offered to play this role! I have always been fascinated by the Dracula mythology and along with my dear Uncle Gianni (God bless him) I have watched every single Dracula movie ever made. I guess it was destiny!
When I went in for the screen test I knew what Steven Sommers was after and I gave it to him.
So, it was not too hard to enjoy my character during filming and make it my own. Also, for the first time the brides have a specific role in the plot, they are not just beautiful models on display, and that was really interesting.
Verona is Dracula’s first bride, she leads the younger sister brides while hunting and will do anything to see her children live. She also incarnates the “Goth” that the Dracula mythology is famous for. In some ways she is the female version of Dracula himself.

John More: How did you feel to be the bride of Dracula?

Silvia Colloca: As far as what it felt like to be Dracula’s bride… well I did pretty well considering that Richard Roxburgh (Dracula) and I are getting married in September!!!

John More: Stephen Sommers has also being the writer-director of “The Mummy”, “The Mummy Returns” and now “Van Helsing”. How did you feel to be directed by him? And can you also give me an example of one advice that the director Stephen Sommers gave to you?

Silvia Colloca: Being directed by Stephen was really great. He is like a child on Christmas eve, excited, curious and really open to changes. I loved the atmosphere he managed to create on set.
The best direction he gave was to distinguish Verona from the other brides by being less “loud” as if (His words) “She has been around far too long to be bothered by things like crucifix or so.”
Of course when she transforms into a human - like bat, she is a fiercesome animal and that is a different story… I look so scary!

John More: How was it working with Hugh Jackman, Richard Roxburgh, Kate Beckinsale and the rest of the staff?

Silvia Colloca: The cast was great fun to work with, of course with a special mention for Dracula! Hugh Jackman is a sweetheart and Kate Beckinsale was really professional on set, which I really appreciated.
I made friends with Will Kemp (The Wolfman) and his lovely wife and I have to say the three brides had plenty of fun together in Prague!

“EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND”

John More: I know you are also a singer, tell me about your full artistic educational background?

Silvia Colloca: I have studied very hard for years and I think that having an “old school” training has been worth it for me and I would recommend it to any one who wished to be in this business.

John More: I’m in the acting field for a long time and I know many young people think to become involved in the acting career without doing any study, what would you advice to them?

Silvia Colloca: Yet, it is a choice. I know people who are professional and very good actors who never took an acting class. I believe it depends on how you perceive yourself.
I have always wanted to be an actress and mum and Dad put me in acting school since I was 13. They have always taught me that you can’t suddenly be an actor, or a doctor or anything without working on your skills and I appreciate their advice more than ever and I shall pass it on to my children.

John More: What personal sacrifices have you made for your career?

Silvia Colloca: Regarding personal sacrifices in the name of a career…. I guess I have made some such as not going out at night partying to preserve my voice or spending a lot of money in dancing, singing and acting schools as well as travelling for auditions, but that’s it. I will never go too far. My personal life has priority always!

John More: How should actors approach an audition?

Silvia Colloca: Be on time! Casting directors hate the idea of waiting… And they have the power, so we’d better please them. And, of course, learn the lines. I know actors that go to auditions without any work done and I personally find not professional at all.

John More: Do you think that discipline is a necessary pre requisite in drama training?

Silvia Colloca: Absolutely! Within reason…

“YOURSELF”

John More: Who is Silvia Colloca?

Silvia Colloca: I am a girl in her late twenties whose life is fulfilled with love. I am lucky and thankful to my guardian angels!

John More: Why do you think many actors and actresses go abroad to find work?

Silvia Colloca: Working in Italy is very hard. Most of the time you are not even given the chance to audition for roles. I guess Italian actors think that abroad is easier. Big mistake because it is just the same, I have learnt. I have been very lucky.

John More: For an actress it’s also very important to be well-being mentally and physically, how do you keep healthy and fit?

Silvia Colloca: I love reading, an activity that I have done quite a lot lately which keeps my brain fit. For the body there is the ”boring Gym” and tennis with Richard.

John More: What was the last book you read and the last film you saw that affected you?

Silvia Colloca: The book that moved me the most is “Romulus, my father” by Raimond Gaita, which I don’t think has been released in Italy. But I truly recommend it if you are in England or Australia. Richard recommended it to me because he loved it so much that he is going to direct it as a film next year. Go and see “Lost in Translation”, really smart!

John More: What are your next projects and future goals?

Silvia Colloca: Work-wise, it is very exciting at the moment. Things have been changing since I was just a stage and musical performer and now directors want to meet me and I will use this chance. I will try to be wise and choose what is best for me and my family.

John More: Thank you Silvia for your kindness, break a leg for the film and your care.

Silvia Colloca: Thank you and come to see “Van Helsing”!

John More: I will certainly do!

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