How long does it take to crank out one of those B flicks?
They are really being shot quick now. I’ve worked on films that took as little as four days to finish and I’ve worked on some that took three weeks. But all were pretty quick.
How do you feel about those softcore sex scenes you’ve shot?
I really don’t think much about them. They are what they are and if I shoot a love scene and someone thinks it’s really sexy then I feel I have done my job correctly.
What’s the best part of making these movies?
Well, what a great job to have where you go to work and there’s always a different location, you never know if you’ll be done in 2 hours or 16 hours, you get to work with different people all the time, and I don’t have to work everyday. I still have time for my family and I always have holidays off. It definitely doesn’t leave room for dullness.
What’s the downside?
That you only stay young and beautiful for so long. Eventually it fades away. It’s important to not build your life around your career, so that when you do start aging it’s not the end of the world.
Have you ever auditioned for someone and they pulled out the casting couch?
Believe it or not …NO!!! I think I’ve always just used wise enough judgement to not put myself in that sort of predicament. It’s a good thing because I probably would have kicked the crap out of whoever was trying to roll out the casting couch.
Any good stories about someone being jerky to you on the set?
Yes. One time I was working on a Click production, and I was getting ready to do a love scene . I looked up and noticed that one of the crew members who had been acting weird had placed himself front row center, with a chair and all, to watch the scene shoot. Well you can always tell the ones who find it a little too enjoyable to be on the set, so I called a closed set and he was told to leave.
What have you learned from being in the entertainment industry?
I’ve learned that it can happen rather quickly. There are times that work will just be pouring in and you are as busy as can be. Then just when you think you are going to drop, work slows down to nothing and you think you’ll never work again. Then it picks up again. Unfortunately, I’ve also learned that you really have to look out for yourself because the business isn’t going to take care of you. You have to be really strong or you might take too much to heart. It’s important not to do that.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Well, some people already know this , but I am married and have a beautiful three and-a-half year old daughter. I most enjoy being at home with my family, cooking, cleaning, reading romance novels and watching movies. I am a serious homebody. They would also be surprised to learn I’m not pursuing big stardom. I’m not sitting here waiting for my big break. I concluded a long time ago that if that was going to happen, it would already have happened. I’m happy where I’m at. If something great happens along the way, I will accept that gracefully. I’ve done such a large body of work in the twelve years I’ve been in the business , I can’t help but feel good.
What’s your ultimate goal in show business?
To leave the business with a smile on my face. I don’t plan on doing this forever, but I would like to remain happy while I am doing it. When I’m ready to step down I want to leave fulfilled and with no regrets. To this day I have no regrets. I’ve chosen a very entertaining path and it’s kept my career from getting boring.
Any advice for aspiring actresses?
Don’t put so much of yourself into the business that you lose yourself. Be careful who you surround yourself with while in the industry, because when you have your lows you’ll need to surround yourself with people who care about you. Be wary of the so called friends in the industry. Only make choices that you know you can live with , if not you’ll eventually be facing a downfall. And mostly, don’t ever let managers or agents tell you that there’s only one recipe for succeeding in the business. Your idea for success might be completely different than someone who is just interested in making the quick buck off of you. Use your gut instinct along with what you’ve learned along the way. Common sense is usually the best protector.
What’s your message for America’s youth?
Be smart. If you have good parents don’t take that for granted. If you aren’t able to turn to your parents for what you need growing up, then turn to someone that you can look up to for guidance. You’d be surprised how a positive role model can change the course of your life. It makes me so sad to hear stories on the news where kids had so many things missing from their lives that they took drastic measures to be heard. It shouldn’t be that way. It’s a parent’s job to step up to the plate and find out what’s going on in their kids head. Always talk to your parents if you’ve got something to sort out. It could simplify things for you during a time that can be pretty challenging.
I hope you have learned a little bit about me, and I hope that whoever reads this can appreciate and respect my honesty!
Get an even closer look at Shauna O’Brien’s web site.
