Carrie’s Summer Howell Is a Scream Queen for a New Technology
Stephen King’s debut novel Carrie has gotten the movie therapy 4 instances, together with the enduring 1976 Sissy Spacek adaptation, however a tv collection? That’s an enterprise for under Mike Flanagan, the horror auteur behind such spine-tingling reveals as The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, and Midnight Mass. But when it got here right down to delivering his model of the story of an remoted teen with telekinetic skills, Flanagan did not simply wish to do one other reimagining. He got down to supply a extra grounded model set within the age of social media, one that will converse to the distinctive experiences of teenagers as we speak.
But first, Flanagan wanted to seek out his Carrie.
Enter Summer Howell. With her cherub-like, youthful options and strawberry-blonde locks, Howell actually seemed the half, however it was the 22-year-old’s unique tackle the shy highschool teen, not merely an emulation of Spacek, that caught each Flanagan’s and King’s consideration. After a protracted audition course of, Howell beat out 1400 different actresses to land the covetable half.
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Howell herself is not any stranger to the horror style. Her first on-screen position was in Don Mancini’s Curse of Chucky at age 9, and he or she’s earned her scream-queen title with a string of chilling performances since—Harland Manor, All Fun and Games, and Night of the Reaper, to call just a few. But with Carrie, Howell steps into her most notable position but. Here, we discuss to the rising star about making Carrie White her personal, what actually went into filming that promenade scene, and shifting gears for her subsequent venture.
We’ve seen Stephen King’s novel Carrie tailored for the massive display just a few instances however by no means as a restricted collection. What intrigued you about telling this iconic story on this format?
When I received the [audition] sides, I spotted the writing was so good. Mike clearly is a gifted author and creator. I actually related with this model of Carrie as a result of she simply appears so open and curious and excited to get out into the global community. I used to be completely happy to play a distinct model and have the ability to deliver my very own factor to the scenes. I hadn’t watched the unique or learn the e-book, hadn’t seen something actually, which shocks me as a result of I’ve been working in horror since I used to be 8. I noticed it as one huge problem, and I used to be tremendous excited once I received it.
You beat out one thing like 1400 different younger actresses for the position of Carrie. Can you are taking me by means of your audition course of?
It was lengthy. It was all self-taped for the primary three. I despatched one, after which like a month or so glided by, and I did one other one with new scenes. Another month glided by, and I did much more. But then I used to be getting déjà vu—like, “I’m heading in the right direction proper now, and so they’re gonna wish to discuss to me.” And I used to be proper. That Friday, I ended up doing a piece session, which was an hour-long name, perhaps extra, with the casting crew. I used to be completely happy Mike wasn’t there as a result of I’d have been freaking out. I received to do 4 large scenes, and I keep in mind saying in considered one of them… It was meant to be emotional and crying, however I did not precisely attain that, and I used to be like, “Let Mike know if he desires tears, they’re going to occur on the day.” I used to be being daring. I used to be informed I’d have the weekend to decompress, wait it out, see what Mike thought. But Mike watched it immediately. I used to be operating myself a shower—totally out of character, able to chill out—and I received a textual content from my supervisor saying, “Can you get again on the decision and do the monologue however with tears? Mike desires to see that.” Naturally, I did.
I keep in mind mendacity on the ground in my room for like half an hour earlier than, telling myself all these affirmations of how far I’ve come and the way I do deserve this. “Don’t psych your self out now.” I made it occur, after which on Tuesday (it was April Fools’ Day), Mike referred to as me to inform me I had the half. I used to be on this group hug with my household, and it was a super-special second that I can replay in my head anytime I need now.
What was your trick to pulling off the tears?
It’s humorous as a result of [the tears] weren’t coming, I believe, simply with the stress of “I’m again on this name once more.” But the casting crew was so good, and so they gave me a be aware: Imagine your dad might have been right here for this second, listening to you give this speech to this room full of individuals. I’m a delicate woman. I’m actually emotional, and I like to make use of that in my work, in order that was the right flip of the swap. I used to be like, “Okay, cease speaking. I’m able to do it.”
You gained over Stephen King with what he mentioned was your “wonderful and attention-grabbing tackle the character.” Where did you pull from to make Carrie your personal?
The means she was written, to me, it was fairly apparent that she was curious and excited and needed to get on the market and expertise issues and meet folks. That was essential to me, to indicate that aspect of her—the curiosity, the gratefulness, like each object within the room she’s grateful for as a result of it is all new to her. So I attempted to deliver that, and I believe it labored. That’s an enormous a part of why I received the position is as a result of Mike was seeing so many tapes the place they had been making an attempt to emulate Sissy Spacek. And I did not watch it purposely as a result of I needed to do my very own factor. I like being unique in my auditions to attempt to stand out, and it labored out this time.
You and Mike made this resolution early on that you simply would not watch any earlier variations of Carrie till after you wrapped to not affect your efficiency. How was it watching Sissy Spacek’s Carrie after the very fact? Did it make you concentrate on your personal efficiency in a different way?
It was fascinating. I used to be actually fortunate. I received to observe it with most of our forged and Mike and a bunch of Vancouver locals who got here out, as a result of we had a screening on the Rio Theatre. It’s weird having filmed the entire collection primarily based on this character that I do know and constructed my very own model for after which seeing her roots, the place she comes from, and why it is an iconic factor. I perceive now why it is a traditional. It was loopy seeing all of the beats that we hit and the enduring moments. We know we will promenade, however there are additionally many extra issues which might be in it. But we additionally received to fill within the hole and develop it right into a collection, and Mike received to dive into extra particulars from the e-book, like with the [telekinesis] gene that received glossed over in previous movies. It was simply insanely cool, and I am unable to imagine my life is like this.
The collection brings the story into the twenty first century by showcasing the brutal indignities of teenage bullying and coming of age as a younger girl by means of the lens of social media. Having grown up within the age of social media, how might you relate to what these teenagers are experiencing?
I went to public college, so I undoubtedly skilled what comes with social media and seeing how folks can use it in opposition to you. You know, all of the bizarre accounts that get made in highschool. My highschool had an account to roast how folks parked within the parking zone. So you may think about how loopy it will get with folks’s appearances and the way they act and who they’re. It’s unhappy since you ought to have the ability to make errors when you’re rising up and never have it documented and proven to different folks, however sadly, that is the global community we’re now in. It’s a slippery slope, and it is onerous to close it out as a result of my technology’s been programmed to be hooked on our telephones and the web, so it is simply regular to go dwelling and be on it and never let your self have your personal area and calm your self. You cannot get away from the bullies as simply. They observe you dwelling. You gotta construct a stronger belief with your self, which is difficult to do while you’re so younger.
I really like that we see Carrie make her personal garments within the collection. How did that affect your fittings and the wardrobe route for this character?
Tammy Joe, our head of wardrobe, was really easy to work with and really collaborative. It was all the time about my consolation with issues and what made sense to my storyline. But it is enjoyable with Carrie as a result of she makes her personal garments. She loves stitching, and the thought was that she has these totally different patterns. So you may see the same-shaped skirts in lots of episodes, however then she alters issues as she learns what’s cool and what the youngsters are doing at school. So she’s a fast learner. She takes notes that means, and you will see a prime adjustments into a distinct model of the highest in a while. She will get to have enjoyable with that, and also you get to see a complete storyline arc by means of her clothes.
You spend numerous scenes together with your on-screen mom, performed by Samantha Sloyan, who’s unbelievable on this position. How was it constructing that very dependent mother-daughter relationship along with her?
It’s humorous. It felt simple, which I really feel like I should not take with no consideration ever since you do not normally get time beforehand. We had three weeks of rehearsals collectively, so we actually received to know one another, our characters, and what we had deliberate for ourselves, after which meshing that with one another. She’s simply so beautiful. Sam teaches you easy methods to be with out making an attempt. You simply wish to be like her as a result of she’s so variety and simply an unimaginable actor. She’s made it this far for a purpose, and I really feel like she was meant to play Margaret. It felt very simple, and even within the instances the place we had been doing intense scenes, we all know it is all pretend, and we’re simply right here to create artwork and have a great time. Vibes had been all the time good.
When you’re engaged on an intense scene, which regularly comes with any horror venture, what do you do to get your self out of that headspace on the finish of the day?
I used to be working 12-hour days, generally coated in a sticky substance the entire time. It was lengthy, so I actually solely had weekends and the nighttime, and even then, it is like it’s a must to account for drive time. So you simply gotta benefit from each second of relaxation. I’ve gotten very huge into self-care and simply ensuring mentally I’m okay, so consuming and sleeping had been the opposite half of my job. I’d go dwelling and placed on a well-recognized podcast and simply zone out and go to mattress.
What podcast had been you listening to?
There’s actually just one podcast that I take heed to. It’s only a consolation factor, however it’s referred to as Distractible. It’s this YouTuber, Markiplier, who’s now stepping into movie. He simply did his first film, Iron Lung. I’d like to work with him. I believe he is nice. He’s a really humorous man, and his two pals, Bob [Muyskens] and Wade [Barnes], are on the podcast. They simply discuss to one another about issues. You haven’t got to concentrate too onerous.
The promenade scene in Carrie is an iconic second in cinematic historical past. Talk to me about filming Flanagan’s model of it.
Mike mentioned that it was the toughest [scene]. He’s achieved onerous issues earlier than, however it was one of many hardest sequences to drag off, and we solely had two weeks, perhaps rather less, to do it. I believe I used to be coated in blood for, like, 9 days of it. My character is on this bizarre headspace, so there have been a pair days of no blood, simply dancing, having a great time, after which the remaining was blood, terror. I do not converse as a lot, so it felt easy, however it wasn’t. There are huge set items, and the timing of issues with sure departments—just like the sprinkler that messes up the blood in the event that they preserve going, the fires they needed to cope with, and easy issues like popping balloons—proved to be very tough. There’s quite a bit.
The horror style is having such a second proper now, and it is one thing you’ve got labored in for almost all of your profession. In your opinion, what are the items that make an incredible horror script?
How you write the characters. We see this with Carrie. We all really feel horrible for her the entire time, so there’s heartbreak that comes with it. Personally, I do not watch numerous gory horror. I am unable to. But I really like the best way Mike did The Fall of the House of Usher that you simply needed these folks to die the entire time. But then there’s Haunting of Hill House, the place you are bawling by the tip. So something that may make me really feel, that is my job, actually—to make folks really feel. When you are able to do that, it simply makes it higher. Also, when there’s comedy as nicely, the comedic aid, I all the time admire that.
You have been doing horror tasks because you had been 8 years outdated, which is wild. Are you craving one thing else as an actor?
Probably an action-adventure or a dramedy. I’d wish to department out somewhat bit. It can be good. As a lot as I really like horror… I respect the style. It’s introduced me this far, and I’ll proceed to do extra. Don’t get me fallacious. It can be good to go to work and [not] must cry that day or scream my lungs out. I did an motion film just lately for the primary time. It might be popping out someday subsequent yr. I additionally preserve saying I wish to play a legendary woodland elf, a fairy, or one thing—one thing sturdy, although. I wish to use a sword, female however sturdy.
Catch all episodes of Carrie, now streaming solely on Prime Video.
Photographer: Jonny Marlow
Stylist: Katya Netter
Hairstylist: Joseph Chase
Makeup Artist: Akina Shimizu
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