MISS APRIL 2008

KAI LANETTE

Former stripper and current MILF, Kai Lanette is the latest victim of Brandon, the APSK Killer. Kai plays the role of Victim #12 in Shane Ryan’s “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2.” Brandon, who calls himself Christian this go-round, picks up the beauty as she is walking home from getting a late snack. The night starts out as a party, but becomes more and more twisted as it gets later and later. By morning, Brandon has himself a new snuff movie in the can and is heading to another town, on the prowl for another victim.

Though her character has no name, Kai is essentially the star of the sequel to Ryan’s cult classic and is one of the keys that makes this film so much different than the first. Like Nelly Furtado, Kai’s character is a “Promiscuous Girl.” She’s also kinky and tough. At first, Brandon is able to get pretty rough with her. She draws the line when he spits in her face and threatens to shove her face in the toilet. The victim decides she has had enough and starts to desert Brandon. But then the killer turns on his charm, so he can finish what he’s started. What comes next isn’t pretty at all. Humiliation, rape and murder are only the beginning.

Kai gives PollyStaffle.com her thoughts on the film and shares what she hopes others take away from the project. She also exposes the director and actor behind Brandon and the “Amateur Porn Star Killer” series for what he truly is – “a total sweetheart,” and discusses dancing, knives and shot guns in this April edition of Polly’s Pinups.

BAD ASS MOMMA

CCF: Jumping right into “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2,” tell me a bit about the whole experience of filming this movie. What was it like to be one of Brandon’s victims?

KL: I can say it was definitely an experience. I had a lot of fun doing the movie, especially by the way Shane and I let it flow. In some ways it was rather difficult, only because the relationship I had been in right before I did the movie had been violent. In fact, a lot of the violence we used in the movie mirrored a lot of what happened to me. So you would think that I would be freaked out by acting in this movie, when in fact I wasn’t. But onto other subjects. It was very interesting to see how Shane and I reacted to each others movements and comments, and to see how far we could let Brandon go with this victim. Becoming the victim didn’t feel threatening during the making because I knew it was acting. Although when I watched the first preview of it, I must say I was pretty creeped out by the whole thing. The only thing about being the victim is I tend to have a dominant personality, and that dominance showed in my character, so it was a little strange becoming the submissive one in the end. I always thought I’d play the bad guy (well girl) if I ever did a movie. (LOL)

CCF: (LOL)

KL: I would love to have the role of the villain.

CCF: So was it really hard for you at all to get into character for filming?

KL: It wasn’t. In a way I’m like the character in the movie, so I basically exaggerated more off of my own personality. I liked how my character was a lot different than the one from Shane’s first film. Especially, how it took Brandon awhile to technically scare me. I think the reason I didn’t find it difficult is because my character was very outgoing and a little on the bad girl side, and that was a lot of fun to play. Although there were a couple of times when I wasn’t too sure when I should start acting scared. (LOL) I have a pretty high pain tolerance, and since my character was definitely on the kinky side I kind of had to hit and miss the parts where I would actually get pissed off, hurt, or turned on. But when we did the spitting scene, I think that took it to the next level degrading this girl, and at first it was difficult to change character all of sudden.

CCF: The snuff version of the “Amateur Porn Star Killer 2” essentially takes place in real time and your character has to go through quite a few different emotions in a short span. This films is a bit different from Shane’s first one as its not as intense from start to finish. The movie sort of settles down with a party time vibe after the opener, then it turns flirty and erotic, before things get heavier and heavier. What was the toughest part of filming for you? Was it the early parts of the film, knowing what was coming next for the character? Was it the sex, the violence or what exactly?

KL: When Shane came around the corner in the beginning that was difficult. I tried so hard not to laugh, and totally screwed up the first round. Everything we shot only took one take, except for that one part. It took a couple shots. The first time we tried it, he actually scared me. (LOL) Except, stupid me says “Oh shit you actually scared me!”

CCF: (LOL)

KL: (LOL) That was classic and totally out of character.

CCF: (LOL)

KL: One of the hardest parts was actually deciding when to change from badass chick, to weak and scared. I really had to try and figure which parts of violence or words were going to piss me off, and which ones were going to just turn me on. But the spitting scene I talked about was the perfect timing for the quick change of mode. Because I played the promiscuous girl who had a sense of independence, I really had to time the part where I finally freak out. Shane’s idea with the spitting was perfect. I didn’t want to let the whole weakness thing out early. And I definitely didn’t want the viewers to think I get turned on by one thing and pissed off at the same thing afterwards. I believe that Shane and I worked really well together in the whole, and the chemistry went very well. We were able to kind of get into each other’s mind. But the hardest scene was playing dead!

CCF: Yeah, tell me about that a little. You were pretty convincing as a dead corpse. Brandon kills your character and then has sex with your body. How hards was it to play dead while that was going on?

KL: Um... I tried not to laugh, or make any noise (LOL). That was the hardest part of the movie! I mean, how do you sit still with a blank expression while someone is having sex with you? (LOL)

CCF: Yeah, as I was watching the movie, I was thinking, “That’s some damn fine acting there. How the hell is she pulling this off?” (LOL)

KL: I really wanted to laugh. Even though the thought of it was sick, it was also quite hilarious. I really tried to hold myself under control the whole time. Even afterwards when he covered me up with the blanket. I tend to get rather claustrophobic and having my face covered was hard enough, so I really had to keep myself under control.

CCF: Well, it turned great. Switching gears, the cost of the first film was $45. What kind of budget was involved this time? I understand you had just moved into your apartment and that was used for the location, so what did you and Shane end up spending money on?

KL: Well, videotapes for the camera, gas in the car, and a doughnut!

CCF: (LOL)

KL: Other then that I’m not sure. I bought coffee that night, mmmm ice-blended mocha. But I think that was before we even started the movie, so I’m pretty sure that wasn’t in the budget.

CCF: (LOL)

KL: Shane bought something to drink from the store, as in a way for my character to relax by drinking alcohol. Although I think Shane really just wanted me drunk! (LOL) Just kidding Shane.

CCF: You mentioned the doughnut. At the begining of the film, you are at a doughnut shop at night and then you start to walk home when Brandon catches up to you. In real life, you don’t go walking to get coffee or donuts late at night by yourself do you?

KL: Actually I used to do it when I was a teenager. But I always carried two to three knives on me and a pepper spray bottle. I also made sure my purse was incredibly heavy. I usually carried a couple tools and a book to give it weight. I grew up in a “fend for yourself” environment, and was always out late at night. Sometimes at the coffee shop, and almost always by myself. I was always kind of a loner and didn’t trust very many people, hence the knives. When I did walk at night, I had a knife in my boot, one under my sleeve, and the other on a key chain. Of course, now I just drive everywhere. Plus, I have a son, so it wouldn’t exactly be safe walking around late at night with him.

CCF: Do you remember when Shane first approached you about this project? Just curious how that conversation went.

KL: Yes, it was quite a funny day. Shane actually met up with an old friend Jen at the Southside Coffee Shop. He had been looking for an actress for his movie. Supposedly during that conversation, I was driving home from work, but was planning on stopping at the coffee shop first. Jen called me from Shane’s cell phone and left a message. I called back, and she said that she was at the coffee shop with him and that she thought of me when he mentioned his movie. I happened to be around the corner heading over there, so I thought I could go ahead and talk to him. I’ve known Shane for years, not really close but had met him a few times before. He basically started talking about the first movie, which was interesting because I had already seen it. Coincidentally, at the time that he made the first film with Michiko Jimenez, I was hanging out with her. (LOL) At first, I was iffy about making the movie, and then we went over to his house and talked more about it, and I watched a few of his films. In the end I kind of said, “Yea, what the hell.” It was an experience and something new and exciting for me to do. Plus, I had just gotten out of a controlling relationship, and took any opportunity that let me be wild.

CCF: I imagine filming this thing had to get pretty intense at times. Was there ever a point while filming that you thought, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

KL: No, not really. I’m a pretty confident person and don’t have very many regrets in life. We all do things for a reason and I’m not ashamed to say what I’ve done. Why? Because I’m the one who is calling the shots at those decisions in my own life. I felt actually pretty confident and fine while making the movie. I thought my process out pretty well before we started shooting. If anything, all I could think during the whole duration was what exciting thing will happen next, and what type of person will I be playing in a few minutes.

CCF: What do you hope people take away from this film?

KL: I hope people are severely creeped out. I mean, it is a real life situation that happens everyday, and it’s definitely scary. It also shows a lot of the same signs of domestic violence. Guy seeks younger girl, experienced or not, but one who is trusting because of the excitement of the attention she is receiving. Besides wanting to get under peoples skin, I also hope they realize that this kind of stuff is real, and maybe in a weird way it will send a message or a “moral of the story” out. I know personally I am against domestic violence, any kind of abuse really. I even just recently created a new Myspace page dedicated to helping others, which everyone can check out at Myspace.com/TheeExes. I also hope that it is realistic enough to kind of screw with people’s minds, so that they’re sitting there going “This really isn’t real is it?” You know, to a point that it’s believable that it happened, but they know it didn’t.

CCF: Prior to this, had you done any modeling or acting? Is this something you hope to keep doing?

KL: I’ve done acting in plays since elementary school, but nothing lately. I’ve done a little bit of modeling, nothing that went pro. I would like to break through in the industry, but not sure how to approach it. But I do hope my drive keeps looking into those goals, if not at this moment, at least some time in the future.

CCF: Your Myspace says you’re into “pole dancing” and “belly dancing.” Why don’t you talk about those interests some?

KL: I’ve been an exotic dancer for two of the Spearmint Rhino locations. I’ve also belly danced with a troupe and performed with them once at Ojai Day. Other than that just little gigs at the coffee shop here and now. I haven’t been up with it lately, too busy worrying about other stuff, but want to get back into it again. I do own my own pole. It’s very therapeutic for me in a strange sense. Then again dancing always has been. I would like to eventually teach my own belly dancing class, and maybe even pole dancing.

CCF: Lastly, how similar is the real life Shane Ryan to Brandon? (LOL) Would you let your daughter date this guy? (LOL)

KL: Shane Ryan is a total sweetheart in real life and I love him. He’s definitely one of the few good guys I’ve met, who takes others feelings into consideration. To me he’s the complete opposite of his character, and its amazing to see him change his personality to get into character so quickly. Throughout the whole movie he would stop and ask me if I was ok, to make sure I wasn’t getting freaked out by the whole situation. He really is a great guy, and I plan to make him a life long friend. Now allowing my daughter to date him? Hmmmm... Just kidding Shane. But then again if I had a daughter all the guys better know I’ll be standing behind her with sawed off shot gun.

CCF: (LOL) All right. Well, thanks for the interview Kai. It was fun.

- CCF, April 2008
All photos by Prelandra