I've seen a lot of films this year, and one of the few that hit me like a ton of bricks was The Finals Girls. I can honestly say that not a week goes by that I can't recommend this gem of a film. It's fun, different and just an overall blast. The cast is full of up and coming talent, so when I had the chance to chat with Camp Bloodbath's token party girl, I had to seize the opportunity.
Jessie Hobson: The people want to know, do you read your IMDB message board?
Angela Trimbur: There's a message board?
JH: How did you get involved with The Final Girls?
AT: I knew Todd, the director, who got me in to meet with casting! I had the most fun audition, it all felt correct...
JH: Any similarities between you and your character, Tina?
AT: We both want everyone to have a good time, and any other emotions feel like a confusing burden. We also both feel more powerful on Adderall.
JH: I read that you improvised the entire dance scene, is this something we'll continue to see throughout your career?
AT: I truly would love to dance in every project I could. Dance is my main source of joy. It opens up my heart/mind, feels freeing, etc. My mom owned a dance studio when I was young, called Pitter Patter, so my eyeballs and earholes grew up watching bodies move to beats. Todd asked me what I had planned for the dance scene and if I wanted to rehearse, I told him I just planned on seeing what happens! He trusted that, and I am so grateful he did. I wanted it to feel like a deer-in-headlights trying to do something grand with a an unhealthy rapid heartbeat.
JH: What's it like going from an actual slasher to a parody of a slasher?
AT: Well since my character was a heightened version of the typical 80s bombshell party girl, I would say my brain was more set to a more giggly mindless tone verses a natural character with layers of depth. Since I was playing a fictional, which is how we referred to the characters who were living in the Camp Bloodbath world, it was my job to stay in the parody state, and the reals, the characters stuck within that film, to be keeping it all real in tone and stay true to the fear that comes with the slasher territory.
JH: What was it like being directed by Rob Zombie in Halloween ?
AT: He was extremely chill and I felt safe in that knowing his vision was going to to always turn out primo. He was also quite collaborative and in-the-moment, was always willing to roll in a different direction if that's the way the vibe was headed. It was also my first major film role. I felt very honored to be working with such an accomplished director and tried to stay as bold as possible, but was still nervous around such a notoriously cool man. He once asked me on set regarding a scene, "What do you think of this, is this cool?" And I said, "Oh yeah. It's very cool." I still think to this day how special and respected it made me feel to have Rob Zombie ask me my opinion on what was cool. COOL.
JH: Switching gears, who's the funniest person you've worked with?
AT: Hmmm... there have been so many hilarious people in my life, but I'd say as far as ones I have worked with, Adam Devine stands out as someone who is always guaranteed to make me laugh. He is always very kind to everyone, and is extremely effortlessly witty in all moments. He also hasn't grown an ego in any way, despite his rising success. He is never too cool for anyone, and gives every human attention, which is rare in such a rabies-esque business.
JH: Is there anyone in particular you'd like collaborate with?
AT: I've always dreamt of having a creative best friend, and we would click so hard and work together somewhat exclusively, and people would say, "Oh there they are, those two." I'd like to think this creative partner is out there right now, looking forward to meeting me naturally in life, perhaps rom-com style, a physical bump into one another with our blank papers flying everywhere.
JH: Was there ever a point in your career that you thought about giving up?
AT: I've never thought about giving up on acting, however I have thought about giving up on Los Angeles though. Wondering if it was possible to live a calmer life somewhere else and still do what I do at this point of my life. I think the conclusion after much research was nah."
JH: Do you have any advice for people who want to do what you do?
AT: Create your own projects! No one knows what you can do best but yourself and there's no sense in waiting for work! Show what it's like inside your brain. You are special. Go, go, go!
JH: It looks like 2016 will be a busy year, what can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
AT: I just wrapped filming Ricky Bates Jr.'s next movie, Trash Fire. It's a psychological horror comedy about Isabel, myself, and Owen, Adrian Grenier, whose relationship is quite… off. Not sure what I can reveal about the plot, but it also stars Matthew Grey Gubler, Fionnula Flanagan and AnnaLynne McCord, who are all truly rock solid talent and bring something exciting and strange to the film. It'll be premiering at Sundance, in the Midnight section, alongside Rob Zombie and Kevin Smith's new films.
I'm also working on developing a TV show about a group of misfit women in LA who find new leases on life through their less than stellar all girls basketball team. It's based on a real basketball league, our team is The Pistol Shrimps, which is named after a real tough sea creature. I'm creating the show with two other ballers on the team, Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci. I also started a real halftime dance team who do routines for all the teams in the women's community rec center, called the LA City Municipal Dance Squad. So when I'm not acting or writing, I'm choreographing silly throwback routines to 90s songs!
JH: Where should people follow you? Twitter? Instagram?
AT: @angelatrimbur on Twitter and @angelatrimbur on Instagram. Also, follow the basketball world on Instagram at @lacitymunicipaldancesquad and @thepistolshrimps.
So, there you have it folks. Keep an eye on this one, because Angela is definitely a star on the rise. I mean, if both Rob Zombie and I think she's cool then she has to be cool, right? Also, make sure you check out The Final Girls, which is available pretty much everywhere including your local Red Box... at least that's where my parents found it.