Leah Ann Cevoli started performing in southwest Philadelphia at the age of 6, producing shows (in her backyard), using her four siblings as supporting cast. Leah filled her childhood with rock n roll, soap diva Susan Lucci, Madonna and horror classics like Carrie. She was able to contain her passion for pop culture just long enough to graduate (magna cum laude) from West Chester University with a degree in Psychology and Elementary Education, which she felt was ideal preparation for a Hollywood life.

Her first L.A. success was with the founding of BurstMusic.net, through which she produced and hosted hundreds of live events and fund raisers. Leah gradually shifted her focus to performing.

Over the past 3 years Leah has studied intensively, gained representation, and earned her membership in the Screen Actors Guild. She has held recurring and regular roles on such high-profile television shows such as, HBO's Deadwood, and Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken.

Currently Leah can be seen on television in a national Weight Watchers Campaign, she is attached to star in Invictus Films' Sound of Mind set to begin prod. late '09, and has just finished recording new characters for Season 4 of the Emmy Award Winning 'Robot Chicken'. Leah has appeared in numerous episodes throughout Robot Chicken's four seasons on-air.

As a host Leah continues to rock the stage with notable names such as Jeff Connaway (Taxi/Grease), Pamela Anderson, Mike Marino, Poison, and Velvet Revolver.

A lover of music, children, and literacy Leah is regularly involved with the SAG Foundation's program Book-Pals and is a Writing Coordinator for the "We The Children" Autobiography Project, as well as many other charitable events in and around Los Angeles.

Leah just released her first book, a collection of original poetry "Amicably Ever-After" (The Year I Grew Up). You can also find Leah producing and hosting 'Acoustic Angels', a monthly showcase she originated in Hollywood.

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Intro:

Stunning and Charming Actress Leah Ann Cevoli sat down with me between The Comic Con and the 1st annual Carnival of Darkness which will launch on the 6th of August in Los Angeles to talk with Rouge Cinema about her past, present and future.

Leah has been privileged to be directed by such greats as David Milch (Deadwood, NYPD Blue), Mark Tinker (Deadwood, NYPD Blue, St Elsewhere), Allan Taylor (1%, Sopranos) and Gregg Fienberg (Carnivale, Deadwood).

Mathew Senreich and Co-Producer/Creator Seth Green of “Robot Chicken” have made Leah a regular voice actress on their Emmy award winning show.
In September of 2007 Leah became a forerunner in After Dark Films, Miss Horror Fest contest. Her video entry showcased Leah in an original character, “Vampire Seductress, Scarlet Rose”. Within 16 hours the video had gained over 1000 YouTube views.
Last but not least we talked about the upcoming 1st annual Carnival of Darkness which she Co-Produces with Director Alex Bram who will premiere his newest film called “Body of Work” at the Festival.

Let’s go on a journey with Leah, a Fun Friendly Free Spirit with an Edgy Rock n Roll Attitude On-Screen and Off! Always on an Adventure, and more than willing to take you with her!

"I woke up one day and realized that I was not being true to myself, I wanted to perform, to act, to create; to be in front of the camera." - (Leah Ann Cevoli)


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HMB: Leah, tell us a little bit about your background. How was growing up in southwest Philadelphia, you started at the age of 6, producing shows in your backyard. You used  your four siblings as supporting cast, was it the success of your early works that encouraged you to go into the show biz?

LAC:   Ha, Ha!  Ah, the opening of my bio!  It was more of a creative outlet, meaning, I forced my siblings to put on plays and dance numbers, and forced my parents and grandparents to watch us!  It was something I always enjoyed doing, but back then it was simply a family affair.


HMB: After you arrived in Los Angeles you hosted hundreds of musical and charity events, sharing the stage with greats like, Jeff Conaway (Taxi/Grease), Pamela Anderson, Skid Row, Poison, Aerosmith, and Velvet Revolver. How was that experience for you?

LAC:  I’ve always been a huge music fan, 80’s rock in particular, so it was a pretty natural transition for me.  As a young girl, I dreamed of hosting all of the big awards shows; in the late 90’s I found myself working on tour with the band Poison—I moved to LA shortly after that, and it was a natural transition from tour to the rock club stages of Hollywood.


HMB: What was your first acting job?

LAC: Ever?  The earliest I can remember was in the 5th grade. My parents moved us from SW Philly to the suburbs of Delaware County, a little town called Aston.  The elementary school had just implemented a Reading Program called RIBET (Reading Is Better Every Time), and I was chosen to play the “new girl” in a documentary style broadcast piece explaining the new program to the school thru the perspective of the “new girl”.


HMB:  Matthew Senreich and Co-Producer/Creator Seth Green have made you a regular voice actress on their Emmy award winning show Robot Chicken, how did that came all about.

LAC: Well, Matt was walking down the street one day and was struck by lightning, I happened to be near by and saved his life, in return he made me a regular on Robot Chicken.  No, seriously… it’s been an amazing journey.  I met Matt Senreich shortly before Season One of Robot Chicken began recording. We took a business meeting (you know Starbucks), and next thing I know they had a last minute cancellation and I was brought in to cover the voice of Sabrina The Teenage Bitch.  It was my Taft-Hartley into the screen actors guild, and I guess I rocked it, because they keep bringing me back. I’m one of the few female voice actors on the show, and one of the very few actors that aren’t A-list voices. I’m truly humbled to be a part of that show. Matt, Seth, and everyone at Robot Chicken have been incredibly kind to me, they rock my world!  Make sure to check out www.RobotChickenOnWheels.com for info on the Robot Chicken Skate Party Bus Tour!


HMB: In 2008 you published a collection of original poetry called Amicably Ever-After (The Year I Grew Up).  Did you always like to write poetry? Do you think the poetry has a specific role to play in human affairs in this century? If so, what is it?

LAC:  Yes, I’ve always written poetry. I had forgotten about it for many years tho, and it wasn’t until I particularly painful relationship in 2006 that it all came pouring out again.  Hmm.. well poetry, like any other creative art-form is an outlet. An outlet for emotions, good or bad, an outlet for creativity. So in that sense, absolutely it plays a role in this century.  Without creative outlets, everyone would be medicated, and we’d be a bunch of yes/no zombies believing everything the media/govt tells us to believe.


HMB: Leah let’s jump into the horror business, you will be starring in and co-producing the horror short "Body of Work" along with producers Alex Bram, Rik Converse, and Renee Pezzotta. What can you tell us about the film?

LAC:  Oddly enough, the festival was planned before Body of Work.  Alex and I began working on the festival together, and then thought, oh hey, we should have a short in this festival as well.  Alex spoke to different writers, and came up with a story from Shayla Beesley.  They turned it into a screenplay and voila. The film was an amazing experience, the entire concept was birthed in about 4 months, and shot in 4 days this past June in Malibu and Glendale, Ca..  As a producer, I was instrumental in bringing a large portion of the cast and crew to the table.  As an actor, I play a character named Haley. A young goth-rock model who is hired by an eccentric artist named Vogler. Vogler likes to paint live models. Vogler also likes to paint with blood.  We flash-forward 10 years to a young couple who have just purchased Vogler’s home, and soon enough the wife begins to be haunted by the models who Vogler painted.  Body of Work will premiere at The Carnival of Darkness Festival Aug 6th.


HMB: Okay and now to your newest “Baby” the 1st annual Carnival of Darkness which will showcase 2 hours of creepy shorts and music videos along with a one hour panel of industry experts. You and Alex Bram produce "Carnival of Darkness" which will open it’s doors on Aug 6th @ The Crest Theater in Westwood. How did this all come about?

LAC: Alex found me on Facebook. He was a fan of a character I created (Scarlet Rose) for After Dark Film’s HorrorFest Contest in ’07, that he had seen on my youtube channel. He approached me about putting a festival together, and next thing I know… we’re taking submissions and setting up a panel.  I’m very excited about it, and hope to make it an annual event.


HMB: Short VS. Feature?

LAC: Our short was very fun to make, but I’m looking forward to shooting some features.


HMB: What’s important for you when you attach yourself to a project?

LAC:  Besides the story itself, the most important thing is the quality and integrity of the people surrounding it. I’m sensitive to energy, I like to be around positive, productive people, who truly get things done.
 

HMB: What do you like or dislike about the business?

LAC:  I love the flexibility of my industry.  I love the spontaneous nature of it all.  I enjoy being around creative people, and watching projects (like our festival and short), literally spring from an idea and take shape over night. The only dislikes I can say I have is the uncertainty of the next paycheck.. but it comes with the territory, and I wouldn’t trade for a 9-5 gig ever again.


HMB: Some advice for newcomers?

LAC: I could write a book on this.   Get organized, get focused.  One of the best books out there for actors is “Self-Management For Actors” written by Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie.  Buy that book and follow the advice.  It is so valuable to have a support group of other actors and creative types. Family and Friends are great, but you also need people around you that “get it”. Seek out networking groups and classes that you vibe with, folks you can bounce ideas off, and create projects with.  Create your own projects, produce shows, do skits, write shows, network, network, network.  Follow up with the people you meet, you never know when you’re going to get that call that their project has been green-lit, or they need you to replace a cancellation.  Our industry is magical, I truly believe that, just keep at it.


HMB: What’s next for Leah?

LAC:  I’m attached to a few projects, one is a feature based on the book “Gettysburgh Ghost” by Phillip Rogone.  I’m excited about that as it’s going to shoot back in PA and is a period piece.  I’ve begun writing my memoirs, not sure how long it’ll be before they’re ready to publish, but I have begun them, and that’s exciting.  And.. gearing up to begin recording new character voices for Robot Chicken Season Five this fall.


HMB: Please choose 5 people out of the film business (dead or alive) , you want to have at your dinner Table.

LAC:  Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Ann Margaret, Jack Nicholson, and Leonardo DiCaprio .J


HMB: Any people that have come along in your life you wish to give a special thanks credit in this interview?

LAC: Oh wow, there’s so many.  I want to thank Alex Bram for reaching out to me and co-creating the festival and film.  I want to thank Matt Senreich, Seth Green, and the entire RC crew for their continued faith and support. My coaches, my mentors, especially Katt Shea, Bonnie Gillespie, David Milch, Bob Bergen, and Julie Ariola.  And lastly, my family, friends, and fans, for the continued support, encouragement, pep talks, and loans!  That was fun.. felt like I was accepting an Oscar!


HMB: Thank you so much for the interview Leah, and all the best for the Future!

LAC: Right On! Thanks!

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Links to Leah Ann Cevoli:

http://www.leahcevoli.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm1859539
www.myspace.com/leahann
www.youtube.com/leahann4
http://www.carnivalofdarknessfestival.com