I personally love Part II films. Picking up right where the first let off, it takes the pressure off of any sequel, letting the audience feel as if they are still in the same story they fell in love with years before.
When I heard that Shauna MacDonald was doing interviews on behalf of her role in The Descent: Part 2, I was ecstatic. Not only did I love both films, but her turn as lone survivor Sarah was nothing short of brilliant.
When she called, I had several questions roaming through my head. I apologize if the below transcript seems a bit choppy. It just isn't every day that you get to speak to an indie scream-queen like Ms. MacDonald!
CollegeMovieReview: Shauna. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. How is everything going in your world?
Shauna MacDonald: It is my pleasure. Everything is going wonderful, couldn't be better.
CMR: Great. So tell me, what made you decide to come back and reprise your role as the heroic Sarah in The Descent: Part 2?
SM: Well, there were a lot of ideas presented. There was one about having it based in a hospital. Maybe have Sarah waking up from a coma, or something like that. Then there was a story without Sarah in it at all. But they finally thought [it best] to have it take place right after the first film. So it was a challenge for me, to get back into shape and get back to that character [exactly as I had left her].
She was so emotionally weak. She had seen all her friends die. She had survived, but her [mind hadn't processed] what she had seen. Sarah is a challenging character, and it was a privilege to get [to come back and player her again].
CMR: For the first hour or so you don't say a word. What was it like having to express all your fears and uncertainties without the help of dialogue?
SM: [Sarah] was confused about her mental state. She had survived, but was being forced to return to the caves. It was hard figuring out how to express her emotions without words, but it was a [good] challenge.
In a way the pressure is lifted off you, but you can't relax - especially after lunch. [laughing] [But] I prefer to have to work hard, it is difficult for me to be lazy.
CMR: The film is very dark, since most of it takes place within a cave. But with that said, the set pieces looked unbelievably real. How much did their visual authenticity help you in your performance?
SM: They were amazing. And the movie is dark, but that is what it is supposed to be. The rocks were awesome, and everything looks [beautiful] in the film.
CMR: Alright, two fire off questions.
SM: Oh. Okay.
CMR: What is your favorite horror film?
SM: The Ring. The original one.
CMR: And what is your biggest fear?
SM: The loss of one of my children. There is nothing I fear more.
