Interview with Scout Taylor Compton, star of Rob Zombie’s Halloween I and II, and The Runaways
For just 21 years old, Scout Taylor Compton has quite the impressive resume. Most notably, she played Laurie Strode in Rob Zombie’s Halloween I & II. She also played Lita Ford in 2009’s The Runaways, which starred Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, and has had roles in various sitcoms, including Ally McBeal, ER, Frasier, and Gilmore Girls. Scout is as modest as she comes, which is always welcome when doing interviews. The following took place on October 16, 2010, while Scout was on break during her appearance at Rock And Shock Fest 2010 in Worcester, Ma.
The Scout Taylor Compton Interview
TIS: So you’re a drummer? Can you tell me what got you interested in that?
STC: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of ’80s rock, and my parents were also huge music fans. I tried the guitar but I wasn’t good at it, and I enjoyed the movement of playing the drums, plus I wanted to be a rock star since I was young, so that was my inspiration.
TIS: What kind of kit do you play?
STC: I play with a red Pearl kit. He’s beautiful, and he’s my baby, and I love him so much.
TIS: Are you teaching yourself or taking lessons?
STC: I read the tabs. I wish I was one of those people who could just learn, but I’m not that talented. But I’m learning, and I actually had to play guitar for my role in The Runaways as Lita Ford, so that helped me get really good at reading tabs on various instrument tabs, which is much easier than reading sheet music.
TIS: And have you recorded some things, in which you also sing?
STC: Yes.
TIS: How’s it going? Any interest in the label?
STC: Well, actually I just started a new band called Rose Red, so I’m really excited. It’s some kind of punk band. It’s still an experiment, so it’s hard to say about the labels for now.
TIS: So, did you work with Lita (Ford) in her role as her in The Runaways?
STC: No. Lita actually had nothing to do with The Runaways. However, she put it on after she was done with the movie. She actually called me once at a convention. She called me and invited me to go see one of her shows, and now I’ve been to three or four since then. She is completely amazing and I love her so much. she hurt me a lot.
TIS: Who are you musically interested in right now?
STC: Oh shit. This is really bad, but I’m super obsessed with the song “Whip My Hair” by Willow Smith. You’ve heard?
TIS: Um, I don’t even know who Willow Smith is.
STC: Oh, it’s dance music. I also like Automatic Love Letter, Alkaline Trio and many indie bands. I also love Gary Jules. I also really like jazz. A wide variety of things really.
TIS: Yesterday I did an interview with Danny Trejo in which he talked about certain Hollywood actors who grew up in the business and lost touch with their humility. It seems that you have not yet fallen into this trap. Is this something that you have been intentionally aware of?
STC: Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t want to change myself for anyone, or for anything in my life. I would like to be treated, well, how I would like to be treated. For example, I just met Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl, who is starting a band, and she was so rude. I would like to be treated with respect and that is what I try to give back. I try to keep people around me who don’t let things get to their heads, and I think that rubs off on me.
TIS: Yeah, Danny said something very similar about keeping his friends around him to keep it sensible.
STC: Yeah, it’s really important if you care about that kind of thing, which I do.
TIS: So what’s this I heard about Halloween 3D? Has Rob signed up for it, or is Dimension just milking the cash cow?
STC: It’s not a rumor, and Rob won’t.
TIS: Wow, so Dimension is really trying to get you there?
STC: Yes, they are. They’ve come to me with an offer, but they don’t have a script yet, so I’m at least waiting for that before I decide what I’m going to do. However, I think there’s a good chance they can totally screw it up. I’ve heard they can totally scrap everything Rob did with his two movies, which is ridiculous, and I don’t want to be a part of that. I support Rob and all of our hard work, Danielle, myself, Tyler and everyone involved. For them to delete everything we did with those two movies is just ridiculous.
TIS: So do you want Tyler (Mane) to reprise his role as Michael Myers in 3D?
STC: Yes. In fact, they have offered it. I know Tyler wants to do it, but I really don’t know if I want to do it. I really need to read the script and be the judge myself.
TIS: Yeah, right there. Have you talked to Jamie Lee Curtis since you filmed the Halloween remakes about your portrayal of Laurie Strode?
STC: No, I’ve never talked to her at all. I’d really love to know what she thinks of my acting, but I’ve never had a chance to talk to her about it.
TIS: Do you have any thoughts about God? Who or what is He/She/It?
STC: I am an atheist.
TIS: Right on. What led you to that conclusion?
STC: Well, I’ve studied a lot, I want to know everything before I make my decisions and I just don’t believe in it. Believe in God?
TIS: Yes, but not a conventional dogmatic understanding that is popular in today’s society. I also really enjoy Eastern philosophy and metaphysics.
STC: That sounds good. very relaxing
TIS: Yes, at least I think so. So if I were to ask you what was the best day of your life, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
STC: The best day of my life?
TIS: Yes, I know it’s difficult.
STC: Yeah, oh man. Well, probably the best four days of my life were when I went on a road trip with Kristin Stewart (The Runaways, Twilight), and we took a road trip to Ohio from Los Angeles to see Rob (Zombie) perform. It was an overall amazing experience for me.
TIS: Sounds great. Well thanks for your time and good luck with Halloween 3D if you decide to do it.
STC: Impressive. Thanks for your time.